Chicago Weekend Citizen 3-3-2021

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 Week of March 3, 2021

| Vol. 52 | No. 10 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Black doctors launch new healthcare to help close disparities, improve outcomes Page 3

Student need propels $5 million gift for scholarships at DePaul University Page 3

BLACK HISTORY FOCUS 365

From Ferguson to Chicago: New Salvation Army Commanders Make Black History Page 9

David Rojas, Jr., is the founder of The Alliance 98, an organization that aims to find employment opportunities for young people age 16-24. Photo provided by David Rojas, Jr.

LEADER USES ALLIANCES TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

David Rojas, Jr., was the first in his family to go to high school, go to college and start a business in Chicago. His story is what led him to found The Alliance 98 in 2019. The Alliance 98’s aim is to tackle unemployment for 16 to 24-year-olds in the city of Chicago. PAGE 2

Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION 33% GROWTH FOR DIGITAL BOOKS FROM PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS IN 2020 SETS RECORDS Librarians and educators achieved record levels of digital book circulation in 2020. Readers worldwide borrowed 430 million ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines in the past 12 months, a 33% increase over 2019. This significant growth was influenced by the pandemic, social justice and remote learning. Data were reported by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for 65,000 libraries and schools worldwide.

Social unrest and widespread civil protests had a profound impact on the world and libraries expertly responded.

Digital books about social justice and those written by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or by a member of the marginalized community from which it depicts (Own Voices) experienced 165% YoY circulation growth. White Fragility, So You Want to Talk about Race, The Hate U Give and others became top 10 titles checked out during 2020.

HEALTH

ASSOCIATION OF BLACK CARDIOLOGISTS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR 2021 BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS The Association of Black Cardiologists has endorsed the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021, a historic legislative package introduced by Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL14) and Alma Adams (NC-12), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act will build on existing maternal health legislation, like policies to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, with 12 bills to comprehensively address every dimension of America’s maternal health crisis.

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act makes investments in social determinants of health, community-based organizations, the growth and diversification of the perinatal workforce, improvements in data collection, and support for moms and babies exposed to climate change-related risks. In addition to direct efforts to improve Black maternal health outcomes, the Momnibus focuses on high-risk populations, including veterans, incarcerated people, Native Americans, and other women and birthing people of color.

LAW & POLITICS

MIT SLOAN STUDY FINDS STRONG EVIDENCE OF POLITICAL BIAS IN FORMATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA TIES A recent experiment conducted on Twitter by MIT Sloan School of Management Prof. David Rand and MIT Sloan Research Affiliate Mohsen Mosleh, who is also a professor at the University of Exeter Business School, shows that politics matter a lot when strangers are forming new social ties. They found that Democrats and Republicans are equally likely to favor people who share their party affiliation when deciding who to follow.

“Our experiment shows that shared partisanship does indeed have a large impact on social tie formation. People on both sides of the political divide were roughly three times more likely to form social ties with strangers who identify with the same party, compared to counter-partisans,” says Rand. Their study also found that these new social ties were not just based on pre-existing social circles or algorithmsuggested connections. Rather, people in the study were much more likely to connect with total strangers simply because of shared political views.

“These results emphasize the fundamental psychological bias many people have against interacting with those who do not share their partisanship,” says Rand. “Should social media platforms want to foster more connection across party lines, they will likely need to use friend recommendation algorithms to counteract the preexisting bias our study demonstrates.”

Leader uses alliances to create employment opportunities for young people Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

David Rojas, Jr., was the first in his family to go to high school, go to college and start a business in Chicago.

His story is what led him to found The Alliance 98 in 2019. The Alliance 98’s aim is to tackle unemployment for 16 to 24-year-olds in the city of Chicago.

Rojas said he found so many roadblocks in finding opportunities. He started to hear the same stories from others who were looking for opportunities after college. “I wanted to make it easier for the next generation and for young folx like myself to connect with other people, build a strong network of alliances, and be able to survive,” he said. “Once we’re able to survive, we’re able to potentially thrive.”

Rojas said what drives him is the ability to create more opportunities for young people. He said growing up on the West side, he watched his parents struggle to find their footing in the states. Rojas, was born in Chicago, but was raised in Mexico and returned at the age of four.

He said it is important for young people to know where their family comes from and to know their family history.

“That is what has been driving me and ultimately motivating me to continue to knock on doors and create those types of opportunities for people

throughout the entire city, and hopefully, across the country,” he said.

Rojas said a lot of his friends didn’t have the option to continue their education because they needed to work to help out their family. He said it resulted in it taking longer for them to get where they are now. “I really want to amplify people’s potential and accelerate that and I want to be part of the solution here in this city,” he said.

Rojas, who graduated from Connecticut College in 2017, said he decided to give away suits to young people. More than 70 suits were donated.

And since then, TA98 has been able to provide professional garments to young folx and there is a program called Suited for a Cause that provides hard and soft skills, and training for young folx to prepare them for an entry level job.

“That’s kind of where the foundation of the organization lies, is really providing that type of workforce training,” he said.

Rojas said there are so many great people who inspire him, the first who come to mind, are his parents. He also said growing up as a 90’s baby, he loves Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

He counts Jordan as someone who inspires him. He said the number 98 in TA98 stands for Jordan’s last year playing as a Chicago Bull. “The drive, I think, just to be the best, is unmatched and so I feel like I want to be a Jordan in some type of

industry, in the social impact space and be able to continue to learn,” he said.

Most importantly, Rojas said young people need options and practicality, adding, students want a real education, things they can use, and more opportunities for development in the sectors they want to pursue, like the arts, graphic design and the marketing profession.

“The students are telling us what they want, we’re just not doing a good job of listening and creating those systems for them to be able to amplify their work,” he said. Rojas said as a child, he had the opportunity to travel to Mexico. He said seeing a different level of poverty, has always been a driving force for him.

“Seeing how much better we have it and never forgetting where I’m coming from. For me, I’m always in connection with my family, seeing how I can help in Mexico, as well. And, that really drives me because they are so happy to be connected to a network here in Chicago,” he said. “And, more importantly, I think when I get those phone calls from moms and dad[s] thanking me for the programs and for all of the different services our coaches are providing, that is why we do the work. I think that is more valuable than anything, more than money, in the world, just making sure we are helping people at the end of the day.”

For more information about The Alliance 98, visit ta98.org.

Schwinn Supports Good Co. Bike Club Mission with Partnership Schwinn, a brand of Dorel Industries, Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), is partnering with the Good Co. Bike Club (Good Co.) to amplify the message of diversity and inclusion both on and off the bike.

Together through this mission-driven partnership, both companies will collaborate with local businesses and city advocacy programs throughout the US to celebrate and accelerate Black culture in cycling.

Good Co. was founded in June 2020 by Brooklyn, New York native Andrew Bennett during the height of the global pandemic and social unrest. “Good Co., short for Good Company, is a social club first. We also happen to cycle, which has been a passion of mine for over 20 years,” explains Bennett.

