South Suburban Citizen 8-19-2020

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 Aug. 19, 2020

| Vol. 39 | No. 39 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

August is National Immunization Awareness Month Page 2

Dr. Anthony Fauci Discusses the Impact and Severity of COVID-19 Disparities in African Americans Page 3

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced legislation that would expand the authority of State Attorneys General to investigate unconstitutional patterns or practices in law enforcement agencies in their states. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Robin Kelly

Study Shows Hidden Impact of Remote Work During the Pandemic Page 4

LEGISLATION SEEKS TO EXPAND POWER OF STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced the State Attorneys General Empowerment Act (H.R. 7536) to expand the power of state Attorneys General to investigate and resolve unconstitutional patterns and practices by law enforcement agencies within their states.

Congressman Danny Davis is a co-sponsor of the legislation. PAGE 2

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2 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM, OFFERS GAP YEAR TO RECENT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Laurel Springs School, a fully accredited private online school, is offering a new Postgraduate program that allows recent high school graduates to take a gap year with a purpose. Utilizing a framework of academically rigorous courses, college-level seminars, and specialized counseling based on personal interests and career ambitions, students who enroll in the Postgraduate program at Laurel Springs have an opportunity to build a competitive academic record that best positions them for success in college and beyond.

“While the coronavirus crisis presents many challenges for families as they make post-secondary decisions, Laurel Springs is proud to present a solution to high school graduates who are intentional in their choice to wait to pursue a college or university education,” said Jane Ferris, Ed.D., dean of students at Laurel Springs. Postgraduate study at Laurel Springs comprises three key elements including: expert college counseling, dual enrollment courses, Advanced Placement (AP), honors, elective, and World Language courses. For more information, call at 800-377-5890 or visit www.laurelsprings.com

HEALTH

AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH Although school will look different this year because of (COVID-19), whether it’s remote learning, in the classroom, or a hybrid, kids should still receive their routine vaccinations.

“While much of our focus is on COVID-19 these days, we must continue to take care of all of our health needs,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective methods to protect children from more than a dozen vaccinepreventable diseases. Make sure your children are fully vaccinated so they can be as healthy as possible while facing the ongoing risk of COVID-19.”

IDPH is teaming up with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) on a social media campaign that will raise awareness of the importance of vaccines. The immunization requirements for the 2020-2021 school year are the same as last year. The requirements can be found on the www.dph.illinois.gov under immunizations.

Vaccines are not just for kids, however. Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives. During National Immunization Awareness Month, IDPH is asking everyone to check their vaccination history and talk with their health care provider.

For more information about immunizations, including vaccination schedules for infants, children, teens and adults, visit http://www.dph. illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization.

LAW & POLITICS

EEOC RESUMES ISSUANCE OF CHARGE CLOSURE DOCUMENTS The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that it will begin issuing charge closure documents that were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 21, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EEOC temporarily suspended the issuance of charge closure documents unless a charging party requested them.

EEOC managers and supervisors have started reviewing charge resolution recommendations and the EEOC will begin issuing Notices of Right to Sue (Notices) both for charges that were held in suspense, as well as for charge resolutions that occur on and after Monday, August 3, 2020. The Notices held in suspense will be issued over the course of the next six to eight weeks beginning with those that have been in suspense the longest. All Notices will be issued by mail.

The Department of Justice, which issues Notices in investigations involving state and local governments, referred to them by the EEOC, is also now resuming the issuance of Notices.

Once a charging party receives a Notice, a lawsuit must be filed within 90 days of their receipt of that notice. This deadline is set by law and cannot be changed by the EEOC. A charging party must file a lawsuit within the established timeframe or may be prevented from going forward with the lawsuit. Information about reaching an EEOC field office is available by visiting the following link at https://www.eeoc.gov/ field-office. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.

