South End Citizen 10-21-2020

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Oct. 21, 2020

| Vol. 53 | No. 37 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH END

Illinois Department of Public Health Issues COVID-19 Halloween Festivities Guidance Page 2

Black and Missing Foundation Founder Warns Pandemic Could Further Expose the Vulnerable Page 3

Hello Alice has joined forces with the NAACP to create the Black-owned Business Center Page 4

Shannon Zaleski, LSCW, OSC-W, is the associate director of clubhouse programs for Gilda’s Club Chicago. Gilda’s Club Chicago has been hosting programs virtually due to COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Shannon Zaleski

ORGANIZATION HOSTS VIRTUAL EVENTS TO SUPPORT THOSE WITH BREAST CANCER October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Those who have breast cancer are still in need of support and networking, even with COVID-19 making in-person meetings difficult. PAGE 2

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2 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED ANNOUNCES LEADERS AS NOMINEES FOR HONORARY MEMBERSHIP Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a 100-year-old historic women’s service organization, announced that Chaka Khan, GRAMMY™ award-winning music icon and philanthropist; Vivica A. Fox, award-winning actress, producer and entrepreneur; Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, the first African-American woman nondenominational archbishop in the United States; and Dr. Linda L. Singh, the first African-American and female adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard (retired) as 2020 honorary member candidates during the sorority’s Virtual Grand Boule held Oct. 3 – 4, 2020. They will be inducted into the sisterhood in November 2020.

Recently, Zeta released Wave 2 of its “In Our Voices” research study, which examines the issues that matter most to Black women and identifies opportunities for bridge-building with allies. Also, an upcoming virtual town hall will examine voter engagement on (Oct. 22). Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1920 on the campus of Howard University and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information about the virtual townhall, and to download the “In Our Voices,” research study and “Get Out the Vote” toolkit, visit www.zphib1920.org.

HEALTH

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES COVID-19 HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES GUIDANCE As we head into the holiday season, starting with Halloween, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is issuing guidance to help people celebrate safely as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidelines include following the 3 W’s – Wash your hands. Watch your distance. Wear your mask.

“One of the hallmarks of holidays and celebrations is gathering with friends, family and loved ones,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We are still in a pandemic, and unfortunately, this year, that means the safest way to celebrate is to stay home and plan virtual gatherings. That said, IDPH recognizes that [there are] some who will choose to gather together anyway, and instead of denying that reality, we are issuing guidance and recommendations for safer ways to celebrate together in person. Remember, we know what our best tools are: wearing our masks, keeping our distance, limiting event sizes, washing your hands, and looking out for public health and each other.”

If you think you could have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, do not participate in any in-person Halloween activities.

IDPH Halloween guidance can be found on the IDPH website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/ halloween-guidance

LAW & POLITICS

UH LAW CENTER AND SMU DEDMAN SCHOOL OF LAW HOST BLACK LAWYERS MATTER CONFERENCE 2020 Lawmakers, leaders in legal education, and legal professionals serving in a variety of roles will gather for a day-long virtual symposium titled, “Black Lawyers Matter: Strategies to Enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The event will be held via Zoom on Oct. 30. Co-conveners are the University of Houston Law Center and SMU Dedman School of Law. Topics throughout the conference include increasing Black enrollment in law schools; the role of historically Black law schools; the LSAT, socioeconomics and U.S. News & World Report; hiring for firms and corporate positions; and increasing diversity in law faculty hiring, the judiciary and judicial clerkships.

The Bracewell LLP Distinguished Lecture in Racial and Social Justice Keynote Speaker is David B. Wilkins, the Lester Kissel Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, vice dean for Global Initiatives on the Legal Profession, faculty director of the Center on the Legal Profession and the Center for Lawyers and the Professional Services Industry.

For registration information, visit https://www.law.uh.edu/blmc/

Organization hosts virtual events to support those with breast cancer Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there are individuals with breast cancer who still need a support system during COVID-19 where meeting in person can be a challenge. To continue to support those who need it, Gilda’s Club Chicago has created virtual programming.

Shannon Zaleski, LSCW, OSC-W, is the associate director of clubhouse programs for Gilda’s Club Chicago.

She said the organization has been committed to providing support and resources, online and virtually, during the pandemic. Zaleski said prior to COVID-19, Gilda’s Club wanted to host virtual meetings, but the pandemic ratcheted up the timeline.

Gilda’s Club works with people who are immunocompromised and wanted to make sure those individuals stayed safe and healthy.

“The couple [of] weeks leading up to Illinois shutting down, we were in conversation with our affiliates across the country, as well as the hospitals we work with in the city,” she said. “We were really taking our lead from what our hospital partners were saying and precautions they were putting in place.”

Zaleski said Gilda’s Club Chicago maintained its programming up until Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker closed down the state. She said all of Gilda’s Club Chicago’s partner hospitals – Advocate Christ Hospital, Northwestern, Mount Sinai and Lurie Children’s

– came to the consensus that it wasn’t safe to have in-person programming.

As a result, the organization made the decision to move to a virtual platform.

Zaleski said prior to COVID-19, Gilda’s Club Chicago hosted about 400 programs in one week across the city.

Now, there are 150 programs which are being hosted virtually. Most of those programs have been rolled into one.

“We continue to provide services, much needed services,” said Zaleski, who added that even prior to COVID, anybody going through cancer treatment, anyone living with cancer, needed that support and needed that outlet.

But then, you layer COVID-19 and the isolation precautions that people had to undergo, and it’s another “layer of needing that community,” she said.

Zaleski said that while people going through cancer treatment are still receiving that treatment, they are not getting the support and are going through it alone. Sometimes that means going to treatment alone.

“Being able to connect with people online is a really valuable tool and it’s something that we’re grateful to have because you look at 10-15 years ago, this wouldn’t have been an option.

Even then, how do you translate that community into an online presence, and I think that is an ongoing learning game,” she said.

It’s a really nice mix of people who participated during in-person programs and new people who participate in the virtual programs, Zaleski continued.

“One of the best takeaways from this is having people from across Chicago-

land and even across Illinois, come together in these groups,” Zaleski said. There used to be a divide between the South and North sides, she added, where people from the South side went to Advocate Christ and people on the North side went to Northwest. But now, “everyone comes together,” she said and added that they’re seeing “a much more diverse population.” Zaleski said the nice thing about that is there’s a new group dynamic. People who didn’t have time to participate in a group are doing so because they can log on from home. She said one ongoing workaround is technological training because some people didn’t know how to connect or didn’t have the internet. She said the goal is to make sure everyone is able to have a connection and to be able to participate.

Zaleski said one population that has increased in participation is the younger adult population. She said it might be because they are more tech savvy and more comfortable being online, so the transition to virtual programming was easier for them.

“Whereas young adults tend to be a harder population to engage in supportive programs, we’ve seen more of them come on board since we’ve been virtual,” she said.

Zaleski said being virtual has allowed Gilda’s Club Chicago to interact with other affiliate programs in other cities too, which has been a good way to expand on the program offerings.

For more information on Gilda’s Club Chicago, visit www.gildasclubchicago.org.

