Chicago Weekend Citizen 1-9-2019

Citizen

ArtCation Offers Once In A Lifetime Opportunity To Explore Ethiopian Art — Page 3 Week of Jan. 9, 2019

| Vol. 50 | No. 2 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Three west side women have come together to create the Resident Association of the Westside (RAW) which will work to organize residents and better leverage community assets. Photo Credit: Resident Association of the Westside

NEWLY ORGANIZED RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF THE WESTSIDE WILL EMPOWER RESIDENTS The Resident Association of the Westside (RAW) is a newly formed organization that aims to organize residents, better utilize community assets, and create a stronger sense of pride and accountability among residents. RAW was formed by three west side women, Shameeka Turner, Nisha Singh, and Vanessa Stokes, who came together to help put residents first in their neighborhoods. PAGE 2

BUSINESS

ENTERTAINMENT

Online Marketing Agency, fishbat, Explains How Using Hashtags Can Grow Your Brand

LADY GAGA ENIGMA Headlines Grand Opening Of New Las Vegas Resort, Park MGM

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Walker & Company Brands Joins the Procter & Gamble Family of Brands PAGE 8

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FASHION

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advertising@thechicagocitizen.com thechicagocitizen@thechicagocitiz www.facebook.com/durrell.garth.9 www.thechicagocitizen.com

2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

BIC USA PARTNERS WITH DONORSCHOOSE.ORG TO SUPPORT HANDWRITING EDUCATION FOR 60TH ANNIVERSARY In celebration of BIC USA’s 60th anniversary, the world leader in stationery products, lighters and shavers has allocated $60,000 of an original $100,000 donation in 2018 to DonorsChoose. org to fund handwriting projects and classroom requests. This funding will reach 5,500 students nationwide, including more than 450 K-12 students in underserved areas of Illinois.

“According to Hanover Research, 15 minutes of daily writing promotes individuality, enhances motor skills and improves cognitive development,” said Linda Palladino, senior brand manager, BIC Consumer Products USA. To learn more about BIC 60th anniversary and the handwriting projects it’s supporting, please visit www.us.bicworld. com.

HEALTH

THE M.A. IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM AT THE CHICAGO SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY IS ACCREDITED BY MPCAC The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) recently announced that its Chicago Campus’ M.A. in Counseling Psychology Program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of December 2018 through December 2028. The 10 years accreditation granted the program is the maximum allowed by MPCAC. We are thrilled to receive this recognition from MPCAC! It is further proof of our commitment to program excellence,” explained Department Chair Maureen Keeshin, Psy.D. “The accreditation speaks to the dedication of the department faculty and staff who work tirelessly to provide high quality education and clinical training to our students.

Equipped with a strong foundation of education and clinical training, our graduates are prepared to provide essential mental health services to individuals, families, and communities in need.”

Newly Organized Resident Association of the Westside Will Empower Residents Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The Resident Association of the Westside (RAW) is a newly formed organization that aims to organize residents, better utilize community assets, and create a stronger sense of pride and accountability among residents. RAW was formed by three west side women, Shameeka Turner, Nisha Singh, and Vanessa Stokes, who came together to help put residents first in their neighborhoods.

“We are an asset-based community project for residents by residents and we are pulling together our particular skill set to help improve the west side,” said Turner.

After being born on the west side, living in the suburbs for 15 years, and then moving back and owning property in Austin, Turner said that she has noticed a lack of engagement from residents and a variety of community organizations that are spearheaded by non-residents.

“I was born and raised on the west side and then I left for about 15 years and then I

moved back last year,” said Turner. “I learned how to ride my bike on this block and now I’m out on the block like what happened?

What caused that break down in communication and just overall resident involvement to lead up to where we are now and how can we make it better?”

While working for a west side organization, Turner noticed that there was a major lack of resident involvement when it came to decision making and that many organizations were not operating in what she thought was the best interest of the residents.

One of the goals of RAW is to distinguish what businesses and organizations are helping the west side communities they are located in and which are not.

