Chicago Weekend Citizen 10-27-2021

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 Oct. 27, 2021

| Vol. 52 | No. 44 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

‘DIGGING UP LOVE’ EXPLORES FOSSILS AND FOOD

Chandra Blumberg always wanted to be a writer. She started writing at a young age. She was writing nonfiction essays about motherhood and when the pandemic shutdown happened, she wanted to switch gears. She wanted to write something that was an escape from her daily life. She hadn’t written fiction for some time but started back up during the shutdown.

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Chandra Blumberg, author of “Digging Up Love,” a romance novel about a woman from a small town and a man from the big city who meet and fall in love. Photo provided by Chandra Blumberg

Two-Thirds of Parents Plan to Get Them Vaccinated Against COVID: Poll

Ladies of Virtue Celebrates 10 Years

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

NEWS briefly CHICAGO ELITE CLASSIC BASKETBALL SHOWCASE IS BACK Celebrating a decade of spotlighting tomorrow’s collegiate and professional basketball superstars, the 10th annual Chicago Elite Classic (CEC) Basketball Showcase is back. CEC will highlight the top girls and boys high school basketball teams in the Chicagoland area and from across the country.

Teams compete for bragging rights to determine who is best of the best at CEC. The Chicago Elite Classic will take place FridaySaturday, December 3-4, at the Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly UIC). Teams for the 2021 showcase and matchups will be released in the next several weeks. Previous participants include Whitney Young Magnet High School, Simeon High School, and top high school basketball teams from Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, California and Texas.

Notable Chicago Elite Classic alumni include Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, Talen Horton-Tucker, Ayo Dosunmi, Kendrick Nunn and Jayson Tatum.

“As we enter the 10th year, the CEC continues to build upon its legacy of providing a well-deserved platform for top teams and players, showcasing our beautiful city and uniting the community via the game of basketball,” says Tyrone Slaughter, head coach, Whitney Young Magnet High School and co-founder of the Chicago Elite Classic.

“It provides an opportunity for fans to watch the future stars of tomorrow. The level of athleticism among Chicago Elite Classic teams is unmatched.

These young women and men put their heart and soul into this sport, and to watch them play at this caliber is awe-inspiring to many,” says Robert Smith, head coach, Simeon High School and cofounder of Chicago Elite Classic.

For more information on the Chicago Elite Classic, visit www.chicagoeliteclassic.com and follow CEC on social media at @ChiEliteClassic Twitter @ ChicagoEliteClassic Instagram and Facebook.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE RECORD-HIGH GRADUATION RATE Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez today announced the District’s record-high fiveyear graduation rate of 83.8 percent, up by nearly 27 percentage points from 2011 when the rate was 56.9 percent. The four-year rate saw a similar gain, increasing 26 percentage points in the same time span and remaining nearly level since last year at 80.2 percent for the Class of 2021. Increased graduation rates among students of all racial groups led to the overall gain, bringing the District closer to its Five-Year Vision goal of reaching a 90 percent graduation rate by 2024.

“This is a wonderful sign of our District’s progress,” said CEO Martinez. “The last time I worked for CPS, our graduation rates were nowhere near where they are now, and I am so proud of each and every Class of 2021 graduate and the many teachers and family members who supported them, especially amid this global pandemic. We are excited and ready to ensure more students reach this milestone, equipped and ready to succeed in college and careers.”

CEO Martinez joined District and school leaders as well as students at Amundsen High School Thursday afternoon to celebrate the gains and encourage continued growth across CPS. Principals from neighborhood high schools with the top 10 graduation rates for the Class of 2021 also joined the event which featured musicians from the Amundsen High School Orchestra and a future Class of 2022 graduate.

‘Digging Up Love’ explores fossils and food Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Chandra Blumberg always wanted to be a writer. She started writing at a young age. She was writing non-fiction essays about motherhood and when the pandemic shutdown happened, she wanted to switch gears. She wanted to write something that was an escape from her daily life. She hadn’t written fiction for some time but started back up during the shutdown.

Blumberg drafted her novel, “Digging Up Love,” during the first shutdown. She found it was a really good escape for her and decided to switch her focus to writing romance. She has always been a lover of the romance genre. This is Blumberg’s debut novel. She pitched the story to agents and was offered the book deal.

Blumberg described “Digging Up Love” as a rom com. The book follows Alisha, a small town woman with big dreams

of moving to Chicago, and Quentin, an academic from Chicago. They meet when Quentin comes to Alisha’s town for work.

Blumberg likes writing about heavier topics but approach them from a humorous standpoint. While she moved from writing non-fiction essays to writing romance, she kept the humor.

Blumberg drew from her own experience growing up in rural town in Michigan as the inspiration for the main character, Alisha, who is a baker. “I love baking and I love binge watching all of the baking competitions on TV and browsing Pinterest for recipes,” she said.

For the character of Quentin, Blumberg knew she wanted a character who was a paleontologist from Chicago, because she wanted the interplay of the city meets country romance.

It was really important for Blumberg to have the characters be biracial Black people.

Alisha is Black and White and Quentin is

Black and Latino. Alisha is one of the only Black people in the small town in Illinois where she lives. Blumberg wanted to depict that experience for Alisha growing up like that and living in that town.

It took Blumberg six months to write the book. Then, came the editing process, which she loves. It is the drafting part that Blumberg finds more difficult, getting all the pieces on paper. “I love going back and sort of fine tuning the story and pulling out the best pieces of the character,” she said.

“The editing is the part of the process I really enjoy, getting to the heart of the story.”

Blumberg worked with what she described as a “really awesome editor.”

“Digging Up Love” is book one of a series. The second book is set to come out later in 2022 and it will focus on Alisha’s younger sister and also have a foodie focus.

“Digging Up Love” will be available January 2022. To pre-order the book, visit www. amazon.com.

Mississippi Initiative Will Combat Leading Cause of Involuntary Land Loss JACKSON, Miss. PRNewswire -- The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation™ and the Mississippi Center for Justice today announced the Mobile Basin Heirs’ Property Support Initiative, a two-year program designed to help historically underserved families in Mississippi protect and keep their forestland; build generational wealth; and promote productive, sustainably managed forests. With support from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Kimberly-Clark, the new initiative will provide a combination of legal services, information, and assistance accessing financial resources to help Mississippians resolve land title issues that disproportionately affect Black families and often lead to loss of land, wealth, and forest resources.

Heirs’ property is land passed down informally from generation to generation, often because landowners died without a will.

