Chicago Weekend Citizen 4-7-2021

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 April 7, 2021

| Vol. 52 | No. 15 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Report shows uptick in downtown activity Photo by Adam Alexander Photography

REPORT SHOWS NOTABLE UPTICK IN DOWNTOWN ACTIVITY Since July, Chicago Loop Alliance has been collecting monthly survey data from its member businesses and stakeholders to track operations during COVID-19, and recently released its February report. PAGE 2

Trinity Health Launches Vaccine Education Campaign

Timex® Unveils WE DON’T STOP™ Campaign When Perserverance Is Needed Most

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Health and Safety Priorities as the Weather Warms Up

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

NEWS briefly EDUCATION MANTRA HEALTH LAUNCHES 2021 SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR PURSUING DEGREES IN MENTAL HEALTH Mantra Health, a digital mental health provider that partners with higher education institutions, recently announced the launch of the Mantra College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarship for the 2021 academic year. The $3,000 scholarship will serve Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander graduate and postdoctoral students pursuing a degree related to mental health and completing work in a university or college counseling center.

“Mantra’s diversity scholarship is one step closer to ending the racial inequities that are fraught in the mental health field,” said Dr. Kristel Carrington, medical director, Mantra Health. “Our hope is that as more students of marginalized identities enter mental health as a profession and the pool of providers becomes more diverse, we’ll see a reduction in these disparities.”

To apply for the Mantra College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarship, students can submit an application here: https://resources.mantrahealth.com/mantra-college-mentalhealth-provider-diversity-scholarship

HEALTH

TRINITY HEALTH LAUNCHES $1.6M VACCINE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES Trinity Health, one of the nation’s largest multi-institutional Catholic healthcare delivery systems, recently launched It Starts Here, a COVID-19 vaccine education initiative focused on communities of color.

The $1.6M radio and social media influencer campaign features Black and Brown influencers with large followings in 14 underserved communities across the country to educate, raises awareness, and promotes the availability of the vaccine.

“Vaccinating our communities against COVID-19 will be one of the greatest achievements in modern public health,” said Michael Slubowski, president and CEO of Trinity Health. “We will only be successful if we ensure that all members of our communities feel confident and prepared once the vaccine is available to them. Our mission with this campaign is to dispel myths and rumors by leaning on the science and facts of the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness.”

LAW & POLITICS

ASPCA COMMENDS U.S. REPS. CHU, KATKO FOR INTRODUCING FEDERAL BILL TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF ANIMAL FIGHTING The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is commending federal lawmakers for reintroducing legislation to significantly improve the process of caring for animal victims seized in federal animal fighting cases. The Help Extract Animals from Red Tape (HEART) Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and John Katko (R-N.Y.), will prevent unnecessary and harmful delays in the rehabilitation of these animals. It will also require defendants to reimburse the costs of caring for animals seized in federal animal fighting cases following a forfeiture proceeding.

“Animal fighting is a horrific ‘blood-sport’ in which innocent victims are forced to train, fight and suffer for the debased entertainment and profit of spectators,” said Richard Patch, vice president of federal affairs for the ASPCA. “Animals rescued in federal animal fighting cases have suffered enough at the hands of their abusers, and the red tape of the forfeiture system should not be a barrier to their eventual adoption. The ASPCA is grateful to Representatives Chu and Katko for their continued leadership in championing the HEART Act to streamline the process to give these victims of cruelty the chance they deserve to find safe and loving homes.”

Although dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, it continues to occur in every part of the country and in every type of community.

Report Shows Notable Uptick In Downtown Activity Continued from page 1 Since July, Chicago Loop Alliance has been collecting monthly survey data from its member businesses and stakeholders to track operations during COVID-19, and recently released its February report.

Some highlights include: l There is a noticeable uptick in pedestrian activity, parking volumes, and the number of people in office buildings beginning in mid-February, as weather conditions improved and vaccines continued to be administered. l COVID-19 positivity rates for

the city hit their lowest point since September. l Only 26 percent of survey respondents reported zero employees working on-site in the Loop. l Chicago Loop Alliance has combined CTA buses, CTA trains, and Metra trains into one “public transportation” bar on its graph showing how survey respondents get to the Loop.

With this change, it’s shown that public transportation is the most popular way to get downtown. l It seems employers are feeling slightly more confident in their plans

for a return to the office. 80 percent of respondents indicated either “unsure” or “other” when asked when their full staff would return to the Loop for work (87 percent in January). 9 percent said all staff would return in Q2 (2 percent in January); and 11 percent said Q3 or later (5 percent in January). l Ordering takeout/delivery and shopping are the most popular Loop activities respondents participated in in February.

Chicago Loop Alliance invites people to share their experiences downtown on social media using #BackInTheLoop.

Illinois to Launch 14th Mass Vaccination Site in West Cook As the Illinois National Guard surpasses 500,000 vaccinations administered to residents across the state, Illinois is launching its 14th mass vaccination site in Forest Park.

Governor JB Pritzker was joined by House Speaker Chris Welch, Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford, Representative LaShawn Ford, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and local officials to announce the Illinois National Guard supported site, which is in operation at the former HOBO store in Forest Park.

“Since day one, our Illinois COVID-19 Vaccination Plan has been an all-hands-on-deck effort, and as the national supply has expanded, so too has the number of locations Illinoisans can get vaccinated,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

“With this location in Forest Park, we have now strategically established three of our largest mass vaccination sites – open to all Illinoisans – at Tinley Park in the southwest, this new site in the western suburbs, and Des Plaines in the northwest, meaning that our highest density Cook and Collar Counties communities all have a convenient state-supported option for getting vaccinated. And thanks to our exemplary Illinois National Guard, the 900 vaccination sites across the state, and the great work of our 97 local public health departments and healthcare professionals, Illinois has administered over 4.7 million doses of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines. That’s amazing progress – and we’ll make even greater strides when we open up to all adults starting April 12.”

“It is critical that we move as quickly as possible to allow our most vulnerable residents to get vaccinated to defend themselves against the virus,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D- Hillside). “By opening a mass vaccine site here in Forest Park, we ensure every community member and surrounding communities, regardless of race or color has access to this life-saving vaccine. There is no other pathway to getting families back together and our lives back to normal than ensuring Illinois residents get the opportunity to be vaccinated.”

“Getting as many people to trust and believe in the vaccine’s power is important and half of the battle. Illinois must have trusted partners like Pastor Winston and his team. The Governor should be commended for bringing this site to Forest Park, and I will work with the team to get the word out about the availability of this life-saving shot in the arm,” said Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago). www.citizennewspapergroup.com

“BY OPENING A MASS VACCINE SITE HERE IN FOREST PARK, WE ENSURE EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, REGARDLESS OF RACE OR COLOR HAS ACCESS TO THIS LIFE-SAVING VACCINE.” Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D- Hillside) All Illinois residents age 16+ will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 12 and the State of Illinois has forged ahead with an expansion of its mass vaccination plan to enhance the efforts of local health departments to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois National Guard and local health departments, site surveys are currently underway in multiple jurisdictions to identify locations suitable for vaccination clinics that will open to the public in the coming weeks.