“Inclusivity and acces-

Good Co. Founding Members - Shari Brown, Marv Marcel, Milly Louis & Andrew Bennett

sibility are key characteristics of Schwinn, and the partnership with Good Co. is another step in building the cycling community which represents all people,” said Samantha Kraemer, Schwinn Brand Manager.

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Schwinn and Good Co. have already announced several club rides for the 2021 season, including Bike Month Kick Off (5/1), Good Co. Bike Club Anniversary Ride (6/5), Juneteenth (6/19), We Bike Too (8/8) and more

to come.

Information about upcoming events and activations can be found on the club website GoodCoBikeClub.com or by following the club Instagram account @ GoodCoBikeClub.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

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NEWS

Black doctors launch new healthcare to help close disparities, improve outcomes Nationwide – In response to the continual COVID crisis that has devastated Black and Brown families, a growing coalition of Black Doctors, led by Dr. Bill Releford (a specialist in avoidance of amputations), are responding to the call by announcing the launch of the Black Doctor 247 app so that any person can access a Black Doctor across the United States 24/7.

The Black Doctor 247 app connects several campaigns central to Black Wellness 247: The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, Black Limbs Matter and The Black Beauty Salon Health Initiative. The goal of these elements is to reduce health disparities in the Black community. The app adds to the existing efforts of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, which has already screened over 30,000 African American men throughout the nation.

“As someone who specializes in the health of individuals in high-risk populations, I’ve seen firsthand the disparities that exist for the Black community,” said Dr. Releford.

“Health outcomes for Black patients improve greatly when they’re seen by Black doctors, so we are partnering with doctors and barbershops across the nation to create a network of

physicians for the Black community that promotes communication and trust.”

The Black Doctor 247 app allows those with a smartphone to use an intuitive dashboard with artificial intelligence to check their vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, blood pressure, and even mental stress symptoms. In addition, Black Doctor 247 will offer real-time, remote video-based Vital Signs Monitoring to facilitate early detection of COVID-19 in underserved

communities across the country.

“Black and brown communities are extraordinarily impacted by health disparities and the coronavirus pandemic has exposed even more inequity in the medical industry,” said State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “Innovative ideas and efforts like the Black Doctor 247 app are key to meeting people where they are, to promote health and illicit trust in impacted communities.”

Despite the expansion of healthcare in recent years, research shows that massive healthcare disparities exist between the Black community and other communities. A study conducted by National Bureau of Economic Research showed that Black patients have better health outcomes when they are treated by a Black doctor. The study also concluded that black men assessed by Black doctors agreed to more preventive, resulting in the need of less invasive services.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has

further exposed astonishing healthcare disparities we face in the Black community,” said Rick Callender, President of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). “Creative resources, such as the Black Doctor 247 app, are pivotal in addressing the health needs of African Americans.”

For more information about The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program’s wellness app, visit: www.

BlackBarbershop.org.

Student need propels $5 million gift for scholarships at DePaul University In keeping with their long-term commitment to providing students with access to high-quality education, Jennifer, Robin and Heather Steans have made a $5 million gift to establish the John Horan Endowed Scholarship Program at DePaul University.

Jennifer Steans serves on the DePaul Board of Trustees, is president and CEO of Financial Investments Corporation and serves on the board of the Steans Family Foundation. Robin Steans is president of Advance Illinois and board chair of the Steans Family Foundation.

Heather Steans is a recently retired Illinois state senator and a board member of the Steans Family Foundation.

The John Horan Endowed Scholarship Program will make it possible for students from North Lawndale to attend DePaul with all costs of enrollment covered. The gift also will fund a graduate assistant in DePaul’s Office of Multicultural Student Success to oversee the cohort

of Horan scholarship recipients. Finally, the gift will ensure that the John Horan scholars have access to peer mentoring, laptops and support for internships and study abroad experiences.

The new scholarship program is named for the founder and president emeritus of the North Lawndale College Prep High School, who served the school for more than 20 years.

Horan also served as executive director of the I Have a Dream Foundation and was the director of the Catholic Youth Office for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“My family wanted to honor John Horan by establishing a scholarship in his name for North Lawndale students to attend DePaul.

John is one of the most inspiring people we know, and he will be a huge supporter and advocate for these scholars,” said Jennifer Steans. “We are proud to continue supporting John’s mission, and the mission of our family, in this way.”

Rico Tyler, associate vice president in DePaul’s division of student affairs, worked with the Steans family to develop this comprehensive program for incoming students. “It was a pleasure to discuss ways in which DePaul can help the diverse student populations the Steans Family Foundation has traditionally supported,” said Tyler. “Their ideas form the cornerstone of a scholarship program that will make a huge difference in helping talented students reach their potential.”

With this gift, the Steans sisters are continuing the legacy of their father, Harrison I. Steans (1935-2019), who was a member of DePaul’s Board of Trustees, a Life Trustee and a longtime benefactor of the university, the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago and North Lawndale College Prep. DePaul’s Irwin W. Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning and Community Services Studies was established through the vision and

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philanthropy of Mr. Steans, his family, and his sister, Adeline S. Morrison, in honor of their father. Fittingly, a Harrison I. Steans Graduate Fellowship Program housed within the Steans Center was established in Harrison’s honor in 2020 by the Morrison family and the Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation, whose directors include all of Harrison Steans’ nieces, Helen Morrison, Amy Heinrich, Lois Morrison and Margot Brinley.

“Now more than ever, the challenges students face as a result of the pandemic call on us to uphold our Catholic and Vincentian values by taking care of one another and ensuring the success of our diverse community of learners,” said DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD. “The Steans family, generous benefactors of our Irwin W. Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning, continue to be passionate supporters of our mission. We are grateful for their generosity on behalf of our students.”

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BUSINESS City Treasurer’s Office Creates a Scorecard for Broker Dealer Selection Process In her first year, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s office revolutionized the way cities invest in, and contract with, financial institutions.

Her office became the first in the nation to create a scorecard entitled the Chicago City Treasurer Broker Dealer Diversity Scorecard (Scorecard) that was designed to measure a firm’s leadership efforts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) as well as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to assist in the Broker Dealer selection process.

This year, the process is enhanced with Version 2.0 that will assess 30% of the selection based on the firm’s DE&I and CSR efforts. “Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S. with 2.7 million residents; 30% of our population is Black and 30% is Hispanic,”explains Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. “Our Scorecard is about leveraging our taxpayer dollars for impact. My mission is to have all firms we do business with to care about and improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This office is not about just making money, we are also about changing lives.”

Version 2.0 of the Scorecard upped the ante for broker dealers. “We did a much broader assessment of a firm’s market capabilities and execution metrics based on inventories held, new issue banking activity, market specialty, and access to research.

Firms were grouped by cohorts determined by their size so they could be evaluated fairly, and the scoring was weighted to address our specific buying needs,” says Craig A. Slack, deputy treasurer, chief investment officer, Office of the City Treasurer. “We also asked more in-depth questions around diversity programming and CSR.” The scoring of the firms was broken down as follows: • 70% of the score is assigned to market capabilities and execution metrics across 9 asset classes.

• 20% of the score is based on Diversity Programming efforts, demographics and policies.

• 10% of the score is based on firm efforts related to Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy.