In the absence of a will, the land is considered jointly owned by all heirs, split between multiple people regardless of whether they live on the land, pay the taxes, or have ever set foot on it. This fractured land leaves owners vulnerable to developers and

timber harvesters, tax sales, and forced partition sales. Owners are faced with the decision to either give up their land or go through the complex and costly legal process of resolving title issues. In Mississippi, this also contributes to an increasing rate of forest loss, compromising the region’s important freshwater habitats and drinking water supply.

“Families and individual landowners with title issues clouded by undetermined heirs or absent heirs can result in loss of land held for generations through tax sales, court-ordered partition sales, or even a ‘taking’ of the land by adverse possession,” said Mississippi Center for Justice President and CEO Vangela M. Wade. “These harmful effects—which have persisted for decades—have been particularly acute for families of color and low-income families in Mississippi. It is currently estimated that heirs’ property accounts for 1.6 million acres valued at $6.6 billion across the southern Black Belt.”

The new initiative is based on a successful model developed by the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation™ in South Carolina. This model has helped

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South Carolina families resolve more than 275 titles, building family and community wealth and ecological restoration in marginalized communities.

“We are delighted to entrust our heirs’ property resolution knowledge and expertise to a well-established public interest law firm to address the complex problem of land loss by increasing access to the tools and resources these landowners need to resolve title issues and develop working landscapes,” said Jennie L. Stephens, chief executive officer, the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation™.

“This partnership will help build and sustain a landowner movement that has the power to unleash the cultural and natural resources of land in marginalized communities toward family wealth creation and to ecological restoration.”

The initiative will also provide landowners with forestry education and access to additional funding for forest conservation and responsible forest management. This support can help families make income from their lands while protecting wildlife habitat and water sources.

The initiative will be piloted

over two years with property owners across the Mobile Bay watershed. In addition to providing direct assistance to Mississippi’s underserved landowners, the program’s goals include raising broader awareness about the benefits to both people and nature that can come from removing barriers for historically marginalized communities to secure land rights in the southern United States and beyond.

Morden added: “We know the issue of insecure land tenure and its links to forest loss and degradation is not unique to the U.S. southeast. As the world continues to address the climate and biodiversity crises, we must also look to support the land rights of Indigenous and other marginalized communities who steward many of the world’s most carbon- and biodiversity-rich forests. To that end, this initiative supports our ambition to improve the lives and well-being of 1 billion people in underserved communities around the globe by 2030, with the smallest environmental footprint—and is part of how we deliver our purpose of better care for a better world.”

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NEWS

Ladies of Virtue Celebrates 10 Years Ladies of Virtue (LOV), a Chicago-based non-profit established to create excellent programming and mentorship for African American girls, will host their annual fundraiser, “Leading with Virtue,” on Saturday, Nov. 13. The event will take place virtually once again, with the program beginning at 11:30 a.m.

CST, followed by a VIP interview and performance at 12:30 p.m. CST with Grammy Award winning artist, Chrisette Michele. Val Warner, host of Windy City Weekend, will emcee the occasion.

The “Leading with Virtue’’ event serves as a celebration of the organization’s 10th anniversary and will help LOV raise money to continue to offer programs and resources and to be of service to Black girls and Black young women in the community. Concurrently, the program will honor eight dynamic women executives and entrepreneurs who lead with purpose, passion and perseverance, and who have made significant contributions to the community and toward the upliftment of African American young ladies in the Chicagoland area.

LOV prepares nine to 18-year-old Black girls for post-secondary education and future careers to become promising leaders in their communities. Studies have shown that young Black girls are often stripped of their innocence and forced to act more mature than their counterparts. They also lack mentors and positive leaders within the education system where they

are molded, and thus they miss essential developmental stages that ultimately limits their overall growth and opportunities to grow as leaders themselves.

“I’m so proud of how far LOV has come in the last ten years,” said LOV founder Jamila Trimuel as she expressed excitement at the activities planned for the 2021 fundraiser. “We are going to screen a special 10-year anniversary documentary at the event, and I already know I’m going to cry watching it. It’s such a symbol of growth. Being able to see the girls we work with grow into strong and capable women, into women just like this year’s honorees, is a blessing,” she added.

The honorees include: Dr. Victoria Barbosa - Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Chicago Tracey V. Bell - CEO, The IBM Company & The FM Omni Channel J’ai Brown - Director of Human Resources, HUB International Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler, Clinical Psychologist/Associate Professor, Northwestern University Camille Lilly - State Representative, 78th District Angel Perez - Director of External Affairs, ComEd Sharisse Summers Allen - Executive Vice President, Balton Corporation/ Reggio’s Pizza Melanie Whaley - CEO, Essential Elements

The two co-chairs for the occasion include: Elayne Granger - Director of External Affairs, AT&T Marcus Yancey - Flounder of Innovative Economic Solutions Attendees of “Leading with Virtue” will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction and raffle, as well as have access to the special documentary, “Our 10 Year Journey,” featured during the event. To learn more about “Leading with Virtue” or to purchase a ticket to attend, visit https://www.lovchicago. org/leadingwithvirtue Ladies of Virtue (LOV), launched in October 2011, is a nonprofit organization developed to instill purpose, passion, and perseverance in girls, ages 9 to 18 while preparing them for college, careers and to become change agents in their communities.

LOV matches participants with mentors and prepares them for leadership through culturally relevant character building, career readiness, and a civic engagement curriculum. LOV provides project management, collaboration, and communication training via two to fourmonth project experiences to empower girls to lead in the modern workforce.

After graduating from high school, with successful completion of the LOV leadership program, participants are mentored and supported for six additional years as LOV 4 Life alumni.

Culver’s Looks to Fill 60 to 70 New Jobs Team members of a national favorite will serve residents, visitors, and businesses in the Pullman and Roseland Community The new Culver’s restaurant, set to open at 111th and Doty Ave. in early November, is seeking applicants to fill 60-70 full and part-time positions for day and evening shifts.

“We see our job as mentoring our team members so they can grow their careers with us and even became owners of a restaurant,” said Baron Waller, owner and one of the mentors who grew up on Chicago’s West Side and earned his MBA at the University of Michigan. “It’s important that we work in the community to provide people of all ages with new opportunities that offer the skills and experience which prepare them for whatever future endeavors and career path they choose. It is one of the best ways to build a brighter future.”

Prior restaurant experience is a plus, but it is not necessary because Culver’s offers on-going training. Interested applicants need to apply by visiting www.Culversjobs.com.

The new Culver’s location will be the first stand-alone and casual sit-down dining option to open in Pullman in years. It will feature indoor and patio seating as well as a drive-thru.