Today, any Illinois resident in phase 1A, 1B and 1B+, as well as government workers, higher education staff, and media can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine regardless of their zip code, immigration status, or health insurance at the following state-supported mass vaccination sites Sangamon, Jackson, Winnebago, Madison, St. Clair, Adams, Kane, DuPage, and five sites across Cook County.

There are now more than 900 vaccination locations in Illinois open to the public, and these locations can be viewed online at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/. For those having difficulty navigating online services to make vaccination appointments, the Vaccine Appointment Call Center may be able to assist. This hotline is available seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to midnight. Call agents’ primary role is to help individuals navigate the various online registration sites. However, if the individual does not have access to online services or is unable to navigate the site, the call agent will make an appointment on the caller’s behalf. The Vaccine Appointment Call Center phone number is 1-833-621-1284.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

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NEWS

ICC Announces FY 2022-2026 Crossing Safety Improvement Plan

New Book Aims to Help Parents with Fussy Babies Raising a child can often feel like a guessing game, especially when it comes to infants who aren’t able to communicate what they need or want. After years of helping thousands of frustrated parents understand and console their fussy babies, Patti Ideran, OTR/L, CEIM, pediatric occupational therapist and Mark H. Fishbein, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist, have put their expertise on paper to help both parents and pediatricians better understand the complexities of colic and the many factors that contribute to it.

In their new book, The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights, Ideran and Dr. Fishbein break down intervention strategies in a clean and easy way for distraught parents to understand.

“Colic is generally something that kids outgrow, but that could take months,” said Dr. Fishbein. “We wrote this book because we’ve seen and heard thousands of parents in desperate need of help, and they need that help immediately.”

For Ideran, her interest in helping exasperated moms and dads came from her own experience with her second baby.

“I was a pediatric occupational therapist working with all ages of children,” she said. “After I had my fussy baby I felt there was something we needed to do to help moms, so I started researching and I met Dr. Fishbein. We worked together to

figure out how to help these babies and their families.”

The CALM Baby Method has three areas of focus: • Cues: Babies communicate through their behaviors, or cues.

Fussy babies often do not give clear cues, making it difficult to understand what they want. The book explains how to better read a baby’s cues to decrease stress and improve confidence as a parent.

• Arousal levels: This describes how alert or how sleepy a baby can be at different times, and how recognizing states of alertness can affect how you care for your baby.

• Massage: Babies today are often in bouncy seats, swings or carriers and held and touched less than babies of previous generation. The book incorporates different techniques that help with motor development and bonding between baby and parent.

Colic is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to fussy babies, and that’s why the book also talks about feeding challenges and the importance of sleep and safe sleep practices.

Ideran and Dr. Fishbein know that while bringing home a new baby can be exciting, it can also be emotionally draining. For that reason, they’ve also included an important chapter on postpartum depression and mood disorders.

The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights, published by the American

In their new book, experts offer guidance on colic, overstimulation, sleep practices and feeding challenges commonly seen in infants.

Academy of Pediatrics, is available for preorder now on Amazon. The book will be released on April 20.

Parents interested in an evaluation with Ideran should obtain a prescription for an occupational therapy evaluation from their primary care provider. More information can be found at https://www.nm.org/ conditions-and-care-areas/rehabilitation-services/pediatric-therapy.

For more information about the pediatric feeding clinic at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, visit https://www.nm.org/ conditions-and-care-areas/pediatrics/ pediatric-infant-and-newborn-care/ pediatric-feeding-clinic.

For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit news. nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html.

The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program to begin implementing highway-rail safety capital projects for local roads across the state.

For Fiscal Years 2022-2026, the ICC will spend $341 million from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to help local communities and railroads pay for safety improvements at nearly 500 crossing locations. The plan also allocates $78 million from the Rebuild Illinois (RBI) capital program for the installation of grade crossing protection or grade separations not limited to local routes or other restrictions.

“Through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, my administration is making critical investments in infrastructure and safety projects across the state that have been neglected for too long,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This $78 million investment will allow local communities to install life-saving rail safety measures at nearly 500 crossing locations over the next five years with the goal of reducing fatal crashes and making our roads safer.”

Projects are prioritized based upon several criteria, including the

relative safety of the existing crossing, volume and types of existing train and highway traffic. After a project is prioritized based on engineering requirements, geographic location is also consider to ensure projects are awarded across the state as equitably as possible.

The GCPF, appropriated to the Illinois Department of Transportation, but administered by the ICC, was created by state law to assist local jurisdictions (counties, townships and municipalities) in paying for safety improvements at highway-rail crossings on local roads and streets only. In addition, the Plan includes $78 million as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program. These funds have been appropriated to IDOT from the Multi-Modal Transportation Bond Fund for grading crossing protection or grade separation projects as ordered by the ICC. In 2020, preliminary statistics indicate there were 82 collisions at public highway-rail crossings in Illinois, compared to 104 in 2019, a 21.2% decrease. Total fatalities resulting from collisions at highway-rail crossings in Illinois decreased from 19 in 2019 to 17 in 2020.

OP-ED: Energy Policies and Potential Impacts on Household Budgets

BY R. DEAN FOREMAN, Ph.D. Chief Economist, American Petroleum Institute

Most people are concerned when energy costs rise, especially prices at the pump. It’s understandable since the average household spent nearly $4,100 on energy in 2019, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Survey.

For more than a decade, expanded U.S. energy production helped lower energy costs, giving consumers more disposable income to afford other essentials like food, education and healthcare, which rose by 27%, 38% and 75%, respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

However, with U.S. natural gas and oil production down recently, energy costs have been on the rise. The price of crude oil, historically the biggest factor in the cost of gasoline, has risen nearly 30% year over year (y/y), and

consequently gasoline prices were up 14% y/y as of March 8, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Electricity and natural gas bills also have increased faster than overall consumer price inflation so far in 2021.

Further energy cost increases could result from the Biden administration’s decision to halt new federal natural gas and oil leasing, potentially reducing domestic production, as well as other possible actions that could limit drilling or hydraulic fracturing. These could put upward pressure on energy costs that then could ripple across the broader economy.

Yet, energy policy choices could affect far more than just what you pay for a gallon of gasoline or your monthly electricity bill.

For example, imagine trying to make ends meet if U.S. energy policies raised the costs of housing and vehicles, in addition to the energy

they require. Housing, vehicles and energy represent more than half of a typical household’s expenditures.

While spending on energy since 2009 fell 10% to 15% across every income bracket, Americans’ non-energy spending on housing, vehicles, maintenance and insurance rose the fastest among those who could least afford increases. Real housing expenditures (excluding energy) by the lowest 40% of U.S. households by income increased about 10% between 2009 and 2019 – roughly three times the rate among wealthy households.