An example of questions posed to the firms: • Is the percentage of underrepresented, racial minorities in all roles within your U.S. Enter-

prise above 20%?

• Is the percentage of underrepresented, racial minorities in executive roles within your U.S. Enterprise above 10%?

• Is the percentage of women in executive roles within your U.S. Enterprise above 30%?

The Scorecard initiative by the Chicago City Treasurer’s Office is starting to gain interest in the investment community after being discussed at two global panels on diversity, equity, and inclusion by the Deputy Treasurer, Chief Investment Officer.

“When you have a constituency like ours, it’s important for us to establish ourselves as a thought leader in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I think driving a stake in the ground and saying these are the things that are important to us and this is what we expect from the brokers we do business with is the right place to start,” states Slack at the PRI Digital Forum.

Because of the new Scorecard, some broker dealers were not allowed to return. “We have really tried to make the process as objective as possible, but, in general, firms that are laggards in the area of DE&I and CSR are taken out of consideration to become approved broker dealers.

In this past year, we went from 58 approved brokers to 33 and this year, we are at 28. This year, 43% of the firms we approved qualified as MBE, WBE, and DBE status, but more importantly, we believe that all the firms we are approved to do business with have established themselves as industry leaders in diversity programming. We now have established a watermark by which we can measure improvement and deterioration,” states Slack.

It is vital to the Treasurer’s Office that the firms they do business with understand the importance of this effort. Others have expressed interest in this Chicago Model for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I really need partnerships. I need more people like me to start implementing the Scorecard so we can help drive that metric and that conversation across a broader platform, so that’s what we’re really going to look to push with this particular RFI,” says Slack.

For more information and to see a list of the approved Broker Dealers, visit Chicago City Treasurer’s website at https://www. chicagocitytreasurer.com

How to shift from confrontation to negotiation in 2021 Research suggests that as businesses become more global -- with mergers, acquisitions and partnerships -- it’s increasingly important to understand the nuances of the entire negotiation process.

According to Eliane Karsaklian, author of “The After-Deal: What Happens After You Close a Deal?” (IAP– Information Age Publishing, Inc.), one effective business survival strategy is to understand that the negotiation process is not over once the deal is signed.

“Negotiation is a whole process integrating several phases: preparation, the negotiation at the table of negotiation, and the after-deal, which is always neglected not only in publications but also in the professional practice,” said Karsaklian, clinical professor of marketing in the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The after-deal is the last phase of the negotiation process. It’s how you prepare your business to enforce the deal. That goes from operations and action plans to relationships with your partners.

The cultural differences at all levels (national, industrial, and corporate) emerge when you enforce the contract because this is when companies should cooperate, Karsaklian said. This is also when negotiators realize that their business practices are very different and sometimes incompatible with their partners’ practices.

Karsaklian argues that when it comes to negotiations, longterm (occurring over a long period of time) and long-lasting (enduring over a long period of time) are not the same.

“For a relationship to be sustainable, it requires constant adaptation from all parties,” she said. “If you don’t predict most cultural differences’ impact in putting your contract into action during the negotiation process, and don’t integrate the potential issues in your contract, it will be hard to have a long-term relationship with your partners, let alone sustainable ones.”

Good after-deal behavior is to keep working closely with the people you just signed the contract with and understand that adjustments might be needed and cope with them willingly, Karsaklian said. Most of them are predictable, she added.

“The main mistake is thinking that you can turn the page once you signed the contract and let things just happen without monitoring the contract enforcement along with your partners,” she said. “A big mistake is to refuse to consider amendments in the contract when it is needed

According to Eliane Karsaklian, author of “The After-Deal: What Happens After You Close a Deal?” (IAP– Information Age Publishing, Inc.), one effective business survival strategy is to understand that the negotiation process is not over once the deal is signed.

and accuse your partners of attempting to renegotiate the terms of the deal you have already signed.”

Karsaklian said with all the mergers and acquisitions, companies are creating big corporations. As a result, there will be fewer options for partnerships as time goes by.

“If you think short-term and expect to switch partners frequently, you might end up with no choice at all which can jeopardize your business’s sustainability,” she said. “If you integrate your after-deal in your negotiation process, you don’t need to start all over again every time some contract reaches its end. In other words, if you think short-term you can’t expect long-term results.”

Lack of flexibility, lack of cultural awareness, and the assumption that the negotiation is over after the deal is signed are the main mistakes made during the after-deal phase of negotiations.

“The best analogy is marriage: after you get married (sign the contract), your life with your partner starts,” Karsaklian said. “This is when you start noticing differences in your habits, behavior and preferences. If you want to keep going with them despite the differences, you will need to comply with daily adaptation (long-lasting). Or, you will end your relationship and look for someone else (short-term).”

For a more comprehensive understanding of the role of the after-deal in the negotiation process, read “The Negotiation Process. Before, During and After You Close a Deal” (Austin Macauley Publishers, LLC) by Professor Karsaklian. In this new book, she lays down the whole process of negotiation, explaining in detail how to succeed at negotiations thanks to thorough preparation, the right attitude, behavior at the negotiation table, and the unavoidable after-deal follow-up.

The Home Depot to Donate $1 Million to Support Campus Improvements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities The Home Depot ® will contribute $1 million in grants to support campus improvements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its annual Retool Your School program, for which voting is now open.

Established in 2009, the program has emphasized HBCUs’ vital role in the American higher education system. This year, the home improvement retailer is doubling its Retool Your School commitment to fund 30 projects, providing $20,000 to $75,000 grants

per school.

HBCU students, alumni and advocates can vote for their favorite HBCUs through Twitter and Instagram using the school’s designated hashtag found at retoolyourschool.com or through the voting portal also on the website.

There are three school clusters, based on student population, and the ten schools with the most votes per cluster will be awarded the campus improvement grants. Voting is unlimited and ends on March 15, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. EST.

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“Since 2009, The Home Depot has continued to increase its investment in campus improvements for HBCUs,” said Derek Bottoms, chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer for The Home Depot. “In addition to other HBCU initiatives supported by The Home Depot over the years, we are doubling our Retool Your School commitment to $1 million for 2021. We are ensuring that, upon their return to campus, HBCU students have an upgraded environment that enhances their educational

experience as they progress on their journey to become the next generation of leaders.”

Retool Your School has provided more than $3.1 million for 117 sustainable campus improvement projects for 87% of the nation’s HBCUs. In total, more than 36 million votes have been cast in support of participating schools.

Winners will be announced in April 2021. For more information on The Home Depot’s Retool Your School, visit retoolyourschool.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

NEWS

Entrepreneur Eric Seals is growing Digifé with a focus on diversity in storytelling When Eric Seals made the jump from freelance videographer to business owner, he knew exactly what kind of equipment and cameras were needed to be successful. But he was less sure about his needs when it came to accountants, lawyers, insurance and bankers.

“When I started, I just went to the bank I was personally banking at. I didn’t understand the different relationships between personal banking and business banking. I was denied and didn’t understand why,” said Seals, owner of Digifé, the video production company he founded in 2012 that will produce, film edit and deliver creative video content for any medium, with an emphasis on diverse storytelling.

