South Suburban Citizen 12-16-2020

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 Dec. 16, 2020

| Vol. 40 | No. 4 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Byron Allen and Dr. Anthony Fauci Talk COVID-19 Impact on the African-American Community Page 2

Mark Ruffin wrote “Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance, and Baseball,” with hope that people will learn about baseball, jazz and a little something about themselves.

Condos Are Selling for a Record 17% Discount to Single-Family Homes

Photo courtesy of Mark Ruffin

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7 Tips for Hosting a Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange Page 6

JAZZ AT CENTER OF ‘BEBOP FAIRY TALES’

Mark Ruffin, best known for his articles and radio show centered on jazz, has taken his love for the genre and created a historical fiction novel entitled, “Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance, and Baseball.” PAGE 3 |

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2 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION INTERDISCIPLINARY PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION AND ASSESSMENT RESEARCH Curriculum Associates and North Carolina A&T State University have formed an interdisciplinary partnership to support diversity in the education and assessment research fields.

Through a number of initiatives, the two organizations will engage in collaborative research aimed in part at eliminating testing biases in the classroom for Black and Brown students, expose university students to a spectrum of opportunities in education and research, train teachers and practitioners to become a part of the test writing and assessment process, provide scholarship support to lessen the debt burden of aspiring and existing scholars, and more.

Curriculum Associates will specifically support the university’s Innovation in Education initiative focused on providing transformative learning opportunities and delivering and sustaining academic breakthroughs. This will include faculty and student research grants that will provide resources to safeguard and enhance the quality of education for students while simultaneously assisting the university’s efforts to perform research surrounding education’s most pressing needs, including eliminating testing biases for historically marginalized groups in the classroom.

HEALTH

BYRON ALLEN AND DR. ANTHONY FAUCI TALK COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group, Byron Allen, recently sat with Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, for a conversation about COVID-19’s devastating impact on the African-American community.

Hosted exclusively on Allen Media Group’s digital news platform/network, theGrio, the video interview featured Allen and Fauci unpacking community skepticism about vaccines, and how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Allen calls Fauci an “American hero” and praises him for his efforts to keep Americans safe. Allen even offered to provide Fauci and his family use of a COVID-safe private jet for a vacation as an expression of gratitude for all of Dr. Fauci’s dedication and hard work. Dr. Fauci graciously declined Allen’s generous gesture as he is a federal government employee and not allowed to accept such gifts.

LAW & POLITICS

FTC RETURNS ALMOST $775,000 TO CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED DECEPTIVELY ADVERTISED ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PAIN RELIEF SUPPLEMENT SYNOVIA FROM A.S. RESEARCH, LLC The Federal Trade Commission is sending checks totaling $774,755 to 13,221 consumers who bought Synovia, a supplement advertised and sold by A.S. Research, LLC as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain. The average refund amount is $58.60 per consumer.

According to the FTC’s complaint, A.S. Research made misleading health claims and used phony testimonials, including one in which a user said he “gave away his walker” after using the supplement. The FTC also alleged that the defendants told consumers they had to pay extra for a version of Synovia containing an ingredient added to increase pain relief and speed joint repair, when in fact all purchasers received that product.

The order settling the FTC’s allegations prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting the results of any scientific study or endorsement and requires them to disclose any material connections they have with endorsers. It also required the company to pay $821,000 to the Commission for consumer refunds. Refund recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days, as indicated on the check. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash refund checks. Consumers who bought Synovia, but who don’t receive a check, may contact the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 833-707-1185.

Realtor.com® 2021 Housing Forecast: Sellers Will Get Top Dollar As Buyers Struggle with Affordability Amid COVID-19 uncertainty, 2021 will be a robust seller’s market as home prices hit new highs (+5.7%) and buyer competition remains strong, according to the realtor.com® 2021 housing forecast released recently.

Inventory is expected to make a slow but steady comeback, which will give buyers some relief. However, increasing interest rates and prices will make affordability a challenge throughout the year.

“The 2021 housing market will be much more ‘normal’ than the wild swings we saw in 2020. Buyers may finally have a better selection of homes to choose from later in the year, but will face a renewed challenge of affordability as prices stay high and mortgage rates rise,” said realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. “With less cash and no home equity, millennial and Gen Z first-time buyers will be impacted the most by rising home prices and interest rates. While waiting until the fall or winter months of 2021 may mean more home options to choose from, buyers who can find a home to buy earlier in the year will likely see lower prices and mortgage rates.”

Realtor.com® forecasts mortgage rates will continue to hover near 3%, then slowly rise to 3.4% by the end of the year. Home sales are expected to increase 7% and new construction will increase 9% over the previous year. However, the strength of the 2021 housing market is highly dependent on the containment of COVID-19 pandemic and staving off a double dip recession.

What 2021 will be like for buyers?