Legislation seeks to expand power of State Attorneys General Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced the State Attorneys General Empowerment Act (H.R. 7536) to expand the power of state Attorneys General to investigate and resolve unconstitutional patterns and practices by law enforcement agencies within their states. Congressman Danny Davis is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

Kelly said when George Floyd died, she had a conversation with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. They discussed State Attorneys General and “pattern or practice.” According to the Department of Justice, “pattern or practice” means that the defendant has a policy of discriminating, even if the policy is not always followed.”

“I called him [Raoul] to pick his brain of how the law can be more helpful to Attorney Generals,” Kelly said. “He’s where I got the idea from.”

Kelly and Raoul both served in the Illinois state legislature, Kelly as state representative and Raoul as state senator. Kelly said this legislation is important now because State Attorneys General have experience with this issue.

“They should be given the power, the authority to investigate police

departments that have a history of excessive force by policing and other unconstitutional practice[s],” she said. “I think that they are the agency that should have the ability to investigate.” Kelly said some State Attorneys General do have this authority and some do not and that is why federal legislation is necessary.

This would provide a State Attorneys General access to the federal courts which have the expertise to deal with these issues, under the same powers as the Department of Justice.

Kelly said if the legislation is established federally, it is a model that could work and the Attorneys General think it could work too. She said it is for everybody, both Democratic and Republican State Attorneys General across the country.

She also talked about the companion legislation, H.R.7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was introduced by Congresswoman Karen Bass in June. Kelly said both pieces of legislation are meant to improve policing in the United States.

“If we can pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing [Act], they will help us oversee [that] these police departments follow what they should follow and hopefully, we’d like to think the majority of police departments do

follow [the right policies], but for the ones that don’t, this is an extra tool in this toolbox to make sure they do, or at least have the authority to investigate,” she said.

Raoul was one of 17 State Attorneys General to send a letter to congressional leaders. In that letter, the State Attorneys General requested an expansion of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act to enable State Attorneys General to have pattern or practice authority.

“Meaningful police reform means attacking the decades-old, systemic unconstitutional policing in communities around the country, instead of taking a piecemeal approach that seeks to get rid of a few ‘bad apples.’ The status quo is not and has not been working for too long,” Raoul said. “In Illinois, I am engaging in conversations with heads of law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to discuss measures that will ensure professionalism, accountability, and transparency within police departments.

We also need action at the federal level, which is why it is crucial that Congress supports our state efforts to restore trust between the community and hardworking law enforcement by enacting the real police reform people around Illinois and the nation are demanding.”

Churches Near Me’s New Website Helps Catholic Churches With shrinking congregations, an insufficient number of priests, and now Covid-19, many Catholic churches are struggling to survive.

In such an environment, running a church can be prohibitively expensive. To help right this situation, a philanthropic-minded software engineer is doing his part to help Catholic churches save money and attract more congregants.

The result, https:// catholicchurchesnear.me, is an ad-free, cost-free alternative to existing commercial church software programs. With additional resources freed-up, Catholic churches can focus on providing vital spiritual

A philanthropic-minded software engineer is doing his part to help Catholic churches save money and attract more congregants.

and community support as opposed to spending excess time on fundraising and resource management.

Visitors to the site can search for a Catho-

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

lic Church by city, state, language, and rite. Also available for each church are Mass times, the phone number, website, and whether the church offers

amenities such as food banks, thrift stores, bingo, and festivals.

For more information, visit https://catholicchurchesnear.me

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

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NEWS

Dr. Anthony Fauci Discusses the Impact and Severity of COVID-19 Disparities in African Americans

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

During a 30-minute interview with BlackPressUSA that was streamed live over Facebook, YouTube, and www.BlackPressUSA.com, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, spoke of the importance of convincing African Americans to participate in clinical trials. He also said that school re-openings should depend mainly upon the location and the infection rate in a given area.

Fauci also said a viable coronavirus vaccine is likely only a few months away.