Teacher Publishes Children’s Book That Aims to Normalize Greatness in the Black Community The need for diverse literature inspired Clamentia Hall Jr. to publish a book that encourages self-worth and self-assurance by highlighting the potential that lies within boys of color. As an under-represented community within the world of children’s literature, boys with brown skin deserve to see themselves in the books they read.

“Brown Boy Dreams” written by Hall and illustrated by Ana Latese, who specializes in characters of color, aims to expand the reader’s realm of possibilities and can be used as a developmental tool for

normalizing greatness in the Black community. Being a kindergarten teacher at South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy, Hall reads various picture books every day and identified a gap that he could contribute to closing.

For Hall, a key motivating factor behind writing the book was awareness of the school-to-prison pipeline, a national trend wherein children are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

“We’re seeing these patterns, but why would students want to read all

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

these books that they don’t see themselves represented in? This is my contribution to help that,” Hall shared.

The scarcity of high-quality, authentic, diverse, and multicultural literature in the classroom weighed heavily on Hall’s heart. “It is crucial for boys with brown skin to see themselves represented in the literature they are consuming,” he said. “It’s important that Black boys know that there are books out there that are perfect for them to read to.”

Having a difficult classroom in his first year of teaching inspired Hall

to put pen to paper and kickstart his book-publishing career. His first book, “New Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Management: 10 Actionable Strategies for Promoting Desired Behavior in Students,” was published in 2018 and serves as a resource for fellow educators.

Now having his second book published, “Brown Boy Dreams” is specifically for boys with brown skin, however, Hall sees this as a book with a universal message for all children.

Brown Boy Dreams is available for purchase on Amazon.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

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NEWS

Black and Missing Foundation Founder Warns Pandemic Could Further Expose the Vulnerable

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Within days of each other, separate investigations by the United States Marshals Service in Ohio and Georgia led to the rescue of 39 missing and endangered children.

In August, these operations were viewed as two small victories in the widespread problem of missing children.

Natalie Wilson, the co-founder of the Landover Hills, Maryland nonprofit, Black and Missing Foundation, Inc., said child sexual abuse online continues to occur in America at an unfathomable rate.

Wilson has worked for more than 12 years through her organization to shine a spotlight on missing individuals of color.

She cited FBI statistics that revealed startling facts about missing people of color – particularly African Americans.

“Approximately 230,302 minorities were reported missing in the United States out of 612,846 for all races,” Wilson declared, citing FBI statistics that included all of 2018.

“It’s important to note that the FBI groups Hispanics in with whites, so the percentage of those reported missing in 2018 are 59 percent white and about 40 percent people of color.

Think about that. African Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, and four and ten are reported missing. The keyword is reported. There are many more.”

Wilson revealed her fears lie that the number of missing has likely increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

Technology continues to evolve, and young people spend an increased amount of time online, so extreme precaution must take place, Wilson acknowledged.

“The children are online, and they may meet

someone who gains their trust,” Wilson stated.

“Then, that person eventually will try and lure them somewhere because they’ve now gained that trust.”

According to a recent study conducted by NortonLifeLock, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety, nearly 7 out of 10 parents (about 70 percent) said their child’s screen time has heightened during the pandemic.

In contrast, most parents (60 percent) are concerned they don’t have enough time to keep track of what their child is doing online.

“Child internet safety is important now more than ever, and we must educate ourselves and our children about the cycle of online child sexual abuse to prevent more victims,” Wilson stated.

She echoed an earlier Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. memo, which noted practical steps parents could take as many children now learn virtually.

“Set up parental control tools on all internet-enabled devices including age appropriate filters to block harmful websites, videos, and images,” Wilson said.

“Regularly check the online communities your children use, such as social networking and gaming sites, to see what information they are posting, and spend time online with your children and build an atmosphere of trust by establishing an ongoing dialogue and open lines of communication.”

The number of missing people has likely increased during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Landover Hills, Maryland nonprofit, Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. Technology continues to evolve, and young people spend an increased amount of time online, so extreme precaution must take place, Wilson acknowledged.

Further, Wilson warned that “there are no takebacks online.”

She encourages parents to teach children to think before they post and avoid sharing personal information and communicating with strangers. “Supervise the photos and videos your kids’ post and send online, instruct your children to avoid meeting face-to-face with someone they only know online or through their mobile device because you cannot recognize a disguised predator,” Wilson demanded.

She offered that parents should discourage the use of webcams and mobile video devices for younger kids and guide teens and tweens in

ways to use video safely.

Further, parents should consider disallowing access to chat rooms and only allow live audio chat with extreme caution and set up the family’s cyber-security protections.

“Periodically check your child’s online activity by viewing your browser’s history,” Wilson demanded. “Parents, teachers, law enforcement and tech companies, play a vital role in mitigating online harm to children, finding our missing, and advocating for a digital world where kids are free from online sexual exploitation.”

For more information about the Black and Missing Foundation, visit www.BAMFI.org.

New Skilled Trades in America Report Highlights Significant Job Opportunity HomeAdvisor, a leading digital marketplace evolving the way homeowners connect with service professionals to complete home projects, recently released Skilled Trades in America, a report that examines America’s home service professionals and identifies the ways in which the industry can strengthen, grow, and diversify its labor force.

Pros agree that there is a massive job opportunity in this field and that bringing more people into it begins with better recruitment of women and black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC.) The report found that the industry is filled with entrepreneurs and small business owners who are often happy, successful and generally optimistic

about their personal businesses and the value they provide.

Skilled trades in home services is overwhelmingly composed of small businesses: in some home professions the number of sole proprietorships can be greater than 60% of the total. 82% of survey respondents said they are satisfied in their professional choice. Additionally, with relatively low barriers to entry, both in business formation and in education, the average age of a company owner with employees in the skilled trades is 43, nearly 30% younger than the average CEO age of 59.

Despite being satisfied with their work and the opportunity to grow a business from a young age, 71% of pros think there is still a shortage

of skilled tradespeople, with 4% thinking it has gotten better over the last 5 years and 73% thinking it has worsened in the same time period.

Pros working in electrical, plumbing and HVAC are more concerned about the shortage of skilled labor than are people in cleaning, pest control and drywall.

“The skilled trades present a major opportunity for employment and job growth for all individuals, especially at a time when our country is experiencing high unemployment rates and there is an overwhelming need for more skilled pros,” said Mischa Fisher, chief economist at HomeAdvisor.

Pros agree that the labor shortage can be addressed with better recruitment, especially given the www.citizennewspapergroup.com

pronounced absence of women and people of color in the trades. One in ten workers in the electrical, decks and flooring trades are women. In the remodeling, painting and pest control spaces, women account for 20-30% of workers. Cleaning has the majority share of women tradespeople at roughly 65% of the workforce. Examining the share of a range of occupational skills against demographic representation relative to the country, Black and Indigenous people are substantially underrepresented relative to their share of the population. For example, among carpenters the Black share is 60% smaller than demographics would suggest.

To improve recruitment efforts,

75% of pros say that vocational programs in high schools would have a moderate to major effect on getting more people into the skilled trades.

60% believe expanded funding for scholarships and trade schools would make a difference in improving the shortage. 31.9% also said that improving the perception of blue-collar work would have a major effect in getting more people in the trades.

