South Suburban Citizen 2-3-2021

Citizen Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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Vol. 40

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No. 11

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www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

BLACK HISTORY FOCUS

How to learn more about new virtual internship programs Page 3

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs (pictured) said changes to Illinois’ two college savings plans have resulted in $100 million in savings for families who have Bright Start and Bright Directions. Photo courtesy of Michael W. Frerichs/Illinois State Treasurer

ILLINOIS STATE TREASURER SAVES FAMILIES MONEY IN COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS

Illinois State Treasurer’s Office has been able to save Illinois families $100 million in Bright Directions and Bright Start College Savings Plans since 2015. It also has been able to more than double the assets in accounts for students to go to college. PAGE 2

Generation Brings Opportunities to Communities Hit Hardest Amid the Pandemic

EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a virtual Runway Show

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION NBCUNIVERSAL NEWS GROUP INVESTS $6.5 MILLION FOR NBCU ACADEMY AT CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY AND SELECT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY NBCUniversal News Group has announced the launching of NBCU Academy on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and select universities and colleges across the country. The new, innovative, multiplatform journalism training and development program is designed for four-year university and community college students offering on-campus training and online programming in the communications field.

NBCU Academy will invest a total of $6.5 million to the initiative. The multi-year partnership involves 17 academic partners including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and colleges with significant Latino, Asian, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations – reaching students from underrepresented groups.

HEALTH

NAMI CALLS FOR ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH To further address the growing mental health epidemic within the pandemic, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization (NAMI), is urging the Biden administration to prioritize a cross-agency effort to help people get on the path to recovery. It is NAMI’s hope that the new administration will use the Unified Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care, developed in partnership with 14 of the nation’s leading mental health organizations.

“We need to alleviate the pain and suffering of millions of Americans by increasing access to quality mental health and substance use interventions,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI. “More people—including our nation’s youth and first responders—are reporting their mental health is worse than it was a year ago. NAMI applauds the President’s call for substantial resources to expand access to mental health and substance use services.”

LAW & POLITICS

LDF LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING PROGRAM The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) has launched the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP), an innovative educational and training opportunity that will produce the next generation of civil rights attorneys to serve Black communities in the South.

“The majority of Black people in this country still live in the South and continuously face impediments to voting, education equity, and racial and economic justice. For this reason, LDF’s docket and litigation practice has always been rooted principally in the South. During the 1960s, and early ‘70s, LDF invested in the creation of Black law firms in the South, providing fellowships and start-up costs for the law practices of some of the most celebrated civil rights lawyers in the region, including former LDF President and Director-Counsel Julius Chambers, a legend among civil rights lawyers in North Carolina. The time is ripe once again, for LDF to invest in the growth and development of civil rights lawyers in the South.

With the MMSP, and the opening of our new regional office in Atlanta, LDF is deepening its longstanding presence in the South to help leverage the talent, passion, and commitment of a new cohort of civil rights attorneys dedicated to serving the majority of Black people in the country,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, LDF’s President and Director-Counsel.

The MMSP is made possible by a generous anonymous donor who has committed to funding a program of 50 participants, which amounts to a $40 million investment in developing a new generation of civil rights lawyers in the South. The MMSP application deadline is February 16.

Students beginning law school in the 2021 academic year are eligible to apply. To learn more about MMSP or apply, visit: MarshallMotleyScholars.org.

Illinois State Treasurer saves families money in College Savings Plans Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Illinois State Treasurer’s Office has been able to save Illinois families $100 million in Bright Directions and Bright Start College Savings Plans since 2015. It also has been able to more than double the assets in accounts for students to go to college.

Bright Directions and Bright Start are both 529 tax-advantage plans. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education costs.

529 plans, legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Bright Directions is a college savings plan that individuals can open, without assistance from a financial advisor, while Bright Start is a college savings plan that is opened through a financial advisor. With both plans, the funds can be used at colleges, universities, trade, technical schools throughout the country, and overseas.

And, the tax-free investment means it can be used for tuition, housing and books.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said one of the reasons for the savings is because the office has been

able to reduce investment and management fees, which makes the fees some of the lowest in the country.

“It means more young people are going to be likely to go to college and more young people are going to graduate with less debt,” he said.

Frerichs said the office also changed its program manager and changed the investment options. He said as a result, Morningstar, an independent research and investment firm, has rated the plans among the best in the country.

He said Morningstar rates Bright Start gold-rated, which is the highest rating, which makes it one of the top three in the country.

“My goal is to have the best programs in the country,” he said. “I also wanted to make sure the more money families were saving went toward the kids’ college education.”

Frerichs said the office negotiated a 50 percent cut in management fees, and a 47 percent cut in investment fees. He said the office also wanted to increase the number of accounts. There are more than 700,000 accounts.