“The fundamental principle is that we should try as best as we possibly can to get children back to school because we know the psychological aspect of that and the unintended consequences for mothers and fathers who may need to stop working, so we should try to get back to school,” Dr. Fauci said when asked about the impact of the pandemic on the upcoming school year.

“However, paramount needs to be the safety, health, and welfare of children, teachers, and families,” Dr. Fauci added.

“We live in a big country. Some places have low incidents and can open schools while some are high. Some areas rate of infection is so high where it’s not prudent to open schools. You don’t want to endanger their health.”

A member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Fauci has at times found himself at odds with President Donald Trump. For example, earlier this year, the president announced that he would withdraw U.S. funding and support for the World Health Organization (WHO). However, Dr. Fauci told BlackPressUSA that he still maintains a close relationship with the organization.

“I still work closely with the World Health Organization,” said Dr. Fauci. “I’m on a weekly phone call with them, and I signed a memorandum of understanding. We’re all in with the WHO.” During the interview, which included National

Fauci speaks to the White House press corps on COVID-19 in April 2020, watched by President Donald Trump (left) and Vice President Mike Pence (right.)

Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Dr. Fauci also demonstrated the proper way to wear a facemask.

“Early on, there was a shortage of masks because we didn’t want to take masks away from health providers who needed them,” Dr. Fauci remarked. “It’s easy to get a cloth mask now.”

Dr. Fauci explained further that, “when there are droplets when someone sneezes or coughs, you [are protected]. You can take it and wash it with soap and water or stick it in the washing machine.”

Addressing the disparities surrounding COVID-19 and other illnesses, Dr. Fauci pointed to many African Americans, Latinx, and Native Americans occupying essential jobs that provide employees with little — or no — protection.

“On the one hand, there’s a greater opportunity and risk of getting infected, but even as important is that once you get infected, you have prevalence and incidence of co-morbidities that make it more likely you’ll get a severe outcome from the infection,” Dr. Fauci noted.

“Those co-morbidities are like diabetes, hyper-

tension, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and lung disease. It’s very clear that African Americans have a higher incidence, and the reality is that you suffer more.”

The hospitalization rates per 100,000 people are stunning when comparing African Americans and Caucasians, Dr. Fauci proclaimed.

“In many respects, it’s unacceptable that it should be that way,” he said, noting that the hospitalization rate per 100,000 African Americans stands at 247, compared to 53 per 100,000 whites.

“In other words, that’s almost five times the chance of getting hospitalized even though African Americans comprise just 13 percent of the [U.S.] population,” Dr. Fauci observed.

“That’s more than something we need to deal with.”

Dr. Fauci added that there are five fundamental things everyone could do to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Wear a mask, avoid crowds of more than 10, keep a distance of at least six feet, locations should seriously consider closing bars and getting people who go to bars to stop or do

it outside, and wash hands frequently either with soap and water or alcohol Purell.”

Clinical trials are vital, Dr. Fauci said.

“We hope that we will have an effective vaccine by the end of the year, which means that as we get into 2021, we want to distribute it for those who could benefit,” he added.

“We need to spend extra effort to protect African Americans, and the way you find out if the vaccine is effective is the enrollment in a vaccine trial. It would be a terrible shame if African Americans stayed away from clinical trials, and they didn’t provide for themselves the vaccine that could protect them.”

Dr. Fauci suggested that he wears a mask everywhere goes and demanded that doing so shouldn’t be about politics. “This is about protecting each other. We’re all in this together,” Dr. Fauci said. “I’m pleased to see that we now have the president talking about wearing a mask where he didn’t before, and the vice president wears a mask everywhere he goes. We’ve got to pull together.”

Whether reinfection of the coronavirus can occur remains somewhat of a mystery, Dr. Fauci explained. “When you get infected with any virus, generally, when you recover, your body has made a good immune response to recover,” Dr. Fauci noted.