Buyers will find some relief in 2021 as more homes hit the market, but many will struggle with affordability as home prices continue to rise. Mortgage rates will slowly rise toward 3.4% and will no longer help offset the record breaking prices. Additionally, the time it takes to sell a home will slow from late 2020’s frenzy, but fast sales will remain in many parts of the country, which will be particularly difficult for first-time buyers learning the ins and outs of homebuying.

What will 2021 be like for sellers?

Sellers will continue to hold the upper hand throughout 2021 as the number of buyers in the market outweighs the number of homes for sale. Home prices won’t grow as fast as they did in 2020, but steady increases will continue to push home prices to new highs. Additionally, sellers can expect their home to sell relatively quickly in 2021, so having their next home lined up will be key. Many sellers are also buyers themselves, so they will struggle with the same issues when it comes to purchasing their next home.

Forecast key 2021 housing trends l Millennials continue to drive the market while Gen-Z become market players - The largest generation in history, millennials, will continue to shape the housing market as they outnumber Gen-X and Baby Boomers. Older millennials will likely be trade-up buyers while the larger, younger segment of the generation age into their key home buying years. Meanwhile, Gen-Z will begin to make their presence known in 2021 as they compete with younger millennials for entry-level homes. The oldest members of Gen-Z will turn 24 in 2021 and their impact on the market will only continue to grow from here. l Affordability becomes a growing obstacle - Buyers in 2020 received a huge boost in affordability as mortgage rates pushed to new lows throughout the year, however, a lack of inventory and strong demand drove prices up, erasing most of the boost.

As mortgage rates are no longer able to counteract rising home prices, affordability will be tested for buyers across the board in 2021. Home price increases are expected to slow as affordability gets stretched throughout the year. Buyers will need to act with a sense of urgency if they want to lock in a low rate before home prices increase even more in 2021. l Inventory will begin the slow road toward recovery - A lack of homes for sale has plagued the U.S. housing market for the last five years. The problem only intensified in 2020, in large part due to an estimated shortfall of nearly 4 million newly constructed homes heading into the year, as well as www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Realtor.com® 2021 Housing Market Forecast

sellers pulling back due to COVID-19. The number of homes for sale is expected to slowly rebound in 2021, but the road to recovery will be long because the market has to make up for multiple years of declines. Additional homes hitting the market will offer buyers some relief in 2021, but it won’t be enough to tip the scales in favor of buyers. As inventory slowly begins to replenish and buyer demand for homes remains steady, sellers will continue to be in the driver’s seat. l Suburbs will shine if remote work stays around - As COVID-19 lockdowns gripped many of the nation’s largest cities, buyers flocked to nearby suburbs in search of increased space.

Now, more and more workers are finding the freedom to work remotely. This has sparked intense interest in suburban homes, further exaggerating a trend that had been slowly emerging over the last couple of years. The big question is what demand will look like once a coronavirus vaccine is widely available. If companies require workers to return to the office, demand may wane.

Conversely, if companies commit long-term to remote work, demand for these homes could see an additional boost in 2021.

Wildcards that could shake things up in 2021 l COVID-19 - The deck is stacked with wildcards for 2021.

The most impactful will be the U.S.’s ability to control and contain the spread of COVID-19 as well as distribute a vaccine. Additional lockdowns and quarantines could put a dent in housing inventory and sales, slowing the market and putting increased pressure on buyers. Conversely, if a vaccine is rolled out quickly, it could lead to better than expected sales and a strong increase for home prices and inventory. Either way, COVID-19 will have a large impact on the U.S. housing market in 2021. l Double dip recession - The possibility of a double dip recession is still in play for 2021. As the U.S. continues in a K-shape recovery, a gap is widening between those with and without jobs as well as industries recovering well versus those seeing continued lack of business. In the short term, this could lead to less consumer spending which could more broadly impact businesses and economic growth. In the long term, this could impact the U.S. housing market as “would-be” buyers disappear from the market, cooling demand and driving down home prices. The current question is how long the K-shape can diverge before the impact begins to cascade into the broader economy and other previously less-affected sectors such as housing.

For more information, visit realtor.com®.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

Jazz at center of ‘Bebop Fairy Tales’ Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Mark Ruffin, best known for his articles and radio show centered on jazz, has taken his love for the genre and created a historical fiction novel entitled, “Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance, and Baseball.”

Ruffin said he has always been interested in music and music journalism. He started his career as a music writer at Chicago Magazine and went on to write for the Chicago SunTimes and the Illinois Entertainer. He joined a screenwriting group with other writers and started to come up with stories about jazz and music.

“Just in our hometown alone, there are so many legendary jazz stories,” he said.

Ruffin said while it took him seven years to write four screenplays, it took him 17 years to write “Bebop Fairytales.” He said writing prose is a lot harder than writing screenplays.

Each story takes place in a different era in history, the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Each story is named after a famous jazz song. The first story is called, “Saturday Night Fish Fry.” Ruffin’s story is about Bob Fosse, choreographer, and Gene Ammons, a saxophone player, and a wild night in New Orleans.