Over the same period, real household spending on vehicles, insurance and public transit rose 35% among the lowest 20% of households by income, more than twice the rate of wealthier households.

These concerns loom over an economy where vehicles and housing have recently become even more expensive for some. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Now consider the potential costs of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, which the administration is signaling it wants the nation to transition to and build; the ratcheting up of fuel economy standards, which the auto industry suggested in January would cost more than $1 billion annually; plus incentives and/ or state requirements like California’s which mandate residential solar panels on new construction, estimated to add $8,400 to the cost of a single-family home. Each of these would add up-front costs that disproportionately impact the 60% of U.S. households earning $53,123 or less in 2019, per BLS. To be clear, the industry supports higher energy efficiency where it is cost effective. However, policies that undermine domestic energy production and blanket regulations that favor certain technologies over others for vehicles or homes could

harm consumers.

Higher costs for housing, vehicles and energy could ultimately require making sacrifices in the American way of life. Energy policies that could raise these costs should be discussed clearly and in the context of what is affordable to American households.

Dr. R. Dean Foreman is API’s chief economist and an expert in the economics and markets for oil, natural gas and power with more than two decades of industry experience including ExxonMobil, Talisman Energy, Sasol, and Saudi Aramco in forecasting & market analysis, corporate strategic planning, and finance/risk management. He is known for knowledge of energy markets, applying advanced analytics to assess risk in these markets, and clearly and effectively communicating with management, policy makers and the media.

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BUSINESS More Than 75% of Employees in the U.S. Used Emojis at Work in 2020, Increasing the Possibility of Translation Mistakes in the Workplace As the workplace environment adapted to remote work, more than 75% of employees found themselves using emojis more frequently in Slack, emails, and other communication channels, according to a new report from Clutch, the leading B2B ratings and reviews platform.

The divide of emoji use in the workplace, however, still lies in the possibility of misinterpretation in professional work channels and within older generations.

For employees that use emojis at work, there are certain advantages — emojis help to convey a tone without words (17%), allow users to express emotions virtually (14%), cultivate a less formal work culture (11%), and help users respond to messages quicker (7%).

Joshua C. Moon, an accountant at Sunshine Accounting & Bookkeeping, believes that emojis make work communication more exciting.

“Communication on a daily basis at work can become very monotonous and emojis have a natural way of shifting the mood in a workplace,” said Moon.

With the loss of in-office culture, emojis can create connections. But many believe that there is a time and place for their use.

Employees Believe that Emojis in Emails Are Unprofessional The email marketing tactic of adding emojis in subject lines doesn’t work in a business environment. While 33% of employees use emojis in their email correspondence at work, 60% of employees believe that emojis in work emails are unprofessional.

Clutch finds that 77% of employees use emojis at work, despite differing perspectives on professionalism.

Older generations are more likely to misunderstand emojis used in the workplace than younger professionals.

Chris Riley, co-founder and CEO of USA Rx, agrees that there is a time and place for emojis. “I prefer not to have emojis in workplace memos or in serious emails to clients as they can distract from the tone you’re trying to strike,” said Riley. Employees that use emojis in emails should consider their messaging and intent before use.

Chelsea Roller, a content marketing manager at Rank Fuse Digital Marketing, believes that generational gaps are alive and well in the workplace.

“Younger generations tend to dress more casually, speak more casually, and communicate with others through text and email more casually,” Roller said. “Older generations aren’t as used to emojis being part of their daily communications.”

Emojis in the workplace can build connections, but it is up to the employee to consider their audience before pressing send.

Clutch surveyed 500 Americans in October and November 2020 to learn about their emoji habits in the workplace.

Read the full report here: https://clutch.co/bpo/resources/ work-emoticons-translation-mistakes

Veteran Employees Are More Likely to Misinterpret Work Emoticons While younger generations started their online journeys earlier, their work colleagues in older generations are less likely to understand emojis they receive.

Nearly a quarter of employees (22%) over the age of 45 have received an emoji that didn’t understand at work.

New Tax Credit Would Make Rent Affordable for Half a Million American Families With Children The newly enacted child tax credit, which will put an average of $221 per month into the pockets of families earning $150,000 or less with children, would make housing go from unaffordable to affordable for roughly half a million American families.

That’s according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Just over 5 million families in that category nationwide would be rent-burdened—meaning they spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent—with the credit, down 8.6% from about 5.5 million families before the introduction of the credit.

The credit would have a small but significant impact on helping a more reasonable portion of income go toward rent. It’s just one provision from the latest stimulus bill that will provide financial help to low- and middle-income Americans—the bill also provides stimulus checks and extended unemployment benefits, among other things.

But the child tax credit has the potential to become permanent, which means it could have a bigger longterm impact than the bill’s other provisions.

“Although the expanded child tax credit would make housing affordable for many low- and middle-income families, a huge number of them would remain rent-burdened, particularly in expensive parts of the country,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “That speaks to the severity of the housing affordability crisis in this country.”

The research in Redfin’s report finds that nearly half of the American families included in its analysis are currently rent-burdened. Although that share would be reduced to about 45% with the child tax credit, that’s still a large portion of middle-class families who have a hard time paying rent.

“The stimulus package and tax credit are a promising start and they will certainly help a lot of families pay rent and put food on the table,” Fairweather continued.

“But it’s critical that the Biden administration implement long-term policies that substantially increase the supply of affordable housing to improve housing security for low-income families and help abate the homelessness crisis.”

The child tax credit provides a $3,000 annual benefit for each child aged 6 to 17 and $3,600 for each child under the

The newly enacted child tax credit would make housing go from unaffordable to affordable for roughly half a million American families.

age of 6, with the full credit available to couples earning up to $150,000. That’s up from the previous credit of $2,000 per child. Redfin’s analysis compares the number of households that earn less than $150,000 with children that were rent-burdened before the new tax credit to the number that would be once the credit goes into effect.

The analysis calculates the average amount families will receive in child tax credits by metro area, taking into account the average number of children in each age range in that metro. The data in Redfin’s report is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1-year American Community Survey for 2019, and the median family included in the analysis has two children, pays $1,294 in monthly rent and earns $50,247 per year.

The credit provision will have the biggest impact on low-income families in relatively affordable areas like El Paso and Raleigh, mainly because extra money goes further in places where rent and other costs are already less expensive. It will have a smaller impact on pricey areas like the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

To view the full report, including the 50 most-populous metro areas with the number of families that are rent-burdened before and after the new tax credit, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/child-tax-credit-impact-affordable-housing/ www.citizennewspapergroup.com

TAKE YOUR SEAT Announces Launch of Online Community to Effect Systemic Change in America’s Boardrooms TAKE YOUR SEAT, a for-profit social venture company committed to diversifying America’s boardrooms, recently announced the launch of its online relationship building platform, TAKEYOURSEAT.CO, where Black candidates are linked with board leaders so they can easily and efficiently interact to enrich diversity across America’s boardrooms.