“Residents of the west side want to see a thriving community and we want to help make that happen. If that is not an organization’s real goal we need to make that known and we need to make it known that maybe these certain organizations aren’t acting in the best interest of the west side. For the organizations that are, we want to love them,”

Lightfoot Addresses 2018 crime numbers

LAW & POLITICS

FORD PROPOSES MOVING CITY’S ELECTIONS TO WEEKENDS IN LATE SPRING OR SUMMER State Representative and Chicago Mayoral Candidate La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago is proposing moving city elections to weekends in warmer weather. Though more than 1.4 Million Chicagoans are registered voters, Chicago only had 483,000 vote in the last mayoral election, for a turnout rate of 34%. To increase voter participation, Ford suggests that Chicago elections move from Tuesdays to the weekend.

Though some participate in early voting, there are still many Chicago residents who miss voting on election day. School and work responsibilities are just some of the reasons that Chicagoans miss voting. Ford believes Chicago’s elections should be convenient for voters to increase voter turnout.

“Here in Chicago, a weekend election day in warmer weather would create a fair and accessible path to the voting booth that ultimately benefits our democracy and benefits us all,” said Ford. “In today’s society, this proposal just makes sense for all Chicago voters.”

said Turner.

As time goes on and the organization grows, they are hoping to host a variety of events and community initiatives that would involve all residents, young and old.

“We want to start an initiative with recycling and throwing trash away because that is a big pet peeve of mine and I think a good place to start is just with the basics of throwing away your litter and making our neighborhoods beautiful,” said Turner.

For now, the group is just getting started and finalizing their goals and vision but within the next year they hope to have a strong network of residents all working collaboratively to improve the west side community.

“It’s just three of us right now and we are just working on finalizing our business plan and putting together our website and we are sharing information on social media,” said Turner.

To learn more and get connected, follow the Resident Association of the Westside on Facebook.

Lori Lightfoot Photo Credit: MacLean Center

www.thechicagocitizen.com

Chicago mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot held a press conference recently to address 2018 crime numbers and present the path forward.

The press conference was streamed live on Facebook. Lightfoot has previously released a comprehensive plan for public safety.

In Chicago in 2018, 2,948 people were shot and there were 561 homicides. For comparison, in Chicago in 2014, 2,621 people were shot and there were 464 homicides. In New York City in 2018, there were 287 homicides.

In Los Angeles in 2018, there were 256 homicides, according to a Lori Lightfoot for Mayor press release.

“Public safety is the central challenge in our neighborhoods and the central challenge for our next mayor,” said Lightfoot. “For the past seven years, we’ve had a mayor who learned about public safety on the job, and we’ve felt the consequences. We can’t afford to make the same mistake twice. I am the only candidate with the experience and vision needed to tackle this critical challenge. What’s required is listening and learning, conversation and community, accountability and allowing people all across our city to be a part of the solution.”

Having served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division, president of the Chicago Police Board, chair of the Police Accountability Task Force, chief of staff and general counsel of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and chief administrator of the Office of Professional Standards, the press release further stated that, “Lightfoot has more experience on issues of public safety and police reform than any other mayoral candidate.”

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

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NEWS January is ‘Radon Awareness Month’ in Illinois

The owners of Gallery Guichard in Bronzeville have extended a rare opportunity for friends and patrons to travel with them to Ethiopia and experience the country’s art, culture, and history. Photo Credit: Gallery Guichard

ArtCation Offers Once In A Lifetime Opportunity To Explore Ethiopian Art

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The owners of Gallery Guichard, located at 436 E 47th St. in Bronzeville, recently hosted their first informational meeting for those interested in participating in ArtCation which will provide travelers with the chance to visit Ethiopia and a rare opportunity to experience the country’s art, culture, and history with the owners of Gallery Guichard.

Gallery Guichard is located on the first floor of the Bronzeville Artist Lofts and features a rotating collection of works from numerous global artists.

The owners, Andre Guichard, Frances Guichard, and Stephen Mitchell, opened the gallery in 2005 with the mission to expose patrons to multicultural artists specializing in the African Diaspora. Through fine art exhibi-

tions, experiential events, and art tours, Gallery Guichard gives emerging underrepresented talent an opportunity to develop their imagination and creativity, according to the Gallery Guichard website.

“We hope to expose our friends and clients to the culture of the continent of Africa. Helping bridge the disconnect that was created through slavery. We hope to bring people together through art. Art often softens the conversation and helps people explore their creative side. We hope to connect people with the beautiful continent of Africa, the culture, the people, and broaden our horizons,” said Andre Guichard, co-owner of Gallery Guichard.