“When I say historical fiction, I mean the story is made up, but all the facts are real. Bob Fosse really was in the Navy and his station chief was really Joe Pappas and Gene Ammons was really in this band. It’s like, oh, that could have happened,” he said.

Ruffin said people love the story. He described it as “rollicking.” The next story, “Round Midnight with the Klu Klux Klan,” is about a white banker in Mississippi and a meeting with Thelonious Monk and a prolific writer in New York City.

The third story, “The Sidewinder,” Ruffin said, is a love letter to Philadelphia. It is about two kids, a Black kid from one side of Philadelphia and a Jewish kid from another side of Philadelphia and their

“Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance, and Baseball,” includes three stories depicting three different decades, with jazz songs in the titles. Photo courtesy of Mark Ruffin

love of the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.

“My story is about how racism, baseball and jazz affected these kids between 1964-1980. It’s a long letter to Philadelphia culture, it has Philadelphia R&B, Philadelphia jazz, Philadelphia classical music. It’s a comingof-age story about these two kids,” he said.

Ruffin said during this time, a lot of historical events took place, and it was a time of revolution. He turned this story into a screenplay, but it hasn’t been turned into a movie.

Ruffin said he hates intolerance and wants everyone to get along. He said in talking to people, he found out a lot about himself.

“In my book, you are entertained, you learn a lot about sports and jazz, and you get to look at yourself and how your own internal biases are affected,” he said. “Through these

stories, you learn about yourself a lot and you come away with a better understanding of who you are and how you can help us in this reckoning we’re having right now.”

Ruffin said he didn’t intend to finish writing the book during a time when social justice and racial inequity are at the forefront of conversations in America. He said it was just luck, with people paying attention to race.

“I hope people can be entertained, learn a lot about music, jazz music history, and baseball history. But, you don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this, and you don’t have to be a jazz fan to enjoy this. They’re great stories, everyday stories that happen to have jazz and baseball.”

“Bebop Fairy Tales: An Historical Fiction Trilogy on Jazz, Intolerance, and Baseball” costs $20 and is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

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NEWS The Association of Black Cardiologists Unveils Diversity Scorecard Initiative The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) has launched an annual diversity and inclusion scorecard for academic cardiovascular (CV) training programs in the US. The results from this ranking initiative - ABC DIBS (Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Scorecard) - will be published annually.

The Association unveiled the initiative during a first of its kind cardiology workforce webinar featuring directors from top CV medicine fellowship programs. The virtual session, “Towards Legitimacy and Results in Achieving Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Cardiology Training Programs,” focused on issues impacting the recruitment of Blacks and Hispanics in medicine. Dr. Michelle A. Albert, ABC President and Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of California at San Francisco, opened with highlights of ABC’s past and present efforts to increase the number of minorities in the CV pipeline.

“For nearly 50 years, the ABC has been working to create transparent and plausible paths to cardiology for those with the aptitude for and interest in becoming a physician,” Dr. Albert said in the event’s opening segment. “These programs have ranged from middle school students all the way to new faculty.”

During the webinar, the directors identified potential solutions to addressing some challenges in the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in cardiology fellowships, such as an evidence-based screening process, a culture that prioritizes diversity and transparency in the recommendation process.

“The problem with academic medicine in many ways is that if I time traveled back a hundred years, it looks pretty much how it looks now,” said Dr. Karol E. Watson, Director, Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and co-chair of ABC’s Preventive Cardiology Committee. “People tend to hire themselves over and over, so we need to get people to understand how important diversity is and get buy-in from the community. It has to be everyone’s responsibility, not just African-Americans, to bring all of us along.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the long history of health care disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color, including African-Americans. Diversifying the clinical workforce is one step towards eliminating these inequities.

Statistics show that Black doctors help provide better health outcomes for Black patients and are more likely to work in underserved communities. However, while African Americans make up 13% of the population, fewer than 3% of cardiologists are African American, according to a 2015 American College of Cardiology survey.

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Michelle Albert, MD, MPH (PRNewsfoto/ Association of Black Cardiologi)

Additionally, the same survey found that less than 3% of medical school faculty are African American. ABC seeks to address this gap and foster an inclusive and more diverse cardiology workforce, by assessing academic programs utilizing four characteristics: (1) number of underrepresented in medicine (UIM) in general cardiology fellowships; (2) the change in the number of fellows over the life cycle of the training program; (3) trainees’ assessment of a sense of belongingness (i.e. how welcome they feel in that program); and (4) the number of UIM faculty overall as well as in leadership spots in their cardiology training program. A “traffic light” rating will evaluate programs as poor, at-risk or excellent based on these four metrics. Rankings will be announced on a yearly basis.

This diversity scorecard is the next iteration of a 2006 effort when the ABC conducted a study to determine historically the most inclusive and exclusive training programs for underrepresented minorities.

