Chicago Weekend Citizen 08-21-2019

Citizen Personalized Learning Room Unveiled At South Side Charter School — Page 3 Week of Aug. 21, 2019

| Vol. 50 | No. 34 | www.thechicagocitizen.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

ANNUAL CROSS-CITY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 400 YOUNG PEOPLE

Kids from 22 neighborhoods across Chicago recently came together for a basketball tournament on Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago. The daylong event is the culmination of the city-wide Hoops in the Hood program that is supported

by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago and executed by nonprofit organizations throughout the city.

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Throughout the summer, neighborhoods across Chicago have been hosting weekly neighborhood basketball games through LISC Chicago’s Hoops in the Hood program. Photo Credit: Katherine Newman

BUSINESS Former Chicago Ald. Joe Moore Joins Chicagobased Diliberto Real Estate Services, LLC

FASHION

ENTERTAINMENT

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Serena Williams Featured On The Cover of ESSENCE’s September Issue

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NostalgiaCon Calls for Retro Pop Collectors to Showcase Toys, Video Games, Electronics

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

NEWS briefly EDUCATION

PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO INCLUDE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLANS The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are encouraging parents to include emergency preparedness in their back-toschool plans. New this academic school year, state law requires schools to hold a minimum of three evacuations drills while students are present to better prepare students and personnel for emergencies. Specifically, within the first 90-days of the school year, schools must conduct at least one law enforcement evacuation drill. These drills must be conducted according to the school’s emergency and crisis response plans, protocols, and procedures, according to a press release.

Every home, dorm and apartment should have the supplies needed to endure a storm, power outage or disaster. You can find a list of emergency kit essentials online at www.ready. illinois.gov.

HEALTH

FOOD ALLERGY PATIENT ORGANIZATIONS JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH A PSA CALLED, “SPELL IT OUT” End Allergies Together (E.A.T.), a non-profit organization that funds research to help solve the growing food allergy epidemic, along with four food allergy patient organizations, recently launched a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) called, “Spell It Out.” The PSA promotes the need for basic food allergy education in underserved communities and stars teen actors Mace Coronel (of Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn) and Laya Deleon Hayes (of Disney’s Doc McStuffins) as Spelling Bee judges.

LAW & POLITICS

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST EPA AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY RULE Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 28 states and cities, recently announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. The ACE rule replaced the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever nationwide limit on existing fossil-fueled power plants.

“The people of Illinois and around the country cannot afford the impact of unchecked climate change,” Raoul said. “The EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy rule is a huge step backward in the effort to address the devastating effects of climate change. It is a misguided policy that ignores the science of climate change and will prolong the nation’s reliance on polluting, expensive coal power plants, and will reverse progress toward clean, renewable, affordable energy.”

The Illinois Attorney General’s office has worked since 2003 to limit carbon pollution from fossil-fueled power plants. Most recently, the Attorney General’s office joined a coalition of states, counties, and cities in filing comments in opposition to the EPA’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, and filed comments in opposition to the ACE rule as proposed.

Annual Cross-City Basketball Tournament Brings Together Over 400 Young People Continued from page 1

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Kids from 22 neighborhoods across Chicago recently came together for a basketball tournament on Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago. The day-long event is the culmination of the city-wide Hoops in the Hood program that is supported by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago and executed by nonprofit organizations throughout the city.

Hoops in the Hood is a sports-based community safety initiative by LISC Chicago that is used to create safe spaces for youth to interact and build positive relationships with peers and adults from their neighborhood.

Aside from the camaraderie, the program also works to reclaim outdoor space in communities that experience higher rates of crime and violence, according to information provided by LISC Chicago.

Through Hoops in the Hood, LISC Chicago partners with neighborhood-based nonprofits who host weekly basketball games

for young people in the communities they serve.

“Everybody that lived in a suburb or had this ability to not be concerned about safety remembers just going outside and playing, and there was never a thought about it because that’s what you did,” said Meghan Harte, executive director of LISC Chicago.

“That doesn’t exist in these neighborhoods.

Hoops in the Hood is about creating that type of environment where kids can just be kids and they can play. For three hours, no one is worried about anything else. They can get some great food, meet people and they’re part of the community. The more we can build off of that, the more impact it will have.”

Every week on the west side of Chicago, UCAN has been shutting down a different neighborhood block in North Lawndale to host their Hoops in the Hood basketball games. Moving from block to block in North Lawndale helps UCAN reach more kids throughout the summer.

“The thing is, if there isn’t something

$3.3M grant seeks to improve health care in under-resourced communities The University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Nursing is partnering with Erie Family Health Centers on a $3.3 million grant for health care improvements in underserved communities.

The project will create a oneyear post-graduate fellowship program for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, or APRNs, called AdvancingPractice.

“Not only are we equipping new graduates to provide exceptional in-scope care for their APRN role, we’re equipping them to lead change in community health,” said Charles Yingling, who holds a doctorate in nursing practice, is UIC Nursing interim associate dean for practice and community partnerships, and who will serve as health education specialist on the grant.

The fellowship will help new nurse practitioners transition into practice by giving them an opportunity to increase and fine-tune clinical and leadership skills, Yingling said.

“Through mentoring and education, we will equip new APRNs to be both expert clinicians and future leaders in community health,” he said.

UIC Nursing is Erie’s academic partner, which is a required component of the

grant. Faculty will provide aid in developing coursework and evaluating the program.

Funding will go toward the completion of three, one-year fellowship cycles.

Jean Reidy, senior director of nursing and clinical transformation at Erie Family Health Centers, describes the partnership as a “perfect fit.”

“The quality of education that UIC Nursing provides to its students is really noticeable,” Reidy said. “At the same time, our missions are very aligned.

UIC is focused on training nurse practitioners and midwives who will be serving in community health and reaching vulnerable populations. Erie was founded 62 years ago to serve these same communities.”

Erie, a federally qualified health center, has a tradition of nurse-led primary care. Overall, about 90% of Erie patients are low-income, with more than 60% receiving Medicaid and more than 28% uninsured, which is considerably higher than the percentage in Illinois and the nation.

U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration funded the grant under an initiative called Advanced Nursing Education – Nurse Practitioner Residency.