The owners of Gallery Guichard recognize the importance of exploring African countries and have had their own personal

experiences traveling to places like Senegal and the South African Eastern Cape. ArtCation will further expand on these opportunities, support their mission to expose patron to cross-cultural experiences, and allow friends and family to join them in the exploration of the rich art of the African Diaspora.

“We invite our friends and collectors to Immerse themselves into the fine arts of the country versus Airport art,” said Guichard.

On the trip, visitors will be able to explore economic opportunities for trade and real estate, visit Ethiopian artists’ studios galleries and museums, and explore the significant cultural and historic landmarks of the country.

“The experience will be enhanced by a fresh approach to

the presentation of both historic and contemporary art highlighting the profile of Ethiopia’s art and tourism sector,” said Guichard.

Prior to embarking on the trip to Ethiopia, Gallery, Guichard plans to bring an exhibition of over 50 works by Merid Tafesse, an Ethiopian artist, to the gallery this summer.

“The bridge is not just for art but also for those interested in visiting, investing and learning the truth about our shared African History and greatness,” said Guichard. “This is a bucket-list trip and extraordinary cultural exploration to Ethiopia in East Africa.”

More information and packages will follow in the upcoming months. If interested please send an email to galleryguichardsocial@gmail.com.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

January is ‘Radon Awareness Month’ in Illinois which is designed to increase awareness about the presence of radon. Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is recognized as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It’s estimated nearly 1,200 people in Illinois develop radon-related lung cancer each year.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) are joining forces this month to increase public awareness of radon risks and ways to reduce radon exposure.

IEMA and ALAIL announced recently the continuation of statewide contest that encourages students to use their creative talents to promote radon awareness. The American Lung Association has begun accepting submissions for the annual radon poster and video contests.

The Illinois Radon Poster Contest is open to students ages 9-14. Entries are due by March 1. Prizes include $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place. For more information about the poster contest, visit https://www.lung.org/local-content/illinois/documents/2019-illinois-radon-poster. pdf.

High school students can also compete for prizes by participating in the Illinois Radon Video Contest. This contest requires for students to produce a creative 30-second YouTube video about radon. The video submission deadline is March 8. Videos can be created by an individual student, group of students or classroom. Student prizes include $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place and $250 for seven honorable mention videos.

New this year, the winning video may appear on the big screen in local movie theaters across the state. The top 10 videos will also be entered into a ‘most views’ contest to develop students’ marketing and outreach skills. Winners will be provided a link to share with their friends. The video with the most views will receive an additional $300. Additionally, the schools of the top three winners will receive $300, $200 and $100 for first, second and third places, respectively.

All videos, entry forms and release forms must be submitted by March 8. Details about the video contest are available on the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) website at https://www.lung.org/local-content/ illinois/documents/2019-illinois-radon-video-official-rules.pdf.

All contest prizes are funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Both contests are sponsored by IEMA, ALAIL and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5.

The top posters and videos from the 2018 contests can be viewed on IEMA’s radon website at www.radon.illinois.gov. The website also includes information about radon and lists of licensed measurement and mitigation professionals. Information is also available through IEMA’s Radon Hotline at 800-3251245.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

BUSINESS Online Marketing Agency, fishbat, Explains How Using Hashtags Can Grow Your Brand In order to help companies improve their social media promotion strategy, online marketing agency, fishbat, explains how hashtags can grow your brand.

While hashtags are most commonly associated with Twitter, they have become a major part of Facebook and Instagram as well. These terms have major potential to improve a brand's visibility in spaces that might not have been accessible otherwise, and effectively utilizing them is integral to creating successful social media posts.

Discussed below are a few of the ways that hashtags can elevate a brand to the next level and continue to build business.

CREATING A BRAND HASHTAG One of the easiest and most effective ways to use hashtags is to create a short and memorable hashtag that is associated with the brand. The most obvious way to do this is to use the company or product name, but the key is to use it consistently across all types of social media content, and over time, the hashtag will start to accumulate a significant amount of traffic.

Keeping a brand-related term that is intuitive to search can lead to

powerful and cost-effective form of marketing, since it requires no further investment from the company while allowing them to penetrate into the poster's group of followers.

In order to help companies improve their social media promotion strategy, online marketing agency, fishbat, explains how hashtags can grow your brand.

more people stumbling across the company's marketing materials.