“Research by professors at Washington University show that if a young person knows they have a college savings account in their name, they are three times more likely to go to college. If

they’re the first generation in their family and they know they have a college savings account, they are seven times more likely to go to college,” he said.

Frerichs said that a college education is expensive and many students are graduating with massive debt. He said if families save in advance, the students will not graduate with that debt. And, if families save early, it gives them time to grow the funds through investments.

“If you don’t, you’re going to be paying that interest on that debt for years to come,” he said.

Frerichs said it is really about setting the expectations for young people. He said the message that parents are sending by investing in a 529 college savings plan is the message that is being set.

“When you set expectations high for people, they don’t always reach them, but they are reaching toward them.

So, when you tell your children, I set up a college savings account for them, what they hear is you are smart, you are college material, I believe in you and I’m investing in you,” he said. “When kids hear that, when they believe that, they work harder in high school. If they can see themselves going to college, they’re more likely to go.”

For more information about Bright Start, visit www.brightstart.com.

Matteson Mayor’s 8 Year Fight To Land Major Grocery Store Comes To A Successful Ending Pete’s Fresh Market To Open Its Doors In Matteson Following The Complete Renovation Of The 85,000 Sq. Foot Former Dominicks Sheila Chalmers-Currin- Village President of Matteson, Illinois- will be joined by Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings, Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, Rich Township Democratic Committeeman Calvin Jordan, the Matteson Village Board, other locally elected officials and community leaders in celebrating the Grand Opening of the All-New Pete’s Fresh Market Grocery Store in Matteson.

The grand opening of the 85,000 square feet fully renovated store represents and puts a successful conclusion to President Chalmers-Cur-

rin’s 8-year fight to land a full line grocery store to Matteson.

“This journey predates my tenure as Mayor. I began this fight while being a Village Trustee in 2013. I felt that it was totally unacceptable that a village such as Matteson and other surrounding towns lacked a traditional full line grocery store.” says Chalmers-Currin.

The Matteson store will offer 85,000 square feet of exceptional grocery space.

Pete’s Market has built this new store upon the four pillars that have elevated their brand since 1970: quality, value, service, and aesthetics. Shoppers in Matteson

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will soon enjoy the same features Pete’s customers have grown to love - fresh produce, world-class meat & seafood, a huge selection of name-brand & specialty grocery items, and tempting hot foods served daily. The friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable team members at Pete’s Market have always been one of the brand’s strongest assets.

Customers choose Pete’s Market for consistent quality and value, but they keep coming back because the staff genuinely cares about providing a memorable instore experience.

Chalmers-Currin adds, “Our community is excited and energized to no longer have to travel to other towns to shop for their food items.

I am grateful to the owners of Pete’s Fresh Mart for their great spirit of negotiations.

But I am even more thankful for my administrative team for their undying determination. However, this is not only a victory for Matteson, but also the entire region that makes up Rich Township.”

“This marks a major victory for Rich Township.

President Chalmers-Currin has successfully delivered on her promise to not only land a major grocer for Matteson, but also her prior pledge to work with all of us in the upward mobility of Rich Township. She truly is a great leader for our region.” says Rich Township Democratic Committeeman Calvin Jordan.

Matteson and various other towns within Rich Township have been without a traditional full-line grocery store since the mass exodus of Dominick’s from the Chicago area in 2013.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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NEWS

Generation USA Student in class before 2020 pandemic

Generation Brings Opportunities to Communities Hit Hardest Amid the Pandemic Generation USA, a workforce development nonprofit transforming the education to employment ecosystem, offers reskilling and training programs at no cost to the unemployed with priority admissions for Black and Latinx communities, as well as women— the communities who have been hit hardest amid the resurgence of the pandemic in late 2020.

According to data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy lost a net 140,000 jobs in December 2020. An analysis by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) found that women lost 156,000 jobs overall in the same month, while men gained about 16,000; women accounted for 100% of December’s job losses within the United States; In the same month alone, 154,000 Black women left the labor force.

All-time enrollment data provided

by Generation reveals that, of its participants who opted to provide their ethnicity, Black and Latinx individuals made up nearly 70% of participants. Of the same group of people, 58.83% of participants were women.

“Over the past 20 years, I’ve witnessed young people around the country make educational strides but it hasn’t impacted the longterm, multi-generational wealth and well-being needed to have sustainable, stable lives,” says Generation CEO Sean Segal. “And that’s only been magnified by the current moment. Throughout the pandemic, 40 million people have become unemployed in the U.S. 42% of the jobs lost are not coming back. Those that lost income at the greatest levels are young people, people who didn’t go to college, Black and brown people, and people who earned the lowest wages before the pandemic.”