“We know that happens in people who had COVID-19. We don’t know what the duration of that is. There are varying levels of antibodies in people who recover, and what we’re following is how long they last. Some people find that it doesn’t last very long.” He continued: “There are other types of immunity that go beyond, and they’re called T-cells or cellular immunity, which may also play a role in protecting people from being infected. Likely a degree of protection is pretty good for a finite period.

“There are no well-documented cases of people actually being re-infected. There have been some anecdotally stories of people recovering who seemed to have gotten infected, but we don’t know.

There’s no real hard evidence that’s happening.”

Three New Mental Health Programs Launched In Illinois The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) recently announced three new mental health programs designed to provide additional support for Illinois residents.

These new resources will be provided by community organizations through the Living Room Program (LRP), Transitional Living Centers (TLCs), and the Transitional Community Care and Support Programs (TCCS) throughout the state.

“We are excited to strengthen the array of transitional services funded through the Division of Mental Health,” said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. “The purpose of this initiative is to provide additional support to individuals who might otherwise return

to higher levels of mental health care.”

To achieve successful transition of individuals leaving the IDHS State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals (SOPH), IDHS is contracting with community mental health centers and non-traditional service providers to develop capacity and to deliver clinical services and non-traditional supports. The initiatives include: Living Room Program (LRP) The LRP is for those in need of a crisis respite program with services and supports designed to proactively divert crises and break the cycle of psychiatric hospitalization. The LRP provides a safe, inviting, home-like atmosphere where individuals can

calmly process a crisis event, as well as learn and apply wellness strategies to prevent future crisis events, according to a press release.

The LRP is staffed by Recovery Support Specialists. Individuals seeking services at LRPs are screened for safety by Qualified Mental Health Professionals upon entry and exit.

Individuals experiencing psychiatric crises may self-refer or may be referred by police, fire, emergency departments, or other organizations with which an individual experiencing such a crisis may come into contact.

Transitional Living Centers (TLCs) TLCs are a housing resource for www.citizennewspapergroup.com

individuals who have mental illnesses and who are in need of an immediate place to stay while they work with a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) to find permanent housing.

Priority is given to individuals who are ready for discharge from an SOPH, but need housing. This is not residential treatment, but truly housing, with services and supports being provided through traditional CMHC avenues.

Transitional Community Care and Support Programs (TCCS) Individuals eligible for TCCS are those who are currently in an SOPH and preparing to be discharged.

The hallmark of the program is the

development of engagement specialists who work in recovery support specialist roles within CMHCs and who will be coming to SOPHs for face-to-face engagement with individuals while they are hospitalized.

The TCCS will include funding for non-traditional supports, such as cell phones, food, clothing, transportation, and other resources that are necessary for individuals to succeed as they transition to communities.

In addition, the TCCS agencies will be providing clinical consultation to the SOPH treatment team during treatment and discharge planning to ensure that treatment needs are anticipated and addressed prior to discharge.

4 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

BUSINESS

Walsh Construction completes historic transformation of Chicago’s old Cook County Hospital into dual branded Hyatt hotel Walsh Construction, one of the largest contractors in the City of Chicago and across the United States, has completed the historic rehabilitation of the 104-year-old Cook County Hospital building, converting the building into a dual branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotel, accompanied by the new Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall.

The transformative project is the first phase and anchor for Harrison Square, a new micro-neighborhood that will add residential, office, retail and hotel space in the area immediately surrounding the former hospital within the Illinois Medical District.

The project was directed by the Civic Health Development Group, a joint venture led by Chicago-based Murphy Development Group along with MB Real Estate, Walsh Investors and The Granite Cos. Inc. The 345,000-square-foot old Cook County Hospital was decommissioned in 2002 and remained vacant for more than 15 years, disquieting preservationists, historians, and other concerned citizens that the magnificent Beaux Arts building was at risk of demolition.

Those fears were relieved when it was officially announced in 2018 that the prominent medical institution would be given life once more.