FOSTERING BRAND COMMUNITY Some of the most successful companies have built a community

around their products. Social media is all about connecting people, and businesses that take advantage of this primary intended use can leverage those connections to grow and thrive. Creating a hashtag that encourages the engagement of

Jobs Increase in most Metro Areas

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customers helps them feel like part of something bigger and opens up the possibility for companies to grow through user-created content.

Effectively encouraging customers to create their own posts and use a community hashtag is an incredibly

CREATE A MARKETING CAMPAIGN OR CONTEST By offering a prize to a few lucky winners, companies can harness the power of a huge base of followers.

Asking customers to create a post with a specific campaign-related hashtag provides a huge bump in visibility for the brand and also gives the company valuable information that can be used to inform future marketing campaigns.

The investment involved in giving away free products to a few users' pales in comparison to the brand awareness associated with these types of promotions.

LISETTE GUSHINIERE Owner, LG Consulting

Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in November in eleven of Illinois’s metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and was unchanged in one, according to preliminary data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in twelve of the metropolitan areas.

“Payrolls rose in most metro areas across the state” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “At the same time, the unemployment rate increased in most metros, mostly due to more people entering or reentering the labor force as many of the local economies continue to improve.”

Illinois businesses added jobs in twelve metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Kankakee (+4.5 percent, +2,200), LakeKenosha (+1.5 percent, + 6,500), and Elgin (+1.3 percent, +3,400).

Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.9 percent or +32,300). Illinois businesses lost jobs in two metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.7 percent, -400), Springfield (-0.6 percent, -700).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (11 of 14), Professional and Business Services (11 of 14), Education and Health Services (11 of 14), Mining and Construction (9 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2018 with November 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.1 percent in November 2018 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010.

Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in November 2018 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. www.thechicagocitizen.com

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

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HIS DREAM NEEDS YOUR VISION. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched on Washington for a dream. Over 50 years later, people are still marching because of his vision. Comcast celebrates Dr. King’s legacy with a one-of-a-kind interactive digital mosaic made up of pictures and videos of people sharing their vision of his dream.

Join countless others inspired by Dr. King and share why you’re still marching at

VisionsOfKing.com

Personality rights and copyrights of Dr. King are used with the permission of The Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc. Represented by Greenlight. ©2019 Comcast. All rights reserved.

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT LADY GAGA ENIGMA Headlines Grand Opening Of New Las Vegas Resort, Park MGM

Lady Gaga floats in from the sky in opening song to kick of Las Vegas residency, ENIGMA, at Park MGM

Park MGM, Las Vegas' newest resort, celebrated its official grand opening recently with the debut of Lady Gaga's residency, the introduction of Las Vegas' first Eataly and the launch of On The Record, a new speakeasy and club.

Lady Gaga performed before a sold-out crowd for the first night of her residency, which will run through 2019. Developed exclusively for Park MGM's intimate Park Theater, the six-time GRAMMY Award-winner, Golden Globe Award-winner and Academy Awardnominated superstar's engagement consists of two separate shows, each offering an immersive only-in-Vegas experience anchored by the pop star's raw talent and sprinkled with her signature experimental performance art: LADY GAGA ENIGMA, a never-before-seen journey through the star's pop hits and LADY GAGA JAZZ & PIANO, debuting Jan. 20, featuring stripped-down versions of her hits alongside music from the Great American Songbook.

Delivering new takes on the statementmaking performances for which she is renowned and thrilling the crowd with hits ranging from "Bad Romance," "Telephone" and "Just Dance" to "Million Reasons" and "Shallow," the inaugural performance of LADY GAGA ENIGMA wowed the crowd of more than 5,200 fans who came ready to party.

Opening night guests included pop superstar Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom; Avengers actor Jeremy Renner; Foo Fighter's lead singer Dave Grohl; current Queen frontman Adam Lambert; award-winning actress Marisa Tomei; Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba; a capella group Pentatonix; and actress and

Exterior of Park MGM, a new luxury resort in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip

director Regina King.

Los Angeles scene-makers and twin brothers Jonnie and Mark Houston hosted the evening's official after-party, premiering their new modern speakeasy and club concept, On The Record. Hidden behind a functioning record-store entry, the club spans three rooms, including indoor and outdoor spaces, dance floors, a patio bar and three hidden karaoke rooms. It also boasts the ultra-intimate 25-seat Vinyl Parlor, where a lineup of top bartenders from coast to coast serve as Bartendersin-Residence. Inspired by music across the decades, On The Record fuses meticulous period design and authentic music nostalgia, such as framed vinyl and a decommissioned 1963 Bristol Lodekka double-decker bus converted into a DJ booth.