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positive going on, there is a good chance that something negative is going to happen and anything could happen. That’s just how it is in impoverished neighborhoods,” said Cortez Atkins, director of Hoops in the Hood for UCAN. “When these guys go home, they are confined to the house because they are scared to go out of their own doors because there is nothing but violence and high-risk.”

Growing up in North Lawndale, Cortez participated in the Hoops in the Hood program and said that it means a lot to him to be working with the young men who participate in the program every week because he knows personally what kind of an impact it can have on them.

“This is something that I take pride in.

Hoops in the Hood is a great program that creates safe spaces and invades neighborhoods and blocks that are usually filled with negativity and violence. We go out every Thursday to provide fun activities to show these youth and the adults that we can still turn these blocks into something positive,” said Cortez.

U.S. Department Of Labor Launches Online Help Desk To Provide Compliance Assistance To Federal Contractors and Stakeholders The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently launched the Contractor Assistance Portal, an online help desk to provide enhanced compliance assistance to federal contractors and stakeholders. The virtual online helpdesk is part of a broad push by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide innovative compliance assistance to job creators.

After a series of town halls in 2017, OFCCP committed to developing an online helpdesk resource. OFCCP then further committed to establishing an online help desk in Directive No. 2019-03.

“OFCCP is committed to transparency in the Agency’s enforcement practices and providing more certainty to federal contractors,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella.

“We are very excited to launch the Contractor Assistance Portal so the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs can provide more access to compliance assistance resources,” said OFCCP Director Craig E. Leen.

“We want federal contractors to use this tool to ask questions and search answers regarding compliance with the laws and

regulations enforced by OFCCP.” The Contractor Assistance Portal is a compliance assistance resource produced in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Compliance Initiatives that allows users to ask questions freely and access helpful reference materials.

OFCCP is a civil rights agency in the U.S. Department of Labor.

It enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

Collectively, these laws prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. Additionally, contractors must act affirmatively to ensure equal employment opportunity in their employment processes, and they must not discriminate against applicants or employees because they inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations. For more information, call OFCCP’s tollfree helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

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NEWS

Fathers back on the road thanks to new state law

BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

For six years, Carlos Spencer said he went without a driver’s license because he fell behind on his child support payments, and that limited his ability to work.

Spencer has four children ages 26, 23, 18 and 14 and owes $20,000 in back support, which he said is owed to the state for public assistance, such as healthcare taxpayers provided for his children. Most of the money owed is for interest accumulated over the years, according to Spencer, a Burbank resident.

“I lost my job and was unable to make my child support payments and when that happened, the state suspended my driver’s license,” recalled Spencer, 44. “Once you fall behind on child support, it’s hard to catch up especially when the state is charging you interest on any back payments.”

But a new state law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker this month will allow fathers like Spencer to have their driver’s licenses reinstated without having to pay their balance in full but rather to make “satisfactory” payment arrangements with the courts.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-8th) was a chief sponsor of House Bill 1473, which now allows the Secretary of State’s Office to remove the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license made pursuant to the nonpayment of child support.

Ford hosted an Aug. 17 community meeting at Loretto Hospital in Austin to inform parents about the new law and to assist them with getting their driver’s licenses reinstated.

“Driving is a privilege and many jobs nowadays are on the road whether it’s being a truck driver or a rider share driver. But without a license, you cannot work as a driver, which for a lot of parents today has become a second job,” explained Ford. “This new law helps parents get back on the road and continue providing for their children.”

And Ford said those that are most affected by having their license suspended are blacks.

“Every year thousands of people in Illinois lose their driver’s licenses - and in many cases, their ability to work - for reasons that have nothing to do with unsafe driving,” said Ford. “Increasingly, driver’s license suspensions are imposed not as a punishment for

Amy Jordan (middle), manager of the driver license unit for the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services, joined state Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-8th) (middle) at an Aug. 17, 2019 community meeting in Austin to help fathers get their driver’s licenses reinstated after it was suspended for non child support payments. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

moving violations, but as a tool for the government to try to collect revenue from people who have fallen behind on their payment of child support, parking tickets, other fines, and fees. The impact of these heavy-handed collection tactics falls most heavily upon low-income communities and people of color.”

About 100 mostly men attended the meeting where they had an opportunity to receive free legal advice from men’s rights advocate and attorney Jeffery Leving.

“The system has been bias against fathers for years. And taking away their ability to work by suspending their driver’s license or putting them in jail for nonpayment isn’t going to get them to pay child support any faster,” Leving told the crowd.

“Helping fathers to keep their job is

a better way to ensure they will pay child support and giving them their license back is a big help.”

As the author of several bestselling books including “Father’s Rights” the Chicago-based attorney and divorced father said as a man, he too has experienced bias from the courts.

“Courts are not friendly to men especially if it’s for child support,” added Leving. “Still, this new law, is a step in the right direction for many fathers who really want to be apart of their children’s lives.”

Representing the Illinois Healthcare & Family Services Department at the meeting was Amy Jordan, manager of the department’s Driver License division.

She said once the governor signed the bill into law, the first person she

Chicago-based men’s rights advocate and attorney Jeffery Leving was among the speakers at an Aug. 17, 2019 community meeting in Austin for parents who had their driver’s licenses suspended due to non payment of child support. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

called was Spencer.

“I couldn’t wait to call him and inform him that he could now be eligible to receive his license,” said Jordan. I had been working with him previously but my hands were tied by the law, which previously required balances to be paid in full before reinstatement could occur.”

Even Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th), whose ward includes South Shore and parts of Hyde Park, worked behind the scenes advocating for the bill.

“This new law will help many families in Illinois support their children,” said Hairston, “I was proud to help support the passage of this bill and look forward to working with Rep. La Shawn K. Ford to get the word out to as many men and women as possible to support their children.”

Personalized Learning Room Unveiled At South Side Charter School

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy (MSA) in Bronzeville recently celebrated the unveiling of its new Personalized Learning Room which is a new place inside the school for students, teachers, administrators, and mentors to engage with each other and build relationships.

The Personalized Learning Room, made possible by Horizon Therapeutics and the Heart of America Foundation, includes new tables and chairs, inspiring words and phrases on the walls, murals, and all of the work was completed by volunteers in just one day.