It will be the third Culver’s location in Chicago for owner Baron Waller who owns a Culver’s in the Ravenswood and Lincoln Square area and one in Bronzeville. He hopes to open additional Chicago locations, in addition to the three city locations, Mr. Waller also owns three Culver’s restaurants in the southwest suburbs.

“We’re excited that Baron has chosen to bring Culver’s to the Pullman and Roseland community,” said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale. “Culver’s will be a great addition to the community serving not only residents, but the visitors

POLITICAL Affairs Broadview Trustees Okay 1st African-American Police Chief The Village of Broadview, Board of recently unanimously approved the town's appointment of their first AfricanAmerican police chief.

Thomas Mills, a 31-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department who oversaw more than 600 officers as CPD’s Bureau of Counter Terrorism’s Criminal Network Chief Thomas Mills Group deputy chief, was sworn-in at the board meeting to lead the 37-officer Village of Broadview Police Department.

Mills, who is Broadview’s first African-American-Japanese police chief, says “honesty” is the top duty of anyone leading a police department.

“A city and community wants a chief who displays honesty at all times,” said Mills. “Integrity and humility are the two most common components of the overall success of a police chief.”

Mills, who replaces a 30-year veteran of the Broadview Police Department, Kevin Eugling, who retired in February, is pledging to have an “open conversation” with village residents and business leaders in the western Cook County community of 7,900 residents just 15-minutes from Chicago’s loop.

“It would be my job to learn the Village of Broadview while striving to gain the trust from all residents and businesses owners through an open conversation,” said Mills. “The only way to accomplish this is to be ‘boots on the ground’ both day and night, visiting all communities.”

Slaughter-Backed Measure Requires Insurance Companies to Provide Coverage for Mental Health Services Illinois State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that will require insurance companies to provide policyholders with coverage for mental health and substance abuse services. This legislation would improve the mental health and wilbeing of the communities across the state of Illinois, said Representative Slaughter.

“Mental health is incredibly important in the overall well-being of an individual, and it’s critical that residents have access to affordable care that can help them and their families,” said Slaughter. “This measure should help expand access to everyone, and it can particularly have an impact on low-income residents who previously did not have the ability to find care.”

Baron Waller outside of the new Culver’s restaurant in the Pullman and Roseland community. When it opens in early Nov., the new restaurant will be the first stand-alone, casual sit-down dining option built in the community in years. Photo provided by Brian Berg.

to the Pullman National Monument Visitor, the Pullman Community Center and employees of all the businesses in the area and more.”

Culver’s, a national chain, was launched in 1984 when Craig Culver along with his family opened the first location in the family’s hometown of Sauk City, WI. They built their reputation on providing great cooked-to-order food with an emphasis on service, hospitality, and community involvement. Their signature items include the ButterBurger and Fresh Frozen Custard. Today, there are more than 775 locations in 25 states, including three in Chicago and many more in the Chicago-region. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Slaughter supported House Bill 2595, which was recently signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, mandates insurance companies to offer coverage for mental health and substance abuse services. The law obliges companies to provide coverage for all services deemed necessary by the leading nonpartisan mental health professional association to treat any mental health disorder or condition. The new law fully takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022 and will also punish insurance companies for failing to comply with fines between $1,000 and $5,000 for each instance.

“Mental health matters, and it matters even more during this pandemic that has continued to take a toll on the minds of everyone,” said Slaughter. “People are facing multiple stressors from a variety of sources, and it’s absolutely critical that they have access to the treatment they deserve to manage their mental health and lead healthy lives.”

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BUSINESS Beautiful Brown Girls™ Launches Crowdfunding Drive

Traveling Black Women Network

Traveling Black Women Founder Urges Black Travel Influencers Anyone can travel abroad and take amazing photos, the real flex is bringing your loved ones with you.

Black PR Wire - ATLANTA, GA -- The fear of travel among members of the Black community is deeply rooted. Historically, safety concerns coupled with a lack of representation created the narrative that Black Americans were excluded from leisure travel. As that narrative now shifts, Traveling Black Women Network founder Dr. Nadine C. Duncan is urging Black travel influencers to venture beyond the spoils of social media and curate tangible travel opportunities for the people closest to them.

According to a study conducted by MMGY Global, Black travelers contributed nearly $130 billion to the travel industry in 2019. As travel slowly returns to pre-pandemic levels, Black travel influencers must take this opportunity to lead the planning process for their loved ones to experience the freedom of travel. The global presence of Black Americans has the potential to shift how the world views Black Americans as well as disrupt the limitations that have been imposed on Black Americans for generations. This is a time for a holistic shift in the Black experi-

ence and content creation alone can not move the needle.

James Baldwin, who left the United States for the opportunity to view himself as more than a “Negro writer” once said, “The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way a person looks at reality, then you can change it.” Black Travel Influencers must recognize that they hold this power in their hands. What is happening in the world of Black travel is deeper than likes, shares, and a sponsored post. It is the beginning of a complete paradigm shift in the Black community--an opportunity to heal, prioritize mental health, and see oneself beyond the collective struggle. The time to turn influence into action is now.

The Traveling Black Women Network, founded in 2015, is a space for Black female travelers to exchange information about travel. The network is the product of the travel guide series Diary of a Traveling Black Women: A Guide to International Travel--a series of travel guides written for Black women, by Black women.

MIAMI PRNewswire -Beautiful Brown Girls™ (BBG) announces the launch of its crowdfunding drive to fund the development of a branded iOS App and raise seed money to keep their service offerings affordable for Black women. BBG member benefits include memorable in-person social events.

Their aim is to build stronger communities by focusing on self-care and encouraging genuine connections through like-minded interests.

Caress Dreams to Reality Fund powered by iFundWomen recently became the first to donate to Beautiful Brown Girls™ (BBG) during the crowdfunding campaign’s inaugural week.

With a goal to raise $60,000, Beautiful Brown Girls plans to the use funds to develop their own branded mobile application as well as for current expenses needed to run and grow the organization.

Donations can be made to the crowdfunding campaign by clicking this link: https:// ifundwomen.com/projects/beautiful-brown-girls. Donors can receive various awards for specific amounts such as: Social Love for $25, a BBG Branded T-Shirt for $45; an Annual Membership & Merch Bundle for $125, $800 to launch a new BBG Brunch Chapter and much more.

Founded in 2010 originally as a monthly brunch event by Christina Duren the Beautiful

Beautiful Brown Girls

Brown Girls™ has blossomed into so much more than a brunch club. It is a community made up of 34 chapters and a virtual community of over 55,000 members.