Fisher continues, “By diversifying the training pipeline, adopting new recruitment tools and strategies and reframing how the industry presents itself to the world, home services entrepreneurs and SMBs can reach a broader base of customers and build more inclusive, equitable—and successful—businesses.”

4 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

BUSINESS

Hundreds Of Companies Join Forces, Make Time For Workers To Vote In 2020 Election - A coalition of U.S. companies representing more than 2 million workers has come together for a nonpartisan movement called Time to Vote. The goal is to increase voter participation in the Nov. 3, 2020 general election.

There is no shortage of hurdles to voting, but no one should have to choose between earning a paycheck and casting a ballot. Time to Vote companies have an important role in supporting their employees’ ability to make sure they are registered to vote and have time to study their ballots and perform their civic duty.

By joining Time to Vote, CEOs and business owners commit to making accommodations for workers that help enable them to vote, such as paid time off on Election Day, making Election Day a day without meetings or

BY JOINING TIME TO VOTE, CEOS AND BUSINESS OWNERS COMMIT TO MAKING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WORKERS THAT HELP ENABLE THEM TO VOTE, SUCH AS PAID TIME OFF ON ELECTION DAY, MAKING ELECTION DAY A DAY WITHOUT MEETINGS OR PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND EARLY VOTING. TIME TO VOTE IS NONPARTISAN AND THERE IS NO COST FOR COMPANIES TO JOIN. providing resources for mail-in ballots and early voting. Time to Vote is nonpartisan and there is no cost for companies to join.

To date, 383 companies employing workers in every state in the country have signed up for Time to Vote. Time to Vote members include Best Buy, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Farmers Insurance, Gap Inc., Glossier Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Kaiser Permanente, Levi Strauss & Co., Lyft, PayPal, Patagonia, REI Co-op, Target,

VF Corporation, Walmart, Warby Parker and hundreds more.

“When the business community comes together to take a stand on issues that affect all Americans, it sends a powerful message,” said Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, a leading nonpartisan voice on voting rights and elections. “Ultimately, a culture shift will meaningfully boost voter participation, and business leaders can help drive that shift.”

The Time to Vote movement began ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, when 411 companies representing all 50 states and a variety of industries joined. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 53% of eligible voters cast ballots. This was the highest turnout for a U.S. midterm in four decades. But 53% is not enough.

This year, the Time to Vote movement aims to more than double in size and again contribute to an increase in voter participation. Even with local election offices offering a variety of ways for citizens to vote, including mail-in ballots and early voting, time to vote and taking the time to learn what’s on the ballot can still be an issue for many American workers.

Businesses interested in joining Time to Vote can visit maketimetovote.org.

NAACP Announce A Long-Term Partnership To Deploy Over Four Million Dollars In Grants And Resources Through The Black-Owned Business Center As part of a continued commitment to uplift New Majorityowned small businesses across the United States, Hello Alice has joined forces with the NAACP to create the Black-owned Business Center to ensure the growth and advancement of small business owners.

The center will deploy over $4 million USD in grants to Blackowned small businesses and provide mentorship to all who join. In addition to expanding economic opportunity for all Black and New Majority-owned businesses, all applicants will have full access to resources available on the Hello Alice platform, which includes small business how-to-guides, mentorship, digital support communities, and additional funding opportunities.

Owners can access these dedicated resources and apply for the grant series by visiting blackbiz.helloalice. com.

This partnership reinforces the collective mission to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons, and also acknowledges that by percentage, Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States.

Additionally, research proves that the pandemic’s impact has significantly

disproportionately hurt Blackowned small businesses, making this commitment critical for ensuring the recovery and overall prosperity of America’s Black small business community.

“This is a powerful partnership that will help alleviate the most vexing challenges our entrepreneurs face when starting and growing a business,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “Specifically, the initiative will help provide access to capital and address the implicit bias in capital decisions.

We are excited to bring together thousands of Black entrepreneurs in collaboration with Hello Alice.”

In addition to providing funding access through the grants program, the initiative will also engage small business owners and policymakers on priority issues critical to small business growth ahead of the 2020 presidential election through Hello Alice x NAACP’s Vote Small Biz platform, which seeks to elevate the collective opinions on what owners

need to be successful in the next four years. Prompting owners to advocate, lead and learn, this platform will help the 93% of small business owners who vote to make their voices heard this election season. From supporting employees with time to vote -- to speaking up about the policies that matter to their business -- the platform gathers everything needed to ensure the #SmallBizVote rings loud this year.

“Investing in Black businesses and expanding and increasing access and opportunity is essential for the long term prosperity of the New Majority small business community,” said Elizabeth Gore, co-founder of Hello Alice. “The NAACP and Hello Alice are investing in the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in this country. Through the Black-Owned Business Center, we must ensure Business For All through access to capital, mentors and resources.”

In August, Hello Alice released their “Impact of COVID-19 on Black Business Owners” data report, www.citizennewspapergroup.com

THE CENTER WILL DEPLOY OVER $4 MILLION USD IN GRANTS TO BLACK-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROVIDE MENTORSHIP TO ALL WHO JOIN. IN ADDITION TO EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL BLACK AND NEW MAJORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES, ALL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE FULL ACCESS TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE HELLO ALICE PLATFORM, WHICH INCLUDES SMALL BUSINESS HOW-TO-GUIDES, MENTORSHIP, DIGITAL SUPPORT COMMUNITIES, AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. OWNERS CAN ACCESS THESE DEDICATED RESOURCES AND APPLY FOR THE GRANT SERIES BY VISITING BLACKBIZ.HELLOALICE.COM. uncovering significant inequities faced by Black-owned small businesses during the pandemic. To better understand Black business owners’ current needs and to identify opportunities to support, Hello Alice collected and compiled demographic information, funding requirements, and operational challenges from 28,985+ Black owners, who applied for COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grants. The resulting data report highlights: * 69% of Black applicants for COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grants identified as women * 92% of Black entrepreneurs called on the government to step up and give them access to more

emergency grants, ranging from $10k-$25k. * Grants of that size would be put toward many things, including lost sales, as 68% of Black entrepreneurs said that was their biggest hurdle during this time of social distancing. * Owners did not anticipate COVID-19 affecting their businesses for more than four months.

Additionally, the Payment Protection Program (PPP) was designed to help owners for only two and a half months when it was launched.

Visit Hello Alice’s Black Owned Business Resource Center at http:// blackbiz.helloalice.com to apply for the grant series and to access a growing resource of networks and opportunities.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

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NEWS CityXones finds your early voting place wherever you are

Dr. Eric Whitaker is the co-founder of doctor-founded, Black-led Zing Health, a startup insurance company with a focus on improving health outcomes for Black and Brown communities. It provides Medicare Advantage HMO plans. Photo courtesy of Dr. Eric Whitaker

Black-led insurance company provides Medicare option

BY TIA CAROL JONES Open enrollment lasts until Tuesday, Dec. 15. Zing Health, a doctor-founded startup insurance company, is offering Medicare Advantage HMO plans.

Dr. Eric Whitaker is co-founder of Blackled Zing Health. Its goal is to provide access to underserved seniors in Black and Brown communities. Zing Health was founded in 2019 by Whitaker and Ken Alleyne.