Seals, who started his career as a video editor at ESPN out of college, fell in love with the work when his father, who studied broadcasting in college, came home one day with new equipment and gear. “I was blessed, at the age of 16, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

While he honed his craft and learned a lot about the industry during his two years at ESPN, the job he’d dreamed about landing wasn’t the holy grail he’d imagined it to be. “Connecticut wasn’t my thing,” said Seals, who returned to Chicago and spent a few years freelancing before starting his own business. Several years later he was hired to produce a video series highlighting some of the local Black and minorityowned businesses that work with Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group (CNIMFG), and he met Erica King, its president.

“I was interviewing people and listening to Erica talking about what they do, and I said ‘Erica, I never do this, but can we set up an interview to talk?’” And the rest, as they say, is history. She reviewed his budget, provided technical assistance and helped him apply for and secure his first loan through CNIMFG. As a community development financial institution, CNIMFG provides small business loans to low- to moderate-income individuals and entrepreneurs on Chicago’s South and West Sides – 92% of which are minority-owned, including 82% Blackowned.

“I didn’t even understand why I needed access to capital,” said Seals, who learned the importance of securing a loan before he really

Entrepreneur Eric Seals

needed it. “That loan came at the perfect time.

We had the opportunity for a new project and that loan was sitting in my bank account. The money is there when you need it.”

Seals got approval for his second loan recently – one that CNIMFG said was made possible by a recent $1 million donation it received from from U.S. Bank to support small businesses. The donation is the latest commitment in more than a decade of investments in Chicago’s South and West Sides.

“It excites me to be able to help a business grow,” King said. “Eric has been with us for a while and we’ve seen him grow from a start-up business.

And that’s essentially the business we’re in.”

Like many businesses, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty for Digifé; he told his Pilsen-based team in March there was a good chance he’d have to cut payroll or let someone go. As it became clear that neither COVID-19 nor working virtually was going away anytime soon, his business exploded with the increased demand for video, and he’s added a fourth and fifth employee this year.

“This has probably been one of my most stressful years. And it’s been my strongest year.

We’ve grown by 40-50 percent. I’m blessed and glad we’re adding new people to support that.”

He's had the working capital to support that growth and purchase cameras needed for some newer opportunities and larger jobs that are coming in thanks to CNIMFG, and indirectly, the $1 million grant it received from U.S. Bank.

“The funds from U.S. Bank came at a great time – it’s one of the largest grants we’ve received,” King said, referencing a greater need right now because of COVID-19 and civil unrest.

“It’s been instrumental to have that additional capital available for businesses in our target market that are without other options for funding.

And it’s capital we can be flexible with and meet the needs of those most vulnerable right now.” www.citizennewspapergroup.com

As a kid, not only did Seals have that exposure and access to the recording equipment his dad brought home that day, he also recognizes how he benefitted from his father’s career at IBM. “To grow up and always have a computer in the home is a privilege,” Seals said. “I didn’t know everyone didn’t have a computer until much later. And for him to encourage us to play with it…that’s what opened my doors.”

He also credits Beverly Price as a mentor; she’s an award-winner producer, director and writer who recommended Seals for jobs when he was starting out as a freelancer. “She said don’t pay it back, pay it forward,” Seals said.

“Introduce people, especially young Black men and women, into the field.” And he’s done just that. Today, Digifé has an all-Black team.

“I’ve been on a lot of sets and crews where I’ve always been the only Black person,” said Seals, who understands the importance of diversity in documentary storytelling, and the difference it makes to have someone on set who can relate to how the person in front of the camera may be feeling. “Our beliefs as a team are directly connected to how we make a living and it’s important. There’s a lot for us to care about before we get to an actual shoot.”

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CITIZEN On The Move

The 21st Ward Virtual BHM Celebration Highlights

Alderman Brookins pictured with the nights honorees

Photos by L.M. Warbington 21ST WARD ALD. HOWARD B. BROOKINS JR. CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. The 21st Ward Honored Several Seniors During Their Black History Virtual Celebration. The Seniors Were Awarded Plaques For Their Dedication and Services To The Ward Through Out The Year.

Congratulations Augustine Lehmann

Illinois State Rep. Justin Slaughter presents Award to BHM Recipient

Congratulations Theodore Vernon

Rep. Justin Slaughter, Ald. Howard Brookins, Comm.

Stanley Moore and Lanette Warbington

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Taylor

Commissioner Stanley Moore Makes A Presentation To A 21st Ward BHM Recipient.

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FASHION

Brown University Fashion Week 2021 Kicks Off with Unparalleled Lineup of Fashion and Lifestyle Royalty Brown Fashion Week 2021 will take place from March 4 to March 26 and features some of the biggest names in the fashion and lifestyle industries.

Re-imagined by student organization Fashion@Brown (F@B) as a virtual celebration this year, the impressive 22-day program of events is free and open to students and fashionistas around the globe and not limited to the Brown University community.

“We were astonished and humbled by the positive response we received to our invitations to speak at Brown Fashion Week this year,” states Sasha Pinto, president of the student organization, Fashion@Brown. “We wanted to make Brown Fashion Week bigger than ever to spread some much-needed inspiration to students given the extreme isolation everyone has been experiencing -- and the fashion industry responded in overwhelming numbers. It is a tribute not only to the kindness and generosity of the individual speakers but to the industry in general.”

Joining Fashion@Brown will be such renowned leaders as Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stella McCartney, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Emma Chamberlain, and Olivier Rousteing, among others. A complete list of all speakers and events follows.

Events are free and registration details can be found at https://fashionatbrown.com/events Brown Fashion Week 2021 - Complete Speaker Lineup Brown Fashion Week Distinguished Speaker Series kicks off on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET with …

“Sarah Jessica Parker: Actress, Entrepreneur, Civic Activist: SJP Does it All... and in High Heels” on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET Join F@B in conversation with the powerhouse whose latest bona fides include CEO of the SJP Collection, her booming shoe business; member of the Partnership for New York City, an economic council of NYC’s top CEOs; and vice chairman of the New York City Ballet… in addition to being a Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actress of the stage, silver screen, and television. Hear about SJP’s unique approach to retail, her myriad entrepreneurial initiatives, and her passionate dedication to the post-pandemic revival of New York City.

Next in the series is “Kenneth Cole: The Fashion Empire Visionary Shining a Light on Social Issues with Passion and Purpose,” on Monday, March 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET, featuring Kenneth Cole, who built a billion-dollar retail business while keeping in mind that “it’s great to be known for your shoes, but it’s better to be recognized for your soul.” Instead of being the company’s model, Kenneth Cole decided to be the company’s role model by lending his name to social issues like AIDS, homelessness, gun control, mental health and abortion. Cole will be interviewed by his daughter Amanda Cole, Brown class of 2012.

On Monday, March 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET zoom in to “A Conversation with the World’s Foremost Fashion CEOs.” Isabelle Guichot, CEO of the chic Parisian fashion house Maje and

former CEO of the renowned luxury maisons Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Balenciaga, joins Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren, for a dynamic industry leader fireside chat. As CEO of Ralph Lauren, which recently dressed Joseph R. Biden Jr. for the presidential inauguration, Mr. Louvet leads this hugely successful multi-billion-dollar company.