Founded on the premise that equitable leadership is a prerequisite to sustained business performance, TAKEYOURSEAT.CO serves as the definitive open-source community where aspiring, board ready and board veteran candidates can interact in real time, enabling public, private and non-profit companies seeking to seamlessly diversify their boards.

With an emphasis on broadening networks, membership in TAKE YOUR SEAT offers curated candidate profiles, posted board searches, board governance resources, special events, one-onone access to thought leaders, a preferred directory accessible by executive search firms, diversity and inclusion training, and a robust resources library.

“The time has come to turn this moment into a movement,” said Jerusha Stewart, CEO of TAKE YOUR SEAT. “There is a ‘black hole’ in boardroom placement and culture. We are on a mission to spur

America’s boards to be ‘Black Whole’ – to create a more inclusive culture/ environment where boardrooms lean into the business imperative of diversity to support board health, innovation and shareholder value.”

According to the 2020 annual PwC Corporate Directors Survey, 94 percent of directors say diversity brings unique perspectives to the boardroom, 85 percent agree it improves relations with investors and 72 percent see it as enhancing company performance. Organizations are stepping up en masse to embrace board diversity and are looking for ways to make it happen.

TAKE YOUR SEAT co-founder John Replogle, former CEO of Burt’s Bees and Seventh Generation and partner at One Better Ventures said “we are at once solving the relationship problem and the so-called pipeline problem while delivering a more cost effective and expeditious process. Our aim is for TAKEYOURSEAT.CO to become the definitive source to remove the barriers that have hampered successful placement and contributions of Black professionals on boards.”

Founded by CEO Jerusha Stewart, John Replogle (One Better Ventures), and David Baldwin (Baldwin&), TAKE YOUR SEAT is powered by strategic relationships with dozens of preeminent organizations and Fortune 500 (B Lab) companies.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

Working together to create

jobs for our community At Bank of America, we continue to invest in our local communities to help create jobs and fuel economic opportunity.

We’re doing this by collaborating with other companies, identifying needs and working with skill-building partners.

This effort also includes our recent $25 million investment in 21 higher education institutions including community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions, such as Harold Washington College, City Colleges of Chicago.

Our shared focus is on education, reskilling and up-skilling to build a pipeline of talent — and on increased commitment to hiring by major employers across our local area.

Here in Chicago, my teammates and I are excited to be a part of creating more opportunities for members of our community.

What would you like the power to do?®

Here’s how we’re helping to accelerate job creation in our community: Partnering with World Business Chicago to advance local goals Supporting organizations that are expanding access to skill building programs and resources, including: • After School Matters • Skills for Chicagoland’s Future • Year Up

Paul Lambert Chicago Market President

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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FASHION ALL OF US AT TWIST ARE HONORED TO BE PARTNERING WITH BLACK GIRLS CODE, AN INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION WHOSE LONG-TERM GOALS AND IDEOLOGY PERFECTLY ALIGNS WITH OUR ETHOS AND MISSION AT TWIST. Marina Binichis, EVP of Marketing and Product Development TWIST

Beauty Brand Champions Those Who Rise Above Societal Norms and Hustle Hard within their Community

PRNewsfoto/Carol’s Daughter

Carol’s Daughter Declares First-Ever National Curl Crush Day “Curl Envy” is a real thing, according to new research conducted by Carol’s Daughter, which found that 82% of Black Women admitted to having experienced it.

That’s why the brand recently challenged women everywhere to love their curls rather than wishing for someone else’s and declared March 16 as National Curl Crush Day, a day to celebrate all curls and empower everyone to be their own curl crush by showing off their beautiful, natural hair.

As a natural hair pioneer, hair care and self-love are at the heart of Carol’s Daughter, yet for many Black women, the emotions tied to their hair is complex. In fact, the survey conducted by Carol’s Daughter, revealed that while 74% of women either like or love their hair, 75% have wished for a different texture. Being a brand that caters to every kind of curl, the movement aims to remind women that their hair is their crown.

“Growing up, my mother taught me to be happy with the hair on my head and to take care of it. I may be an introvert in life, but I have been bold when it comes to my hair. I’ve had locs, braids, wraps, weaves and have done the

‘big chop’ about four times in my life and in all that I’ve learned that all my hair wants is for me to love and care for her, so I do,” explains Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price.

As part of the National Curl Crush Day celebration, Carol’s Daughter is expanding its award-winning, fan-favorite Coco Crème Curl Collection with two new, versatile styling products including Curl Perfecting Water Coco Mist and Curl Shaping Cream Gel. “In celebration of loving our hair and being our own Curl Crush, I am thrilled to announce the new additions to the Coco Crème collection because they are like a love letter to your curls.

They offer you the blend of styling power to keep your curls popping, coupled with the intense moisture and hydration your hair craves,” says Price.

The Curl Perfecting Water Coco Mist (8.45 fl oz) & Curl Shaping Cream Gel (16floz) are available for $11.99(SRP) at CarolsDaughter.com, Amazon.com and retailers nationwide.

TWIST, the moisture-focused hair care line dedicated to addressing every individual’s curl needs, recently announced their new perennial brand initiative to support and amplify women-founded efforts that align with TWIST’s brand ethos.

The continual brand action will occur quarterly and aim to partner with women hustlers, tastemakers, and leaders who have worked tirelessly within their community to empower real women.

TWIST is recognizing organizations that shine a light on everyday women persevering to rise above ideals, societal norms, and expectations in order to embrace their identity with tenacity, confidence, and grit.

As a brand that believes in the power of individuality, inclusivity, and positivity, TWIST kicks off this core

brand action by pledging a donation this quarter to the non-profit, Black Girls CODE, as their first promised organization to support for the 2021 year.

Founded on the pillars of empowerment and education, Black Girls CODE is dedicated to leveling the playing field for girls of color in STEM. Through their tech education-focused programming and initiatives—designed for girls and young women between the ages of 7 to 17—they aim to inspire youth to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures.

At Black Girls CODE, they are on a mission to change the narrative surrounding racial and gender diversity in STEM and create safe spaces where Black girls can see themselves reflected in tech

innovation. They strive to empower girls to go from consumers to creators and use technology as an avenue to be agents of change.

“All of us at TWIST are honored to be partnering with Black Girls CODE, an incredible organization whose long-term goals and ideology perfectly aligns with our ethos and mission at TWIST,” states Marina Binichis, EVP of marketing and product development at TWIST. “Since conception, the TWIST brand represents originality, inclusivity, and accessibility. We are honored to put forth a quarterly system to highlight individuals and

communities that align with the brand’s elevated standards and work to create a more harmonious future of opportunities.”

For more information, please visit: twisthair.com and on Instagram at @ twisthair.

Timex® Unveils New Brand Campaign: WE DON’T STOP™, At A Time When Perserverance Is Needed Most Timex®, a world leader in watchmaking, has unveiled its new brand campaign – WE DON’T STOP™. The slogan known around the world, “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking,” is getting a modern update that better expresses the outlook and mindset of the company in the 21st century. With the campaign’s debut, Timex unveils its new creative featuring notable change makers from around the world who display their resilience and are inspiring others through their actions, as well as supporting the #TOGETHERBAND campaign, through action and a charitable donation to further the “We Don’t Stop” mission and provide a platform for everyday heroes.