The new effort aligns with ABC’s ultimate goal of improving the health status, both cardiovascular and overall, for Black Americans and other disadvantaged minorities as well as improving access to high-quality health care. More details will be forthcoming.

About the Association of Black Cardiologists Founded in 1974, the ABC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the disparities related to cardiovascular disease and achieving health equity such that all people can live long healthy lives. Membership is open to all interested in the care of people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease, including health professionals, lay members of the community (Com­munity Health Advocates), corporate and institutional members.

Today, the ABC’s public and private partnerships continue to increase its impact in communities across the nation.

4 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

BUSINESS

This page is sponsored by

Ideabar Awards $250K of In-Kind Services to The King Center through Empowering Equality Marketing Program The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) has been awarded $250,000 of in-kind marketing services through “Empowering Equality,” a marketing program sponsored by Ideabar, a national marketing and media agency and Cox Enterprises company.

The King Center will receive a customizable scope of services, which could include research, brand development, a creative campaign, collateral design, website development and strategic business consulting.

“Awarding in-kind services through the Empowering Equality marketing program is one way our agency can take meaningful action to address racial inequality,” says Ideabar Managing Director Amy Royster Bridger. “We look forward to collaborating with The King Center on a powerful marketing program that advances their mission to prepare global citizens to create a more just, humane and peaceful world using Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology.”

The King Center was selected from 10 finalists. The remaining nine organizations will receive a full-page print ad valued at up to $9,500 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to amplify the message of their choice in 2021. The nine finalists include Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Cxmmunity, National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Partnership for Southern Equity, Urban League of Greater Atlanta, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and YWCA of Greater Atlanta.

The judges evaluated the submissions on the following criteria: l Advances racial equality and social justice to create a more equitable society by addressing systemic racial discrimination in areas such as education, employment, criminal justice, the environment, healthcare, voting, etc. (33.4%). l Articulates a powerful story of how the organization advances racial justice and social justice that can be amplified through the program’s in-kind marketing services (33.3%). l Is led by a racially/ethnically diverse executive leadership team and/or board (33.33%).

A final score based on evaluations by Ideabar employees, the panel of official judges and the results of the online community vote determined the winner.

The King Center, established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King, has been a global destination, resource center and community institution for more than a quarter century. The King Center is dedicated to ensuring that the King legacy not only remains relevant and viable, but is effectively leveraged for positive social impact.

Ideabar awarded its 2019 pro bono marketing program open to nonprofits in Palm Beach County, Florida to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a world-renowned sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach, Florida. Ideabar awarded its 2020 pro bono marketing program open to Metro Atlanta environmental nonprofits to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

For more information, visit www.ideabar.agency.

The King Center, established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King, has been a global destination, resource center and community institution for more than a quarter century. The King Center is dedicated to ensuring that the King legacy not only remains relevant and viable, but is effectively leveraged for positive social impact. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (pictured) gave his most famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” before the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Condos Are Selling for a Record 17% Discount to Single-Family Homes as the Coronavirus Fuels Demand for Space The typical single-family home that sold in the U.S. this year was purchased for an average of 17.3% more ($58,000) than the typical condo, according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s up from 15.4% last year and represents the largest premium since at least 2013, when Redfin began recording this data.

The U.S. housing market has been on fire this year, with record-low mortgage rates and remote work prompting scores of Americans to relocate. But the condo market has missed out on much of the gains as homebuyers have left dense cities in search of more space and privacy— AKA single-family homes—during the coronavirus pandemic.

The median sale price of singlefamily homes surged 15.5% year over year in October, outpacing the condo market’s 9.9% growth. Condos are also taking longer to sell—the typical condo spent 36 days on the market last month, compared with 27 days for the typical single-family home. And less than a quarter (22.8%) of condos sold for more than their listing price, compared with 36.6% of single-family homes.

Purchases of condos, however, have been catching up. “Condos

THE U.S. HOUSING MARKET HAS BEEN ON FIRE THIS YEAR, WITH RECORD-LOW MORTGAGE RATES AND REMOTE WORK PROMPTING SCORES OF AMERICANS TO RELOCATE. BUT THE CONDO MARKET HAS MISSED OUT ON MUCH OF THE GAINS AS HOMEBUYERS HAVE LEFT DENSE CITIES IN SEARCH OF MORE SPACE AND PRIVACY—AKA SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES— DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

The median sale price of single-family homes surged 15.5% year over year in October, outpacing the condo market’s 9.9% growth.

sales are rebounding because buyers are finding great deals,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather.

“Families are fleeing cities in search of more space in the suburbs, which has presented an opportunity for millennials who are looking to become homeowners but don’t need extra bedrooms or a backyard.”