The series continues with “Steve Madden’s Wild Ride and Crazy Come Back” on Monday, March 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET. F@B is excited to host “the Maddman” himself who turned a fledgling startup launched in 1990 with $1,100 into a global, multibillion-dollar brand. But Steve Madden’s mistakes — from his battle with addiction to the financial shortcuts that landed him in prison — are as important to his narrative as his iconic shoes. Steve will share his uplifting story, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he hopes to use his hard-won platform to create positive change.

On March 10 at 2:00 p.m. ET: “Francesca Bellettini: The Powerhouse Behind the Billion-Dollar Brand” features the woman who has propelled the Saint Laurent brand into the exclusive billion-Euro club, and in the process made herself one of the most powerful women in fashion where there are only a handful of female chief executives. Launching her career at Goldman Sachs before moving to prestigious fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, Helmut Lang, and Bottega Veneta, Bellettini has shaped every form of luxury from the bags we carry to the clothes and shoes we wear.

On March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET, F@B hosts internet phenomenon Emma Chamberlain: “The Most Interesting Girl on YouTube” according to the New York Times.

Chamberlain, at just 19 years old, has created her own wildly successful brand as a Youtuber, social media influencer, Tik Tok star, podcaster, and owner of Chamberlain Coffee with a combined social media following of more than 30 million. Emma has also pivoted into the fashion industry, making her own merchandise and partnering with legendary Louis Vuitton.

She has even recently entered the beauty world by becoming the global brand ambassador and creative director for Bad Habit Beauty Skincare.

Emma has also had a huge impact on mental health, sharing her own struggles with anxiety and depression across all of her platforms.

The series continues on Sunday March 14 at 2 p.m. ET with “Olivier Rousteing: Transforming a Classic: Fashion’s Storyteller for a New Age.” Balmain’s wunderkind, Olivier Rousteing, will share what he envisions as fashion in the 21st century: a fresh, inclusive world of glamour and revolution. Bringing an innovative spirit of adventure and understanding of a digital generation, Olivier Rousteing’s creative vision has been integral to Balmain’s rapid growth as a brand and as a cultural staple on social media through his “Balmain Army.”

The next session, “Olivia Palermo: Style Authority, Tastemaker, and Instagram Case Study” on Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET is not to be missed. Palermo is a major force in the fashion industry; renowned designers invite her to collaborate, Valentino invites her to his yacht, Instagram uses her as a case study, and

The New York Times published a feature story about her success. Olivia’s journey from an internship in the offices of Diane von Furstenberg in 2006 to an acclaimed international style authority and industry tastemaker today is a story that everyone with entrepreneurial ambitions will want to hear.

On Friday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m. ET, F@B presents “Stella McCartney: The Mindful Eco-Warrior of High Fashion.” Stella McCartney is one of the fashion industry’s most vocal champions of environmental issues and her company is a highly successful example of the commercial potential of sustainable, ethically minded businesses. Renowned not only for her successful designs, which included Meghan Markle’s wedding reception dress, Stella was also the first fashion designer ever to appear on the cover of American Vogue magazine in January 2020. A lifelong vegetarian, Stella has never used leather, feathers, skin or fur in any of her designs.

March 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, F@B presents – “Gwyneth Paltrow: The Oscar-winning Lightning-Rod, Trailblazing Lifestyle& Wellness CEO.” Join F@B for a chat with the actress-turned-powerhouse CEO who has taken the lifestyle and wellness market by storm.

Providing a fresh—and at times controversial—perspective, Goop is one of the wellness industry’s most recognizable brands earning Paltrow millions of passionately loyal admirers (and, yes, a few trolls) through the simple premise that wellness is the new wealth. With Goop’s blend of aesthetic lifestyle digital media that touches on everything from beauty and wellness to fashion, food, home, and travel— along with its thriving e-commerce business, retail stores, events, and health summits, Goop is a worldwide phenomenon and Gwyneth Paltrow is just getting started.

Panel Discussions In addition to the speaker series, Brown Fashion Week’s fascinating and thought-provoking panel discussions are not to be missed: Changemaker Fashion Designers as Translators of Culture & Ethics March 6 at 2:00 p.m. ET Join this F@B conversation with Romebased designer Stella Jean, Brooklyn-based Fe Noel, and Detroit-based Tracy Reese who are transforming the fashion landscape each in their own way, from using fashion as a bridge and translator of culture to using it as a way to uplift exploited communities. Hear about their journeys, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry, as well as efforts to expand sustainable design initiatives and ethical production.

Award-Winning Costume Designers Shaping Fashion in Film March 13, 2:00 p.m. ET Hear from Oscar-winner Ruth Carter, six-time Emmy-winner Michele Clapton, and Emmy-nominated Heidi Bivens on their experiences within the fashion and film industries, as well as their processes, inspirations, and ambitions. Their work spans across all different

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

genres, be it Clapton’s Game of Thrones and The Crown, Carter’s Black Panther and Malcolm X, or Heidi Bivens Mid 90s and Euphoria.

The Future of Fashion Journalism from America’s Foremost Editors March 16, 7:30 p.m. ET Join F@B for a live-streamed conversation with three of fashion journalism’s most celebrated editors and influential voices in fashion: Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times; Chioma Nnadi, editor of Vogue.com; and Samantha Barry, editor-in-chief of Glamour. Editorial is how we discover the latest trends, unearth new icons, and define style as we know it. The future of fashion journalism today is in flux, however, between the dilemma of reporting on fashion during a pandemic, the rise of influencer-generated content, the shift to digital platforms, and disappearance of print magazines. Friedman, Nnadi, and Barry discuss and dissect the future of fashion journalism.

Disrupting Beauty: Supermodels on Representation & Empowerment March 17, 3:00 p.m. ET This fascinating conversation will explore how modeling can influence greater societal change, how media representation can center marginalized identities in the public consciousness and how their careers have inspired them to help empower others; while their faces dominate our magazines and feeds, few are aware of their social and philanthropic work. Hear from Jasmine Tookes, Cindy Bruna, Jasmine Sanders and Tami Williams about their inspirational journeys.

Screening & Discussion of “The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion” March 21, 6:00 p.m. ET Join F@B and the Brown Arts Initiative for a discussion with Lisa Cortés, the Academy Award-Nominated director, writer, and producer of the film, in conversation with award-winning filmmaker Yoruba Richen, Brown Professor of the Practice. The Remix is a story of hip hop’s influence on the fashion industry, which has led to the stratospheric and global rise of street wear. It is a story of African American creativity and limitless possibilities of this shift in culture, focusing on the journeys of fashion architect Misa Hylton, streetwear designer April Walker, as well as Dapper Dan and Kerby Jean-Raymond.

And finally, Brown Fashion Week 2021 culminates with their 11th Annual Runway Show…

The 11th Annual Runway Show on Friday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET, presented virtually for the first time, will showcase the collections of the F@B team of twenty-six student designers from both Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. The collections will be released in a high-fashion campaign film, accompanied by a virtual and print Lookbook.