In addition to executing the design for the Personalized Learning Room, volunteers worked on outdoor gardens around the school and helped teachers get their classrooms ready for the new school year.

“Sixty volunteers came into the school, some of which were in the Personalized Learning Room and some of which were outside beautifying the front of the campus to welcome back the students as they return, and of course the community as well. Some of the volunteers were upstairs on the two levels above working in classrooms and helping to create beautiful bulletin boards and prepare classrooms for teachers,” said Christine Lucas, senior regional director, Midwest, for The Heart of America Foundation.

The Heart of America Foundation recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and for the last 10 years, the organization has been focused on transforming educational spaces and community centers across the country to create

Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy in Bronzeville recently cut the ribbon on a new personalized Learning Room for students and teachers to utilize. Photo Credit: Horizon Therapeutics

nurturing environments for students and communities to grow, according to Lucas.

“We go into dilapidated or uninspiring learning spaces, usually in schools or community centers that serve a great student population, and we make the space engaging, inspiring, and bring a motivating design to the space so that students have a place that they want to learn and they want to be,” said Lucas.

The students at MSA were involved in planning

the design of their new Personalized Learning Room but weren’t invited to help with the execution so that the finished product will be a surprise to them when they return to school this year.

“Students helped prepare the design but really, for this year, students weren’t present on our event day because this is going to be a great big surprise to them as they return to school. What the Personalized Learning Room serves to do is motivate the students with something fresh

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and new and exciting and it is also inspirational for the teachers who now have a new hub and center to work in,” said Lucas.

This is the second project the Horizon Therapeutics and the Heart of America Foundation have collaborated on at MSA. Last year the team came together to create a Peace and Meditation Room inside the school. The peace and Meditation Room is a place where students and faculty can safely rest and recharge, according to Lucas.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

BUSINESS

Former Chicago Ald. Joe Moore Joins Chicago-based Diliberto Real Estate Services, LLC Diliberto Real Estate Services, a global real estate advisory, property management and auction firm recently announced that former Chicago Alderman Joe Moore, a long-time member of the Chicago City Council is joining the firm’s Municipal Economic Services Group as its National Director.

Moore served seven years as a city attorney for the city of Chicago and 28 years as alderman of Chicago’s 49th Ward, one of the most economically and racially diverse communities in the nation, and Chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

“I look forward to using my 35 years of experience in government leadership, and my success in spearheading economic revitalization, to help cities and towns across Illinois and the U.S,” said Moore. “Diliberto Real Estate offers a service which I found to be extremely unique and beneficial.

I’m excited to join them and look

Former Chicago Ald Joe Moore, moves to National Real Estate Company, Diliberto Real Estate Services, LLC, as National Director, Municipal Advisory Services.

forward to working for my municipal colleagues across the nation.”

Diliberto Real Estate Services, LLC (DRES) is a national real estate advisory firm with practice lines in marketing, economic development, municipal advisory, and market-

making auction services. Clients include cities and towns across the nation, Fortune 500’s, institutions and private companies across the nation and in select global markets.

For more information, visit http:// realestateauctionsinc.com/

Study Finds 1 in 5 US Workers Age 40 and Over Have Experienced Age Discrimination in the Workplace Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, recently released its 2019 Hiscox Ageism in the Workplace StudyTM, which revealed that 21% of US workers age 40 and older have experienced discrimination in the workplace due to their age, and respondents believe they’re most likely to experience it at age 51.

The study, which surveyed 400 full-time U.S. workers age 40 and over, also found that more than two-thirds (67%) of respondents 65 or younger plan to continue working after they turn 66, and 62% of all workers did not receive any form of age discrimination training in the previous 12 months.

“Age discrimination in the workplace is an increasingly serious issue for businesses and employees as older generations continue to maintain their professional careers longer than their predecessors,” said Patrick Mitchell, management liability product head at Hiscox USA. “Discrimination of any kind brings serious reputational and financial risks to any business and can negatively impact a worker’s career trajectory. As such, businesses must take the necessary steps to prevent, detect and mitigate any instances of age discrimination in the workplace in order to fully protect their organization and employees.”

Most Remain Silent Although over one in five respondents shared that they faced age discrimination in the workplace themselves, only 40% filed a charge or complaint. Their reasons for staying silent included the fear of a report creating a hostile work environment (54%) and a lack of knowledge on how to initiate a complaint (24%).

Witnesses, too, were more likely to stay quiet. More than half (51%) of workers who witnessed age discrimination against another employee did not report it, and 62% pointed to a fear of retaliation by their employers as the reason for not speaking up.

Gender Plays a Role in Workplace Ageism While prior Hiscox data found that women are more likely to experience harassment in the workplace, the 2019 Hiscox Ageism in the Workplace StudyTM found that men were more likely to feel that their advancing age adversely impacted their careers.

Forty-three percent of men felt that their age has been a barrier to finding a new job since turning 40 years old, compared to less than one-third (30%) of women. More than one-third (39%) of men reported that age frustrated their career advancement since turning 40, compared to 24% of women.

How to Combat Ageism in the Workplace Businesses should take the following steps to prevent, detect and mitigate age discrimination in the workplace: l Prevent age discrimination by providing workforce training. l Detect age discrimination by watching for behaviors that indicate older workers are being harassed, excluded from projects and underrepresented in new hiring and promotions. l Mitigate the risks and exposure associated with age discrimination by responding to claims immediately and thoroughly.

The Cost of Ageism in the Workplace Often subject to common stereotypes regarding older workers, 80% of respondents who experienced age discrimination reported that it had impacted their career trajectory.

In addition to ageism impacting employee productivity, organizations face the loss of talent and institutional knowledge when older employees leave a company. In fact, 43% of respondents reported that they had left a company due to experiencing or witnessing age discrimination.

National Survey Reveals Dramatic Shift From Cable to Streaming Services The market research team at Colling Media, a top-ranked national digital advertising and marketing agency, has conducted a nationwide survey about cable-cutting and subscribing to streaming services.