“Because we’re doctor-founded, we put the doctor and the patient back into the middle of the equation,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker said, because of the background of the founders of Zing, there has been a lot of work around the social determinants of health – transporta-tion, education and other things that are important that make a difference to the health of people that go beyond clinical care. It also includes preventative services, dental and vision.

“Traditional Medicare, doesn’t include dental, it doesn’t include vision, it doesn’t include transportation,” he said. “When you do Medicare Advantage, it opens the door to a whole host of supplemental services that aren’t available, which we think are important. We’ve designed this plan so that the benefits can be used.”

Whitaker said in some plans, people have the benefits, but they are hard to use.

With the Medicare Advantage plan offered through Zing Health, there is no co-pay for dental services and first dollar coverage up to $2,500.

“We want people to use our services because at the end of the day, we want communities of color to be healthier,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do work to improve the health of Black communities, particularly Black men, my entire career.”

This is the third insurance company venture for Whitaker. He said he thought he would be able to improve the health of Black communities by working with the government and with not-for-profits.

He said a reliance on philanthropy and on government grants, put limits on what he could get done. He said, moving into The for- profit sector, being able to take his experience and viewpoints,

and using them to access capital to develop a new product and new company, make a big impact.

“This is the third go-round. Every time I’ve started a company with a group of people, I’ve learned some things. This is the culmination of what I’ve learned from the last two insurance companies that I’ve been a part of starting,” he said.

Whitaker said he has been intentional about using the business to build econom-ic development in Black and Brown com-munities. He said it is important to have a Black-led, doctorfounded insurance company to deal with health disparities, especially in the midst of a pandemic.

“A lot of large companies stay away from the population that I’m seeking,” he said.

Whitaker said, because it was a startup, they had to start from scratch and the goal for the investors is to create Black wealth. He said there have been a lot of hard-learned lessons, but it was worth it.

“I wouldn’t be able to build this company the way we have without having had those hard lessons from the previous two,” he said.

Zing Health is moving into Michigan and Indiana in January 2021, and has ambitions of expanding into Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio in January 2022.

“We’re growing rapidly. It would be nice if we could have an impact on Cook County. I want to have an impact on Black and Brown communities through-out the Midwest, if not the nation,” he said. “You have to be properly capi-talized to do that. You have to have a team that knows how to scale and take the systems you did on one little county last year and be able to expand it to 12 counties in 2021 and many more coun-ties after that. We want to be a company, when you mention Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois or Humana, that Zing is right in the mix.”

For more information on Zing Health, visit www.myzinghealth.com.

CityXones, LLC, a software company that provides hyperlocal and community information has launched an easy online early voting product.

It uses your real-time location, anywhere in Cook County, to let you immediately find a polling place or official ballot drop-off location near you at any time.

Now, you don’t need to plan to vote early. You can vote whenever it is convenient for you by simply using the CityXones tool on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

CityXones brings together the most trusted local and community news, information and data into a format that is easy for users to incorporate into their daily lives. CityXones has previously partnered with Crain’s Chicago Business and The Hyde Park Herald on several local journalism projects, and with an events company for an interactive community experience. This is the first purely technology driven local product for the company.

“There is a lot of information out there, but it can be timeconsuming and unrealistic for the average person to find it, synthesize it and use it effectively in their daily lives,” says Marisa Bryce the CoFounder and new CEO of CityXones. “The goal is to get local users the information they need, when they need it and in a way they can immediately use it.

Voting is fundamental to our communities. Voting early should be made as easy as possible.”

The Knight Foundation notes 100MM Americans still don’t vote. There are many reasons why. Some include apathy, disillusionment or lack of a connection to any of the candidates. Another reason? It isn’t convenient.

According to the Pew Research Center, only about 50% of registered voters expect that voting in the November 2020 election will be easy. The coronavirus, concerns about mail-in voting and the anticipated strong voter turnout are expected to make this election season more chaotic and, likely less convenient, than usual.

Lack of convenience isn’t new.

Juggling schedules can affect everyone including professionals, parents, essential workers or students. For example, as reported by Vox, only about 46% of those between 18-29 vote. A

contributing factor includes conflicting or unstable school or work schedules.

“Our students want to be civically active,” says Marla Krause, the Faculty Advisor for The DePaulia at DePaul University and an early adopter of CityXones. “They understand the importance of voting and how it directly impacts their future.

But, the nature of student life means they often have time limitations; they have paid jobs and internships on top of their school course load. We wanted to make sure those limitations didn’t keep them from voting by giving them the ability to vote whenever they found some free time.”

The CityXones product lets early voting fit neatly into anyone’s ever-changing schedule.

“Our lives can get busy or unpredictable,” says Bryce. “We want to ensure that voting doesn’t fall off your “To-Do” list. Now you can vote any time you have an opening in your day. If you are at your home, workplace, school, gym, out running errands or just somewhere in between, you can quickly, and even spontaneously, work early voting into your day.”

Find your early polling place here. You can also go to www.cityxones.com and click on the Early Voting Cook County tab. The product will show you how to turn on your real-time settings and also gives quick access to some of Cook County’s other voting information.

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services Hosts 13th Annual Beacon of Hope: A Virtual Event on October 23 Emceed by NBC5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter Marillac St. Vincent Family Services’13th Annual Beacon of Hope is a celebration and benefit for Marillac St. Vincent Family Services (MSV), a comprehensive human services organization serving Chicago communities since 1914. The event will be held virtually on Friday, October 23 from noon-1 pm.

This year, the Beacon of Hope is presented by sponsors Vince and Pat Foglia and will honor the 2020 MSV Outstanding Partner Awardees, The Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), with an award acceptance by Kate Maehr, GCFD Executive Director and CEO. The theme of this year’s Beacon of Hope event is hunger and food insecurity. MSV Reports a 43 percent increase in first-time visits by guests in their two food pantries since March, while GCFD has seen 120 percent more people in need in recent weeks, compared to January 2020.

The Beacon of Hope event will include a panel discussion on hunger and food insecurity moderated by NBC5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter, with guest panelists Kate Maehr, and MSV President and CEO, Peter Beale-DelVecchio.

“We are excited about this year’s event and are

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thankful to LeeAnn Trotter for giving her time to help make this impactful and special,” said BealeDelVecchio. “Since we cannot meet in-person, we pivoted to a virtual format that will honor an important partner, The Greater Chicago Food Depository.”

MSV and GCFD’s partnership, which goes back 40 years, has strengthened in response to the Coronavirus, with MSV among the 75% of GCFD’s network of community-based partners to remain open throughout the pandemic. GCFD has offered MSV’s pantries practical guidance, removed all fees on purchased food, provided emergency food boxes for MSV pantry guests, and supported the organization through a grant to offset new and emerging operation costs.

The event will also premiere a short video showcasing the organization’s mission in action and stories from the community members MSV serves. To register for this FREE event go to http://beaconofhopeluncheon.org, scroll to the tickets and sponsorships form at the bottom of the page, and register as an individual or an organization.

6 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

NEWS

Illinois Gaming Board Expected to Meet In The Coming Days To Grant a Southland Town A Gaming License Village Of Matteson Primed And Ready For Stretch Drive Of Pursuit Of Southland Gaming License Sheila Chalmers-Currin- Village President of Matteson, IL and the Matteson Village Board of Trustees are expressing joy concerning the monumental improvements made to the town as they prepares to present their case to the Illinois Gaming Board in hopes of landing the South Suburban Cook Gaming license.