To register for any and all of the aforementioned complimentary events, please click www.fashionatbrown.com/events for more information and registration.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

NEWS

From Ferguson To Chicago: New Salvation Army Commanders Make Black History New Leaders Oversee 28 Community Centers and 50 Social Service Programs In June 2007, new Salvation Army Chicago leaders, Lt. Colonels Lonneal and Patty Richardson made history. They became the first African American Divisional Commanders to lead an area for The Salvation Army in the Midwest when they were appointed to oversee The Salvation Army Midland Division headquartered in St. Louis. Now this dynamic husband and wife team has come to Chicago focused on tackling some of the growing needs of disenfranchised communities who have been the victims of a double pandemic.

Lt. Cols. Richardson took over the reins of leadership for The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division, spanning from Rockford to northwest Indiana, last summer, at a challenging time. In their role, they oversee 28 corps community centers and 50 social service programs for The Salvation Army. While several programs have been paused since the start of the pandemic, many have adapted and expanded as the organization has seen up to a fivefold increase in need, particularly in requests for food and emergency financial assistance.

“People who never thought they’d need The Salvation Army have come to us,” Lt. Col. Lonneal said. “A number of people are living paycheck to paycheck. So, we need to be prepared for what will come to help them to restore their lives.”

The Salvation Army’s services will continue, especially as the full

Lt. Colonels Lonneal and Patty Richardson economic impact of the pandemic emerges. Lt. Col. Patty said partnerships will be important, especially in minority communities, in which the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact. She said advocacy among community leaders and lawmakers will also be important.

But, Lt. Col. Lonneal said the disease that’s killed hundreds of thousands of Americans isn’t the only challenge. He said our city is facing a twin pandemic: COVID and racial injustice.

“I think America has been on this 200-plus year journey of trying to develop a vaccine to deal with the racial injustice,” he said. “We can’t give up hope, because every time we feel we have found a vaccine that cures what ills us, we find that this pandemic too morphs into different strains and begins to once again infect our populations.”

He said The Salvation Army seeks to build bridges, and points

to previous experience doing just that.

Lt. Cols. Richardson led The Salvation Army Midland Division in St. Louis during the Ferguson riots. They were heavily engaged in the conversation about how to bring the community together, including pairing local youth with law enforcement for a weeklong summer camp.

Lt. Cols. Richardson were instrumental in the creation of the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, a joint venture between The Salvation Army and the Urban League of St. Louis. The center, complete with after-school programming and services aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty, was built on the site of the QuikTrip gas station that was burned down during the unrest.

Lt. Cols. Richardson said building relationships will be key to trying to tackle both facets of the twin pandemic in Chicago. And they’re already getting started.

“We need to come together, put our best minds forward, to come up with how do we deal with this pandemic of racial divide in our country. If we don’t, we will once again be torn apart just as COVID has divided families, just as COVID has changed our world,” Lt. Col. Lonneal said.

“It we do not come together and seriously attempt to create a more just and perfect union, then this pandemic will continue to divide, kill, and destroy us as a nation.”

Black Females More Likely Than Black Males to Exercise, Eat Healthy When Faced with Perceived Discrimination Study Suggests Optimism Plays a Role

Black men and women, as well as adolescent boys and girls, may react differently to perceived racial discrimination, with Black women and girls engaging in more exercise and better eating habits than Black men and boys when faced with discrimination, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

“In this study, Black women and girls didn’t just survive in the face of racism, they actually responded in a positive manner, in terms of their health behavior,” said lead researcher Frederick Gibbons, PhD, with the University of Connecticut.

“This gives us some hope that despite the spike in racism across the country, some people are finding healthy ways to cope.” For a paper published in the journal Health Psychology, researchers evaluated data collected over 14 years from an ongoing study on the impacts of racism on the physical and mental wellbeing of Black people. The analysis looked at 889 families living in Iowa and Georgia who have been participants in the Family and Community Health Study.

The families consisted of an adolescent, the adolescent’s primary caregiver and in 289 cases, an older sibling. The first analysis examined the correlation between perceived racial discrimination and participants’ body mass index. Researchers then looked at how participants responded to survey questions on optimism and on eating and exercise habits.

The relationship between perceived racial discrimination and healthy habits in Black males was insignificant, the study found. Black women and adolescent girls, on the other hand, showed improvements in healthy eating and exercise as their perceptions of racism increased. And there was an even more significant increase in healthy behaviors for Black women who indicated they had an optimistic view of their lives and the future, according to the researchers. There was no correlation between racial discrimination and BMI in either Black males or Black females. “ The findings were surprising and suggest that adaptive coping strategies may lead to resiliency,"

Gibbons said. “This contrasts with the avoidant coping strategies that we might see out of someone who is less optimistic.”

The findings should be placed in the context of the larger body of research on this issue, which has shown a correlation between perceived racial discrimination and unhealthy behaviors,including those leading to higher BMI, according to Gibbons.

“The question is why are these results different from the ones we’ve found in previous studies?” he said. “There are several possible explanations, including the fact that participants in previous studies may have conflated weightbased discrimination with perceived racial discrimination. It could also be that studies not finding a connection between perceived racial discrimination and poor health outcomes are less likely to be published.”

If the findings are confirmed in subsequent research, they could be used in resiliency programs targeting people of color and

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underserved populations, according to the researchers.

“There are programs already in place that work to instill a sense of resiliency and optimism in disenfranchised youth,” Gibbons said. “The findings from this study would suggest that these programs are on the right track, and that perhaps we should be developing more programs that focus on these types of coping skills.”

Article: “Perceived Racial Discrimination and Healthy Behavior Among African Americans,” by Frederick X. Gibbons, PhD, Meg Gerrard, PhD, and Mary E. Fleischli, PhD, University of Connecticut; Ronald L. Simons, PhD, University of Georgia; and John H. Kingsbury, PhD, Minnesota Department of Health.

Health Psychology, published online Feb. 25, 2021.

Contact: Frederick Gibbons, PhD, can be reached at rick.gibbons@uconn.edu.

Full text of the article is available online at https:// www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/heahea0001056.pdf.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Jason Aidoo Joins ESPN’s The Undefeated as Vice President, Content Business Strategy and Operations

“I AM SO ENCOURAGED TO SEE COMMITMENTS THAT CENTER AROUND JUSTICE, EQUITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ABUNDANCE AS WE COLLECTIVELY RE-IMAGINE WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PEOPLE TO THRIVE. COMCAST’S PARTNERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE FUND WILL ALLOW ECHOING GREEN NOT ONLY TO CREATE, BUT SUSTAIN, REAL CHANGE.” Cheryl Dorsey President Echoing Green.

Jason Aidoo has been named Vice President of Content Business Strategy and Operations for The Undefeated, ESPN’s multiplatform content initiative exploring the intersections of sports, race and culture.

Aidoo, who has more than a decade of experience working in the global entertainment industry, joins The Undefeated from Disney’s EMEA regional headquarters in London.