With this new campaign, WE DON’T STOP™ conveys a message of hope and resiliency as many around the world continue to persevere in the face of difficult circumstances. The campaign’s hero video, shot preCOVID, now symbolizes a future where people can be brought together again, to achieve a common mission and celebrate each other’s achievements.

This ethos serves as the inspiration for the video, www.citizennewspapergroup.com

which is overlaid with a special rendition of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” — a perfect encapsulation of what the campaign is all about, and how the brand is readying itself for whatever comes next.

“WE DON’T STOP is a natural progression for the brand,” says Tobias Reiss-Schmidt, president and CEO of Timex Group. “The campaign speaks to the resilience that we are all surrounded by – stories of grit, perseverance, ingenuity and heart – stories that strengthen us to carry on. WE DON’T STOP champions our everyday heroes and everything we have stood for over the past 167 years, without losing a step as we continue forward.”

The WE DON’T STOP™ platform symbolizes the continuation of a boundary-breaking mentality, championing everyday heroes that embody “We Don’t Stop” in everything they do. The campaign exists to be more than an ethos at Timex; it provides a platform for all the stories out there that have inspired the company to keep going.

For more campaign information, visit www.timex. com/wedontstop

NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL ACD: A. Del Valle

CD: G. Apfelbach

CW: A. Walentin

P: C. Capola

AM: L. Mitchell

BM: E. Schmidt

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

NEWS

7-Eleven, Inc. is making a big, colorful splash in neighborhoods across America, and it is commissioning local mural artists to bring its creative vision to life at select stores.

Mural Mania: 7-Eleven Adds Local Color to Stores Across America 7-Eleven, Inc. is making a big, colorful splash in neighborhoods across America, and it is commissioning local mural artists to bring its creative vision to life at select stores. The convenience retailer has teamed up with The Ammersion Group, a new Dallas-based creative agency, to identify acclaimed artists to create neighborhood-specific murals on interior and exterior walls of existing and new 7-Eleven® stores.

The goal of the mural program is to capture each neighborhood’s energy through inclusive on-site murals in order to bring connection and creativity to local communities. 7-Eleven first embarked on the massive art project in Dallas, the company’s hometown, where they pioneered the convenience store concept almost 100 years ago.

“We kicked off our mural program with a local artist at a new 7-Eleven Evolution Store, an experiential testing ground where we test new concepts, products and services before we scale them across the 7-Eleven system,” said 7-Eleven Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Marissa Jarratt. “It’s been a hit so far and I’ve seen my fair share of excited customers stop what they’re doing to take Instagram-worthy photos in front of the larger-thanlife mural. This positive customer behavior and feedback has encouraged us to expand the concept to more stores in 2021.”

7-Eleven selected painter and illustrator Mariell Guzman to cap-

ture the essence of the neighborhood. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Guzman pulls from her Mexican heritage to create murals with a vibrant color palette and whimsical gaze. Guzman wanted to bring the rich heritage of her native homeland to the community where she works and creates.

“Creating a mural for 7-Eleven in my very own neighborhood was a true honor and a privilege,” Guzman said. “I’m very grateful to The Ammersion Group for believing in my work and connecting me with the 7-Eleven team to create a new landmark for the Lake Highlands community.”

Two more bold mixed media murals have already been painted by portrait artist Brandon Adams at the Southside store on South Lamar and, most recently, graffiti artist and a leader in the local arts scene Tex Moton at a yet-to-open store on Park Lane and Abrams, also in East Dallas.

The genesis of the effort was born through a visionary collaboration between 7-Eleven and The Ammersion Group, working under the umbrella of “Artists Building Brands.” Bringing communities together has never been more important, which is why 7-Eleven directly engaged the North Texas arts community and plans to do the same in other U.S. cities.

This project embraces community beautification by connecting the fine art and marketing worlds, while also mentoring and supporting creatives of all backgrounds and communities.

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GOOD EATING

Easy Fish Friday options for kids and adults

(BPT) - Fish Friday is an important part of Lent, and if you honor this tradition, you're probably looking to add something different to the menu. At the same time, you're probably not looking forward to the extra effort of making something new.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to create wholesome Fish Friday meals and snacks for both kids and grownups, without extra time or work. Here's how to do that: Tip 1: Visit the freezer aisle For Fish Friday, you don't need a complex recipe or expensive fresh fish or seafood to make a splash! Stock up on frozen options and you'll have plenty of easily prepared meals and snacks to last through Lent and beyond.

"At the end of a long week, it's nice to have a tasty and convenient frozen seafood product on hand to make Fish Friday a stress-free meal," says Rachael Hartley, a registered dietitian and nutritionist. "I love that SeaPak has created family-friendly options, like Shrimp Scampi and Popcorn Shrimp, to make it easy to meet the recommended 2-3 servings of seafood a week."

Tip 2: Strike a balance Even with seafood as the star of your Fish Friday meal, you'll want to add sides and create a complete, balanced, nutritious dish. Hartley suggests adding potatoes, rice or grains, as well as steamed vegetables or a side salad. Save even more time by steaming your veggies in the microwave!

Tip 3: Create custom plates Want to jazz up your Fish Friday entrees even more? Whip up some sauces and ingredients to create custom bowls. While one child might like a certain vegetable or sauce for their Coconut Cod, another might want another side or sauce entirely - and this doesn't even account for the big kids: grownups! Use teriyaki, hoisin and other pre-packaged sauces as a shortcut.

Tip 4: Pack in the protein

To create satisfying meals and snacks that support each child's growth and development, Hartley recommends including a solid source of protein.

The good news is that even if one child wants Shrimp Sea Pals and the other wants Clam Strips, SeaPak frozen foods feature plenty of protein.

"With their playful shapes and great taste, Shrimp Sea Pals make it easy and fun to serve seafood to your family members, even those who may not always be open to new foods," Hartley says. "As a dietitian, I love that they are made with whole grains."

Want another kid-friendly Fish Friday idea? Try this simple recipe for Popcorn Shrimp Mac and Cheese: Popcorn Shrimp Mac and Cheese Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes 4 Servings Ingredients: 1 20-ounce package SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp 1 package macaroni and cheese Milk and butter (if needed to prepare macaroni and cheese) Shredded cheddar or cheese of your choice Directions: Prepare the popcorn shrimp and macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Pour the macaroni into a serving dish, top it with hot shrimp, and serve the mac and cheese.

Optional preparation: Add finished macaroni to small baking ramekins, top with shredded cheese, and broil for two minutes. Top with hot shrimp and serve the popcorn shrimp mac and cheese.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

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NEWS IDOT Is Reminding Drivers To Think Before You Throw!

With the arrival of spring, the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be on the lookout for crews picking up litter and asking the public to do its part by properly disposing trash and saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year in unnecessary costs.