“Since the launch of the Beautiful Brown Girls™ in March of 2010, we have reached over 100,000 women of color through one-on-one virtual outreach, small group engagement, community events, and last but not least brunch events” says Duren, founder of Beautiful Brown Girls. “This crowdfunding campaign will help us provide a wider access to our services through our branded mobile application.”

Duren Continued, “We feel very strongly that this crowdfund will enable us to continue executing our business model and allow us to invest further in the advancement of the Beautiful Brown Girls community.”

Beautiful Brown Girls™ is proof of what can happen when you find your people. Not only can you bond over a delicious meal, but you can also become an agent for change in your community. For more information, please visit https://beautifulbrowngirls.com/

James Hasty Launches First African American-Owned Search Firm DALLAS PRNewswire -- Former NFL cornerback James Hasty is working to eliminate biases and racial disparity in sports hiring through his new search firm, Eneje (pronounced IN-N-JAY) Consulting, and a proprietary candidate evaluation tool called the Coaching Performance Assessment System (CPAS).

Eneje is the first African American-owned search firm to work exclusively in the sports industry.

Hasty founded Eneje to help ensure more diversity and inclusion in sports.

“On the field and court, some of the most lauded athletes are among the most underrepresented groups in the coaching and management of collegiate and professional organizations,” Hasty said. “We’re here to change that.”

Among Eneje’s supporters are key NFL figures like former player and Fritz Pollard Alliance Chairman John Wooten, who led the nonprofit that champi-

ons diversity in the NFL from its 2003 inception until his 2019 retirement.

“Eneje can be a great spoke in the wheel for diversity and inclusion in the NFL,” Wooten said. “There is more work to be done, and I believe Hasty can make a huge difference in working with the NFL for candidates of all races and backgrounds.”

By employing impartial methodology, Eneje promotes fairness across the board and levels the playing field among sports professionals competing for coaching and front-office positions. CPAS is a provisional patented algorithm that uses data analytics and machine learning to objectively and accurately evaluate individuals’ careers, empowering Eneje to go beyond traditional statistics.

“We collaborate with teams to determine the most desirable characteristics for a specific position and find the right person for the job

every time,” Hasty said. “Eneje takes implicit biases like race, gender and nepotism out of the equation and identifies candidates who fit the precise criteria teams are seeking.”

The route to the best candidate – whether that’s an African American, female or someone else – starts and ends with CPAS. The placement professionals at Eneje use the mathematically based assessment tool to analyze both quantitative and qualitative factors that include key statistics, proven talent, experience, successes and psychological aptitude.

The qualitative aspect covers a long list of desirable characteristics, such as leadership, management approach, race neutrality and teaching style. Eneje gathered this data with the help of Steven Cureton, Ph.D., at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, who interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, including: www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Wooten Head coaches Bruce Arians, Andy Reid, Brian Flores and Herm Edwards Former Arizona Cardinals Manager Rod Graves and New York Giants General Manager Jerry Reese Esteemed college athletic directors like Etienne Thomas at Winston Salem State University and Ray Anderson at Arizona State University Attorneys Cyrus Mehri and Jeremi Duru Eneje takes into account more than a win-loss record when analyzing coaching candidates, leveraging CPAS to remove subjectivity and focus on the things that matter most in a great coach or manager. CPAS provides organizations a holistic view of candidates, who are scored based on the very qualities they value most.

Whether a high school coach dreams of making it to the big

leagues, or an offensive coordinator wants to move up the ranks, Eneje creates opportunities for them to showcase their abilities to key decision makers. Coaches may add themselves to the CPAS database, where collegiate and professional teams around the country are more likely to discover them.

Eneje can help every sports organization fulfill its commitment to equality with proven criteria that improve not just coaching and front-office candidate selection, but also the entire game.

“When you put the best personnel on the sidelines, you upgrade the quality of the people running programs, and make the game better and safer for everyone,” Hasty said.

“That’s what Eneje is helping to accomplish.”

For more information, visit https://www.enejeconsult.com/.

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FASHION

Foot Locker Unveils New Apparel Line - LCKR by Foot Locker The Line, Featuring Premium Casual Basics, Debuts Featuring Musician and Activist, Gunna NEW YORK PRNewswire -- Foot Locker has announced the upcoming launch of a new apparel line LCKR by Foot Locker.

LCKR merges sneaker and sport culture with the heritage of Foot Locker to bring a new iteration of casual wear to the market. These every day, go-to lifestyle pieces compliment the Foot Locker customer’s existing wardrobe – particularly those who appreciate style and comfort.

In connection with the launch, musician and activist Gunna stars as the face of LCKR’s first ever collection. The rapper has had a close relationship with Foot Locker after recent giveback initiatives in Atlanta with the brand. His dedication to his community and his commitment to balancing his busy life with downtime make him the perfect representative for the line. Gunna is also featured alongside musician Tone Stith, actress Paigion Walker and on-air host Eutel Wallace in the campaign.

“At Foot Locker we’re continuing to grow our assortment every day to make sure we’re meeting the evolving demands of all of our customers,” says Bryon Milburn, Foot Locker Senior Vice President, General Manager. “Today, we’re seeing the need for comfort and the acceptance of casual wear in more places than ever before. With LCKR, we have developed an elevated basics line that gives our customers a diverse way to complement their personal styles at a great value.”

The debut LCKR collection features cozy fleece sets and stylish options so consumers can tailor their look to their vibe. Key pieces include matching fleece pullover hoodies and tapered sweatpants. This collection includes options in neutral go-tos such as

LCKR By Foot Locker

Heather Grey, Bright White and Jet Black, and complimented by seasonal colorway options including Dusty Rose, Back Forest, Blueprint, Bombay Brown and Bloodstone. Available in men’s sizes S – XXL, the collection also includes full zip hoodies, cargo pants and matching track jacket and pant sets.

Offered at a range of prices from $40 – $75, this collection officially releases on Wednesday, October 20th at Foot Locker stores globally and online at www.footlocker.com. Additional collections will release through the end of the year and into 2022, including the expansion into Canada.

Over the last few years, Foot Locker has introduced a series of exclusive capsules, including most recently, collaborations with Melody Ehsani and Don C. LCKR represents the latest iteration of a premium, trend-forward collection that is powering the controlled brand strategy at Foot Locker.

For more information, visit www.footlocker.com

Von Dutch Teams Up with Young Thug LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- Hollywood heritage brand, Von Dutch, is proud to announce its first-ever apparel collection with GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Young Thug, one of the most influential musical figures of his generation.