Aidoo joins The Undefeated as the platform continues to expand across The Walt Disney Company into new content genres and a global brand. He will be responsible for working directly with The Undefeated content team, while partnering closely with Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, to identify and build new market opportunities, both inside and outside of Disney that drive different lines of business, monetization and growth, including the strategy to support the platform’s scale and expansion. Currently based in London, he will relocate to New York.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Jason’s vision and range,” said Kevin Merida, senior vice president and editor-in-chief, The Undefeated. “His appointment comes at an exciting time for The U, as we expand into new frontiers. Jason’s passion and ingenuity for driving revenue, his ability to spot new opportunities, and his international perspective, are all big assets as we build The Undefeated for the future.”

“The Undefeated is one of our most exciting brands.

I’m honored and excited about the role I can play in establishing it as the next big brand within The Walt Disney Company,” said Aidoo. “I’m grateful to Kevin for his faith in me and the warm welcome the team have shown me.”

Aidoo has worked for The Walt Disney Co. since February 2016. Most recently, he served as director, partnerships for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, responsible for partnerships across Disney’s combined entertainment footprint, from kids and family to general entertainment networks and related IP, including Disney+. In this role, Aidoo was directly responsible for driving revenue, as well as building and executing new commercial models across a diverse portfolio of businesses. He was the architect of disruptive new business models – from IP licensing and partnerships

Echoing Green Announces $2.5 Million Commitment from Comcast NBCUniversal to Advance Racial Equity

Jason Aidoo

to direct-to-consumer subscription models that helped drive material financial value, while also delivering invaluable brand favorability for the company.

Aidoo originally joined Disney as senior manager, EMEA. He was promoted to Director in June 2018.

Prior to Disney, Aidoo operated his own business, Aidoo Media Group. As the principal in this creative, digital, marketing and commercial consultancy, he provided senior-level business development and strategic direction to a roster of clients in music, production, technology, publishing and fashion. Aidoo has also worked for Sony Music Entertainment and music video platform VEVO, as well as British television networks ITV and Channel 5.

A native of London, Aidoo earned both a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and a Masters in Investment & Finance from Middlesex University in London.

The digital hub, TheUndefeated.com, which launched in May 2016, combines innovative long-form and short-form storytelling, investigation, original reporting and provocative commentary to enlighten and entertain African Americans, as well as sports fans seeking a deeper understanding of black athletes, culture and related issues.

In addition to its cutting-edge content, The Undefeated seeks to be a thought-leader on race, sports and culture in the country – convening insightful forums to discuss and debate topical issues affecting sports and race in America.

Crate & Barrel Launches ‘Love&Gifts’ Contest to Gift Couples Their Dream Registry While wedding showers and ceremonies continue to go virtual or to a smaller scale, couples across the country are still registering at Crate & Barrel.

However, according to a recent Crate & Barrel survey, four out of five recently engaged or married couples say that the pandemic had a somewhat or significant impact on their wedding plans.

The survey also confirmed that 59% of couples have decreased their wedding guest lists, 52% have delayed or postponed their wedding, and 38% have canceled pre-wedding activities.

All of this has resulted in significant portions of couples’ registry wish lists remaining unfulfilled but, Crate and Barrel is here to help.

With the Love&Gifts Wedding Registry Contest, the brand will surprise 10 lucky couples with a very special delivery: every item on their wedding registry at Crate & Barrel up to $2,500 AND make a $1,000 donation in their honor to Feeding America®.

“Couples come to Crate & Barrel to create their wedding registry and build a home that’s undeniably theirs,” said Alicia Waters, chief marketing officer at Crate & Barrel. “Reg-

istry should be a fun part of their wedding journey, a bright spot for couples as they celebrate their new life together. Through this contest, we will help 10 lucky couples receive the wedding registry of their dreams.”

Any couple with an active or newly created Crate & Barrel wedding registry can participate in the contest by sharing their love story and a photo that best represents their relationship.

To view detailed contest rules and submit their entry, couples are invited to visit crateandbarrel.com/ loveandgifts. Entries will be accepted now through March 31, 2021. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Echoing Green recently announced a $2.5 million commitment from Comcast NBCUniversal to the organization’s $50M Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund.

The investment marks the largest corporate contribution to the Fund to date. Echoing Green is a global nonprofit leading the way to enhance social innovation by finding, supporting, and connecting emerging social entrepreneurs.

With this investment from Comcast, Echoing Green will launch programming that enables leaders working to dismantle structural racism and build inclusive economies.

The Comcast NBCUniversal partnership will help sustain the work needed to explicitly address the compounding impacts of racial bias.

By leveraging social innovation as an additional approach in the racial justice movement, Echoing Green will mobilize next-generation solutions with the power to disrupt structural racism and oppression with the urgency it requires.

“Echoing Green launched its Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund with a mission to support lasting change through social innovation, which is directly in line with our philanthropic goals,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, executive vice president and chief diversity officer at Comcast. “Comcast is committed to championing this critical work, and we view this partnership with Echoing Green as a fundamental part of our efforts to advance greater equity for all.”

Beginning in 2021, the Fund will invest in emerging and established social innovators focused on advancing racial equity outcomes and will enable the field to disrupt systemic bias globally.

Over the next three years, the Echoing Green Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund will: Support 500 social enterprises whose work is focused on racial equity.

Build new onramps to social innovation opportunities by delivering trainings and programming to 5,000 emerging leaders.

Engage 10,000 corporate employees, including those at Comcast to support social innovation.

Provide programming to advise social entrepreneurs on their busi-

ness challenges and programming featuring the expertise of innovators who are leading efforts to dismantle inequitable systems.

In addition, Comcast’s partnership will assist Echoing Green with providing funding to its alumni organizations who are working on the frontlines of the racial justice movement, creating a critical opportunity to scale their work.

“It’s more important than ever for organizations to put their dollars to work to drive real progress against racial inequalities,” said Cheryl Dorsey, president, Echoing Green.

“I am so encouraged to see commitments that center around justice, equity, sustainability, and abundance as we collectively re-imagine what is required for all people to thrive.

Comcast’s partnership and contribution to the Fund will allow Echoing Green not only to create, but sustain, real change.”

“Echoing Green and Comcast are making the types of investments needed to create a thriving ecosystem in which more innovators and entrepreneurs of color gain access to the capital, training and networks needed to scale their ideas that serve society. I am thrilled to see this work expand through the Echoing Green Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund,” said Felecia Hatcher, an Echoing Green Fellow, Comcast partner, and co-founder of the Center for Black Innovation.