Located directly on the famed Las Vegas Strip and serving as the new main entrance to Park MGM, the 40,000 square-foot Italian marketplace Eataly welcomed more than a thousand guests for its opening reception, which featured a pasta-ribbon cutting and a proclamation of Dec. 27 as the official

"Eataly Day" in Las Vegas. Guests waited excitedly to enter the vibrant space full of unique food counters, bars, cafés and dining experiences offering traditional, authentic Italian food. Eataly Las Vegas introduces several new experiences, most notably Cucina del Mercato, or "Kitchen of the Market," an open, counter-to-table space that shatters the barrier between restaurants and store – a first for an Eataly in the United States. The venue consists of six fresh counters where guests can eat what they shop, and shop what they eat.

The debuts of Lady Gaga, On The Record and Eataly mark the final stage of the two-year, $550 million development at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas offer an intimate luxury resort experience on a grand scale. A partnership between MGM Resorts International and New York-based Sydell Group, Park MGM features 2,700 guest rooms and suites; and the Las Vegas extension of Sydell's NoMad features 293 well-appointed guest rooms and suites.

The resort's culinary program features NoMad Restaurant and NoMad Bar from Will Guidara and Daniel Humm; L.A. legend Roy Choi's Korean BBQ concept, Best Friend; Hogsalt Hospitality's renowned Bavette's Steakhouse; and the vibrant Italian marketplace, Eataly, among other original dining and cocktail experiences. Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas are located in the heart of The Strip, next to the entertainment and dining neighborhood created by The Park and the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena.

Black Ensemble Theater and Northeastern Illinois University partner for Black Ensemble Theater’s Jackie Taylor's Anti-Racism Drama Series and Residency Program Black Ensemble Theater and Northeastern Illinois University recently announced a partnership for Black Ensemble Theater’s Jackie Taylor's Anti-Racism Drama Series and Residency Program.

The series will include the staging of three one-act plays produced by the nationally renowned Black Ensemble Theater that speak to different aspects of racism.

All performances will take place at Northeastern Illinois University locations, January 2019 – March 2019.

The Jackie Taylor Anti-Racism Drama Series consists of three dramatic plays written by members of Black Ensemble Theater’s Black Playwrights Initiative (BPI), an educational incubator for aspiring Black playwrights. The series features works that are relevant to current events and speak to the demise of recent racial equity issues. The plays aim to help audiences understand the devastating effects of racism and to spark conversation about

what we can do as a community to recognize and denounce racism. All performances will be followed by a discussion with the audience.

Black Ensemble uses theater as a learning facilitator that purposely helps audiences respect and accept our differences while embracing our sameness as human beings. The three plays were written to motivate audiences toward having healthy, hearty and safe conversations about racism in our society. Post-show conversations will address how audiences can recognize racism on a systematic level while helping us to be active participants in denouncing and negating this ever-present issue.

Plays and performances for The Jackie Taylor's Anti-Racism Drama Series are: Jan. 17-19, 2019 National Anthem

by Ervin Gardner directed by Jackie Taylor Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.;

Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m.

NEIU Auditorium (Main Campus), 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

This dramatic one-act play speaks to the controversy surrounding professional athletes and their right to peacefully protest. A star college athlete and pro prospect must decide whether or not to make a political stand in light of the possible consequences to his professional career.

Feb. 7-9, 2019 In The Shadow of Justice

by L. Maceo Ferris directed by Rueben D. Echoles Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd.

This intense drama depicts how two young Black police detectives—one woman and one man—are forced to face corruption, brutality and murder in a South Side Chicago police www.thechicagocitizen.com

precinct where they have been assigned. Will they accept business as usual or care enough to try and change a racist status quo?

March 14-16, 2019 The Plea

by Reginald Williams directed by Daryl D. Brooks Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.

NEIU Stage Center Theatre (Main Campus), 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

The Plea addresses the violence epidemic that has engulfed so many Chicago communities resulting in senseless murders and the hopelessness and traumatic mental anguish that has consumed our neighborhoods.

In particular, the play depicts how due process is withheld from so many in our criminal justice system which encourages plea-bargaining as opposed to trials that provide people with an opportunity to defend themselves.

Tickets for individual productions are $20 and can be purchased online at http://www.neiu.edu/tickets.