Fresh off the heels of his highly anticipated Punk album which debuted last week, Young Thug sits at the center of pop culture and has always pushed the boundaries as to what rappers are meant to do today. Von Dutch resonates with bold, non-traditional creators who are leading the pack, and Young Thug is the embodiment of that.

The elevated collection is set to hit specialty streetwear shops, select retailers, and vondutch.com at the end of October.

A synergistic effort between Von Dutch and Young Thug, the details, materials, and fabrics of the collection were thoughtfully curated from the beginning design stages to final production. The power duo designed a pink-themed line

of reimagined streetwear staples, which includes unisex hoodie and jogger sets in two design patterns, short sleeve and long sleeve tees, outerwear puffer jackets, and a variety of custom accessories including bowling bags, trucker hats, and footwear. Each of the brand’s highly recognizable logos are married together as a monogram and heavily incorporated into the apparel throughout the line.

“Ultimately, this is a tasteful but eye-grabbing mix of minimalist streetwear staples that best represents Young Thug’s authenticity,” said Ed Goldman, General Manager of Von Dutch US. “As a maestro, he has a point of view all his own when it comes to his music and fashion. Collectively, Von Dutch and Young Thug pushed the envelope and challenged the typical parameters of streetwear to present this off-beat collection.”

“This is the start of something much bigger than you know,” said Young Thug.

To support the launch of the

new collection, Von Dutch and Young Thug will be showcasing their collection in pop-up stores in cities across the US, including Atlanta, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles, as well as releasing a series of NFTs produced by Thug’s father Big Jeff of YSL Loaded, Rough Diamond International, Devinci, and JW Capital & Holdings. The Von Dutch x Young Thug Collection line is available for purchase exclusively at specialty streetwear shops, select retailers, and vondutch.com.

Von Dutch is a fashion brand that was created in the early 2000’s led by famed French designer, Christian Audigier. The iconic Hollywood brand has been a staple on the pop culture and music scene for over 15 years. Since the launch, Von Dutch exploded into the fashion world and became one of the most desired and recognizable brands of its time. Von Dutch continues to be one of the most influential brands that has stood the test of time. For more information, visit vondutch.com.

Shop Style Shark

Black Woman Takes on Women’s Online Fashion Industry Shop Style Shark, a fast-growing, woman-owned, Black-owned online retailer is taking on the largely male-dominated online fashion industry.

Black PR Wire - The fashion industry – and particularly online fashion – continues to be male-dominated even though women spend over 200% more money on fashion than men. What’s more, even though 85% of people who graduate from fashion school are female, only 14% of the top 50 fashion houses are run by women. And, only 40% of women’s fashion brands are designed by women.

“Men’s social role has dominated the fashion culture. They capitalize on this creative industry and monetize it ruthlessly, often at the expense of the creativity which gave birth to it in the first place and which appeals to the target audience,” said Melissa Wheeler, London-based journalist and fashion consultant.

The fashion industry continues to fall behind many other industries, and society at large, in terms of diversity.

One Woman Takes the Industry By Storm There are women in the fashion industry who are stepping up and fighting back against what can only be

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labeled as gender bias. One of those women is Dionne Middlebrooks, founder of online fashion retailer, Shop Style Shark. For Dionne, fashion is more than just a career, it is a passion she has held since childhood.

“Fаѕhiоn аnd style empowers me daily. Whеn I chооѕе itеmѕ to wеаr оr tо hаvе in my ѕtоrе, оnlу оnе thought goes thrоugh mу hеаd “How will this item make someone feel?,” Middlebrooks said.

You can certainly feel the love and passion that Middlebrooks pours into her business. Since Shop Style Shark began in 2017, it has grown exponentially. From a small online business with a single founder, to now – an ever-growing online fashion powerhouse – Shop Style Shark is definitely a brand to watch in the fashion industry.

And what makes Shop Style Shark even better is that it is breaking down those barriers in diversity and equality that are ripe throughout the fashion industry. Founded by women, focused on women, and supporting women is what has propelled Shop Style Shark to the present, and no doubt, into the future.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

WHAT DOES A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER AND MARINE CORPS VET DO WHEN HE HAS QUESTIONS? HE MAKES A CALL.

If you need someone to talk to about the COVID-19 vaccine, we are here for you.

Call 312-746-4835

Chicago.gov/SeniorVax

Chicago Department of Public Health

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8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

NEWS

Two-Thirds of Parents Plan to Get Them Vaccinated Against COVID: Poll Black PR Wire - In some heartening news on the COVID vaccine for kids front, two-thirds of American parents of children ages 5 to 11 plan to get their youngsters vaccinated when COVID-19 shots are approved for that age group, a new survey shows. However, more Black (49%) and Hispanic (47%) parents were “very worried” about their child contracting the virus than white parents (33%).

Nearly half (49%) of parents in the South were “very worried” about their child getting COVID-19, compared with 32% of those in the Northeast, and 30% of those in the Midwest and West.

Additionally, the region where the parents live played a major part in their hesitancy to get their child vaccinated.

Overall, 60% of the respondents supported schools requiring eligible children to get a vaccine to attend school in person.

Why the hesitancy?

Overall, 77% of parents were at least somewhat worried that their child could get COVID-19, but that varied depending on the parent’s vaccination status and the age of the child.

While 42% of vaccinated parents were “very worried” their child could get COVID-19, the rate was only 29% among unvaccinated parents.

About 42% of parents of children ages 5-11 were “very worried,” compared with 31% of parents of children ages 16-18.

The major reasons why unvaccinated parents of school-aged

children said they haven’t been vaccinated are concern that the vaccines were developed too quickly (63%), worry about potential side effects (57%), and wanting to wait for more information (48%).

Those reasons are the same they gave for why they haven’t, or don’t plan to, have their child vaccinated.

Parents of unvaccinated children ages 12 to 18 said the major factors that might convince them to vaccinate their children include: school requirement (25%); full approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (23%), or someone in their household at high risk (23%).

“While we’re encouraged to see that a majority of parents intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once they are eligible,

Black PR Wire

there is clearly more work to be done to help address parents’ questions and ease concerns about the vaccines,” Beth Battaglino, CEO of HealthyWomen and an organizer of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, which conducted the survey says.

“Reaching people where they are,

listening and working with trusted community voices to help instill confidence in the vaccine development, and [the] regulatory approval process is crucial to combat hesitancy and ensure that all families are equipped with the latest vaccine information to make an informed decision,” Battaglino concluded.

WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE

Learn Fast, Earn Fast Dream Big, Go Local

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds Honored at Keep Memory Alive’s 25th Annual Power of Love® Gala LAS VEGAS PRNewswire -- Keep Memory Alive’s 25th annual Power of Love® gala at Resorts World Las Vegas on Oct. 16 brought top talent Anthony Anderson, Tori Kelly, Kenny Loggins, Demi Lovato, Bruno Mars, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., AJ McLean, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman from Boyz II Men, Jordin Sparks and Charlie Wilson together to honor legendary musicians Smokey Robinson and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and raise crucial funds and awareness for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

Also in attendance were “Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer, jeweler Steven Lagos, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and Patrón Spirits Co. Founder John Paul DeJoria.

Paying tribute to Edmonds’ massive library of penned songs, Boyz II Men opened the show with a medley of “Water Runs Dry,” “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road,” before Mars presented the award to Edmonds, calling him his mentor and hero.

He shared advice Edmonds had given him for any time he’s recording in the studio, to “make sure there’s love in it.” Keep Memory Alive Founder and Chairman Larry Ruvo thanked Edmonds for his dedicated support of Keep Memory Alive throughout the years.

Edmonds shared his personal tie to Keep Memory Alive, saying, “My mother was losing her memory in her last years and there’s nothing more painful than to watch someone you love not remember you.” He thanked Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health for the support and counsel and for “not just working to keep her memory alive, but to keep all of our memories alive.” Boyz II Men returned to the stage with Lovato and McLean to perform a spectacular rendition of “Change the World.”

After the lively performances, Anderson took the stage to present Robinson with his award. Dressed in a maroon floral print suit jacket, Robinson thanked guests and the performers, saying, “It’s an incredible feeling to be up here tonight with my really good friends, most of whom I haven’t seen in a long time.” He shared his personal experience of dementia, remembering Bobby Rogers of The Miracles, “We were born on the same day in the same hospital and sang together for 12 years. Every year on our birthday, we would call each other.

He passed away several years ago, and I called him the year he passed, and he had no idea who I was. It’s a horrible disease.” He expressed his appreciation for Keep Memory Alive, ending with a shout out to Babyface, saying “I am flattered and honored you are my brother.”

His tribute included performances of his many hits including “Who’s Loving You” by Kelly, “Shop Around” by Loggins, “My Guy”

by Sparks and “Cruisin’” by McCoo & Davis, Jr. to the delight of the audience. Wilson and Robinson duetted “All My Love,” while fans cheered “Uncle Charlie.” Robinson continued solo with “Being With You” and “Tracks of My Tears” before the entire cast rejoined

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Demi Lovato at Keep Memory Alive’s 25th annual Power of Love gala. Credit Denise Truscello, Contrib-

Ensemble Cast Star in Percy “Master P” Miller’s ‘#UNKNOWN’ LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- An all-star-studded cast has been put together by super film executive and multi-business mogul Percy “Master P” Miller and his producing partner Writer/Director LazRael Lison of Summer House Pictures “#UNKNOWN” is a psychological suspense horror film released earlier this month on Amazon Prime.

The acclaimed cast includes Hal Ozsan (Dawson’s Creek, The Blacklist), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Relic, Heart and Souls), Master P (Never and Again, I Got the Hook, Uncle P), Judd Nelson (Lost Voyage, The Breakfast Club) Denise Boutté (Why Did I Get Married, Meet the Browns) and Nicholle Tom (Beethoven, The Nanny).

Successful Author Michael Lane (Hal Ozsan) is about to

PRNewsFoto/Summer House Pictures

release his follow up novel when he starts to receive haunting phone calls from #UNKNOWN. The calls are connected to a series of random murders that took place in 2017. His obsession with this mystery puts his second novel’s release in danger as he spirals out of control unraveling each victim caught in the web of the sadistic killer.

The film producers include

Genius Minds (Percy Miller, Romeo Miller, and Kristi Kilday), Summer House Pictures (Tatiana Chekhova and LazRael Lison) and High Rolling Entertainment (Antonio Trotter). The official “#UNKNOWN” movie soundtrack is a partnership with Tracy Bell (Asah Entertainment.) You can find the soundtrack on Amazon, Itunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and all streaming platforms.

utor, Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive.

him for “Get Ready” to close out the show.

Earlier in the evening, CEO & Chairman of Genting Berhad and developer of Resorts World K.T. Lim received a standing ovation when receiving the Keep Memory Alive Community Leadership award from Ruvo and Keep Memory Alive Vice Chairwoman and Co-Founder Camille Ruvo, who said, “Your avalanche of support from the beginning is because of the care you have given to us, and has allowed us to provide much needed resources for the caregivers who take care of the patients 24/7.”

Chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay prepared exquisite cuisine paired with wines from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, followed by a showstopping dessert display from the Resorts World Las Vegas pastry team that featured a pineapple lychee bonbon, ube waffle basket and more. Flay posted to his Instagram that he was honored to be a part of the event and cook alongside his culinary idol, Puck.

Guests bid on exceptional experiences and items during the silent and live auctions including a private dinner with Jon Bon Jovi in East Hampton, an opportunity to announce the Las Vegas Raiders live draft pick alongside Mark Davis at the 2022 NFL Draft and a day of playing chess with Andrea Bocelli followed by attending one of his concerts.

The evening generated the majority of annual revenue for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health to provide service, care and resources for patients and their caregivers in the fight against neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases; multiple system atrophy; frontotemporal dementia and related disorders; multiple sclerosis and more.

For more information, visit keepmemoryalive.org.

G Herbo Hits The Road With The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour NEW YORK PRNewswire -- The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour is pleased to announce chart-topping and platinum-certified rap star G Herbo as the headliner for their final tour of 2021, which kicks off in Philadelphia, PA, on November 12.

“I’m excited to partner with an iconic brand like the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour and reconnect with my fans in person again. This is gonna be my biggest and absolute best tour period,” shared G Herbo.

“We had a great experience working with G Herbo for our Monster Energy Live On Location virtual series last year, and we’re excited about the idea of translating virtual to the stage in front of soldout crowds,” adds Steve Glazer, Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Founder/Producer.

The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour is G Herbo’s first time on the road since the release of 25, his highest-charting album, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release this past July. 25, which features Polo G, 21 Savage, The Kid LAROI, Gunna, and more, continues to put G Herbo at the forefront of Chicago’s distinct style of drill rap.

Complex states, “We’re used to hearing Herb be vulnerable on tracks, his album PTSD attests to this, but 25 finds the Chicago Drill pioneer in some of his most honest moments.”