For more information and to support Echoing Green, visit https:// echoinggreen.org/racial-equity-philanthropic-fund/ Comcast’s $2.5M investment in Echoing Green’s Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund is part of the $100 million pledge the company made in 2020 to take meaningful action to advance social justice and equality. Comcast is expanding its targeted philanthropic investments through programs that advance equity in media, technology, arts and innovation, including programs that support entrepreneurs of color. As a lead corporate partner in the Fund, Comcast is advancing its long-term goals of creating more equitable paths to opportunity, investing in the next generation of leaders, and contributing to the collective action needed to drive sustained change.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

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Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21005968 on FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of HARDRICK TRUCKING COMPANY with the usiness located at: 12701 SOUTH ELIZABETH STREET, CALUMEYT PARK, ILLINOIS 60827. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s)/ partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name IRA LEE HARDRICK Complete Address 12701 SOUTH ELIZABETH STREET, CALUMET PARK, ILLINOIS 60827, USA. _______________________________________ Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006079 on FEBRUARY 24, 2021. Under the Assumed Business Name of MAURESHPRECISECUTS INTERPRISES with the business located at: 7143 EAST END, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 6069. The true and real full names (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partners (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name Complete Address OMAR AKHIR BEY 7143 S. EAST END, CHICAGO, IL 60649, USA _______________________________________ NOTICE OF MECHANIC’S LIEN We are giving you notice of upcoming mechanic’s lien sale for a 2012 Buick Regal Vin 2G44N5EC9199439 owned by Lynnette Austin 19221 Elm Drive County Club Hills, Illinois 60478. Lien holder Nationwide CAC LLC 10255 W. Higgins Road, Suite 300, Rosemont Illinois 60018.

And a 2016 Nissan Altima Vin# 1N4AL3AP6GC224462 owned by Kaneshia Morris 1640 W. 125th Street, Apt# 9, Calumet Park, Il 60827,Lien holder Prestige Financial SVCS P.O. BOX 26707, Salt Lake City Utah 84126.

2017 Ford Econoline Cutaway 1FDXE4FSXHDC16485 owned by Amber LLC Green, 5700 Carol Avenue, Morton Grove, Illinois 60053. Lien holder Ford Motor Credit Co. POB 105704 Atlanta GA 30345. This is an attempt to collect a debt of $5000.00 each owed on both cars and $7,000.00 for the truck for repairs and storage at Lightning Fast Inc. 17140 S. Cicero Ave. Sale WIll take Place Sat 4/10/2021 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. at Lightning Fast Inc. To avoid this sale please pay the balance owed. Contact Derek Banks at 708-227-4164. _______________________________________

HEALTHY LIVING 4 Easy Tips to Help Older Adults Stay Active at Home (State Point) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many older adults are following the advice

of public health experts and remaining at home to limit risk of exposure. Bad weather conditions can also keep people inside for days at a time.

But a strong body and mind are as important as ever, and the good news is being indoors doesn’t mean having to give up on exercising.

There are many great health benefits to staying active, such as improving mobility and balance, developing muscle and bone strength, increasing energy and managing weight. Exercise can also reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

According to Dr. Gina Conflitti, chief medical officer for Medicare at Cigna, the advantages aren’t just physical: “Keeping active has a positive impact on mental health, too,” she said. “With regular exercise, many older adults enjoy better sleep, clearer thinking, lower stress and improved mood.”

According to Cigna, which serves many older adults through its Medicare Advantage plans, here are four simple tips for exercising in the comfort of home: 1. Make a plan. What is your long-term goal?

Having something to work toward is great motivation to keep up daily activity and set yourself up for success. Before you begin any physical activity, talk to your doctor about your health goals.

Your doctor can provide guidance on exercises that are safe and attainable as you begin a new chapter of your wellness journey.

2. Take it slow. You don’t have to run a marathon or even lift weights to keep fit – the most important thing is to just move. Start by walking around your house a few times a day or doing some gentle stretching. Just adding five minutes of activity to your day can make a difference in your overall health and mood. As your body gets used to daily movement, you can enhance your physical activities as recommended by your health care provider.

3. Use what you have. You don’t need a gym to get a healthy workout. In fact, there are plenty of exercises you can do using items found around the house. For example, “chair dips” are an effective arm and shoulder workout – just place both feet on the ground, face away from a chair and support your body by putting your hands on the seat behind you with straight arms. Next, raise and lower yourself by bending and unbending your arms.

You can even exercise while seated. Hold your leg out in front of you and trace each letter of the alphabet. Work your feet and leg muscles by laying a kitchen towel on the floor, then use your toes to grab, release and push the fabric.

4. Check your health care plan benefits. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you might be eligible for extra benefits such as at-home fitness programs, including free on-demand workouts accessible from your computer, smart device or phone, as well as gear, such as resistance bands.

Find more healthy aging and exercise tips at cigna.com/medicare/healthy-aging/physicalactivity.

“As you start, remember to be flexible and stay positive,” Dr. Conflitti suggests. “Changing habits can take time, but every step is progress. If you haven’t reached a goal, don’t be hard on yourself – it’s most important to continue at your own pace.” PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Sabrina Bracher /____________________________________ iStock via Getty Images Plus

GIVING THE GIFT OF LOVE

(NAPSI)—Most people would agree, the best gift during the holidays—and all year round—is the gift of love. For thousands of families, that means welcoming a puppy into their home. For those considering getting a new best friend for themselves or someone else, remember that choosing a puppy is a big decision. It’s also one you should think about carefully—for both your sake and the dog’s.

Consumer groups report receiving nearly 10,000 complaints about puppy/dog businesses in just the last three years, with 60 percent of consumers indicating they never got the pets they purchased, received pets that had health or genetic problems, or got no documentation for their pet. Just as concerning, most people don’t know how to make sure they are getting their pet from a reputable breeder and not an inhumane and substandard puppy mill. While everyone is encouraged to look to their local shelters and rescues, roughly a quarter of new pet parents obtain their puppies from breeders, whether because of allergies, size or temperament, or just because they have their hearts set on a particular breed of dog.

Whatever your motivation, you should make sure you know that the organization you use to find your new best friend is legitimate and will secure you a happy, healthy and responsibly bred pet.

To help you avoid scams and find properly raised puppies, here are some important tips from the experts at American Humane—the country’s first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world—and PuppySpot, a placement service committed to helping responsible breeders place healthy, happypupies with caring individuals and families: • INTEGRITY: Find a source you can trust.

• SUSPICIOUS PHOTOS: Don’t be swayed by a fancy website or puppy photos that look like stock photos that are perfectly posed, don’t look real, or are found on multiple websites.

• PRICING: If the price looks too good to be true, it generally is. People should avoid buying from a company that says it will transport a dog by air if the full purchase price seems to be less than or similar to the price of a flight.

• WIRING MONEY: Never wire money to anyone you have met only online and avoid major money wiring companies and mobile payment service apps.

• BAD GRAMMAR OR MISSPELLINGS: Be sensitive to strange language choices in puppy listings or communications. The vast majority of scammers are from foreign countries.

• BOGUS STORIES/EXCUSES: Scammers often come up with complicated reasons they need immediate wire transfers or can’t deliver the puppy to you based on current events. Be on alert for bogus stories or excuses for why more money is requested after initial payment.

• REFUSAL TO SUPPLY DOCUMENTATION: A responsible breeder, shelter or rescue organization will provide registration, vaccination and veterinary health records on request. Refusal to supply medical records or pedigree documentation is a red flag.

Bringing a new best friend into your home should be a positive and joyous experience. By following these guidelines and using diligence and common sense, you and your family may avoid unnecessary heartache and find the healthy, happy puppy of your dreams.

Learn More For further information, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org and www.PuppySpot.com. _____________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

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12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of March 3, 2021

This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.

It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes.

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

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