Key findings include: l Migration away from cable is picking up speed—20% of respondents canceled their cable television subscription within the past two months. l There’s a corresponding move toward streaming services—39% of consumers have subscribed to a streaming service in the past two months (such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video). l 87% of consumers have watched a program, movie or video on a desktop or laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device within the past two months. l 39% of consumers say they are likely or very likely to subscribe to The Disney Company’s bundling of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. l 73% of consumers say they are annoyed when an ad interrupts a YouTube video. Off those, 58% are most annoyed by the advertiser, by YouTube www.thechicagocitizen.com

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

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NEWS

The Rise of Technology & Innovation Symposium (Tech Symposium) Chicago, IL - TBT News is glad to bring The Rise of Technology & Innovation Symposium to The University of Chicago Logan Center at 900 East 60th on Friday, August 23rd from 1 pm until 7 pm.

Change the World has been the ever-growing slogan for all things tech. Every major technology giant from Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Linkedin, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, etc. have all claimed that their platforms will change the world. And today, each tech giant has done just that.

Not only have they changed the world, but they’ve also changed the face of America for decades to come. They’ve expanded the job market and made more millionaires and billionaires over the last twenty years than any other time in history. The new ‘Technology Revolution’ has been created.

The Rise of Technology & Innovation Symposium (Tech Symposium) is designed to not only increase the presence of black emerging innovators in the tech space but to initiate an ongoing conversation that’s long overdue. The scheduled date for this anticipated Symposium is Friday, August 23rd. The venue hosting the half-day event is The University of Chicago Logan Center at 900 East 60th.

The Rise of Technology & Innovation Sym-

“THE TECH SYMPOSIUM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF EMERGING INNOVATORS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING WEALTH IN TECHNOLOGY.” CARL WEST posium will also highlight some of Chicago’s brightest youth who’ve created tech gadgets like Apps, Precise Codings and Mobile Games.

These hidden gems will have a chance to present their innovative digital discoveries during the Symposium.

Registration on Eventbrite: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/the-rise-of-technology-innovation-symposium-tech-symposium-tickets-67393420535 1:30 PM - Opening Symposium starts with two Keynote Speakers: How to Build a Tech Company?

“Emmett Vaughn” Workshop (2 - 2:45 pm): Building Wealth in Tech (1 Panelist) 5 Panel Discussions (3:00 pm - 6:00 pm): This uniquely styled rotating panel will consist of experts who will join interviewers at separate times throughout the three-hour chat session. For example: On the half-hour (3 pm - 3:25 pm) an expert will participate in a Q&A. The next expert will begin at 3:30 pm - 3:55 pm for a live audience Q&A. This will

happen over the next few hours. The theme of Chosen Panels: “Janice and Jada” Women in Tech (2 Panelists) “William Garth” Education in Tech (2 Panelists ) “Henry English” Entrepreneurship in Tech (2 Panelists) EDUCATION - There will be two experts who will conduct workshops on the importance of elementary, high school and college kids being instructed on the need for learning in all things tech (more educational curriculum to be announced). CPS traditional, Charter and other school educators and pupils are invited, as well as organizations that primarily focus on technology mechanisms.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP - There will be two experts who will conduct entrepreneur style workshops on the importance of elementary, high school and college kids, as well as adults, on the need for creating and present-

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ing gadgets and innovative technologies for production (more business curriculum to be announced).

WOMEN IN TECH - There has been a shortage of female tech professionals and women who have created startups globally but in Chicago, there have been dozens of women who have found some very remarkable tech companies. These women deserve to be recognized for their innovative achievements.

It’s also important to stress the importance of bringing women voices and ideas to the tech space and the Symposium will highlight their enormous contribution.

Tech & Innovator Awards: Ten individuals who have been leaders in helping to build a progressive and rewarding environment in the innovation of technology and wealth-building in Chicago. Honorees to be announced!

Producers of the Symposium - MG Media, Next Generation Leadership Council (NGLC), The TiTaNs, and TRUTH 4 Literacy has partnered with several youth organizations to have young people volunteer as personal assistants to each of the panel guests and sponsors.

There will be pre and post-exposure within the pages of digital media and radio partners.

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

FASHION

Serena Williams Featured On The Cover of ESSENCE’s September Issue This September, ESSENCE is featuring tennis great, entrepreneur and style icon Serena Williams on the cover in a way that fans have never seen her before!

Williams is resplendent from beginning to end in the story, The Future of Serena Williams—from rocking face paint by artist Laolu on the cover, to dazzling fans in designers such as Carolina Herrera, Giuseppe Zanotti, Talbot Runhof, Issey Miyake and more in a gorgeous photo spread shot by photographer Kwaku Alston and styled by ESSENCE Fashion Director Marielle Bobo.

“We are beyond ecstatic to have Serena Williams—one of the most photographed women on the planet—to be the muse for our September Global Fashion issue,“ said ESSENCE Chief Content & Creative Officer MoAna Luu. “This issue promises to be one of ESSENCE’s biggest with a fresh new redesign. We also brought the best Black creatives in the world— including visual artist Láolú, who gave us Serena’s stunning face painting for the cover—to present all of the stunning visuals that you see.”

The multi-hyphenate wife/mom/ entrepreneur also opens up to ESSENCE

friends and relax, or we may just be walking around the house as a mom. So when we were designing the collection, we wanted to speak to every aspect of that woman...”

ON BODY POSITIVITY IN FASHION: We want to be inclusive. We have an extended size, and we call it great because I don’t like the word “plus.” So we call it S Great because every woman is great. Hopefully the word “great” will catch on and people will get rid of the word “plus.”

Tennis great, entrepreneur and style icon Serena Williams (pictured) graces the cover of ESSENCE’s September Global Fashion Issue.

Entertainment Director Cori Murray about everything from her upcoming S By Serena New York Fashion Week moment, what she looks for in fashion, the importance of speaking up and freedom.