The Illinois Gaming Board is expected to meet soon to select a southland town to granted an Illinois Gaming License.

Last fall, the Village administration was joined by South Suburban Development and representatives of The Choctaw Nation as they entered the offices of the Illinois Gaming Board to officially submit the plans for a casino in Matteson. This followed the action of the Matteson Village Board of Trustees who unanimously approved the plans for a casino in Matteson. The casino plan was approved 6-0 by the Village Board. “We felt the team led by the South Suburban Development and Choctaw Nation provided an excellent combination of experience, vision, community engagement, and a financially feasible plan” noted the Village President.

The 200,000 member Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is the third largest federally recognized Indian tribe in the U.S. and the operator of 22 casinos, 10,000 slot machines, 35 food and beverage venues, and nearly 1,000 hotel rooms.

Janie Dillard, the tribe’s senior executive officer in charge of its multiple businesses said, “We’re honored with the chance to match our team’s experience with the community of Matteson and to create jobs and opportunity across the south suburbs.” Choctaw’s casino enterprise is one of the largest gaming enterprises in the world led primarily by female executives.

“I want to thank the Village Board of Trustees for their full support for a casino. This isn’t just about the Village of Matteson, but it’s also about the entire Southland region.

We can now seriously discuss the possibilities of taking a portion of our gaming revenues to address the severe shortage of screening and preventive care in the Southland,” says Village President Chalmers-Currin.

The casino will be deeply integrated within the Market Square Crossing (MSC) at the northeast corner of Lincoln Highway and Cicero Avenue in Matteson, featuring 2,000 gaming positions, a high-end restaurant, food hall, a 200room hotel and a 36,000 square foot convention space available for concerts, banquets and community use.

Community engagement and partnerships with minority business enterprises (MBE) will be a cornerstone of this casino development. The team has already partnered with two MBE firms to operate an indoor golf facility and a family entertainment facility adjacent to the casino in the MSC development. The upscale food hall will include venues operated by local MBE eateries. The casino will also include a historical exhibit chronicling the multi-cultural history of Matteson, home of the 10th Governor of Illinois, Joel Matteson. The infusion of the casino into the MSC creates another opportunity as a destination for the south suburban region where the former Lincoln Mall once stood.

The development will resonate with many Chicagoans who were regulars at the former Lincoln Mall during its glory days and capture new memories for years to come with the entertainment and sporting that this Urban Renewal project brings.

Much of Village President Chalmers-Currin’s efforts have been finding a resolve to the former Lincoln Mall site.

In 2018, the Village President and the Village Board were joined by the master developer of the site, The Lord Companies LLC, U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings, Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, Community Leaders and residents to announce the major new development plans for the former Lincoln Mall site.

Photo provided by Village of Matteson

The Village of Matteson owns the 60-acre site in which the master developer, The Lord Companies, LLC of Chicago created a flexible development plan with 14 lots positioned throughout the four-quadrant framework sectioned by roadways, bike, and walking paths. The redevelopment plan outlines housing units (condominiums) built into four-story buildings with commercial use at the ground levels. The redevelopment plan also calls for entertainment uses such as outdoor theater performance, concerts as well as indoor/outdoor sports tournaments. A master redevelopment plan was a top priority of Village President Chalmers-Currin upon being sworn into office in May of 2017, Market Square Crossing will be a diverse form of economic development that will bolster the viability of not only Matteson and the Chicago Southland.

Village President Chalmers-Currin stated,” There is no doubt that our proposed site is the absolute best location in the southern Cook County for this project. It borders neighboring Will County and offers the total convenience of motorist through its unique access to I-57 and I-80”.

Keith Lord added, “A casino will be a wonderful addition to Market Square Crossing. Market Square Crossing is becoming a true community revitalization development with retail, community, sports/recreation and residential components. It will draw from Matteson, the entire south side and from other states. The casino will be an amenity, draw and community enhancement. Imagine coming with your athlete to Market Square Crossing for a multi-state high school sports tournament weekend. When your kids are at player only meetings, or mandatory “lights out”, the opportunity to have an adult entertainment option is a huge benefit. The casino will also add jobs, and tax income to help the Village long term.”

The proposed location of the casino site is accessible from two access points, Lincoln Highway and Cicero Avenue into Matteson off Interstate 57. Matteson is centrally located in the southern suburbs and 30 minutes away from other IL and competing casinos. The project is near other destination entertainment venues such as the Hollywood Amphitheater, Olympia Fields Golf Country Club, and Governor State Performance Theater, creating a hub for entertainment and a destination in the south suburban region.

The Village of Matteson has been experiencing an economic boom of sorts in its quest to change the economic landscape of the town. Earlier this summer, Village President ChalmersCurrin, Governor JB Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Amazon representatives announced the giant distribution company would launch a new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Matteson that will create more than 1,000 new, fulltime jobs, with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one. This fulfillment center in Matteson will be the first of two facilities located in Cook County to feature Amazon’s innovative robotics

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technology.

“The Village of Matteson is thrilled to welcome Amazon to our town. As a global leader of the rapidly growing distribution industry Amazon will now have access to our exceptional regional workforce, a very vibrant business climate and our continuing commitment to attract diverse forms of economic development. This particular project is clearly an economic engine that will attract hundreds of jobs to our town.” said Matteson Village President Sheila Chalmers-Currin.

It has been nearly a decade since the Village of Matteson has had its own full-scale grocery store. However, in 2018 the Village President and the Village Board of Trustees announced that Pete’s Fresh grocery store will locate and renovate the former Dominick's store on Lincoln Highway. The grocer is scheduled to open later this year!

When the Sam’s Club left the community, the Village board was bombarded with various media reports concerning the closing of the store. But the Village President refused to take “NO” for an answer. The Village President directed her team to get Sam’s Club back to the table. It was then after very intense negotiations that administration convinced Sam’s Club to not only return to the Village of Matteson but return with a more modern and diverse approach to doing business with an ecommerce facility. The Village of Matteson and Sam’s Club jointly announced the all new Sam’s Club E-Commerce Distribution Center that serves a 200-mile radius from the center to serve online shoppers. A year after the announcement of the new facility, a 125,000 sq. ft. expansion into the adjacent former Walmart building grew their operations and added more jobs to the community.

In addition, the Village has attracted other logistical companies and large expansions that are adding to the economic growth of the Village. But, not only are businesses finding Matteson attractive, so are individuals looking to purchase their first or second home. “It is extremely encouraging to know that there is a high volume of residents throughout Cook County who desire to reside in the Village of Matteson, stated Village President Chalmers-Currin. Just north of the Matteson Village Hall, the Village experienced the completion of a 300 single family and multi-residential project that was built ahead of schedule with a waiting list earlier this year. Currently, two other residential developers are building in the community as well as several other developers who have expressed interest in building more residential development in the community.