Maria Aspan, in a recent Fortune article, states, “Black and Latina women working in retail, restaurants, and other ‘essential’ service-sector industries, often for very low pay,

have been disproportionately laid off amid the pandemic’s lockdowns and business closures. Last month, as worsening coronavirus casualties led to new shutdowns, leisure and hospitality employers cut 498,000 jobs—almost 57% of which were held by women.”

In October of 2020, Generation announced a partnership with Verizon, which aims to significantly increase access to their free, technology-focused career training programs to help reskill workers; Generation aims to support Verizon’s goal of preparing 500,000 individuals, preparing them with jobs ready for the future by 2030 as part of the Citizen Verizon initiative — Verizon’s business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement.

By leveraging the importance of impact hiring, Generation USA will continue to provide its students with mentorship and the support they need to excel and launch into a new career.

About Generation Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally, and three times as many were underemployed — and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high-demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa. generation.org.

How to learn more about new virtual internship programs BPT - It’s not news that the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on learning opportunities for high school and college students. Unfortunately, that’s been especially true for underrepresented students, who often face roadblocks in accessing professional opportunities.

One glaring issue is that the in-person internships so crucial to on-the-job experience have been largely unavailable in this time of remote learning. As a result, students are missing out on the chance to participate in real-world work settings, gaining practical new skills, networking with other professionals and growing further in their careers.

That’s a big deal, given the importance of that experience to both employers, who are seeking to hire future leaders, and job applicants. Prior to the pandemic, a 2019 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 58% of graduating college seniors who received full-time job offers had completed internships - and notably, they received 16% more job offers than those not privy to internships.

The good news? Nonprofit organization The Center for Excellence in Life (TCEL) has stepped up to launch the first-ever paid virtual internship program geared specifically toward underrepresented students and uniquely focused on nurturing students beyond job skills in a specific field. This program already has served more than 80 Black, Latinx and Asian students in the U.S. in 2020. And with help from new supporters, its founders hope to provide many more with valuable work experiences throughout 2021 and beyond.

“Today’s students are our future workforce and leaders, but even with hope on the horizon for COVID-19, the negative consequences for underrepresented students can be long-lasting,” notes TCEL founder Mary Stutts. “At TCEL, we seek to help students understand what is possible and achieve their goals, by providing access, connections, exposure, and development of the ‘whole person.’”

Here’s what you should know about the program, whether you’re a prospective intern, a company wishing to participate or a donor interested in providing financial support for underrepresented students: Internships are available in multiple fields. TCEL arranges remote learning opportunities in disciplines ranging from STEM fields to communications, finance, life sciences, fashion, digital entertainment and more. The internships are structured so company mentors regularly work online with participants to help them experience practical, real-life settings and situations, as they develop the multifaceted www.citizennewspapergroup.com

skillsets and perspectives the future workforce needs.

And the program is intended to be accessible to all for example, in 2020, 13% of the TCEL interns without access to a computer completed the program using only their phones.

Supporting the “whole person” is key. For TCEL interns, education goes beyond specific career tracks, with every intern participating in the “Whole Person” track. Access to this unique training teaches interns how to define a personal brand, build a career while balancing multiple interests, better understand personal finances and care for their mental health.

“The TCEL interns I spoke with wanted to better understand financial topics,” notes John Clay, a vice president at Morgan Stanley and TCEL mentor. “As a result, I joined forces with TCEL to continue providing financial mentoring sessions for all cohorts, to build foundations for future interns’ personal and professional successes.”

Mental health struggles are at a dangerous high for young people. More than 90% of TCEL’s 2020 interns wrote in their application essays of experiences with anxiety and depression, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and social unrest, and a lack of opportunity. That’s why Kaiser Permanente became a TCEL sponsor. Its mental health professionals will provide mental health-focused mentoring sessions - so that participants are more equipped to help themselves and others.

Would-be interns should apply now. Because the goal is to impact students early in their education, interns can apply as high school juniors and seniors or college freshmen and sophomores. In 2021, internships will be available in the spring, summer and fall.

Throughout the program, students receive stipends to help cover expenses as they work, since unpaid internships present a barrier for some students.

“My goal is to serve as an ambassador for the United Nations, and I know that there’s a great need for more women and people of color in ambassadorship roles,” notes TCEL intern Kaylyn Goode, a George Washington University sophomore studying international affairs. “The TCEL internship provided me with important connections and knowledge as I work to achieve great things.”

Donors and supporters are needed. To thrive, TCEL needs more financial support from individual and corporate donors who believe in the importance of supporting Continued on page 7

4 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

BUSINESS

Black-owned, Education-first Kids and Family Banking App Goalsetter raises $3.9M Seed Round led by Astia Goalsetter, a Black-owned kids and family finance app that provides a next-generation, education-first banking experience for U.S. kids and teens, recently announced its seed capital raise of $3.9 million.