Florida and California Rank at the Top of the List When It Comes to Price Premiums for Single-Family Homes In the Fort Lauderdale, FL metropolitan area, single-family homes

sold for an average of 38.3% more than condos in October—the largest premium of the 86 metros in this analysis. It was followed by Bakersfield, CA, with a 35.8% premium, and Lakeland, FL, at 34.3%. Oklahoma City, OK and Tucson, AZ rounded out the top five, both at 30.3%.

In the Seattle metro, where singlefamily homes are selling for a 17.9% premium, condos are taking several months to sell rather than the usual couple of weeks, according Forrest Moody, a local real estate agent at Redfin. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

“Before the pandemic, it was challenging to find a condo in Seattle for less than $500,000, but now there are plenty selling for under $400,000.

The people who are buying condos now are the people who couldn’t afford to buy one a couple of years ago because prices were so high,” he said. “I recently sold a condo that was within walking distance of Amazon’s headquarters for $510,000.

Condos in that building normally go for $550,000 and up.”

There were just three metro areas where single-family homes sold for less than condos in October. San Antonio saw the biggest gap, with singlefamily homes going for 12.9% less than condos, followed by Omaha, NE (-6.2%) and Salt Lake City (-1.7%).

In San Antonio, there’s been a resurgence of high-end condos in the downtown area, according to Jim Seifert, a local real estate agent at Redfin.

“There are more people buying

condos in San Antonio than I’ve ever seen before,” Seifert said.

“Young people who work in tech and healthcare are moving here from Seattle, California, Washington, D.C. and Maryland because San Antonio is so much more affordable, and they have a bigger appreciation for downtown living than the average person from Texas.”

Seifert continued: “San Antonio’s condo market is also likely being fueled by the fact that buyers know they can get in. There’s a shortage of single-family homes for sale, but the supply of condos is growing like wildfire, so some folks are opting for condos because they don’t want to deal with a bidding war.”

To read the full report, including methodology and a full list of singlefamily home price premiums across major U.S. metro areas, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/singlefamily-home-premium-condo.

CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

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ENTERTAINMENT

(RED) And Mavin Records Announce Partnership With New Single And Remix Competition On World AIDS Day, Africa’s most influential record label, Mavin Records, and (RED) joined forces to fight two pandemics: AIDS and COVID-19. Launched recently, the remix of the hit single “Jaiye” by Mavin Artist LADIPOE, features Aluna and Sigag Lauren, is available to stream and download worldwide, with proceeds going to support (RED)’s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on life-saving HIV/ AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Doubling the impact, funds raised from every stream of the single will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, up to $10,000.

The special “Jaiye” remix is a teaser to the Afrobeats-inspired DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III album that will be available on streaming services worldwide in early 2021.

LISTEN TO LADIPOE’S “JAIYE” REMIXED BY ALUNA AND SIGAG LAUREN [GO HERE: https://lnk.to/ jaiye-remix “With everything that’s gone on in the world this year, we wanted to share a message of hope. Yes, things are tough, but it’s important for us to appreciate the good times and to enjoy and celebrate with the people around us,” said Don Jazzy, founder and president, Mavin Records.

“In Africa, even in times of pain and uncertainty, music is a uniting force. I’m proud that we can use it to bring some lightness and support an important cause at the same time,” Don Jazzy continued.

To coincide with the single release, Mavin Records and (RED) are offering Afrobeats fans the chance to be featured on the upcoming DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III by hosting a remix contest of LADIPOE’s, “Jaiye (Time of Our Lives).” To enter, anyone can download the track and post their remix of “Jaiye” to Instagram Reels using the hashtag #mavinRED. Submissions will be accepted now through January 7, with the best remix chosen by Don Jazzy, Aluna,

LADIPOE, Johnny Drille, and Mavin Records A&R Director, Rima Tahini.

TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK & SHARE YOUR REMIX ON INSTAGRAM REELS USING #MavinRED - NOW THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2021, GO HERE: https://mavinred.org Mavin and (RED) have partnered because COVID-19 is threatening to derail critical progress made in the AIDS fight. COVID-19 could cause AIDS-related deaths to double in the coming year as health and community systems are overwhelmed, treatment and prevention programs are disrupted, and resources are diverted throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are proud that our biggest African collaboration to date is with the incredible artists of Mavin Records and world-renowned producer Don Jazzy. While times may be difficult, they have chosen to harness the power of music to help (RED) in our fight against AIDS and COVID-19. Our goal for this partnership is to have a significant impact on the global health systems that are in need of urgent support,” said Jennifer Lotito, (RED) president and chief operating officer.

The upcoming DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III will be curated by the legendary Afrobeats producer, Don Jazzy, and musical artist, Aluna. It will feature tracks by leading hitmakers and Mavin artists including Rema, Johnny Drille, and Crayon, and remixed by world-renowned DJs and producers including Don Jazzy himself. Proceeds from the album will go directly to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Being a part of a project like this is incredible because it gives me the opportunity to showcase that dance music is black, which is something I’ve been discussing in the dance community and at the same time raise money for HIV and

COVID-19. This project is going to bring people from all over the world together with dance music, which is what it was invented for, but for a long time has just been about the white dance community exclusively.