G Herbo’s recently released the visual for “Stand the Rain (Mad Max).” The Oz On The Track and Chase Davis-produced clip shows G Herbo gracing the fictitious cover of Forbez magazine’s “30 under 30 edition” while rap-

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ping over a hard-hitting beat boasting about “not reaching his goals but still sh*ttin’ on his peers.” The sentiment rings true as G Herbo is a force to be reckoned with as 25 has already garnered over 182 million streams.

Tickets are currently on sale.

Friday, November 12, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Friday, November 19, 2021 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Washington, D.C. – Fillmore Monday, November 22, 2021 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Wednesday, November 24, 2021 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theatre Friday, November 26, 2021 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz Saturday, November 27, 2021 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – Little Rock, AR – Little Rock Music Hall Wednesday, December 1, 2021 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Saturday, December 4, 2021 – Elizabeth, NJ – Ritz Theatre Sunday, December 5, 2021 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live Friday, December 17, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall Sunday, December 19, 2021 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues Monday, December 20, 2021 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

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Celebrating the Grand Opening of Larry’s BarberMaximus Throughout the year Walmart is celebrating Black excellence by highlighting entrepreneurs from the community. This fall Larry E. Roberts Jr. will begin the next chapter in his amazing story with theMagnis first Walmart in-store at ea thedolupta Chatham aut modipicid utlocation volectotas tiatur?

Superstore.

ThisOccusan launch will expandasit Larry’s ability to reach, cumque null Ecatur? daeptates moluptatur si deleste teach, and grow the community he loves. We are thrilled to join with Larry in support of his transformative work in Chicago.

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Walmart Brief Mock Layouts Citizen.indd 15

9/13/21 2:33 PM

12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

SPORTS

Chance the Rapper holding the trophy during the rally to celebrate the Chicago Sky’s WNBA Championship Win.

Chicago Sky Celebrates the WNBA Championship Win

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The Chicago Sky wins their first Championship Title in their 16-year history. Chicago celebrated the Chicago Sky’s WNBA Championship Win with a parade and rally in Millennium Park. The Chicago Sky won 74-80 against Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 17th.

“Young athletes across the nation will look up to you and see themselves in you, not just because of your raw talent, but because of your integrity on and off the court,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton called the team an inspiration and talked about the pride the team brought to the City of Chicago and State of Illinois.

“You have not only been champions on the court, you have been incredible leaders off the court; and that give us confidence to go after our goals, reach for our dreams, no matter who or what is standing in our way,” she said. “You tell us that it is OK to smash those barriers and make clear there is no ceiling.”

Courtney Vandersloot, the point guard, was named the Peak Performer for the sixth time. Kaleah Copper, the guard and forward, was named the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the win one of the most important moments in sports history in the city.

She acknowledged the hard work of the team that led them to that win.

“Even starting out 0-7, they persevered. That’s a lesson for all of us, that is you work hard, you come together as a team and you can get it done,” she said.

The win is a dream come true for the Chicago Sky principal owner, Michael Alter. “The dream was to showcase these incredible, athletic, powerful, strong women who lead each other on an off the court. By the way, the large majority of whom are Black women,” he said. “The dream was to not just be champions but, in the process, make an impact on our city and in our communities. Today we are living that dream.”

Chicago Sky Coach James Wade knew at the start of the season there were expectations. The team spent

Chicago Sky won the WNBA Championship, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 74-80. On Tuesday, Oct. 19, the city of Chicago celebrated the win with a parade and rally. Photos by Tia Carol Jones

the last two seasons in the second and third round. This season, the team attempted to swing for the fences.

Wade made a couple of phone calls to find out what would put them over the top. Wade then called Candace Parker to find out what it would take for her to come back home.

“She came because of the players on our team. She told me was, ‘I love the way you guys play, I love the way you play for each other.’ It just made me realize we built something special, not just with the way we play, but we built something special with the people,” he said.

Parker remembered watching the Chicago Bulls parades and rallies on television, dreaming of being in that moment, dreaming of bringing a title to Chicago.

“I know I was drafted out west, but I think we stayed consistent with those Midwestern values and those Midwestern values are that grit, that grind, that Blue Collar. I think the team demonstrated this year of just coming in and working hard,” she said. “You guys’ energy got us through Game 4.”

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

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14 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

HOME

5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

(StatePoint) It’s that time of year: pumpkin spice is here and so are shorter days and cooler nights. Before nightfall comes too early, take advantage of the milder temps to prepare your home for winter. Here are a few easy, DIY tasks to check off your list.

1. Close Up the Patio. It’s important to protect patio items from winter wear and tear so you can enjoy them as soon as the weather breaks in the spring.

When the weather in your area seems to be changing for good, clean outdoor furniture like tables, chairs and décor and protect them with a heavy-duty cover. If you don’t have interior storage, secure everything tightly so you don’t risk items tipping during a gusty winter storm. Clean the grill, remove and store the tank, and winterize outdoor hoses and faucets. Easy-to-install faucet covers can help prevent water damage and freezing pipes.

Also, don’t forget to plant your bulbs now so you’ll have flowers to welcome you when the warm weather hits.

2. Secure Loose Shingles and Fix Broken Gutters. Assess your roof and gutters to ensure your home is safe from water damage and leaks this winter. If you suspect or discover a problem, even a small one, don’t wait to fix it. It will be even more difficult to repair after the roof has become snowy and icy.

If it’s not within budget, try a DIY fix with supplies you likely already have in your toolbox. The Original Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape is a classic tool for temporary repairs and is great for holding, seaming and sealing coverings over problematic

areas until you can later fix the issue at hand.

3. Prep A/C Units. Don’t overlook keeping your A/C unit clean. Most modern units are created to withstand extreme elements; however, keeping it free of buildup is key to maintaining it over time.

When it’s not in use over winter, clean the surfaces on and around the unit to keep it free from buildup of dander, leaves, acorns and pine needles. Next, using an air conditioner cover, securely protect your A/C unit from snow and ice, so that it’s still in its best working condition when you uncover it in the spring.

4. Keep Cold Weather Out. Frigid temperatures draw attention to drafts coming into your home. While turning up the furnace helps, the constant escape of warm air leads to high heating costs.

Seal cracks and gaps around windows and doors wisely. Many seals tend to freeze and crack, never really fixing the problem. However, Duck Brand HeavyDuty Weatherstrip Seals are made with a durable, flexible material, creating a barrier against cold air throughout the winter. When spring arrives, the strip will work against dust, pollen and insects throughout the warmer months.