The development converted the former hospital and medical college into a 210-room dual branded Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotel. The project also delivers medical office and retail spaces and the 10,000-square-foot Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall, named in honor of the renowned surgeon, Dr. John Benjamin Murphy, who studied, practiced and taught within Cook County Hospital and the Illinois Medical District.

Architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed the project to incorporate features highlighting the building’s long history as one of the world’s top teaching hospitals and signifi-

The exterior of the old Cook County Hospital building features a fully restored facade that required more than 4,000 individual pieces of terra cotta to be repaired or duplicated.

cant place in the history of Chicago as its first public hospital.

The building also includes a museum that chronicles the hospital’s noteworthy contributions to the region and to the medical field.

“The old Cook County Hospital is rich in history, having served our community and nation for over a century, while at the same time being a fountain of medical research, innovation, and advancements,” said Dan Walsh, co-chairman of Walsh Construction. “The Walsh Group is proud to have played a leading role in saving and transforming this unique historic structure; and delivering a reborn building that welcomes visitors and economic revival to the Near West Side of Chicago for another 100 years.”

Restoring a Landmark Walsh Construction began renovations at

the top floor and proceeded to work down to ground level, crews removed all interior partitions, leaving a clear floor plate nearly 550 feet long and 70 feet wide. Once the floor plate was cleared, new composite decks were installed.

The original terrazzo flooring was completely refurbished, and the intricate interior moldings were meticulously repaired to its original condition.

On the exterior of the building, masons labored to preserve, repair and recreate the historic $18 million façade, requiring more than 4,160 individual pieces of terra cotta to be repaired or duplicated by Gladding, McBean – one of only two terra cotta manufacturers in the United States.

Built for the Community, by the Community Walsh Construction in partnership with Cook County Government, organized multiple

MBE/WBE general trades outreach events to discuss the project and inform the local trade and subcontracting communities of the project’s employment opportunities.

“This project is based upon community revival and opportunity for the local workforce and the Near West Side community,” said Jeff Pezza, vice president at Walsh Construction. “A tremendous amount of gratitude must be given to our dedicated project team, and especially the elected officials, organizations and individuals like Larry Huggins from The Granite Companies who helped champion this project across Chicago.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr., Alderman Jason Ervin, Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, Joe Williams from the Target Group and Rachel Ivy from Communities Empowered Through Construction played impactful roles in community participation and outreach.

Throughout the course of renovations, Walsh Construction sponsored two eightweek pre-apprenticeship programs, which allowed candidates to gain construction exposure and experience by participating in the old Cook County Hospital project.

Pre-Apprentices shadowed management staff, superintendents. Industry-based training was also made available, including flagging certification, fall protection, confined space and first aid. After completion of the program, the pre-apprentice candidates were hired directly into local trades.

“The reborn Cook County Hospital will further energize the Medical District and supplement the neighboring healthcare institutions,” said Tom Caplis, vice president of healthcare at Walsh Construction. “This building has been rejuvenated and will serve as a place of history, comfort and hospitality to all who visit.”

Study Shows Hidden Impact of Remote Work During the Pandemic Remote work in the time of the pandemic is having unexpected impacts across America — and different impacts for each generation. A new, national study by global research firm, The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), reveals that trust, expectations of leaders, and future employment expectations have been deeply affected in this time of remote work.

The discoveries from The 2020 Study on Leading Multiple Generations Remotely are both compelling and concerning: * Most shockingly, a majority (53 percent) of Americans do not want to work remotely even part-time after the pandemic ends. * 42 percent of Americans do not have the tools they need to successfully work remotely. * Less than half of Americans (48 percent) believe their manager is acting

A new, national study by global research firm, The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), reveals that trust, expectations of leaders, and future employment expectations have been deeply affected in this time of remote work.

with integrity during these tough times Gen Z (born from 1996 thru 2015) is the generation whose work has been most impacted by the pandemic.