That’s gonna change and this project will show people how it’s done,” said Aluna, artist and co-curator of DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III. Both the single and the DANCE (RED) SAVE LIVES Vol. III album artwork were created by

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the Brooklyn-based Nigerian performance and visual artist, Laolu Senbanjo.

“I have developed a warm history with (RED) over time and I’m glad to be working with them again on a cause that’s affected all of humanity in such a visceral fashion. Despite the fact that the Coronavirus pandemic has aggressively unleashed itself on the world and claimed many casualties, it has also been another opportunity for humans to show how resilient we are,” Laolu said.

“It takes us coming together in unison to fight against such disease just like we did with HIV/AIDS. Organizations such as (RED) make it that much easier to do so with their remarkable programs. I’m happy to play a role that supports their laudable efforts.” *For the official Crowdsourcing Competition Terms & Conditions, GO HERE: https://mavinred.org/ terms. Must be 18 years or older to apply. Enter by January 7th at 11:59 PM PST. No purchase necessary.

6 | CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

NEWS

7 Tips for Hosting a Virtual Holiday Cookie Exchange StatePoint - It may take a little extra time and creativity, but a holiday cookie exchange can be held virtually and it’s worth the effort according to experts.

“There’s a famous quote, ‘If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ It’s so true for me as I find great joy in developing easy, flavorful recipes,” says Cindy Gilbert, McCormick Test Kitchen chef. “My friends have come to me for years requesting tips and tricks, and over 20 years ago, they anointed me the annual holiday cookie exchange leader. This past year has been challenging, but I knew I wanted to keep the tradition alive while following social distancing guidelines.”

Here are Gilbert’s top seven tips on hosting your own virtual cookie exchange, along with her favorite delicious McCormick cookie picks.

1. Keep the virtual guest list small and local. Your family and friends’ safety is the most important thing, and no one wants to bake a ton of cookies. Aim for five to 10 people.

Gingerbread Men Cookies – No winter holiday is complete without

Lemon extract adds a bright citrus flavor to this easy four-ingredient treat that starts with store-bought sugar cookies.

4. Arrange the exchange. About an hour before the virtual get-together, set up a table outside, in a cul-de-sac or school parking lot. Everyone can take turns grabbing their cookies quickly and safely. Or, arrange no contact porch drop-offs during a set time.

Holiday Meringue Cookies – These deliciously airy, light, and low-fat meringue cookies are the perfect confection for any holiday celebration. AddRegion: your favorite food Client: ComEd Bleed: US Cindy Gilbert, McCormick Test Kitchen chef, shares her top seven tips on Print SECOND ROUND along with her favorite Trim: 10”delicious x 6.5” Language: coloring for a festive twist.English hosting Campaign: your ownOOH virtual cookie exchange, Agency Job #: B1241-021281-00 Live: None 5. Request theNotes: recipes.

Ask guests McCormick cookie picks.

AD #/AD ID: QEXL1054000 to provide a recipe card in their indiDate Modified: December 2, 2020 2:29 PM Keyline Scale: 100% CR: men. They’re cute and tioners’ sugar, andOutput the deep gingerbread at: chocovidual packages, or as the host, you AD Round: late, red color andPage: taste, add up to a can be decorated with raisins, cinnacan compile the recipes and share cookie you’ll be proud to share. mon red-hot candies or royal icing. through email.

NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL 3. Package cookies in sepa2. Invite cookie enthusiasts. Invite Double Ginger Gingersnaps –A rate portions.

Ask participants to people who enjoy being in the kitchpersonal favorite of Gilbert’s, these ACD: A. Del Valle CD: G. Apfelbach PC: M. Bilbrey / R. Swift P: C. Capola AM: L. Mitchell BM: E. Schmidt package each serving in individual en and welcome sharing their recipe are a ginger lover’s dream! Ground containers or resealable bags of six secrets! Tell them they’re going to be ginger and crystallized ginger make sharing the story behind their choice. cookies per serving. the flavor pop on these cookies, Easy Lemon Cookie Truffles – Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies – This which are crispy on the outside and tasty recipe crinkles from the confec- This is a perfect no-bake option. chewy inside.

6. Share stories via video conference. Many guests like to tell the stories behind their cookies. By scheduling time to connect, you’ll likely hear some heartwarming or hilarious anecdotes and maybe even some helpful tidbits.

Sugar Cookie Thumbprints with Spiced Jam – Inspired by a bakery treat, this holiday twist on a classic uses cinnamon or ginger-spiced jam.

7. Have fun. Take time to ask how everyone has been and give them a chance to share what other traditions they’re planning this year. While the party is about cookies, it’s also about connecting, having fun and picking up a few new recipes to try.