The capital raised will support the company’s plans to accelerate subscriber growth and enhance its ability to further build out its platform. According to a press release, Goalsetter is the only debit card in the U.S. with a financial literacy curriculum designed exclusively for teens and tweens.

Initially set for $3 million and oversubscribed, the round was led by Astia, with additional participation from PNC Bank, Mastercard, US Bank, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, Elevate Capital, Portfolia’s FirstStep Fund and Rising America Fund, and Pipeline Angels as other major investors.

Individual investors include notables such as philanthropist and investor Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Partners (who wiped out debt for Morehouse College graduates), NBA Stars Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and Baron Davis, Actors Sterling K. Brown (“This is Us”) and Ryan Bathe (“The First Wives Club),” MLB Star CC Sabathia and Executive Director of PitCCh In, Amber Sabathia.

“As the only Black-woman owned fintech company focused on the kid’s fintech space, we know how critical early finance education is to all kids in our country, and to Black and Brown kids in particular,” said Tanya Van Court, CEO and founder of Goalsetter. “Despite an increasing buying power, our Black and Latino communities are trending towards negative worth. Now is the time to teach our children to become smart spenders instead of conspicuous consumers. Goalsetter does this by teaching them that financial education, saving, and investing are the building blocks for achieving generational wealth,” she added.

The Goalsetter team

A report published in 2017 by Prosperity Now and the Institute for Policy Studies found that Black people spend $1 Trillion every year in the U.S., but are projected to have a negative net worth by 2053, with Latino net worth predicted to zero out by 2073.

The app’s ground-breaking features includes

financial education elements such as “Learn to Earn,” which lets kids earn money for every financial quiz question they get right, and “Learn Before You Burn,” which lets parents automatically freeze teens’ and tweens’ debit cards if they haven’t taken their financial literacy quizzes for the week.

In September 2020, Goalsetter was featured as the

Apple App of the Day and also released its Cashola Card, a U.S.-based debit card that includes financial literacy tools for teens and tweens.

“Astia invests in companies that include women leaders and we invested in Goalsetter because we see an extraordinary founder who has developed a uniquely creative, effective and scalable platform to increase financial literacy among youth and ultimately promote a more equitable world,” said Managing Director Victoria Pettibone. “Tanya Van Court is an exemplar of entrepreneurs we back, and we are excited to be on this journey with her,” she added.

Pipeline Angels and ERA were original “friends and family” investors when the company was launched and returned for this initial seed round.

This equity financing raise comes as Goalsetter scales to meet strong demand in the kids’ finance sector for its unique dual-tier product offering that includes both a next-generation banking app, and game-based financial literacy curriculum mapped to national financial literacy standards.

“We are proud to support Goalsetter in their mission to increase financial literacy in Black and Brown communities. Financial education is fundamental to building wealth. We are excited for young people and families to have this tool as they take control of their financial future and become savvy investors and future entrepreneurs,” said Kevin Durant, co-founder @ Thirty-Five Ventures.

Goalsetter’s Founder, Tanya Van Court, was formerly an executive at ESPN, where she launched ESPN3, and Nickelodeon, where she led NickJr.com and Noggin.com. Van Court’s experience in media and entertainment helped her hone her ability to create content that is both engaging and educational for kids and families.

At Discovery Education, Van Court launched kids’ digital textbooks on multi-modal learning.

Vimeo Launches New Video Marketing Tools Vimeo recently launched a suite of tools to help marketers and businesses reach— and ultimately convert— new customers with video. To streamline the process of managing and communicating with customer leads, Vimeo also introduced new and enhanced integrations with HubSpot, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and more. Users can now add customizable contact forms to their videos, sync form submissions directly to their preferred email marketing platform, and engage prospects with in-email video GIFs— all from the Vimeo platform.

“Finding and engaging potential customers with video is an essential component of every successful marketing strategy today: Videos can increase click-through rates up to 300% and convert interested viewers into paying customers,” said Mark Kornfilt, chief product officer at Vimeo. “Our

lead-generation solution is designed to be brilliantly simple so every marketer, regardless of budget or expertise, can add the power and utility of video to their toolbox. We’re thrilled to take this next step forward in making professional-quality video possible for all.”

“The power of video to engage customers, anywhere, any time, is a remarkable tool for compelling marketing campaigns,” said Scott Brinker, VP of Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot. “With Vimeo’s new integration with HubSpot’s CRM platform, leads generated within these videos seamlessly flow into a company’s marketing and sales engine.”

“Entrepreneurs and small busi-

nesses rely on a variety of marketing channels to engage with their customers. Adding video to email and offering lead generation capture on Vimeo within Mailchimp helps millions of our customers make the most out of their video content,” said Joni Deus, senior director of product, partnerships at Mailchimp.