More than any other generation, Gen Z’s work hours have decreased (45 percent), they have been furloughed (37 percent), the focus of their job has changed (32 percent), and their salary or wages have de-

creased (25 percent).

“The study reveals that the experience of remote work is uneven and rife with anxiety. More importantly, the study showed what leaders need to know and do now,” says Jason Dorsey, acclaimed generational speaker and President at CGK. The top three things that Americans want from their managers right www.citizennewspapergroup.com

now: being honest and candid, communicating clearly, and being caring and empathetic. What they wanted least: showing strength and resilience. In short, candor and honesty trump bravado and bluster.

Going deeper, the study uncovered: * 47 percent of Americans say they’re working completely from home or remotely. * 49 percent of Americans have used Zoom or a video chat platform for the first time ever.

“Each generation is having a different experience during the pandemic.

This is important to understand, as organizations must remotely lead four or five generations simultaneously.

Gen Z’s emergence could herald in a new era of hybrid work that is normal to them and for the youngest members of Gen Z, all they’ve ever known,” says Denise Villa, Ph.D.,

CEO of CGK and author of the new book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What To Do About It. Villa adds the following recommendations: * Reinforce the organization’s guiding principles and mission in creative ways that connect with individual employees in a remote work world. * Offer communication options aligned with each generation’s primary preferences. * Increase the frequency of information that is shared by leadership to keep employees engaged and aligned.

The bottom line: it’s important for organizations’ leaders to understand where each generation is coming from to best engage, support and get the most from their employees in novel ways during this critical time.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

NEWS Diversity and Unity within the Community On Friday, August 28th from 10-6pm, the Bolingbrook Black History Awareness Club will lead a March on Bolingbrook in celebration of the 57th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. This march will mirror efforts in Washington, DC to both raise awareness on the current police brutality crises, Covid 19 pandemic, voter suppression, and social injustice, as well as honor the legacies of heroes like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Congressman John Lewis. To address the ongoing racial disenfranchisement of people of color voter registration will be available.

Black History Month Awareness Club, Inc

Legacy of the 1963 March on Washington In 1963, over 200,000 people marched the streets of Washington in the name of equality, jobs, and freedom.

The event was planned by the “Big Six” leaders of reform organizations, including Dr. King and Congressman John Lewis.

During this event, John Lewis spoke passionately about the change that was needed in America. Later in the program, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his memorable “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he called for civil and economic equal rights and an end to systemic racism in the United States.

is clear that a reminder is needed that "injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere" as stated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This peaceful March requires that all participants wear a mask, practice social distancing and proper hand hygiene.

About Black History Month Awareness Club, Inc.

2020 March on Bolingbrook On August 28, 2020, we the people of Bolingbrook will march in solidarity alongside the March on Washington and symbolize that we too stand against systemic racism and injustice in America.

This March comes at a time when it

FAMILY LIVING Parents Guide to Screen Time During COVID-19 (StatePoint) After years of hearing study after study about the negative effects of excessive screen time, parents are now being told to set aside any concerns about limiting device time.

If you’re confused, you aren’t alone.

Life as we know it has taken a 180 and relaxing your screen time rules is an inevitability. Most kids are transitioning to digital learning platforms, and with stay-at-home orders in effect around the world, screens have proven essential components of household life. Even still, establishing consistent and clear structure around screen time rules is as important as ever.

To help you cut through the noise, consider the latest research, expert advice and tips from OurPact a screen time monitoring and scheduling app that allows parents to manage what kids are doing online, create daily screen time allowances, set filters on browsers and block certain applications at certain times of day. To learn more, visit OurPact.com.

With a new reliance on digital devices, parents can continue to take steps to ensure kids are striking a healthy online and offline balance.