Pecan Cookie Balls – These buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookies, also known as Mexican Wedding Cakes, make a great addition to any holiday cookie exchange.

Find these recipes and more by visiting McCormick.com/CookieExchange.

With a little creativity and the perfect cookie recipe, you can reinvent your favorite baking traditions for a safe and festive holiday season.

POWERING NEIGHBORS. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES.

We power a city of neighborhoods. Whether through charitable contributions or sponsoring community initiatives in education, arts & culture and the environment, we’re proud to support the organizations and people that make each of Chicago’s neighborhoods a better place to live and work.

Learn more about grants and resources available to you or your organization at ComEd.com/CommunityPrograms www.citizennewspapergroup.com

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Located inside your Walmart Supercenter on South Stewart, Walmart Health is here for you whether or not you have insurance. With upfront pricing and services provided by professionals invested in your community, Walmart Health Center gives the care you deserve at a price you can afford. Live better without spending more.

Stop in, visit WalmartHealth.com, or call 773.420.1259 to ďŹ nd out more about your Walmart Health Center and services available to you and yours.

8331 S Stewart Ave WALCO21043M7_10x13_AG_HealthCenter_Ad_v06.indd 1

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Welcome to your new Walmart Health Center, Auburn Gresham

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CITIZEN | South Suburban | Week of Dec. 16, 2020

Moving forward as a community The pandemic and humanitarian crisis has brought us together with intensified passion and resilience. At Bank of America, we remain focused on supporting the well-being of our teammates, providing the essential financial services our clients need and helping local communities across the country move forward.

Here in Chicago, we’ve donated masks to local partners to distribute to those most at risk.

We’ve provided lending to local small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help strengthen our local economy. And we continue to partner with local nonprofits and organizations that are working to advance racial equality and economic opportunity in the communities we serve.

We’re grateful for our employees, who have worked tirelessly to support our clients. And we are especially grateful to the healthcare and essential workers who have helped Chicago recover.

My teammates and I remain fully committed to the work to come in 2021 and beyond.

Paul Lambert Chicago Market President

Working together Grateful for our partners in Chicago who gave our community support when it needed it most.

126,000 PPE masks donated 7,810 PPP small business client loans totaling $691 million Bank of America employees

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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FASHION

BABOR “Breaking Boundaries” Scholarship Program Launched BABOR, a global leader in professional skincare, announced that they will fund four BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) esthetics scholarships administered by the non-profit Beauty Changes Lives for students interested in pursuing careers within the professional beauty industry.

Committed to its ongoing support of the professional spa business, the BABOR Breaking Boundaries Scholarship will shine a light on the vast job opportunities within the industry while advocating for an inclusive and diverse community. Each scholarship will be awarded to four BIPOC students previously unable to pursue their dreams of a career in spa esthetics.

“As a leader in the professional spa industry, we want to help pave the way for creating career opportunities and to facilitate

a very inclusive and diverse community,” says Tim Waller, CEO of BABOR BEAUTY GROUP AMERICAS. “Each scholarship recipient will be mentored by one of BABOR America’s very own expert estheticians, empowering these students with all the tools needed to become future stars of spa esthetics. We hope to inspire other members of the spa community to join forces and fund additional scholarship opportunities as well,” adds Waller.

Beauty Changes Lives is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in an industry long known for affirmation regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. “The best path for bridging the talent gap in the spa sector is to create a larger and more inclusive talent pipeline,” says Lynelle Lynch, president of Beauty Changes Lives. She cited

a study published in leading spa publication Pulse, noting diverse teams often outperform their peers in terms of innovation and revenue growth. The article also noted that companies with diverse management teams were 35% more likely to achieve better financial performance than their peers.

BABOR’s investment in education is widely recognized within the international professional spa sector. “We commend BABOR for their investment in the future of the spa industry and hope their gift will encourage other organizations to support professional development programs for estheticians, massage therapists and other spa professionals,” says Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association (ISPA).

ISPA Board Chairman and Vice President Spa and Retail at

Montage International Patrick Huey echoes this sentiment, adding, “We at ISPA are excited to support BABOR and Beauty Changes Lives as they pursue positive change by supporting promising individuals who belong to groups too often under-represented in our industry.”

BABOR’s Breaking Boundaries scholarship will offer four full-tuition scholarships to under-represented students pursuing cosmetology or esthetic programs beginning Spring 2021.

In addition to tuition grants, Beauty Changes Lives provides networking opportunities via mentors and connections that have changed the lives of more than 600 beauty and wellness professionals. For additional information on the BABOR Breaking Boundaries scholarship, please visit babor.com.

New Black-Owned Fitness Brand CYCMODE Introduces an Immersive and Integrated Fitness Experience … and Its About to Get Real, Literally Inspired by cinema, music video experiences and interactive gaming, CYCMODE is a boutique group fitness studio offering multiple fitness offerings under one roof — indoor cycling, strength training, and yoga. Launching in January 2021, CYCMODE will offer up to eight live and live-stream workouts per day led by CYCMODE’s team of top fitness professionals.