These developments with more on the horizon, promote a sense of pride throughout the south suburban communities by displaying opportunities to rebuild what was lost. The south suburban region can begin flourish into vibrant communities with more to offer through revenue sharing that will help build communities. These efforts combined with the casino places Matteson in a very unique position to qualify for a South Suburban Gaming License.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

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NEWS

Don’t Risk A Ticket. Avoid Parking In Spots Reserved For People With Disabilities NAPSI — In the harried competition for close-in spots, normally courteous drivers engage in all kinds of parking taboos, many involving the use of parking spaces designated for the more than 30 million Americans with mobility-impairing disabilities. Fortunately, there are people doing something about it and you can help.

Who’s Doing What Through the nonprofit Accessible Parking Coalition (APC), established by the International Parking and Mobility Institute, a national effort is underway to eliminate disabled placard abuse and make accessible parking more accessible.

What You Can Do Here are seven reminders for every driver: 1. Remember that marked accessible

parking spots are for people with disabilities (the term “handicapped” is outdated and offensive to many).

2. Unless authorized, never park in an accessible parking space—not even for a minute.

3. Never infringe on van-accessible parking spaces, which are designed for ramp- or lift-equipped vehicles. They are marked by signs that say, “Van Accessible” with the international symbol for accessibility. Many drivers using wheelchairs have nightmarish examples of waiting hours for the owners of a car parked too close to return so they could get in their vehicle.

4. Never park, block or leave a shopping cart in the cross-hatched, access aisle zones next to accessible parking spots.

5. Don’t borrow others’ disabled parking placards or use yours after it has expired or is no longer truly needed.

6. Follow the rules, but don’t be a park-

ing vigilante. If you suspect illegal use of a spot, take a photo of the license plate and contact local law enforcement.

7. Remember that not all disabilities that affect mobility are apparent. Don’t assume someone is parking in an accessible spot illegally. A person with a respiratory or other ailment that makes walking difficult, for example, may be entitled to a disabled placard.

Eighty percent of people with parking placards agree accessible parking fraud is widespread. Disabled placard abuse and illegal use of accessible parking spaces are crimes that carry penalties. Many jurisdictions are cracking down, increasing fines—some more than $1,000 per violation—and setting up sting operations to catch offenders.

For further facts, news and advice on this topic, visit www.accessibleparkingcoalition.org.

People with disabilities need access to parking to lead an independent life, a national survey found.

Lonely Planet Announces 2nd Edition Of Bestselling Ultimate Travel List Book Twenty-nine of the world’s best travel experiences are in the United States, according to leading global travel authority Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List released recently.

Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List is the 2nd edition of the travel powerhouse’s bestselling coffee table book. It’s the definitive wish-list of the 500 most thrilling, memorable and interesting travel experiences in the world – ranked in order of brilliance.

“We’ve all got a list of places that we want to see for ourselves: places friends have enthused about, places we’ve read about, dreamed about.

This is our list,” says Lonely Planet.

The second edition adds more than 200 new destinations. According to Lonely Planet, the experiences and destinations are “a mix of knock-out new openings, sights that have upped their game, or places more relevant to the way we travel now.”

“We also changed the way we calculated the list,” says Lonely Planet’s VP of Publishing Piers Pickard. “For this edition, we awarded extra points to destinations and attractions that are managing tourism sustainably.”

The Top 10 travel experiences on Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List 2nd edition are: Petra, Jordan – Channel your inner adventurer and explore the enigmatic “lost city.”

The Galápagos Islands – See the islands that changed the course of science.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,

Australia – Take life lessons from the traditional owners of world’s most dramatic rock.

Okavango Delta, Botswana – Experience slow travel on the sprawling flooded ecosystem.

Yellowstone National Park, USA – Sniff out geysers and grizzlies in the world’s largest geothermal area.

Lake Bled, Slovenia – Emulate erstwhile pilgrims by journeying to the planet’s most photogenic lake.

Iguazú Falls, Argentina-Brazil – Marvel at the astounding power and furious force of this natural wonder.

Temples of Angkor, Cambodia – Find nirvana at a sprawling monument to Hindu devotion.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia – With clouds above and clouds below, strike out on the salt of the earth.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal – Take a classic Nepalese teahouse trek.

There’s a decidedly outdoorsy flavor to Lonely Planet’s list, with nine National Parks included — and three falling inside the overall top 20; Yellowstone National Park (#5), Grand Canyon National Park (#13) and Yosemite National Park (#20).

Also featuring heavily in the list is a fantastic array of cultural and art institutions including the highest new U.S. entry onto the list: The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Lonely Planet also lists The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

amongst the world’s must-do cultural experiences.

How did Lonely Planet rank the 500 best places in the world?

The long list was compiled from all the highlights found in every Lonely Planet guidebook over the years. Each attraction and sight recommended by Lonely Planet authors was included, before being whittled down to a shortlist. Everyone in the Lonely Planet community was then asked to vote on their 20 top travel experiences. With hundreds of votes cast, they ended up with a score for each entry and a definitive ranked list of the top 500 places to see around the world.

Did you take into account those places managing tourism sustainably?

During the scoring process, Lonely Planet used the Sustainable Destinations Top 100 list and cross referenced the site or destination against it. If it was recognized on that forum, the nomination received bonus points. Additionally, Lonely Planet maintains an in-house list of over-touristed places and sites and any places on that list had a percentage subtracted from their total.

“After seven months of staying at home, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about where and how to travel once normality returns,” Pickard said. “In putting together this book, we were excited by changes in both the ‘where’ and the ‘how’. We added 200 new entries into our list www.citizennewspapergroup.com

of the world’s Top 500. And we were both surprised and reassured by just how many of the Top 500 are working hard to create more sustainable visitor experiences.”

In addition, Lonely Planet will be giving users of its travel app Guides

by Lonely Planet access to free destination content to over 100 locations featured on Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List. Guides by Lonely Planet is available for download on iOS and Android. For more information, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/guides.

8 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

Committed To Keeping You Informed…

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“Conversations With The Citizen” A Place Where Real News Can Be Heard!

Listen To Our Weekly Podcast For The Latest In Community News.

When Tuning Into Our Podcast You Can Expect To Hear News Topics Such As: Community Improvement, Entrepreneurship, Education, Politics, Or Simply The Honoring Of Our Own Community Unsung Heroes.

If You Have A Story Idea That You Would Like For Us To Cover On An Episode of “Conversations With The Citizen”, Drop Us An Email at: Editiorial@citizennewspapergroup.com

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CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

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9

ENTERTAINMENT

Youtube Announces New Original Content Slate Focused On Racial Justice, Amplifying Black Voices And Elevating Black Culture YouTube recently announced a global slate of new and returning projects, dedicated to amplifying Black voices. The announced titles continue YouTube’s long-standing commitment to celebrate a broad and diverse set of perspectives on its platform. This includes new projects that have come directly out of the recently announced $100M #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, including a documentary series from Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and a HBCU Homecoming (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) livestream special.

“YouTube is committed to spotlighting community-driven storytelling and the important issues that people of color and other marginalized communities face everyday,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of original content for YouTube Originals.

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we develop, support, and elevate content that is created by and for the Black community.”

“Race has never been an easy issue to confront, but the events over the last few months have opened up doors of dialogue and action that had once seemed closed,” says Malik Ducard, YouTube’s vice president, content partnerships. “Across YouTube, we have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to contribute to these conversations about racial justice in a meaningful way. Through our $100 million content fund and other initiatives, we are continuing the important work of amplifying Black voices, making YouTube a better place for Black creators, educating people on the diversity of the Black experience, and centering Black people as the messengers of their own stories.