Packages for the full series are $45 and are available by calling the Welcome Desk at (773) 442-4636.

Tickets are free for all students, regardless of which school they attend. Tickets are also free for Northeastern employees and alumni by calling the Welcome Desk or picking up tickets at the box office the night of the show.

As part of the partnership, Black Ensemble Theater will offer a Residency Program, which will allow Northeastern Illinois University students in a technical theater practicum to participate with the company in the technical aspects of producing each play.

The program will give the students six (two for each play) master classes in theater areas of interest as defined by the students. All classes will be taught by the Black Ensemble play directors: Jackie Taylor, founder and executive director, Daryl D Brooks, managing producing director, and Rueben Echoles, associate director.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

NEWS

Eighth Ward Alderman, Michelle Harris (pictured) will host an information session regarding the South Shore and West Pullman Retail Thrive Zones application process on Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sheldon Heights Church of Christ. Photo Caption: Office of Alderman Michelle Harris

The Time To Apply For A Retail Thrive Zone Grant Is Now

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

An information session regarding the South Shore and West Pullman Retail Thrive Zones application process will be held on Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, 11325 S. Halsted St. The event will be hosted by Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward), Ald. Carrie Austin (34th Ward), Ald. Greg Mitchell (7th Ward), and the Far South Community Development Corporation.

During the information session, details about the Retail Thrive Zones and application process will be presented from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and following that, City Officials from the Departments of Buildings, Business Affairs, and Public Health will be available until 1 p.m. to answer questions relating to start-ups, licensing, permitting, food safety, and other relevant topics.

The Retail Thrive Zones Initiative was started by the Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, and uses the city’s Small Business Improvement Fund to support small businesses that are located in eight neighborhood commercial corridors on the City’s South, Southwest, and West sides where economic challenges are the most prevalent.

Through the Retail Thrive Zones Initiative, small business owners and property owners that lease to businesses in the Retail Thrive Zones can receive reimbursement grants of up to $250,000 for commercial projects and to cover the costs of eligible remodeling work.

In general, there are three goals of the Retail Thrive Zones program.

The goals are to spark development by providing greater access to capital

and financial incentives, rebuild and strengthen commercial corridors by activating underutilized real estate and making infrastructure improvements, and lastly to create community-based wealth and local jobs by supporting existing small business owners and new entrepreneurs, according to the Retail Thrive Zones website.

“This is a win-win for the community. It’s a win for the businesses that need additional resources just to get over the hump and to assist them in bringing their dreams to life and then it’s a win for the community at large because now you have positive corridors and positive spaces that are being brought back to life,” said Eighth Ward Alderman, Michelle Harris.

Retail Thrive Zones exist in eight communities across the city including, South Shore, Chatham, Englewood, and West Pullman and applications are available now.

“Over time, it will revitalize all of the corridors and I’m really thrilled about what it is going to do for the 79th street corridor in terms of changing the complexion of that community,” said Harris. “As we start to revitalize communities by helping people with their dream business by giving them a step up, it really is just wonderful and I’m sitting back in the background just watching all the pieces of the puzzle come together and it’s just amazing for the community and it’s amazing for me to see it at this point in time and it is going to transform our communities.

For more information on the Retail Thrive Zones program and economic development incentives visit thrivezones.com.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

Tickets are on sale now!

Visit EmeraldCityTheatre.com

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FASHION

Walker & Company Brands Joins the Procter & Gamble Family of Brands

Walker & Company launched with the introduction of the Bevel brand in 2013. Bevel provides grooming products and services designed to help reduce razor bumps and skin irritation.

Walker & Company Brands, the company that makes health and beauty simple for people of color, recently announced that it will join the Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) family of brands to better serve consumers of color around the world.

Founded in 2013, Walker & Company Brands has spent the last five years developing products and services tailored for people of color.

It brings with it well-respected, high performance brands, including Bevel, a comprehensive grooming experience designed for the specific needs of men with coarse or curly hair, and FORM Beauty, a premium hair care collection developed to meet the unique needs of the increasing number of women with textured hair.

Walker & Company Brands will operate as a separate and wholly-owned subsidiary of P&G, continuing to be led by CEO and Founder Tristan Walker.

"When I started Walker & Company Brands, I set out to build a company that would meet the health and beauty needs of people of color on a global scale,” said

Tristan Walker, CEO of Walker & Company Brands. “Having access to P&G’s outstanding technology, capabilities and expertise helps us to further realize that vision, giving us the power to scale and bring new products to people of color, while staying true to our mission and continuing to nurture the loyal community we’ve worked hard to build.”