“While IDOT is committed to maintaining a positive impression of Illinois by having our maintenance teams collect litter from our roadsides, we need your help,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “If the warmer temperatures make you tempted to toss that food wrapper or pop can out your car window, please don’t. Trash is more than just an eyesore. It has real, negative impacts on both the environment and our communities.”

If you encounter maintenance vehicles and workers in litter pickup operations, slow down, move over and give them space – it’s the law.

Other litter facts: • Last year, IDOT spent approximately $6.1 million on litter pickup, the equivalent of resurfacing 30 miles of road or purchasing 40 new maintenance trucks that also plow snow in winter.

• Items tossed onto the road cause distractions, crashes and even hurt people. They also put workers who have to pick them up later at risk.

• Littering is illegal, subject to a fine of up to $1,500. If convicted of littering on a highway, the violator may, in addition to other penalties, be required to maintain litter control for 30 days over a portion of that highway as well.

• Litter kills plants and animals.

• It’s unsightly – no one likes to live where there’s litter.

• Littering is a problem that’s easily controlled. Use a trash can instead.

After limiting activities in 2020 due to COVID-19, IDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program is resuming normal operations. The program partners IDOT with volunteer groups to help keep the state’s non-interstate roadsides clean.

Anyone can apply by completing an online application found on the IDOT website and “adopting” a two-mile section of highway.

Please email DOT.AAH@illinois. gov or call (217) 557-3224 if you have any questions or wish to join the 10,000 volunteers currently involved in the Adopt-A-Highway program.

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

HOME

Renovating Your Home? How to Protect Your Investment

(StatePoint) The increased time spent at home during the pandemic has resulted in many people deciding to tackle home renovation projects. From creating a new office space or virtual learning area, to larger projects like bathroom renovations, many homeowners are rolling up their sleeves to do the improvements themselves.

And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) projects the remodeling industry will be even stronger in 2021, up 3.8% compared to 2020.

During the pandemic, homeowners have fixed up or added on decks, updated landscaping and installed new roofs, among other projects. According to HomeAdvisor’s latest annual State of Home Spending report, the number one completed project was interior painting – 35% of households painted in 2020, making a visual impact with a low investment.

What’s on your to-do list? If you’re considering an upgrade but not sure where to start, check out the results of a national survey by Erie Insurance, conducted prior to the pandemic, which revealed what homeowners don’t have, but wish they did. Here are the top five: 1. Walk-in pantry: This topped the list with just under a third of respondents (30%) saying they wish they had one. Kitchen renovations are typically on wish lists, and Houzz reported that demand for kitchen remodelers was up 40% in June 2020 compared to the year prior.

2. Granite countertops: 17.8% 3. Kitchen island: 16.8% 4. Tankless water heater: 16.4% 5. Finished basement: 16.2% Regardless of the new features or upgrades you choose, it’s important to let

your insurance agent

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) kitzcorner / iStock via Getty Images Plus

know so you can make sure you have enough homeowners insurance coverage.

“We understand how important the home is; that’s why we provide coverage to suit every home and budget,” says Bob Buckel, vice president and product manager at Erie Insurance. “Our variety of optional endorsements helps you customize your policy without breaking the bank.”

Consider expanding your coverage beyond t he standard homeowners policy with endorsements – like equipment breakdown to cover that new tankless water heater. They can also cover stolen or misplaced

jewelry, sewer or drain backups, cyber-crimes, identity theft and underground service lines.

Adding these extra coverages to your home policy can provide you with the comfort knowing all the extra work you put into sprucing up your home will be protected. To make sure you have what you need for your home and everything in it, talk to an insurance agent or visit ErieInsurance.com.

Making home updates can be as big or small an endeavor as you like. If you do take the plunge, be sure you protect your investment.

Ready, Set…Refresh! Quick Tips to Revitalize Your Most-Used Spaces (StatePoint) Have the cold winter months left your home feeling a bit dirty, drab or disorganized? Are you feeling the urge to purge? Then it’s time for some spring cleaning. With a few simple tips and tricks, your home—and mood—can be refreshed and revitalized.

For the biggest payoff for your efforts, focus spring cleaning in the areas of the home that are used most: the kitchen and bathroom.

Clear kitchen clutter: According to research from the Mayo Clinic, de-cluttering can have a significant positive effect on your mental health and well-being.

To start your refresh, toss anything that’s expired or no longer being used. Use a wall-mount spice rack to free up shelf space and keep ingredients within easy reach. Add sanity to the silverware drawer by giving all gadgets their own spaces with Spectrum HEXA In-Drawer Organizers.

HEXA organizers feature a unique, six-sided honeycomb base design that offers a sturdy foundation while allowing crumbs to fall through its base away from clean utensils.

Simply, “lift and sift” to clean drawers.

Labels & liners: Add a new level of organization and personalization to cabinets, drawers and even wire racks

with shelf liners. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, they offer a smooth top and grip bottom for easy sliding of items. Plus, the smooth surface catches messes and spills, making clean-up a breeze.

Next, create custom labels for organizer bins with chalkboard or dry erase adhesives from Duck brand.

For wire racks, add shelf liner to the bottom to hold items in place.

Get savvy at the sink: Next, move to one of the germiest areas of the kitchen: the sink. To keep this area neat and clean, add an organizer (such as Spectrum HEXA Sink Organizer, which has a built-in soap pump) to keep all cleaning essentials—sponges and brushes—upright and dry and help resist the growth of bacteria. Excess water is captured in the base, which can be easily removed and wiped clean.

Finally, place a raised mat in your sink basin to encourage air and water flow for faster drying, and to provide extra cushion for fragile glassware.

Banish bathroom battles: From towels to toiletries, bathrooms collect a lot of “stuff.” Keep the daily-use items and purge the rest. If you have limited shower www.citizennewspapergroup.com

space, use a suction shower basket or shower caddy to hold shampoo and soaps. Add an overthe-tank toilet paper holder to store extra bath tissue and keep it out of the way. Just like the kitchen, utilize small baskets or HEXA in-drawer organizers to keep everything from makeup to medicine easily accessible and in the right place.

Conquer cluttery cords: Conquer cords and countertop clutter by utilizing vertical spaces. Add shelves to walls to hold towels or smaller items, and add over-the-cabinet accessory baskets to the insides of cabinet doors. These easy-to-install organizers keep items like your blow dryer, straightener and curling iron out of sight, but within arm’s reach, for a faster morning routine.

For more unique organizational products, visit www.spectrumdiversified.com and follow the conversation at #LiveLifeOrganized.

Soon, with a bit of cleaning and organization focused in key areas of your home, you’ll be feeling refreshed and revitalized this spring.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

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NEWS

Health and Safety Priorities as the Weather Warms Up NewsUSA - Who hasn’t heard of the “Freshman 15”? According to Nick Rizzo at RunRepeat, “the ‘quarantine 15’ is the new ‘freshman 15.’” It refers to the excess weight gain that people experience during long bouts of isolation, stress, and reduced physical activity. Every person around the globe has been touched by the stress of 2020 in one way or another.