The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is a $100M fund dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of Black creators and artists and their stories. Over the next three years, this global fund will be used to acquire and produce YouTube Originals programming, and to directly support Black creators and artists to help them thrive on YouTube.

Here are the new and returning YouTube Originals from the fund: Resist - Series premieres October 2020 This 12 episode documentary series follows the grassroots work of multicultural/intersectional organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration.

The series is an emotional look into the motivations and daily struggles of the movement workers on the ground, featuring incredibly inspiring stories from Patrisse Cullors (co-founder of Black Lives Matter), members of JusticeLA including Jayda Rasberry of Dignity and Power Now, Helen Jones of Dignity and Power Now and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Bamby Salcedo of TransLatina Coalition, and Johnathan Perez of Immigrant Youth Coalition. The docuseries is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films. Executive Producers are Patrisse Cullors, Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.

HBCU Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard - Livestream Premieres October 24; Watch the first teaser on YouTube.

With HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) across the country cancelling their annual Homecomings due to the global pandemic, YouTube in partnership with Jesse Collins Entertainment and Live Nation Urban will take the momentous celebration virtual. This two-hour livestream will be filled with

homecoming traditions to raise funds for the United Negro College Fund who plan to split 50% with Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Expect musical performances, band performances from Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of The South, and FAMU’s Marching 100, Step performances, as well as appearances from students, alumni, YouTube creators and inspirational video packages representing the legacy of HBCUs. Executive Producers of “HBCU Homecoming 2020: Meet Me On The Yard” are Jesse Collins, Shawn Gee, Dionne Harmon, Brandon Pankey, and Chris Wagner.

Bear Witness, Take Action Part Two (working title) - Livestream Premieres December 2020 Following the success of the first “Bear Witness, Take Action” special, which was the first YouTube Originals project to come from YouTube’s $100M Black content fund, Part Two will again inspire the platform’s global community to take action for racial justice uniting YouTube creators, public figures, and influential voices. In addition to the livestream, “Bear Witness, Take Action” Part Two will feature unique voices from the Black community producing short form content to share their perspectives and experiences on racial inequity, which will live on YouTube. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to racial justice initiatives directly on the YouTube livestream. The special is produced by the SpringHill Company, Fly On The Wall Entertainment, and Byron Phillips. Reginald Hudlin serves as Executive Producer and Showrunner.

Onyx Family Dinner - Premieres Early 2021 Join the Onyx Family (6M+ combined subscribers) This new Kids & Families series gathers the multi-generational family for fun and open conversations about life and what’s going on in the world over dinner. Produced by pocket.watch in association with Shine Global, “Onyx Family Dinner” stars the Onyx Family and is executive produced by Keith Brown, Albie Hecht, the Onyx Family, and Chris M.Williams.

Barbershop Medicine (working title) - Premieres 2021 In Barbershop Medicine YouTube aims to put the “public” back in Public Health, exploring the impact race and socioeconomic status have on healthcare and longevity. The barbershop has long been a center of community, as captured in the landmark clinical trial of blood-pressure reduction that delivered education and care in barbershops. Drawing from this concept of community medicine, the special will bring together musicians, renowned physicians, creators and community members in a storied barbershop to discuss today’s most pressing health concerns and raise awareness - from vaccines to diabetes, cancer to mental health, and beyond. The special will be executive produced by Charles D. King, Marta Fernandez, Jelani Johnson, and Alisha Corpas Wynn for MACRO Television Studios.

Below are the upcoming and returning YouTube Originals titles that were developed prior to the launch of YouTube’s Black Content Fund, but which also center on the global Black experience and address racial justice: Together We Rise - Streaming Now on GRM Daily’s YouTube Channel Eleven years ago, Grime Daily was just a YouTube channel started by two young entrepreneurs who were focused on providing a platform for emerging Black hip hop and rap artists in the UK to showcase their work. Fast forward to present, GRM www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Daily is one of the largest media platforms in the UK, complete with a recording label and awards show. This four-part series focuses on the journey from YouTube channel to media empire.

Executive Producers are Kate Shepherd, Laura Collins and Post, produced by Warner Music Entertainment.

BookTube - Special Episode Premieres October 22 The monthly learning series featuring the world’s most renowned authors is back with a special October episode spotlighting #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jason Reynolds (“Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You”). This special episode will feature videos from popular BookTube and YouTube creators, an interview with author Jason Reynolds, and a special appearance by Dr. Ibram Kendi, who wrote “Stamped from the Beginning”, which Reynolds “remixed” to bring us “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You.” This episode of BookTube is directed by Nadia Hallgren (“Becoming,” “After Maria”) and the Director of Photography is Hans Charles (“13th,” “1 Angry Black Man”). The series is produced by Boardwalk Pictures.

The Outsiders - Premieres February 2021 In this 4 part series, Simon Frederick (Black is the New Black, They Gotta Have Us) uses his signature style to explore the voices of the young Black visionaries who to date have been excluded and marginalised by society because of the color of their skin. Viewers will learn how these young Black visionaries have turned the tables on the very same society that excluded them in the first place, to become the luminaries of our time: the writers, artists, performers, athletes, scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs and business leaders who have made it against the odds and are shaping their new cultural reality landscape.

“The Outsiders” is produced by Atelier Frederick AFL Films and directed by Simon Frederick.

Glad You Asked Season 2 - New Season Premieres February 2021 YouTube Originals has greenlit a second season of the Emmy-nominated series, “Glad You Asked” - an ensemble-led exploration of topics driven by our curiosity about the world around us. Using Vox’s signature explainer format, season two will examine timely questions around racial justice and the impact of systemic racism in our communities and daily lives - from how our zipcodes determine our futures, to race and A.I., education inequity, and food deserts. Bringing a number of diverse and varied backgrounds together, this season will spotlight guest hosts and the world’s foremost experts to offer an experiential journey that empowers audiences to better understand their world. The series is produced by Vox Media Studios.

Lockdown - New Episodes Premiere November 19 YouTube Originals has ordered an additional 6 episodes of the award winning scripted Kids & Families series that follows six friends as they work together to solve a mystery in their neighborhood during the social distancing era. Shot entirely via webcam and smartphone, new “Lockdown” episodes will explore timely issues on racial injustice, activism, and life’s frustrations during a pandemic. The series is created and produced by Toronto-based Sinking Ship Entertainment (“Dino Dana,” “Endlings,” “Odd Squad”) and these new episodes feature a diverse roster of writing and directing talent led by showrunners Aaron Bala and Lisa Codrington.

10 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

HOME

3 healthy home projects to improve indoor environmental quality (BPT) - How healthy is your house? After spending more time at home due to quarantine and social distancing, many homeowners are asking themselves this question.

This has inspired an increase in home improvements that go beyond aesthetic enhancements. Homeowners want eco-friendly upgrades that improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ), which means improvements that support the health and wellness of the people who live in the home.

If you're curious how to improve your home's IEQ, here are three key projects to consider: 1. Hydronic radiant heating systems Conventional forced-air systems push heated air through ductwork in the walls and ceilings. There are many drawbacks to this type of system. First, they are inefficient because hot air blows out vents and rises rather than staying lower to keep people comfortable.