“We have tremendous respect for the work Tristan Walker has accomplished and we are excited to welcome Walker & Company to the P&G family,” said Alex Keith, CEO of P&G Beauty. “The combination of Walker & Company’s deep consumer understanding, authentic connection to its community and unique, highly customized products and P&G’s highly-skilled and experienced people, resources, technical capabilities and global scale will allow us to further improve the lives of the world’s multicultural consumers.”

The merger will grow P&G’s multicultural business and accelerate growth for Walker & Company’s existing brands, as well fuel the development of additional products designed for the specific needs of people of color.

DermaSet is Launching a New Software Called DermaSet 4 You, Artificial Intelligence to Help With Wrinkles DermaSet is now offering a unique experience for their customers. The company is launching new software known as DermaSet 4 You. Through the use of this artificial intelligence software, customers will be able to detail their problem areas.

Then based on the customer's information, DermaSet will design a special custom program, including additional tips on how to keep their skin healthy and young looking.

“We are the first company to design a custom experience for each and every customer based on their skin type, age, gender problematic areas, and even climate," says Boris Zion, CMO of DermaSet. Boris was appointed as a CMO in 2016 bringing more than 10 years marketing technology and software engineering experience to the company.

“We understand that everyone has a different skin type and we can't apply the same solution to everyone. This is why we took a different approach by developing a custom program for everyone."

DermaSet is composed of special botanical and natural elements, such as Edelweiss, sea fennel, apple stem cells, and grape seed extract, that have been refined and carefully combined to help increase the skin's ability to retain moisture, elasticity, and firmness.

DermaSet also uses a combination of peptides, such as Argireline to firm and reduce the look of wrinkles, and Chromabright to replenish and even out skin tone.

DermaSet

According to the company, in just 30 days of using DermaSet customers will begin to see a reduction of wrinkle depth, age spots

and crows feet, an even overall skin tone and texture, soft and ultra-hydrated skin and an overall young-looking appearance.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

For more information on DermaSet 4 You and their specially-designed products, visit DermaSetskincare.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

Now Available on iTunes

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For Filling The Need To Keep You Informed.

For The Latest News Coverage from Locally or Nationally . . .

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Listen To our podcast to get information about the community. We cover topics from Entrepreneurship, Education, Community Improvement to Simply Honoring our community’s Unsung Heroes. . .

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

CALENDAR

It’s A Free Baby Shower!

A free baby shower is being hosted by the First Ladies Health Initiative, Austin Peoples Action Center and Cosmopolitan Community Church’s First Lady Kyra Clopton.

When: January 19, 2019: 1:00 - 4:00pm Where: Cosmopolitan Community Church, 5249 S. Wabash Ave. What: Gifts for babies, prizes, raffles, games food and beverages will be available for all.

Who: Who should attend? Pregnant and new mothers.

Attendees must pre-register with Alana Evans, Monday - Friday at 773-921-2121.

The first Ladies Health Imitative is focused on improving the overall physical and mental health of the African-American and Hispanic Communities and changing the landscape of the number and gravity of diseases that disproportionally affect these individuals. During the Baby Shower, education on a variety of topics will be provided, including breastfeeding and the importance of prenatal care.

4th Annual Arts & Culture Docs Fest (ACDF)

Enjoy world premiere music honoring Chicago’s Haitian founder, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable (pictured); Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington (pictured); and the first black president, Barack Obama (pictured) at First Blacks Chicago.

First Blacks Chicago Enjoy world premiere music honoring three black Chicago trailblazers: Chicago’s Haitian founder, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable; Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington; and the first black president, Barack Obama! Hear Rudy Perrault's reflective “Nostalgia,” honoring DuSable; Gifrants' exciting “Fraternitas! Fraternitas! Dei Patris Nomine,” honoring Washington; and Sabrina Jean Louis' elegant “La Cité,” honoring DuSable.

Hear too Perrault’s “Brother Malcolm,” imagining Malcolm X and Martin Luther King conversing at Obama's inauguration. The event also showcases artwork from the Haitian American Museum of Chicago.

The program is presented by Crossing Borders Music in partnership

with the Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC); it is generously supported by The Chicago Community Trust, and partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and City of Chicago.