Hear are some of her quotes: ON WHAT SHE LOOKS FOR IN FASHION: “Wow. I love fashion, obvi­ously. It has to connect to me, first of all. I like things that are unusual, but also a little classic. It depends: It could be a crazy pop of color, and it’ll totally get me excited. Or it could be something fresh

I haven’t seen before. Honestly, I can go in any direction. Just depends on how I feel…”

ON HER “S BY SERENA” NYFW MOMENT: “Everything that’s on the runway will be ready for sale for 24 hours on September 10th. As far as the clothing, we really wanted to have fun and be confident. It’s kind of like all the aspects of my life. But not just my life, most women’s lives. We have a job, or we have somewhere to go for an event, or we have something more serious that we wanted to dress down for, or we might want to go out with our

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING UP AND FREEDOM: Freedom means standing up and not being afraid to say, ‘I’m here’ or ‘Hear my voice’ or ‘This isn’t what I agreed to’ or ‘This isn’t fair and that isn’t right.’ I’ve done it my whole career. It’s knowing where I’ve come from, knowing my history, in particular, the sport that I’m in. When I first started, there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me. So it was really important to always help other people feel as if this is something they could also be a part of…”

The groundbreaking September issue of ESSENCE is on sale now. For more on this story, visit ESSENCE.com.

Survey: Nearly Three in Five U.S. Women Do Not Know There Is a Difference Between Cosmetic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons A new RealSelf survey conducted online

by The Harris Poll reveals 59 percent of women in the U.S. do not know there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Furthermore, more than eight in 10 women (84 percent) in the U.S. are unaware that medical professionals do not have to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation.

The report also reveals that a growing number of women are seeking cosmetic treatments for the first time. More than one in four women in the U.S. (26 percent) are currently considering a cosmetic procedure, and nearly three-fourths of those women (73 percent) have never had one in the past. Interest is higher among young adults, with females ages 18–34 nearly two times more likely than those 35 and older to be considering a cosmetic procedure (37 percent vs. 21 percent).

“Medical aesthetics is a little like the Wild West, and unfortunately many consumers simply don’t realize the lack of regulation,” said RealSelf Chief Medical Editor Dr. Lara Devgan. “This study highlights some of the most common misconceptions and why it’s so important to do your research. As nonsurgical treatments become more accessible and a wave of people seek procedures for the first time, patients must understand that it’s crucial to use RealSelf to fact-check a doctor’s credentials before booking a treatment.”

How do Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Surgeons Differ?

More than half of women (59 percent) do not know there is a difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon.

Plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons do not receive the same level and duration of training after medical school. In order to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, surgeons must have at least six years of residency training, while certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery requires only one year. Furthermore, the American Board of Medical Specialties, which is one of the leading organizations overseeing physician board certification in the United States, recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery as an official board but not the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Women who have an annual household income of $75,000 or more are significantly more likely than those with a household income of less than $75,000 to know that a cosmetic surgeon is not the same as a plastic surgeon (63 percent vs. 54 percent).

Who is Allowed to Perform Surgical Cosmetic Procedures?

The findings also reveal widespread misunderstanding about the qualifications required to perform cosmetic surgery. More than eight in 10 women (84 percent) in the U.S. are unaware that medical professionals

do not have to be board certified in plastic surgery to perform surgical cosmetic procedures like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. More than half of women (55 percent) think medical professionals are required to be board certified and about one-third (29 percent) say they don’t know. To add to the confusion, only about one in five (19 percent) women in the U.S. know that a licensed physician can advertise as a cosmetic surgeon, even if they have no formal training in plastic surgery.

While confusion about credentials and qualifications is widespread, the report reveals that the majority of consumers still view the decision to move forward with a cosmetic procedure as a serious one.

The findings highlight some of the top challenges consumers face when considering a cosmetic procedure. To address these concerns, RealSelf launched RealSelf

www.thechicagocitizen.com

VerifiedSM a first-of-its-kind program that makes it easier for consumers to shop for plastic surgeons and aesthetic providers.

RealSelf Verified doctors must meet requirements confirmed by RealSelf, including proper medical licensing, high patient satisfaction ratings, responsive service and commitment to transparency.

RealSelf also requires Verified doctors to provide the information most important to consumers on their profiles, including years of experience, hospital privileges, and whether they carry malpractice insurance.

They are also required to have before and after photos of their most-performed procedures and list their active board certifications, according to a press release.

For more information about RealSelf Verified, visit www.realself.com/find.

To learn more about RealSelf data and trends, visit www.realself.com/blog.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

Staying Digitally And Socially

Connected To Us Can’t Get Any Easier. .

If you miss us in print, you can find us here:

www.thechicagocitizen.com Publisher Of The: * Chatham-Southeast Citizen * Hyde Park Citizen

* South End Citizen * South Suburban Citizen

* Chicago Weekend Citizen * Citizen Suburban Times Weekly

Let Us Help You Tell Your Story. . .

If You Have A News Story Idea That You Would Like To See In The Citizen Let Us Hear About It. Email Us At: editiorial@thechicagocitizen.com.

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8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT AUDITORIUM THEATRE EVENT

Hip-Hop Orchestra In Chicago What: When was the last time you witnessed strings, horns, woodwinds, and piano at a hip-hop concert? Add to that a party-rocking DJ, a fierce soulsongstress, and a fire-breathing MC, and that is still but a fraction of what you’ll get when you catch Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra live!

When: Saturday, August 24 | 7:30PM Where: The Auditorium Theatre is located on 50 E Ida B Wells Drive In Chicago, Illinois. Individual tickets start at $39 and are available online at https://tickets. auditoriumtheatre.org or by phone at 312.341.2300.

(PRNewsfoto/Walt Disney World)

NBA Experience Grand Opening Is A Slam Dunk At Walt Disney World Resort It was a championship-worthy celebration recently at Disney Springs for the grand opening of NBA Experience. Amid cheering fans and celebrity guests, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first-of-its-kind destination, joined onstage by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several current and former NBA and WNBA players.

“NBA Experience lets everybody who loves the game, live it,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “We’re excited to open the doors to a fun and unique experience for fans of all ages.”

Those in attendance were treated to a buoyant atmosphere reminiscent of a basketball arena, complete with a DJ, T-shirt tosses, fan-cam and a dance performance, hosted by ESPN personality Rachel Nichols.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse cheered as confetti rained down toward the end of the ceremonial opening, which featured Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Grant Hill, along with NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem and WNBA legend Swin Cash, now the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I want to thank Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Imagineering team for capturing the authentic NBA experience at this landmark destination at Disney Springs,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“Disney creates memorable experiences better than anyone, and we are thrilled to share the excitement of NBA basketball with fans and Walt Disney World guests from around the world.”