WWW.CITIZENNEWSPAPERGROUP.COM

With a mission to spread the awareness and education of black history in the community, Bolingbrook’s Black History Month Awareness Club hosts an annual celebration in February which connects the community with organizations and businesses by providing information that will increase awareness and understanding of African American heritage and culture.

Bolingbrook residents Anita Kontoh Carty, attorney, Felix George, DuPage Township Supervisor, and Bernard Winston, Financial Advisor were the founders of the Black History Month Awareness Club in 1999.

Board members: Anita Kontoh Carty, Executive Director/Treasurer, Bernard Winston, President, Janice Haywood, Vice President and Terri Ransom, Program Director, work year-round to organize the signature event that has now grown to draw hundreds throughout Will County. To learn more visit: www.blackhistoryawarenessclub.com Instagram: bhm_awareness Twitter: month_awareness Facebook: Bolingbrook Black History Month Awareness Club

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6 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Women of Color Empowerment Institute’s August Hour of Power Soledad O’Brien will be the August 2020 Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc.’s “Hour of Power” speaker on Saturday, August 22, 2020 @10:00 a.m.

To register, go here: https:// us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_o-70Yo2mT3qeIwA5vxouNg After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the access link.

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, speaker, author and philanthropist who anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine program “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.”

O’Brien, founder and CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions, also reports for HBO Real Sports, the PBS NewsHour, WebMD and has authored two books. She has appeared on networks, Fox and Oxygen and anchored and reported for NBC, MSNBC and CNN. She has won numerous awards, including three Emmys, the George Peabody award, an Alfred I DuPont prize and the Gracie. Newsweek Magazine named her one of the “15 People Who Make America Great.” With her husband, she is founder

Soledad O’Brien

of the PowHERful Foundation that helps young women get to and through college.

Follow her on Twitter: @soledadobrien By creating new educational experiences for kids based on their favorite shows and characters, you can feel good knowing you’re making the most of your child’s screen time.

Extend the fun beyond the screen, create educational experiences based on your child’s favorite shows

Photo credit: Ryan Schaefer

Sony/ATV Signs Worldwide Deal with Jozzy Sony/ATV Music Publishing recently announced it has signed a worldwide publishing administration agreement with Grammy award-winning songwriter and recording artist Jozzy.

Jocelyn Donald, better known as Jozzy, is a celebrated songwriter hailing from Memphis, Tennessee who has collaborated with top talent such as Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Usher, Summer Walker, Lil Wayne, Coldplay, Ella Mai, 21 Savage, and many more.

Among her most notable work was pioneering a blend of hip-hop and country by writing Billy Ray Cyrus’s verse on Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road Remix.” The track spent a record-shattering nineteen weeks at No.1, gained a Grammy nomination for Record of The Year, and won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Jon Platt said, “Jozzy is an incredibly accomplished songwriter with once in a generation talent.

We are pleased to welcome her to Sony/ ATV, and I am confident we will earn major success as a creative team.”

Jozzy said, “I’m thrilled to be working with Jon Platt and Sony/ATV. There’s no doubt we’ll do great things together. The best is yet to come!”

In addition to her achievements as a songwriter, Jozzy is also now focusing on her career as an artist and recently signed with Columbia records. Her debut track as an artist was the hypnotic “Sucka Free,” featuring Lil Wayne, a longtime collaborator and friend.

Jozzy is currently at work on a forthcoming EP called Soul Therapy: Apartment 215, and released singles including “Let You Down Let You Go” and “I’m Gone” featuring Tommy Genesis. Jozzy has also embraced activism; as an LGBTQ+, woman of color, she has repeatedly spoken out about the issues she faces and her hope for more diverse voices to be recognized in all areas of the music industry.

StatePoint - If your child is all about a particular television show, there are a number of interactive and educational ways to extend the fun beyond the screen. Here are a few ideas: • Play Pretend: Get creative by fashioning character costumes from what you have at home, then have the kids pick out their favorite scenes or invent their own. Stage a play or create a video acting them out.