For more information on Crossing Borders Music, visit crossingbordersmusic.org Event Details Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 2-3:15pm Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall Free Admission

The 4th edition of "Arts & Culture Docs Fest" Asian Pop-Up Cinema will premiere select episodes from the, “This is China" documentary series recently produced by the China Broad View Cultural Communication Center (CBVCCC) in Beijing. “This is China” consists of six episodes that reflects the mainstream of development and progress of contemporary China, but also displays the essence of traditional Chinese culture with the objectives of cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Event Details: Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 2-5pm Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater Free Admission For more information, visit www. asianpopupcinema.org/acdf4

One Earth Film Festival Screening

One Earth Film Festival is the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival, creating opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

One Earth Film Festival Screening will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. There will be a 5pm reception and 6pm screening at the Chicago Cultural Center at G.A.R. Hall & Claudia Cassidy Theater. Admission is free.

One Earth Film Festival is the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival, creating opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement. It showcases top-issue, thought-provoking environmental films and leads audiences in interactive post-film discussions focused on solutions.

For more information on the One Earth Film Festival Festival, visit www. oneearthfilmfest.org.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

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(StatePoint) With the veteran unemployment rate at a record low, many who have served in the military are now in the driver’s seat when it comes to civilian job hunting.

This is in part because employers understand that veterans bring a wealth of translatable skills and experience to the workforce, including leadership, teamwork and attention to detail.

“For veterans, the right employer is one who values the leadership, discipline and service record of military members and veterans,” says Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo Military Affairs Program manager. “They seek an employer that goes above and beyond to empower them to succeed in and out of the workplace.”

Wells Fargo, which established its Military Affairs Program in 2012, is an example of an employer committed to hiring and retaining veteran team members. A variety of job options, confidential resources, educational information and career guidance tools are available to those who served. In fact, eligible team members called to active duty receive military leave benefits and other programming designed to mitigate the burden on their families.

Are you a job-seeking veteran? Before accepting an offer, find out whether your potential employer values veterans’ contributions to the workplace.

“Start by asking the hiring manager or human resources contact what benefits and programming are offered,” suggests Quinn. “You’ll quickly get a feel for the company culture.”

To help get the conversation started, Quinn suggests the following topics of discussion: • Growth opportunities. Is this position one on track for promotions and raises?

Does this company offer resources and support to employees looking to grow?

Discover what your future at this company could look like.

• Development programs. From apprenticeships and internships to transition services and leadership programming, ask about opportunities that will offer a chance to make new contacts, find a mentor, develop professional skills and learn how to translate existing skills to a new position.

• Employee resource groups (ERGs).

ERGs can provide resources, opportunities and camaraderie to employees. Find out if the company has a similar group for veterans.

• Diversity. Is this a company that values diversity, particularly when it comes to veteran status and disabilities? Will the employer accept your veteran status and value it as an asset?

• Benefits. Beyond military leave, are benefits available that provide supplemental pay and continued healthcare when individuals are called to active duty? Research whether the company offers additional fringe benefits to ease the burden of being away on active duty. For example, some employers provide lawn mowing and snow

removal to those away from home on military orders.

More information about career transition services and the type of workplace benefits offered to veterans are available at wellsfargojobs.com/military.

Remember, military skills and experience is an asset to employers. Hold out for a position that will value what you bring to the table through tangible workplace benefits and programming.

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth Sales Manager General Manager

William Garth Sr. CEO Emeritus

Editorial

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

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Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. CNGI 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 Monday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Fridays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send press releases for calendar items at least three weeks prior to the event.

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12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Jan. 9, 2019

Make rent a thing of the past.

With a down payment as low as 3% for modest-income buyers, Bank of America makes affording a new home easier than ever.1 To get started call 1-800-641-8603 or visit your local financial center.

BankofAmerica.com /FirstHome

Available for fixed-rate purchase loans with terms of 25 or 30 years and on primary residences only. Certain property types are ineligible. Borrower(s) must not have an individual or joint ownership interest in any other residential property at time of closing. Maximum purchase loan-to-value is 97% and maximum combined purchase loan-to-value is 103%.

For loan-to-values >95% any secondary financing must be from an approved Community Second Program; ask for details. Homebuyer education may be required. Restrictions apply regarding co-borrowers. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply.

1

Bank of America, N.A.,

Equal Housing Lender Š2018 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. AR98CFM5