According to healthychildren.org, “The ongoing stress, fear, grief, and uncertainty created by COVID-19 pandemic can wear anyone down, but children and teens may be having an especially tough time coping emotionally.”

Most people know the best way to combat depression and boredom is to feed your body healthy foods and be more active.

In today’s severely restricted world, there is a solution that includes eating comfort foods you love (and crave during stressful times).

The Gianluca Mech Keto is based on offering the tastiest Italian keto food during ketosis to make this process

Most people know the best way to combat depression and boredom is to feed your body healthy foods and be more active.

easy and pleasant.

The company also offers Decottopia®, which is a five-century old method, secret of the Mech family, for extracting and storing active substances of at least 10 different plants in liquid form without the use

of alcohol, sugar or preservatives.

“This will help you have a healthy ketosis and to reduce its side effects,” Mech says. “Comfort food doesn’t have to be junk food.”

With most schools still incorporating virtual learning, children are suf-

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

fering from the lack of emotional and social interaction. Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks, which are open 25 percent to 50 percent depending on the location, says this has been a long year for children everywhere, but he is on a mission to ensure his eight

parks exceed local and state health guidelines, creating an industry standard to ensure that guests and team members are protected.

Murphy not only takes this seriously, but implements this to his team members by holding daily briefings on health and safety protocols.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of watching what we eat and socializing safely. The approaches of Gianluca Mech and Tim Murphy demonstrate the ability of companies to adapt to a fast-changing world. Both Mech and Murphy know the lockdown doesn’t mean you have to abandon taking care of your minds and bodies.

“Look, there’s no reason why healthy food shouldn’t taste good,” Mech says.

Adds Murphy, “We’re all about unleashing fun and I want everyone to feel safe doing so.”

For more information, visit www.

GianlucaMech.com/en and www.

BoomersParks.com.

12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

OWN’S Award-Winning Hit Series ‘Iyanla: Fix My Life’ To Conclude With Its Eighth Season OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced that after ten years and eight seasons, the award-winning hit “Iyanla: Fix My Life” will have its series finale when all-new episodes premiere Saturday, April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. A two-hour farewell special will air on Saturday, May 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT showcasing all the memorable moments and never-before-seen footage from the series.

“Iyanla: Fix My Life,” featuring six-time New York Times bestselling author, spiritual life coach, host, and executive producer Iyanla Vanzant, has recorded nearly 150 episodes and has been the highest-rated unscripted series in OWN

history across all key demos.

The long running series is a four-time NAACP Image Award winner for Outstanding Reality Series and Iyanla has been nominated four times as Outstanding Host in a Reality/ Reality Competition or Game Show category, recently for the 2020 season of the show.

During its most recent season (10/31-12/19/20), “Iyanla: Fix My Life” was Saturday night’s #1 original series across broadcast and cable with African American women.

“The minute Iyanla stepped onto the stage of ‘The Oprah Show,’ I knew she had a talent that was meant to be shared and I am glad that she created the perfect vehicle to provide

OWN viewers with her healing magic,” said Oprah Winfrey. “Sunsetting the series is bittersweet. I’m very thankful for her and the work she does and look forward to what unfolds next from her gift of teaching people to be better versions of themselves.”

“We are grateful to Iyanla and her team for giving us this powerful show that has, for nearly the entire life of this network, been a favorite with our audience,” added Tina Perry, OWN president. “Viewers have related to the struggles of those seeking guidance in the darkest of times and with Iyanla’s compassionate wisdom, we’ve seen the joy of overcoming pain that leads people on a path to true

happiness.”

“The time I have spent creating and working on ‘Fix My Life’ has been nothing

toward a new way of living and encouraging them to do the work necessary for real change.

Through emotional heartto-heart conversations and often a dose of tough-love, she helps individuals confront unresolved issues that are causing turmoil. Iyanla coaches guests and gives them the tools to fix their own lives, seeking to break the negative patterns.

The new season opens with a dramatic intervention when actress LisaRaye McCoy (“The Family Business”, “All of Us”) returns to Iyanla to complete the work that she started on her last visit. Iyanla answers the call to counsel LisaRaye who is finally ready to tackle the underlying issues within herself.

Prairie View A&M University To Launch Toni Morrison Writing Program

Nationally Recognized Voiceover Artist Cayman Kelly Announces Partnership With SPLAT! Celebrated radio personality Cayman Kelly has announced a partnership with SPLAT! Radio Imaging to become the featured voiceover artist for GAME PLAN: a completely new and energetic sports imaging service for local radio.

GAME PLAN will use Kelly’s primetime sound to give local stations Cayman Kelly is a a competitive edge multimedia profession- against a flood of al, host, actor, author, new stations and radio personality and podcasts constantleading voice-over ly competing for artist known for his smooth and contempo- listeners.

Kelly is the rary prime-time sound.

National Voice of ESPN Radio and has already secured his reputation as a leading broad-ranging radio voiceover expert. SPLAT! is heard on hundreds of radio stations in the U.S. across 10 different formats and is now offering free trials of GAME PLAN to qualified radio stations.

“I’m very excited to partner with SPLAT! on this new voiceover venture. They are doing some important, groundbreaking work over there to make radio stations thrive,” said Kelly. “Being able to offer my sound to a growing list of stations and brands across the nation – helping elevate them and reach new listeners – reminds me what a powerful medium for communication and change radio still is today. And that’s exactly the sort

Iyanla Vanzant Photo Courtesy of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

short of phenomenal,” said Iyanla. “In my heart of hearts, I believe that ‘Fix My Life’ has contributed to the creation of a new genre of television programming, where people get to speak and see how to address issues that have been taboo. To have a network, a production team and a crew that could stand in and participate in the manifestation of this vision has been humbling and most rewarding. My prayer is that ‘Fix My Life’ will be standard for others who have the vision and courage to bring personal healing work to the television screen.”

In dramatic new episodes, Iyanla helps those who are struggling, guiding them

Celebrated radio personality Cayman Kelly has announced a partnership with SPLAT! Radio Imaging to become the featured voiceover artist for GAME PLAN: a completely new and energetic sports imaging service for local radio.

of important, worthwhile work that voiceover artists dream about.”

Kelly is also the imaging voice for multiple radio stations, including POWER 105.1 in New York, hosting the “The Breakfast Club,” and a popular national show on SiriusXM’s Heart & Soul. Recently, Kelly was chosen as the new voice for ESPN and NFL Monday Night Football – the first African American to achieve that position.

Learn more about his life and work at: www.

CaymanKelly.com.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) President Ruth J. Simmons has announced that a Toni Morrison Writing Program would be established at PVAMU in honor of the writer and her former student, MacKenzie Scott.

The philanthropist, who is also a writer, donated $50 million to the University in October 2020; $3 million of her gift will be designated to endow the Morrison Writing Program.