In collaboration with the NBA, Walt Disney Imagineering developed NBA Experience as an immersive, interactive venue. The high-energy environment is packed with 13 different basketballrelated activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.

Upon entry, guests feel as if they’re walking through the players’ tunnel at an NBA or WNBA arena. Visitors can experience what it’s like to be selected in the NBA Draft and step onto the court to make clutch shots and highlight-worthy slam dunks.

NBA Experience also provides ample opportunities to learn more about the NBA and WNBA via interactive

Organizers of NostalgiaCon’s inaugural ‘80’s pop culture convention recently announced a national call for retro pop culture collectors of unique ‘80s toys, video games, posters, electronics, and furniture.

NostalgiaCon issues Call for Retro Pop Collectors to Showcase Their Toys, Video Games, Electronics, and Furniture

(PRNewsfoto/Walt Disney World)

displays, films and trivia. The unique destination offers something for guests of all ages.

A ticket to NBA Experience grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose, and they can return to stations throughout the day to improve performance or learn even more about the game, players and teams they love. They can also customize many of their experiences to showcase their favorite NBA or WNBA teams. The adjacent NBA Store offers official NBA apparel, collectibles and more, along with Disney products designed specifically for NBA Experience.

NBA Experience is the latest collaboration between Walt Disney World Resort and the NBA. The day before the NBA Experience grand opening, the second annual Jr. NBA Global Championship concluded at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, which featured the top 13- and 14-year-old youth boys and girls basketball teams from around the world. Walt Disney World Resort also has a long-standing relationship with the Orlando Magic and the NBA. www.thechicagocitizen.com

Organizers of NostalgiaCon’s inaugural ‘80’s pop culture convention recently announced a national call for retro pop culture collectors of unique ‘80s toys, video games, posters, electronics, and furniture. As part of eclectic items that already include the National Boombox Museum and ‘80s cars, NostalgiaCon is adding space to spotlight select collections that demonstrate strong fan interest.

To submit a collection for consideration, email info@nostalgiacon. org and specify the exact nature and space requirement of your collection. The deadline is August 31. Only collections that are not being sold on the exhibit floor will be considered for this free showcase. Exhibitor opportunities for the retro marketplace are available separately by emailing exhibiting@nostalgiacon.org.

About NostalgiaCon With offices in downtown Miami, NostalgiaCon (www.NostalgiaCon80s. com) is a global fan conventions company wholly focused on celebrating

the pop culture icons, influencers, music, newsmakers, entertainers, shows, films, sports, fads, toys, foods and more, that fans feel the most fond of. NostalgiaCon is the first platform ever created to fully scale and monetize the decades both in the United States and internationally through conventions, concerts, events, privately licensed entertainment, social media, and more. On September 28 and 29, the Anaheim Convention Center will host NostalgiaCon, where the 1980’s will be captured in its full glory, capitalizing on the powerful force of nostalgia via the people, trends and moments that define entire generations.

NostalgiaCon is the brainchild of serial entrepreneurs Manny Ruiz, creator and producer of the nationally renowned Hispanicize event and the Mixed Reality Marketing Summit, and Sean Wolfington, chairman and CEO of The Wolfington Companies and chairman and CEO of CarSaver, Walmart’s exclusive auto buying platform. For more information, visit http://www.

NostalgiaCon80s.com).

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

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CITIZEN On The Move In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the death of Chicago policeman Thomas lIV Wortham who was killed by murderous men who attempted to hi-jack his motorcycle. His Father a retired police sergeant managed to shoot and kill one of the perpetrator; with the other two being apprehended.The shooter Marcus Floyd received life in prison. Superintendent then Commander of the 6th Dist Eddie Johnson,forrmer Alderman Freddrenna Lyle and Sgt. Dwayne Betts, celebrated his life during “Peace in Park”, a day that the community takes back their neighborhood allowing the kids to camp out all night in the Parkwithout fear.

Kids show their prower as they attempt to climb to the top of a new attraction the Rock Wall.

Peace In The Park

L-R Superintendent Eddie Jonson, Sandra Wortham Commander Rahman Muhammad.Chief of Patrol Fred Waller

Kids line up for the ever popular face painting.

Tents lined the park for the night in the park sleep out.

BROWN MEMORIAL PARK DEDICATION

Sydney Brown Park held a dedication ceremony for new improverments to the Park. On hand for the celebration were many relativies sporting a t-shirt stating “That’s My Cuzin” family reunion. Dignitaries on hand were Fire Commissioner Richard Ford, Police Commander Raham Muhammad (6th) Alderrman Roderick Sawyer (6th) Irving Lewis Pres, Brown Park,Fireman Anthony Frazier and Irving Brown, Brown died on duty.

Signs lined the lawn bearing the names of fallen Firefighter

HAROLD BAINES MAKES APPEARANCE AT INFINITY IN HYDE PARK HONORING HIS INDUCTION INTO BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

Harold Baines was inducuted into BHOF on July 21, 2019

Infinity team fans joined Harold Baines for a souvenir photo.

www.thechicagocitizen.com

It was truly a family affair with 100’s of baseball fans coming out to see Hall of Famer Baines in person.

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

CALENDAR EVENTS THAT LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

Chinese Lantern Festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Sept. 13–Oct. 20 Organizers of China Lights, the wildly popular Chinese lantern festival at Milwaukee County’s renowned Boerner Botanical Gardens, recently announced that tickets to China Lights: are now on sale at chinalights.org and at various park locations.

“China Lights is a one-of-a-kind festival that is sure to reshape the way people interact with Milwaukee County parks,” said County Executive Chris Abele. “With new lantern displays, interactive exhibits and more, this year China Lights is sure to bring Milwaukee’s legacy of public art and iconic public parks onto the world stage in a way it never has before.”

The magical glow of 40 larger-than-life sculptural lantern displays will illuminate the renowned nine-acre Boerner Botanical Gardens, in Whitnall Park at 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, WI. The festival, presented by Tri City National Bank, will also celebrate Asian folk-culture with professional entertainment sponsored by We Energies, a bustling marketplace, and a variety of food and beverage selections. The event runs from Sept.