CYCMODE believes a proper mindset (or #MODE) is key to achieving fitness goals.

From the moment a new member walks in the door, clients are instructed to define their “MODE.” Whether it’s #GetFitMODE, #BadassMODE, etc., CYCMODE wants clients to own their fitness journey by putting their #MODE to it.

The first-floor indoor cycling studio features 35 bikes and a wall-to-wall massive 60-foot-wide curved video screen set in a cycling theatre. Workouts such as THE TRIP™ give riders the sensation of climbing and sprinting through digitally created worlds paired with indoor cycling bikes that mimic a real bike, allowing riders to lean, turn and steer.

CYCMODE also offers themed fitness experiences such as its signature MUSIC VIDEO RIDES, which feature a CYCMODE Instructor and favorite music artists and videos — like Atlanta’s own Ludacris, Usher, TI, Migos, Future, Outkast and Ciara — to

CYCMODE

name a few. It is the ultimate immersive fitness party, with the added benefit of burning serious calories.

“Without experiencing it, when we mention we’re immersive, most clients

immediately envision we’re cycling wearing a VR headset. That’s not needed here. Once on the bike and with coaching from CYCMODE Instructors, riders are immediately swept into the workout experience and begin leaning into turns, ducking under bridges or doing power climbs to music videos like Cardi B, which adds even more intensity to an already powerful workout,” said Tasha White, founder/CEO. A separate multi-purpose studio on the mezzanine-level features a 40-foot-wide video screen and offers a variety of fitness MODES such as HIITMODE, YOGAMODE, and TEAMMODE. HIITMODE — a circuit workout designed to help participants get lean and toned using battle ropes, kettlebells, TRX, Smart Bars and more; YOGAMODE — an upbeat and uplifting yoga flow focused on enhancing endurance, strength and flexibility; and TEAMMODE — a virtual or in-studio corporate teambuilding experience that promotes individual well-being and creates an environment that fosters increased team effectiveness.

In-studio, digital, and on-demand fitness solutions are available for Atlanta-based and digital clients around the world and indoor cycling bikes are available for at-home purchase.

To learn more about CYCMODE fitness offerings and workout packages, visit www. cycmode.com.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Bevel Presents, “Created For Kings” Bevel is reminding the world that Black men deserve self-care too by introducing, “Created for Kings”, a new brand campaign commemorating the beauty, strength, and resilience of Black men.

Written by Walker and Company VP of Marketing, Tia Cummings, “Created for Kings” is a love letter to one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented segments of society.

Comprised of uplifting depictions of Black men across all walks of life, the campaign launches with a powerful message: Black man, you are seen. You are loved. You are a King.

“Created for Kings” is the latest of Bevel’s ongoing efforts to praise, protect and provide for Black men. The Bevel team has partnered with like-minded creatives to bring the “Created for Kings” campaign to life. First is Creative Theory, a Black-owned and operated creative agency and one of this year’s Ad Age ‘Agency of the Year’ winners. Spearheaded by Co-Founders, Gary Williams Jr. and Tamon George, Creative Theory is a collective of strategic visionaries helping brands to execute authentic cultural storytelling.

George said: “As an agency, we work with brands who see value in our community. Bevel has been one of the brands since the beginning who came with real perspective, understanding and attention to the Black male experience. “Created for Kings” is a reflection of that, and Creative Theory is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with a brand that truly SEES our community.”

Also partnering in the campaign launch is New York Times best-selling author and NAACP Image Award Winner, Jason Reynolds, lending his soulstirring voice to a moving narration addressed directly to Black men. Layered atop a touching video compilation echoes Reynolds’ voice: “Dear Black man, we see you doing your best every day to survive…We are here to support you, uplift you, help you show up at your best every day, and remind you that you are a King.” These words are paired with uplifting images of everyday Black Kings – fathers, husbands, partners, entrepreneurs and everyday workers – reminding them and those that love them of their immeasurable value.

2020 has brought echoes of generational trauma to the forefront of global consciousness and conversations. Throughout the year, Bevel has taken a vocal position in support of Black men and the broader Black community by advocating for increased access to mental health resources, supporting distance learning and supporting the beauty and barber community in the face of COVID 19. Tia Cummings reflects on the importance of Bevel’s mission to honor Black men and push back against harmful stereotypes: “Bevel takes great pride in playing a lead role in shaping the narrative around Black men. It is our hope that this campaign will help drive a greater appreciation for the diversity, strength, and beauty of Black men, and serve as a point of pride for the Black community as a whole.” says Cummings.

Bevel invites you to participate in the “Created for Kings” campaign by sharing your own images and stories of Black men at their best. For more information on Bevel or the “Created for Kings” campaign, visit getbevel. com/kings or follow Bevel on Instagram.

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

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

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