Second, it circulates dust, allergens and pollutants that lower the indoor air quality. Third, they can be noisy, turning on and off all day.

For a healthier home, consider hydronic radiant heating.

This technology works by warming water at a heat source and circulating it through piping made of a special polymer called PEX that is installed beneath the floor.

Uponor has been providing these systems in the United States longer than any other company. In fact, Uponor offers several innovative methods for installing radiant systems efficiently and effectively in any area of a home from basements to bathrooms or even garages. For example, Uponor Fast TrakÂŽ is a simple-to-install, knobbed-mat system that adheres to a concrete slab for quick radiant tubing installation. Learn more about this unique solution at www.uponor-usa.com/radiant.

A hydronic radiant system can dramatically improve a home's IEQ. There is no fan to circulate dust, pollen and odors, so you can breathe easier. Because it's in the floor, it keeps the heat low - where you and your family actually live - without hot and cold spots. You can easily heat in zones to save money, plus, because the system is near-silent, you'll enjoy a more peaceful home.

2. Natural light and daylighting Beautiful sun shining through a window is a welcome sight on any day. Natural light increases the comfort of a home and can have a positive psychological impact on the people who spend time there. That's why, when choosing home-improvement projects, use daylighting strategies to improve IEQ. Daylighting is a method you can use to welcome more natural light into your home. There are many improvements that support daylighting. Adding windows strategically to brighten spaces throughout the day is a smart first step. Adding skylights to bring in light where traditional windows are not possible or logical, such as in

a bathroom, also supports daylighting.

Daylighting can be controlled for comfort and privacy with shades, blinds and plants. In spaces where windows and skylights are not possible, adding reflective surfaces to the room design can provide internal lighting by maximizing the sunlight. For example, glossy tile or mirrors throughout a room can help brighten the space and align with daylighting goals.

3. Clean air and proper ventilation Airflow is an important part of any healthy home, helping to remove contaminants and bring in fresh air. Proper ventilation prevents mold and mildew growth, removes common pollutants from appliances and other household items, improves indoor air quality and boosts IEQ. To improve your home's ventilation, always open windows and skylights when weather and conditions allow to let in fresh air. Remember to turn on ventilation fans when bathing or showering to remove excess humidity. In addition, use fans in the kitchen to remove smoke and heat while cooking. Finally, maintain filters on items such as air purifiers, humidifiers and your HVAC system.

If you have a radiant heat system, continue to use it, as it helps to eliminate the circulation of microscopic particles that can spread germs and trigger allergy symptoms.

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Considering Americans spend on average 90% of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, prioritizing indoor air quality is essential.

IEQ is getting increased attention, as people look to improve their homes and make them healthy for their families, while also boosting their bottom line at resale.

These three key areas will help you create a space centered on health and well-being. For more information, visit www.uponor-usa.com.

CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

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11

CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

GO, IL 60649. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / Partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name: NATE DAVIS, Complete Address: 7753 S. MERRILL AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60649, USA ________________________________________ 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: Y20004817 on October 8, 2020. Under the Assumed Business Name of FAST PACE MOVERS with the business located at: 6617 INGLESIDE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owners/Partner Full Name MAURICE LOWRY, Complete Address, 6617 INGLESIDE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637, USA. ________________________________________

REAL ESTATE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., CSAB MORTGAGE-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE Plaintiff, -v.- CHARLIE MATTHEWS, HARRIETT MATTHEWS Defendants 19 CH 07628 6831 SOUTH WINCHESTER AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60636 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 27, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 25, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 6831 SOUTH WINCHESTER AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60636 Property Index No. 20-19-409-012 The real estate is improved with a tan brick, one story single family home with a detached two car garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condi-

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Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com

Classified Advertising call us at

(773) 783-1251

Display Advertising call us at

(773) 783-1251

Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor, Greater Grand Crossing, Burnside, Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights, Roseland, Rosemoor, Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

CALL US TODAY AT:

(218) 833-3769 9:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m

REAL ESTATE

Want to Advertising In This Section... Call Us At (773) 783-1251

Editorial

Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com

Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger

CREDIT RESTORATION SERVICES

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The annual return of The Love and Unity Prayer Circle church is available, at theaddress noted below, for inspection during normal business hours, by any citi-zen who so requests within 180 days afterpublication of this notice of its availability.The love and Unity prayer Circle 1153 E.82nd Street Chicago, Il 60619-4513537.The principal manager is Cynthia A Cohen,Pastor Telephone (773) 993-9796.

Sales Manager General Manager

CHICAGO WEEKEND

YOUR CREDIT SCORE

Newly Decorated 4 room, 2Br apt.

5200 block S Racine, $675/mo., stove and refrigerator Ask for Mr. Lambert 773-370-7744 ________________________________

PUBLIC NOTICE

Janice Garth

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

START THE PROCESS NOW! NOW IS THE TIME TO REBUILD

RENTAL

tion of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff's Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 3469088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 270470 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 19 CH 07628 TJSC#: 40-1221 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 07628 I3155755 ________________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

HYDE PARK

ONCE THE PANDEMIC IS OVER AND YOU ARE GONE BACK TO LIVING LIFE AT ITS BEST, YOU MIGHT WANT A NEW CAR OR A NEW HOUSE. . .

3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ______________________________________

FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans.

R12 R500 R11 R113 R114.

Convenient. Certified Professionals.

Call 312-598-1758 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com ______________________________________

Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland, South Shore and Hyde Park.

RESTORE YOUR CREDIT SCORE TODAY!

HUD/BANK FORECLOSURES CITY & SUBURBS Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ______________________________________ _

WANTED TO BUY

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conducr 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: Y20004525 on September 23, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of MAXIMIZE THIS LIFE with the busienss located at: 61 EAST 98TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60628. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name: MCCLINTON E. PORTER, Complete Address: 61 EAST 98TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60628. USA __________________________________ 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; Y20004582 on September 23, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of NDGO STUDIOS with the business located at: 7753 S. MERRILL AVE., CHICA-

Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually).

Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

12 | CITIZEN | South End | Week of Oct. 21, 2020

The all-new Hyundai ELANTRA. Tech-savvy, sleek and seriously dripping.

Designed for the young at heart, this sleek compact sedan offers a fully integrated tech experience with flavor you can savor right at your fingertips. Imagine a Digital Key that locks, unlocks, and starts your ride along with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Mix in Dynamic Voice Recognition that allows you to roll down your windows, pop your trunk, and control the temperature with your voice. Suddenly you have an intuitive, tech-savvy car designed for better living without breaking the bank. Now that’s dripping.

Preproduction model shown with optional features. Near Field Communication (NFC) digital smartphone key requires a compatible Android smartphone and an appropriately equipped 2021 Elantra. Not all Android devices are compatible. The Elantra must be equipped with smart key with push button start, wireless device charging, and Audio Video Navigation System 5.0 (or newer) or Display Audio 2.0. Lock/unlock functionality works on driver’s door only. See your Owner’s Manual for details and limitations. Dynamic Voice Recognition varies by unit. Speak in a normal voice and minimize background noise for best results. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2020 Hyundai Motor America.