The Writing Program will include a Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence.

Appointed annually, a different writer each year will have a one-year visiting appointment at Prairie View, where that individual will offer a seminar in writing. The Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence will hold public readings of the writer’s work and that of other writers to bring visibility to the importance of writing and the legacy of African American writers, especially those educated at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Morrison was a graduate of Howard University, an HBCU in Washington, D.C. Morrison was also the Robert F. Goheen Professor of Creative Writing at Princeton University when MacKenzie

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Prairie View A&M University AG And Multipurpose Building

Scott was a student there.

Scott studied with Morrison.

Born Chloe Wofford on February 18, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison was a prolific essayist and novelist. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Humanities Medal, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her award-winning novels include “The Bluest Eye” (1970), “Sula” (1973), “Song of Solomon” (1977), “Tar Baby” (1981), and “Beloved” (1987).

Emma Joahanne Thomas-Smith, Ed.D., PVAMU provost emerita, will oversee the Toni Morrison Writing

Program. With decades of experience in higher education, Thomas-Smith previously led the University’s Honors Program and the Department of English and Languages.

“Faculty and staff of both the University and area high schools will share in the activities of the program and benefit from the Writer-in-Residence and other artists representing the full range of literary genres,” shared Thomas-Smith.

In addition, the Toni Morrison Writing Program will sponsor a high school writing contest. The winner of the competition will receive a college scholarship.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

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

‘Essential’ takes on a whole new meaning with COVID.

Get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

I’m an essential worker, because everyone needs food. You know what’s essential for me? Not getting COVID. And it’s a virus that keeps changing. Vaccines are here. But until enough of us are vaccinated, we still need to mask up, stay 6 feet apart, and avoid crowds. Whenever I see that, there’s a smile behind my mask.

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NEWS

Biden: States Should Open Vaccinations to All Adults by May 1

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

UIC Urban Forum to address wealth gap, equity concerns COVID-19 has brought attention to various disparities in American cities and the growing divide between rich and poor. While many strategies have been proposed to close the wealth gap – raising minimum wage, housing integration and education – it’s generally agreed that a simple solution does not exist.

The University of Illinois Chicago’s 2021 Urban Forum, titled “Closing the Wealth Gap,” will take on the complex matter of closing the wealth gap by focusing on equity during a virtual program scheduled April 14 from 9 a.m. – noon.

The program will begin with a visual presentation from Amanda Williams, a Chicago-based visual artist and trained architect whose creative practice employs color as an operative means for drawing attention to the complex ways race informs how we assign value to the spaces we occupy.

The keynote address will be delivered by Heather McGhee, author of the New York Times best-seller, “The Sum of Us,” and board chair for Color Of Change, a national online racial justice organization.

Program speakers, panels and papers will help consider how citizens and policymakers can collectively begin to change and address barriers and build off of successful strategies to increase equity in communities by addressing the historical and structural barriers that are a source of the gap.

The conversations are slated to deal with racial dynamics that shape social, economic and political structures; property ownership that affects wealth across different populations; and the geographic distribution of public services and land use.

“How should we increase spatial

Heather McGhee. Credit: Andreas Burgess

Amanda Williams. Credit: Tony Smith

equity?” is the first panel of the 2021 UIC Urban Forum and will feature Ciere Boatwright, vice president, real estate and inclusion for the Chicago Neighborhood Initiative; Amy Turnbull Khare, research director at the National Initiative on Mixed Income Communities and research assistant professor in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Science at Case Western Reserve University; and Robin Rue Simmons, Evanston 5th Ward alderman.

The event’s second panel, “How Can We Change Investment in Our Communities to Increase Equity?” will include Daniel Ash, associate vice president, community impact, for Chicago Community Trust; Juanita Irizzary, executive director of Friends of the Parks; and Amy McEwan, chief of staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

All attendees must register online prior to the event at https://global-

meet.webcasts.com/ For complete details, including agenda, speakers and commissioned background papers, visit the UIC Urban Forum website at https://urbanforum.uic.edu/ Follow the UIC Urban Forum on Facebook and Twitter for updates on additional panelists and speakers.

Co-chairs of the 2021 UIC Urban Forum are Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board president, and Michael D. Amiridis, UIC Chancellor. Michael A. Pagano, dean of the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, and Janet Smith, UIC professor of urban planning and policy and co-director of UIC’s Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, serve as program directors.

This year’s Urban Forum is sponsored by the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, UIC’s Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, and WBEZ 91.5. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Just hours after signing into law his massive $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden addressed the nation and announced the implementation of his next phase of a national strategy to put the pandemic in the country’s rearview mirror.

The President declared that he would direct states, tribes, and territories to make all adults eligible for the coronavirus vaccine by May 1.

In his first prime-time address since taking over the Oval Office, President Biden proclaimed a goal of getting the nation closer to normal by the July 4 holiday.

“If we do our part, if we do this together, by July 4, there’s a good chance you, your families, and friends will be able to get together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” he noted as he stared firmly into the television camera.

Speaking from the East Room of the White House, President Biden said returning to normal requires everyone to continue wearing face coverings, social distancing, and getting vaccinated.

More than 529,000 Americans have died since the pandemic began, and nearly 30 million have contracted the virus. “We all lost something,” the President declared.

“A collective suffering, a collective sacrifice, a year filled with the loss of life. In the loss, we saw how much there was to gain. An appreciation, respect and gratitude,” he uttered.

Within his first hours in office, President Biden launched a comprehensive strategy to defeat the pandemic. He noted that in the seven weeks since, the Administration has delivered more than 81 million vaccinations and more people can visit their loved ones again.

“There is more work to do,” the President reminded viewers.

He promised that the White House COVID-19 Response

Team has concluded that the accelerated vaccination efforts will enable prioritized vaccinations that will prove far enough along by the end of April that officials could lift all eligibility restrictions at that time.

The President outlined a “ramped-up effort” to create more places for people to get vaccinated, enabling officials to reach those hardest hit and most challenging to reach.

Over the next six weeks, the Administration will deliver vaccines directly to up to an additional 700 community health centers that reach underserved communities, increasing the total number of participating community health centers across the country to 950, White House officials said.

The Administration also will double the number of pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy program, making the vaccine available at more than 20,000 pharmacies in locations convenient to all Americans.

Pharmacies are also directed to expand mobile operations into the hardest-hit communities to reach more people.

The Administration promises to more than double the number of federally run mass vaccination centers, run by FEMA, the U.S. military, and other federal agencies in partnership with states, to ensure that we reach the hardest-hit communities in this historic effort.

“Finding light in the darkness is a very American thing to do,” President Biden said.

He also used the national platform to denounce racism and hate crimes against Asian Americans, whom the previous Administration targeted as the cause of the pandemic.

“There have been vicious hate crimes against Asian Americans who’ve been attacked, harassed, blamed, and scapegoated,” President Biden remarked.

“At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, are on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives and still are forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America. “It’s wrong, it’s un-American, and it must stop.”

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of April 7, 2021

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