“As the shift to an online-first world accelerates, small businesses need every tool at their disposal to both create compelling content and communicate their value to customers,” said Dom LaCava, director of strategic and technology partnerships at Constant Contact. “This integration with Vimeo enables small business leaders to drive results from their email marketing by easily embedding videos into campaigns to create a more engaging and immersive experience for the reader. It also www.citizennewspapergroup.com

allows them to explore deeper personalization in their email campaigns as they work to provide customers with dynamic content that converts.”

Key capabilities include: Create and customize contact forms: Collect relevant viewer information through in-video contact forms that are fully customizable and mobile optimized. Select which information to ask, add company logos and messages, decide in-video placement, link out to important privacy policies, and then track impressions and response rates directly within Vimeo analytics to understand what works and what doesn’t.

Integrate with top marketing platforms: Connect a Vimeo account to HubSpot, Mailchimp, Constant Contact and more— and any lead information collected will automatically sync with existing mailing lists.

Send engaging emails with GIFs to

leads: Make and embed GIFs of any video in follow-up email campaigns to increase engagement and clickthrough rates. Vimeo auto-generates unique embed codes for a number of software companies— including HubSpot, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, Keap, Gmail, and Google AMP. The recent launch is the latest in a series of new feature releases and integrations from Vimeo to help businesses communicate more effectively with video, and follows the launch of Vimeo Record, a free video messaging tool for remote teams.

Vimeo’s video marketing and lead-generation tools are available to Vimeo Business, Premium, and Enterprise users. To learn more, please visit the Vimeo blog at https://vimeo. com/blog/post/generate-leads-convert-with-video/

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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FASHION

EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a virtual Runway Show Andre Leon Talley, Fern Mallis & other fashion icons join celebration “A Decade of Diversity on the Runway” The show takes place during New York Fashion Week and will broadcast on streaming platforms and networks mentioned below On February 16, 2021, The leading emerging designer runway show established to be a catalyst and provide a platform for designers, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary during New York Fashion Week with a virtual fashion event. The Show themed “A Decade of Diversity on the runway” will feature top emerging designers from the United States as well as Africa. The virtual event will stream on GFNTV.com and on www.Emergerunwaynyc.com 6:00PM CST/7:00PM EST. GFNTV is a premiere online video network, which also streams live on various platforms including ROKU & Apple TV. The virtual fashion event will be hosted by Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily, with special guest presenters Andre’ Leon Talley (former Vogue contributor) & Fern Mallis (creator of New York Fashion Week.) The virtual event will also feature congratulatory remarks from fashion & style notables, a performance by Yanna Cello, a look back over the 10 year history of Emerge!, special clips from Emerge!

Design Talk featuring London-based designer Ozwald Boateng, urban street wear designer Karl Kani & iconic model Pat Cleveland.

Each season, EMERGE! presents the coveted 'Fashion Innovator Award.’ An honor to those who have received the award in the past recognizing them for their impact in fashion. Past honorees have included: Audrey Smaltz, President of the Ground Crew (presented to her by Harriette Cole); Constance C.R. White, Editor in Chief of Essence Magazine (presented to her by Tracy Reese); Andre’ Leon Talley, contributing editor of Vogue (presented to him by Diane Von Furstenberg), Fashion Icon Mikki Taylor (presented to her by Style Expert Philip Bloch), legendary model Patricia Cleveland (presented to her by legendary fashion designer, Stephen Burrows) and Fern Mallis (presented to her by Bibu Mohapatra).

This year’s Fashion Innovator Award Honoree is celebrity stylist & “image architect” Law Roach. Law will be recognized for his impact in shaping the global fashion industry.

This season Emerge! will feature a talented list of designers who were selected to unveil their newest collections. Terri Stevens of funkinbeautiful Designs (Chicago), Scalo Designs (Johannesberg), Jesu’ Segun London, Orla Couture (Lagos, Nigeria), Haus of L.A. (Los Angeles, Chicago). The runway will be “Reimagined” and feature the designs in creative vignettes.

“I am so excited about the upcoming anniversary show,” says Dionne Williams, creator & producer of Emerge! Fashion Show, “When I created Emerge 10 years ago my purpose was to highlight the creativity and art that designers create for the runway. I am always at awe at the talent and gifts that designers bring to light.”

Emerge! hosted a live show before the pandemic shut down and to say the year 2020 was a challenging one is an understatement. But, when met with challenges, creators create. It’s just what they do. They adapt, originate, overcome and birth new concepts. One shining example of this spirit to create will be found in this innovative virtual runway presentation. The Show is filmed & produced by The MTut Group.

Sponsors for the show include AMBI, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, LAMIK Cosmetics & ORS Haircare.

To register for free access to the virtual event visit www.EmergeRunwaynyc.com or visit www.GFNTV.com the day of the show.