• Toys and Games: Look for toys and games based on your children’s favorite programming. For example, the new Go! Go! Cory Carson toy line from VTech, based on the hit animated preschool series available on Netflix, lets kids create their own adventures with vehicles based on the show’s characters, and playsets inspired by popular scenes from the show. Technology brings it all to life with fun sounds, phrases and songs to encourage pretend play and maximize fun.

The toys, available exclusively at Target, include DJ Train Trax & the Roll Train, a fun playset that gives kids the opportunity to groove along to music, help the characters dance on stage and even roll DJ Train Trax to light up his rainbow chimney while listening to sounds and phrases from the show. With Freddie’s Firehouse, kids can go on a rescue mission, race down the slide to answer calls or explore all the activities that the firehouse has to offer. And of course, don’t forget the characters themselves. Cory and his little sister Chrissy are toys that talk, sing songs and offer role-play fun and adventure all around Bumperton Hills. For more information,

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THE TOYS, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT TARGET, INCLUDE DJ TRAIN TRAX & THE ROLL TRAIN, A FUN PLAYSET THAT GIVES KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROOVE ALONG TO MUSIC, HELP THE CHARACTERS DANCE ON STAGE AND EVEN ROLL DJ TRAIN TRAX TO LIGHT UP HIS RAINBOW CHIMNEY WHILE LISTENING TO SOUNDS AND PHRASES FROM THE SHOW. visit vtechkids.com/corycarson.

• Draw and Paint: The next time kids sit down for arts and crafts, encourage them to draw portraits of their favorite characters or scenery from the show. Experiment with different supplies -from crayons and colored pencils to watercolors and clay. Then create a gallery for kids to display their artwork. And, visit Netflix Jr.’s YouTube channel for some fun D.I.Y. activities inspired by Go! Go! Cory Carson.

• Story Hour: It’s never too early to foster a love of reading, and you can help by selecting books associated with your child’s favorite television series. Spend time reading together (don’t forget the silly voices and character impressions to make it more engaging) and when your child is ready to do so, have them read these same books to you.

By creating new educational experiences for kids based on their favorite shows and characters, you can feel good knowing you’re making the most of your child’s screen time.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Aug. 19, 2020

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EDUCATION

Prepping for a Successful School Year (StatePoint) Whether heading back to the classroom or back to a digital device this fall, it is important to be prepared. Get your children set up for academic success with the following resources and gear: • Comfortable workstation: A few considerations will improve ergonomics and comfort, for better focus when working at home.

Consider a height-adjustable table or desk as well as an adjustable chair in order to accommodate your growing child’s needs. If possible, select an area for your child to work that gets plenty of natural light. A good desk lamp is also essential.

• Math tools: Did you know that there are free math resources available online that can help to alleviate the challenges posed by remotelearning? Check out Casio’s learning site, available at CasioEducation.com/remote-learning, which provides math activities, YouTube videos, an online calculator and downloadable resources.

The brand also offers a variety of models of scientific and graphing calculators, providing students of all levels with the features they’ll need to make the grade.

• Headphones: With so many dis-

tractions that can derail a student’s attention, a good set of noise-canceling headphones can make all the difference.

• Music instruction: Give kids the tools they need to play music wherever and whenever they’d like. With the ultracompact LK-S250 keyboard, novices can easily learn to play favorite songs using the instrument’s Key Lighting system and library of built-in songs.

By connecting to the free Chordana Play app, they can take lessons further by mastering favorite tunes from downloaded MIDI files. The classcompliant USB port connects to any Mac, PC, iOS or Android device with no drivers needed.

• Functional fashion: The best accessories also serve a purpose. Look for a watch that has a range of features that help students stay on task.

Check out the Pro Trek line of watches. Its different alarm settings can be used to keep a schedule.

Be sure kids are equipped for a successful school year, no matter where or how their learning takes place.

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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.

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