13–Oct. 20, Tuesday through Sunday, from 5:30–10 p.m., with a 5 p.m. opening for people who purchase the VIP ticket package. The festival will be closed Mondays.

“This year, the China Lights lantern festival

• Sept. 20–22, Treasures Weekend, sponsored

by Gruber Law Offices • Sept. 27–29, Asian Cuisine/Chicago Weekend, sponsored by WGN Radio • Oct. 4–6, Moon Festival Weekend, presented by the Milwaukee Chinese Community Center and OCA–Wisconsin • Oct. 11–13, Cultural Weekend, sponsored by the Reiman Foundation • Oct 18–20, Closing Weekend, sponsored by We Energies

runs one week longer to accommodate more people, more comfortably,” said Ralph Garity, the event producer and president of Festival Pro, LLC. “We are also happy to offer tickets to this 95-percent-new show at last year’s prices.”

Weekend Themes Special weekend themes will be the following: • Sept. 13–15, Opening Weekend, sponsored

by Tri City National Bank

Admission/Fees China Lights admission tickets will be valid any night of the regular 2019 schedule. Ticket prices are the following: Child, age 5-17, $12; Adult, age 18-59, $20; Senior, age 60+, $12; one-visit individual VIP package, $30; and unlimited-visit individual Season Pass, $50.

The VIP package includes early entry (5 p.m.), a souvenir, a tour (5:15 p.m.), participation in the Illumination Parade (6:15 p.m.), VIP show seating, and the mobile guide. The mobile guide, which requires a cell phone for use, provides a cultural perspective on the displays.

The guide is also available for $5 on-site.

Advance tickets may be purchased on-line at chinalights.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Boerner Botanical Gardens,

Milwaukee County Parks Public Services Office (9480 Watertown Plank Road), and major park golf courses.

Same-night tickets will be available on-site at the outdoor ticket office starting at 4 p.m. For more information, call 888-733-1888 or visit chinalights.org.

BACKGROUND For the past four years, Festival Pro LLC, a Milwaukee-based special-events producer, has worked with Sichuan Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., in cooperation with Zigong City and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce, to bring the China Lights lantern festival to Milwaukee. In 2016, Milwaukee became the first Midwestern city to host the unequalled China Lights. In each of the past three years, more than 100,000 visitors attended the show.

As part of China’s five-year economic plan, in 2015 the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce developed a campaign with the goal of holding 100 lantern shows in 100 cities worldwide to spread Chinese traditional culture and promote cultural exchange. The custom of lighting lanterns has occurred for thousands of years. According to the Zigong Lantern Culture & Industry Group, Zigong City now boasts nearly 600 registered lanternmaking companies with 40,000 employees.

Lincoln Park Zoo Announces 25th Annual ZooLights Events and Activities Lincoln Park Zoo’s 25th annual ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ returns this holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29.

In addition to the ongoing light displays, guests can attend several special events throughout the season: Members-Only Night (Nov. 22), Holiday Market (Dec. 3), Adults Night Out: Holidaze! (Dec. 5), BrewLights (Dec. 12), Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Dec. 15), Zoo Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), and Breakfast with Santa (Dec.15).

Full schedule of events at lpzoo. org/events.

6 – 8, Dec. 13 – 15, and then nightly Dec. 16 through Jan. 5 (excluding Dec. 24 and 25).

ZooLights Family Nights are back by popular demand Mondays, Dec. 9, 16 and 30. These fun-filled evenings include all regular ZooLights activities along with FREE rides on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel and Lionel Train Adventure. On these nights, kids also eat FREE at Park Place Café (one free limited kid’s menu item with paid adult entrée or combo meal). Lincoln Park Zoo members of all levels can enjoy free parking on Family Nights, too.

ZOOLIGHTS IS FREE ENTRY A Chicago holiday tradition that helps keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and open 365 days a year, ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ illuminates the zoo with more than 2.5 million lights and hundreds of dynamic displays. This FREE event transforms Lincoln Park Zoo into a twinkling winter wonderland for 28 nights complete with visits from Santa (through Dec. 23), ice sculptors (weekends), carolers (weekdays), festive activities and sweet treats of all kinds. ZooLights runs from 4:30 to 9 p.m. It takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights Nov. 29 – 30, Dec. 1, Dec.

TICKETED HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Light Maze Presented by Invesco QQQ takes guests on an enlightening journey! Get lost in a maze of 30,000 LED lightbulbs at Foreman Pavilion.

This ticketed experience returns to the zoo for a third year and will run every night of ZooLights.

Holiday Market returns for its fourth year on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jumpstart holiday shopping against the backdrop of 2.5 million lights by browsing through treasures from local artisans, makers, and crafters.

Entry is $10 ($8 for Lincoln Park Zoo members).

Adults Night Out: Holidaze! on Dec. 5 gives adults who are 18 years and older exclusive entry to the zoo after hours. Come for the lights, stay for the ugly sweater contest, dazzling displays, holiday activities, music, cash bars, and wildlife chats! The event takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($12 for Lincoln Park Zoo members). Food, hot chocolate, festive cocktails, mulled wine, and beer (for those ages 21+) are available for purchase.

Holiday favorite BrewLights Presented by Louis Glunz Beer Inc. returns to the zoo on Dec. 12 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.! , Guests ages 21+ will forage for local craft and seasonal beers amidst the dazzle of ZooLights. Enjoy photos with Santa at the Helen Brach Primate House, free rides on the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, live music, and more! Tickets (regular and designated driver) will be available at the end of August. Food is available for purchase. This event is hosted by the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo, and every pour supports their generous pledge to The Pride of Chicago capital campaign – now in its final phase of renovating Kovler Lion House!

Making the long journey all the way from the North Pole, Santa Claus is coming to town! Enjoy Breakfast www.thechicagocitizen.com

with Santa at the landmark Café Brauer. Guests will savor a delicious brunch with the big man in red himself while taking in the beautiful views Nature Boardwalk has to offer.

There will be four seatings on Dec. 15 starting at 9 a.m. Adults (age 13 and older) are $45, children (ages one to 12) are $20 and tiny tots (12 months and younger) are free. All children will enjoy a complimentary cookie decoration station.

The Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is back for an encore! Guests will tap their toes during this soulful jazz tribute to a favorite holiday classic. The event will feature shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Café Brauer with tickets beginning at $25. Start a new holiday tradition this year!

There’s no better way to ring in the New Year than at Zoo Year’s Eve! This adults-only celebration counts down to 2020 with DJ entertainment, games, and giveaways in the glow of ZooLights. Food and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

The event runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Early-bird tickets begin at $10.

MEMBERS ONLY Members-Only Night on Nov. 22 from 4:30 to 9 p.m. offers Lincoln Park Zoo members an exclusive preview of ZooLights before it opens

to the public! Members will enjoy Lionel Train Adventure, AT&T Endangered Species Carousel and Light Maze free of charge.

Members receive a 10% discount on general admission tickets to the following holiday events: Zoo Year’s Eve, Chris White Trio Tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, Breakfast with Santa, and Holiday Market. In addition, members receive 20% off Adults Night Out general admission tickets.

Not a member? Visit lpzoo.org/ membership to become a member this holiday season.

MORE Thinking of popping the question?

Propose in the perfect setting! The zoo is offering an unforgettable engagement package for couples looking for a sparkling and magical setting for their wedding proposal.

Interested parties can find out more by contacting the zoo’s Private Events Department at groupsales@lpzoo.org.

ZooLights, presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ and all accompanying events, enable Lincoln Park Zoo to provide a free, family- oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and continue advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science and conservation. Learn more at lpzoo. org.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Aug. 21, 2019

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

The study also found that while borrowing covered 24 percent of overall college costs, 57 percent of the families who borrowed to pay for college say they had always planned to do so as part of their paying-forcollege strategy. What’s more, many families are getting a head start on paying their loans back, with 41 percent making payments on student loans while the student is in school.

Families are being proactive in other ways, too. Seventy-seven percent of families completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 201819 academic year. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in receiving a financial aid award letter from schools. Of those who filed for the 2019-20 academic year, 25 percent did so in October, the first month the application is available. On the other hand, the majority of families waited until January or later to file, potentially missing out on free money for college.

For the complete report and a related infographic, visit SallieMae.com/HowAmericaPays. For new tools and educational resources that promote college planning, visit salliemae.com/college-planning.

“While more families are planning for college costs, we’d like to see that number continue to grow because we know those with a plan are better prepared to meet the costs, and typically have a better understanding of the financial aid process,” says Quinlan. __________________________________

How to Take on the New School Year Like the Ultimate Overachiever

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EDUCATION More Families Have a Plan to Pay for College (StatePoint) College may be getting more expensive, but new research suggests that more families are preparing to meet those costs one way or another.

Eighty percent of families say they are confident in how they paid for college last year, and nearly half have a plan to pay for all years of college, according to “How America Pays for College 2019,” a recent study from Sallie Mae and Ipsos, an independent global market research company.

All this preparation could be attributed to the fact that the overwhelming majority of families recognize the value of higher education, with 90 percent of families agreeing college is an investment.

“The individual and socio-economic benefits of a college education are clear, so it’s particularly gratifying to see that families continue to view college as a worthwhile investment,” says Raymond J. Quinlan, chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. On average, families report spending $26,226 on college in academic year 201819, with a sizeable portion of costs -- 43 percent -- covered out-of-pocket through income and savings.

Scholarships, grants, and gifts -- used by 82 percent of families -- covered 33 percent of costs, and that “free money” can be especially important, both logistically and psychologically, opening doors to opportunities that would be otherwise unavailable and even making a difference in the way students view the college experience as a whole.

(StatePoint) A new school year is a cleaslate. How are you going to make your mark?

To help students everywhere gear up for a successful school year, celebrated actor, author, humanitarian and G2 Overachiever, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is sharing tips for making more happen.

Tip 1: Set specific goals: Writing down goals and aspirations can get you started on the right note. In a recent survey conducted by Pilot Pen, more than 94 percent of people stated that writing down goals makes you more likely to achieve them, whether that means getting straight As, making your favorite sports team, or making a difference in your community.

Tip 2: Get involved: Find something that you are passionate about this school year, whether that means joining an existing club or taking on a totally new project. You can get inspired by Ian McKenna, winner of the 2018 G2 Overachievers Student Grant, which recognizes young scholars (age 1319, in middle or high school) who are making a real difference in others’ lives in and outside of the classroom. A native of Austin, Texas, 14-year-old McKenna was inspired to help feed his hungry classmates during winter break and founded Ian’s Giving Garden, a series of community gardens that donates 100 percent of their crops to hungry families. To-date, McKenna’s charity has helped feed over 700 families by growing and donating an estimated 18,300 pounds of fresh produce.

McKenna’s inspiring story was selected

by Chopra Jonas from a pool of highly qualified nominees. Together with Pilot, she’ll award McKenna and his school a combined $15,000 grant. He plans to use his $12,500 portion for college tuition, to gain the skills needed to make an even greater impact on social issues like hunger. The remaining $2,500 will go to his school to help continue fostering overachievement among its students.

Do you know someone going above and beyond their daily responsibilities to better their community? Whether they’re a student or adult, visit G2Overachievers.com to learn more and submit a handwritten nomination.

Tip 3: Be prepared: Overachievers of all ages know that you have to have the right tools on-hand so that you’re always prepared when inspiration strikes. Whether you’re taking notes in class, outlining a science experiment or planning a fundraiser for an afterschool club, the right pen in your hand can make all the difference. A preferred pen of overachievers, the G2 gel ink pen by Pilot is smooth-writing, long-lasting and the number one selling pen in America.

Its smaller counterpart, the G2 Mini, offers the same smooth-writing ink and comfortable grip of full-sized G2s in 10 great color

options, and funds the G2 Overachievers Student Grant.

Tip 4: Try something new: Make this the year you step outside your comfort zone and try something totally new to you.

Audition for the school play. Join or start a new club. You never know where a hidden talent lies and there’s only one way to find out.

When taking on new challenges this school year, no matter your goals, remember that with smart planning, perseverance and the best tools, you too can be an overachiever. __________________________________

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Janice Garth

Sales Manager General Manager

Editorial

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