ABOUT EMERGE! BRANDS EMERGE! A Fashion Runway Show, EMERGE! Design Talk, and the Fashion Innovator Award are all brands of, or are created and produced by Dionne Williams of D. Williams Public Relations Group. These have become among the top emerging designer platforms during New York Fashion Week, and have been consistent in providing national outlets for emerging designers to showcase their work. Hundreds of designer submissions are reviewed by an elite designer committee, which selects some of the top designers from around the world to be featured and/or honored.

Photo Courtesy of D. Williams Public Relations & Event Management Group

FOR FREE ACCESS GO TO EMERGERUNWAYNYC.COM

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6 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

NEWS

Expressing Thanks to Illinois Legislators for Putting People Before Politics As faith and community leaders, we were so grateful to see legislators come together a few weeks ago and take serious steps to improve health equity across the state. As faith-based leaders and community organizers, we applaud the unanimous decision of our state legislators to officially start the process for allocating $150 million this year in health transformation funding for neighborhoods where the needs are greatest—especially on our city’s South Side.

Their actions open the door to long-needed change and opportunity in the way healthcare is delivered in our neighborhoods — literally a lifesaver for thousands of residents – and not only for today, but for generations to come.

The healthcare disparities that exist in Black and Brown communities are profound, systemic, and growing. Just look at the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on communities of color as evidenced daily in the numbers of those who test positive, are hospitalized, and are dying from this insidious virus.

Our community has long needed a process to drive better access, prevention, health literacy and, ultimately, a healthier South Side.

We are acutely aware of the enormous disparity in health outcomes depending upon where you live in Chicago. Residents in Streeterville have a life expectancy of 90 years, 30 years longer than residents in Englewood — due in large part to chronic health issues.

Unlike those who live north of Roosevelt Road, the 600,000 residents on the South Side suffer a shortage of easy access to primary care, community-based specialty care programs, and supporting ambulatory and urgent care sites which results in inpatient admissions on the South Side being twice as high as other neighborhoods throughout the city. Likewise, emergency room visits for manageable conditions are two to three times higher. And, when compared with other Chicagoans, South Side residents have a 10 times higher infant mortality rate and are four times more likely to die of complications from diabetes.

COVID-19 has made these long-festering issues that much more urgent. That’s why our community has been actively engaged in a process for transformation, working with health providers — including hospitals and clinics

Girls’ nights IN are gonna take COVID-19 OUT.

throughout the South Side — to create a plan that would address the critical needs in our neighborhoods. Called the South Side Health Transformation Project, together we envision better collaboration among the resources already available in our community while also adding physicians, community healthcare workers, and connectivity to address the needs and issues that will bring better outcomes and better equity.

We need more care programs — including specialists — to support people with diseases or concerns common on the South Side such as behavioral health, chronic disease management, and maternal and infant health. Our residents need people who care every step of the way —community health workers and care coordinators who form connections between different types of care and help people easily find the health resources and patient education they need. And we know technology must play a big role in connecting all the dots — bringing together healthcare providers and community health workers in support of programs that will make a real difference in the health and mortality of our residents.

So, thank you to every member of the Illinois

House and Senate for voting unanimously to put something real in place around these systemic issues. Everyone deserves the right to quality and accessible healthcare and we are ready and anxious to start transforming lives on the South Side. Special thanks go to the Illinois Black Caucus and legislative leaders on the South Side who demanded investment and change. It is a major step forward toward equity.

We look forward to seeing the state’s process for these funds and are very hopeful that the South Side will see significant support to transform health. As we begin 2021, for the first time, we can truly see the finish line to better health.

Pastor Chris Harris, Bright Star Church, and CEO/Founder of Bright Star Community Outreach Rev., Dr. Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ Rev. Julian DeShazier, Senior Pastor, University Church Christa Hamilton, CEO, Centers for New Horizons

We don’t get enough laughs these days. But, wherever they are, our friends are as close as a click. Vaccines are coming. But until enough of us are vaccinated, we still need to slow the spread. We can watch our distance, and not let COVID-19 keep us apart.

Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus

Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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NEWS How to learn more about new virtual internship programs Continued from page 3 underrepresented young people and helping to build paths to success. Additionally, TCEL is actively searching for industry leaders and companies willing to share their expertise.

Recently, TCEL was one of the first nonprofits to receive a contribution from Life Science Cares, a newly formed consortium of Bay Area life science companies leveraging employee expertise and corporate profits to tackle society’s greatest social issues including pervasive racial and socioeconomic inequalities.

The program arose from humble beginnings. Stutts, a foster child from a young age, credits her foster mother (a special education teacher) with teaching her that all people are valuable regardless of their labels. While achieving a successful career in the biotech industry, Stutts developed a passion for nurturing underrepresented youth and founded TCEL to culti-

vate creative, academic, professional, entrepreneurial and life skills. She and her daughter Loren created the TCEL internship program to address disadvantages from the combined forces of the pandemic and racial injustice.