5. Clean Windows. Prepare your home for short gloomy days and long nights by giving windows and blinds a deep clean. When these surfaces are clean, natural light can pour in during the day, helping combat winter blues.

For more tips, visit DuckBrand.com.

A little extra effort this fall can make your home more enjoyable all winter long.

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

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IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO TAKE CHARGE NOW. APPEAL YOUR PROPERTY TAX NOW. EMAIL YOUR PROPERTY AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO KDAYSERVS@OUTLOOK.COM

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LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007957 on OCTOBER 6, 2001.

Under the Assumed Business Name of GEM LARMAR with the business located at: 10049 S.OGLESBY AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60617. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) / partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name GWENDOLYN HOWARD. Complete Address 10049 S. OGLESBY AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60617, USA _____________________________________

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Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certificationwas registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number Y21007749 on SEPTEMBER 9,2021.

Under the Assumed Business Name of LESECEAL CREATIVE DESIGNZ with the business located at: 1726 E 85TH PL, CHICAGO , ILLINOIS 60617. The true and real full name (s) and residence address of the owner (s) /partner (s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name SHIRESE WOODARD Complete Address 1726 E. 85TH PL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60617, USA _____________________________________ STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (MINOR CHILDREN) REQUEST OF: ROSIE LEE ASHLEY FOWLER TO CHANAGE NAMES OF MINOR CHILDREN Case Number: 202160035990 Filed: JUNE 9, 2021.

I ask the court to enter orders to change the names of the minor children listed below, and state: 1. Names: Current Name of Minor Child a. Jamari Maurice Crowley Proposed New Name of Minor Child a. Jamari Masurice Fowler I am requestiang name changes for more than 4 children. I have attached a Request for Name Change - Additional Children form.

2. I have attached a Request faor Name Change- Child Information form for each child.

3. I have lived continuously in Illinois for at least 6 months. I started living in Illionois on: 4-101986.

I certify that everything stated on the Request for Name Change (Minor Children) and on the attached Request for Name Change-Child Information form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, I understand that making a false statement on this form is perjury and has penalities provided by law under 73ILCS 5/1109.

ROSIE LEE FOWLER, 3022 NOTTINGHAM, MARKHAM, ILLINOIS 60428, 773-780-1501. _____________________________________

HELP WANTED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR A PERSONAL ASSISTANT MUST HAVE DRIVERS LICENSE CALL (773) 233-5678 ASK FOR PAUL CALL AFTER 6:00 P.M.

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT, DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF: ALEXANDER BARKSDALE JR. FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO: ALEXANDER BARKSDALE LOVE Case No.: 2021 CONC 001384 Calendar 10

has worked with the program since its onset and has seen firsthand how students can take charge and enact meaningful change. “I can’t even express my gratitude to the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation for the work that they have done for students across the nation,” says King, referring to the foundation behind the Lead4Change program.

Educators benefit by their participation in the program too, using the new skills they’ve learned to enhance their teaching and build future leaders.

“My students have accomplished more in our community than most adults,” explains King. “Over time, we have seen the power of this program and how it can impact students personally and in their communities.”

King and her students formed the “Frontline Flatbread Frenzy” team to support frontline workers with flatbreads during the pandemic. In previous years, they restored the town’s senior center, fed firefighters during wildfire season and addressed mental health issues for children.

“My goal for my students is to always seek out service projects and become service-minded adults,” says King.

Zoe Clark, a 2015 graduate of Odessa High School and former student of King’s, explains how Lead4Change has impacted her career choice. Clark returned to Odessa High School as a substitute teacher while receiving her master’s degree in teaching from Eastern Washington University.

“I decided to come back because I felt this was the place I needed to be,” says Clark. “I’ve never stopped caring.”

The program continues to have a profound impact on the Odessa students and community. “I will work to encourage educators to take advantage of the Lead4Change program so we can continue to change the world with our students,” says King.

As Lead4Change begins its 10th year, educators across the United States are sharing their excitement about starting these leadership lessons with their students. ______________________________________________

NOTICE OF FILING PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE NOTICE IS HEREBY given to you, the public, that on September 15, 2021, I have filed a Petition for Change of Name in the Circuit Court of Cook County to change my present nameof Alexander Barksdale Jr. to the name of Alexander Barksdale Love.

The Court date will be held on December 20, 2021 at 9:30 a.m via Zoom video or teleconference. The Zoom video call information is: Court time: 9:30 a.m Dial-in-number: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID 963 3970 0908 Password: 395890 DATE: 10/21/2021 Signature of Petitioner, BARKSDALE JR.

ALEXANDER

Williams Law Office, 41781 PO Box 208501 Chicago, Illinois 60620 DocuSign Envelope ID: D9E380FD-081C4030-AD9F-2F14B0FAEECD ___________________________________

EDUCATION How School Programs Grow Student Leadership in Local Communities (StatePoint) As students navigate finding their voice in today’s society, it is necessary that educators are equipped with the resources to empower leadership and selfexpression. These skills provide students with the capacity to lead beyond the classroom and make an actionable difference now and in the future.

The free tools provided by the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program over the past decade, are a good example of programming that’s equipped adolescent minds with the skills to mold the future of their communities.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Lead4Change program has prepared students to become leaders, withstand adversity and make a lasting impact in their communities. Lead4Change, developed by the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning, has attracted close to 2 million middle and high school students and 15,000 educators nationwide. Through the program’s annual Challenge, more than $2.45 million has been donated on behalf of student teams to their communities and schools.

Terri King, a business education teacher at Odessa High School in Odessa, Wash.,

Darrell Garth President /Publisher Janice Garth Sales Manager General Manager Editorial Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com Advertising Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com Classified Advertising call us at (773) 783-1251 Display Advertising call us at (773) 783-1251 Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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16 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Oct. 27, 2021

¬21 in 2021 We’ve increased our U.S. minimum hourly wage to $21 as a next step toward $25 by 2025.

Bank of America has raised our minimum rate of pay for all U.S. employees to $21/hour — the next step toward $25 by 2025.

Over the past four years, we have led the way by increasing our minimum hourly wage 40%.

Being a great place to work starts with investing in the people who serve our clients. Providing strong pay and competitive benefits to support our employees and their families helps us attract and retain strong talent.

Our actions demonstrate our continuing commitment to sustain job growth and economic stability for the thousands of individuals working in support of each other, our clients and the communities where we work and live.

We will continue our efforts to make a difference and serve as a catalyst for others to do the same.

What would you like the power to do?®

Paul Lambert President, Bank of America Chicago

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/chicago

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