Supported by major corporations such as Blue Shield, W2O Group and others, the virtual internship program has been enormously uplifting. Donors and supporters can visit TheExcellentLifeCenter.org for more information.

TCEL’s overall mission is to mentor, inspire and empower youth and adult professionals in the pursuit of excellence. Potential participants in the TCEL Virtual Internship Program are encouraged to apply at TheExcellentLifeCenter.org.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

8 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

Michele Ghee named CEO of EBONY & JET MAGAZINE Bridgeman Sports & Media has installed Michele Ghee as CEO of iconic brands EBONY & JET. This historically rooted brand celebrates 75 years of chronicling Black life in America. With that, it now embarks on its future with Ghee boldly holding the reigns. A brand known for unapologetically documenting the courageous contribution of Blackness to the American landscape, its new CEO states, “Everything we say will come through the lens of Black journalists. We will ensure there is a safe space for Black journalism to thrive. I’m a little Black girl from Oakland, CA. I’m not apologizing for any of it. Our voices matter. We are History in the making!”

This titan of industry understands the privilege and responsibility of stepping into a leadership role within the culturally embedded Ebony and Jet brands. “Mr. Johnson “I’M A LITTLE was a visionary who BLACK GIRL FROM operated with courage.

He made a commitment OAKLAND, CA. I’M NOT APOLOGIZING to the Black American FOR ANY OF IT. OUR journey and in the process, he left an unforgetVOICES MATTER. WE ARE HISTORY IN table legacy,” says Ghee.

According to the new THE MAKING!” CEO, Ebony and Jet Michele Ghee CEO of EBONY & JET will hold true to those simple fundamental principles of documenting stories of Black Culture as it raises the brands’ profile to reach a global community. “Our brands’ main responsibility will be to focus completely on what our beloved audience wants and needs with bold informed editorial, brilliant content, and the opportunity to connect with like minded people. Paying homage to Mr. Johnson’s legacy means that my team will carve-out and create our own path. We will NOT succumb to the status quo.”

Of this appointment new owner Eden Bridgeman states, “We are honored to have Michele Ghee at the helm to steward these iconic brands. With a proven track record over a storied career thus far and a passion to bring her life experiences to Ebony and Jet we are excited at the future she will create. The next chapter of Ebony and Jet’s history will be told for generations to come and having her continue to authentically document, innovate, and uplift the culture will be keys to our success.”

Ghee serves as the CEO of 1145 Holdings LLC. The company includes all assets related to Ebony and Jet. She is charged with creating the vision and activating the strategy for these iconic brands as she steers them into the 21st century. The Brand value proposition will be embedded in Information|Inspiration|Inclusion. Ghee has worked in the media and entertainment space for over a quarter of a century. She has generated billions of dollars in revenue while working for some of the most powerful companies in the world including WME, CNN, A&E, The History Channel and BET Networks.

While at BET, Ghee created and ran the first and only network for black women: BETHer. This award-winning titan of industry is an expert in many areas including; leadership, culture, strategy, customer service, revenue generation, diversity, equity and inclusion and relationship building. She currently resides in New Jersey with her husband Tony and two kids Taylor and Jordan.

THE PROGRAM BUILDS UPON NNPA’S LOADED VAULT OF LIVESTREAMS THAT HAVE ATTRACTED SUCH SUPERSTARS AS ICE CUBE, CHUCK D, ZIGGY MARLEY, KURTIS BLOW, STEPHANIE MILLS, MARY WILSON, SINBAD, LL COOL J, AND MANY OTHERS.

“Let It Be Known:” NNPA Rolls Out Live Daily Breaking News Broadcast

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

Michele Ghee, Photo Credit: Maya Darasaw

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For 194 years, the Black Press of America has remained the voice of the African American community and the soul of the nation.

With more than 230 Black-owned newspapers and media companies comprising the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the Black Press’ contributions have remained indelibly associated with the fearlessness, determination, and the strive for excellence of the African American community across the nation.

Wholly embracing the print, social, and digital worlds, the NNPA finished 2020, having broadcast hundreds of livestreams over its many social media channels and on its primary news site, www.BlackPressUSA.com.

The NNPA’s latest initiative into live broadcasts in 2021 is the new daily morning breaking news program, “Let it Be Known,” hosted by NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Stacy Brown.

NNPA President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, emphasized, “We are the only national trade association of Black owned newspapers, digital and social media companies in America. As such, we begin 2021 committed to publishing, distributing, and broadcasting the essential news not only for Black Americans, but also for the entire nation and the international community.

These are trying times. But this is also the time to reassert the value, impact, engagement, and commitment of the Black Press to speak truth to power. Let It Be Known: We break the news. We distribute the news. We advocate for freedom, justice and equality.”

The new program, which kicked off earlier this month, features an interactive rundown of the hot topics of the day – providing news and information to an audience that demands Black inclusion.

Special guests will include NNPA publishers, reporters, photographers, and members of both chambers of Congress. It will also include global influencers, change-makers, and celebrities.

The program builds upon NNPA’s loaded vault of livestreams that have attracted such superstars as Ice Cube, Chuck D, Ziggy Marley, Kurtis Blow, Stephanie Mills, Mary Wilson, Sinbad, LL Cool J, and many others.

Previous guests include former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, Meharry Medical College President Dr. James Hildreth, New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Infectious Disease Leader Dr. Anthony Fauci, Temptations Legend Otis Williams, Democratic Majority Whip Congressman Jim Clyburn, New York Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The program adds to the long list of contributions of the Black Press of America, which includes the celebrated works of their founders and predecessors like John Russwurm, Samuel Cornish, Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, Ida B. Wells, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, Robert Abbott, John Sengstacke, and other former NNPA Chairmen such as Dr. Carlton Goodlett and Garth Reeves Sr. Tune in to NNPA’s “Let It Be Known” weekdays at 7:30 a.m. EST at Facebook.com/BlackPressUSA.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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10 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

HOME

DIY Weatherization Tips to Keep Your Home Cozy All Season Long (StatePoint) As temperatures fall outside, it’s time to get ready for the chillier months ahead. Most homeowners want to keep their home cozy and their heating bills low during the winter, but struggle to keep the warmth in and the cold air out. Weatherizing can seem daunting, but there are many benefits -from reducing drafts to lowering energy use. Follow these low-cost tips to protect your home and your wallet.

Give Windows a Makeover Windows add charm to any residence and provide protection from the outdoors, but also account for a significant amount of heat loss in the winter. Heat gain and loss through windows account for 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Even if your windows are in good condition, window insulation kits are easy, do-it-yourself solutions that will save you from sky-high heating bills, keep you comfortable and help with energy efficiency all winter long.

Try Duck Brand Max Strength Rolled Window Insulation Kits, which add a barrier and create an airtight seal between the outdoor air and your home’s inside. The film comes with a pre-taped edge for quick and easy roll-on installation.

Want to check and see if you have a problem with insulation? Hold an incense stick near windows, doors and electrical outlets. If smoke blows sideways, you have an air leak.

Deal with Drafts Doors are one of the largest sources of drafts in any home and should be a top priority for homeowners this winter. From draft seals to door sweeps, there are many DIY weatherization solutions to choose from that are easy to install and don’t require measuring or tools. Draft seals slide under doors, are removable, machine washable, pet-friendly and don’t damage door frames. For example, Duck Brand’s Double Draft Seal insulates your door from both sides and blocks winter drafts, dust, insects and pollen for year-round protection.

Don’t Let Air Sneak Through Cracks While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to check for any cracks and gaps around doors and windows that can lead to heat loss.

Weatherstripping doors and windows can save homeowners

Windows add charm to any residence and provide protection from the outdoors, but also account for a significant amount of heat loss in the winter.

Heat gain and loss through windows account for 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

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money. In fact, air sealing an old or drafty house can save up to 20% on your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

While there are a variety of gap seals to choose from, rubber gap seals can stand up to extreme temperatures that cause other seals to freeze or crack. Duck Brand HeavyDuty Weatherstrip Seals work well for sealing large gaps or sprucing up old or damaged door and window seals.

For a project selector, articles, how-to guides and instructional videos for more DIY weatherization inspiration, check out Duck Brand’s Weatherize page at duckbrand.com/ weatherize.

Don’t wait for the cold weather to set in.

Weatherizing your home can be an affordable and easy do-it-yourself project that anyone can tackle. Ready to get organized?

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

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12 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Feb. 3, 2021

Taking care of teammates

In a year unlike any other, our company and teammates were called upon to address unprecedented challenges and headwinds in the broader environment, working in support of each other, our clients and the communities where we work and live.

In appreciation of these outstanding efforts, we are recognizing eligible employees with Delivering Together compensation awards. A cash bonus of $750 or additional stock award is the latest step our company has taken to invest in our employees during the health crisis.

We’ve also significantly invested in industry-leading solutions and resources. To help many of our teammates balancing family and work, we provided an enhanced benefit of up to $100 per day for in-home childcare — funding nearly 3 million days of support. And in 2020, we accelerated the move of our U.S. minimum hourly rate of pay to $20, more than a year earlier than originally planned.

Here in Chicago, my teammates and I are here to help. We’re proud of this community and remain committed to making it a better place for us all.

For the fourth time since 2017, Bank of America is recognizing teammates with a special award in cash or restricted stock.

This year, approximately 97% of teammates will receive a Delivering Together award.

These awards are in addition to any regular annual incentives that eligible employees may receive.

Paul Lambert Chicago Market President

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.