Chicago Weekend Citizen 12-23-2020

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 The Citizen: Serving The Black Community For 55 Years Week of Dec. 23, 2020

| Vol. 51 | No. 52 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Raise Your Hand, a student-led movement, is calling for the Sec. of Education to publicly recognize the demands of students of color Page 2

Keiashia Wood, owner of Key2Glam Hair and Makeup Artistry, was one of 46 local small business owners to receive money as part of the Verizon Foundation’s #PayItForwardLIVE, which was designed and executed by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Photo courtesy of Keiashia Wood

Black Woman in Tech Creates New Fundraising Opportunities for HBCUs Page 3

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS RECEIVE GRANT MONEY Keiashia Wood has owned Key2Glam Hair & Makeup Artistry, located at 2150 S. Canalport, for almost four years. Like most business owners, Wood has felt the effects of closures due to COVID-19. PAGE 2

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

NEWS briefly EDUCATION RAISE YOUR HAND, A STUDENT-LED MOVEMENT, IS CALLING FOR THE SEC. OF EDUCATION TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE THE DEMANDS OF STUDENTS OF COLOR In response to the detrimental and disproportionate impact of COVID-19, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, students have organized the Raise Your Hand Student Agenda, a list of demands powered by Our Turn’s youth-led campaign for educational justice. Students of color from around the country are calling for the new Secretary of Education to publicly acknowledge these demands. Our Turn, a 501(c)(3), elevates the voices of young people in the fight for educational equity. Our Turn Action Network, a 501(c)(4), deploys policy advocacy efforts for the achievement of educational justice.

Barrett Griffith, a student organizer of Our Turn, Charlotte, NC, feels that Biden’s position on achieving racial justice relates mostly to the campaign for educational justice. “When he says, we must ‘achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country,’ the first thing I can think of is decolonizing school curriculums,” said Griffith.

“How can we battle racial injustice if it is instilled through America’s Education System? Is biased education not a pillar of systemic racism itself?”

HEALTH

FOOD INDUSTRY WILL EXPERIENCE SOLID GROWTH IN 2021 After suffering a $125 billion decline (-8%) in 2020 due to the dramatic $220 billion (-27%) downturn in foodservice, Pentallect, a leading food industry consultancy, forecasts that food industry sales will increase by $145 billion, or 10%, in 2021.

Pentallect attributes the rebound to a sharp second half of the year recovery in foodservice following anticipated vaccine rollouts and ongoing strength in many retail sectors.

Bob Goldin, a Pentallect partner, says, “Quick-service restaurants generally held up well but other foodservice segments, including full-service restaurants, have been devastated by the effects of the pandemic. Next year, we are guardedly optimistic that foodservice will begin a multiyear rebound as effective public health measures become more widespread.”

LAW & POLITICS

ATTORNEY ZULU ALI RENAMED TOP 10 CRIMINAL AND IMMIGRATION LAWYER BY ATTORNEY AND PRACTICE MAGAZINE Attorney Zulu Ali, founder and principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP (zulualilaw.com), the largest Black-owned law firm in California’s Inland Empire, has been renamed Top 10 Criminal Defense and Immigration Lawyer in the state of California for 2020-2021 by Attorney and Practice Magazine. Specializing in providing attorneys and legal practitioners with insight and advice from other legal professionals, as well as opinions and updates on the latest legal news in a wide variety of practice areas, Attorney and Practice Magazine awards list was created to recognize the achievements of the top 1% of trial lawyers. The organization awards the top attorneys in several legal practice areas including Immigration and Criminal Defense.

Among his many accomplishments, Attorney Ali has been Honored as a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers; a Top 10 Lawyer by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, American Institute of Legal Counsel, American Jurist Institute, and Attorney & Practice Magazine; Rue Ratings Best Lawyer in America; Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers; and was inducted into Marquis Who’s Biographical registry for excellence in law and activism and Professional registry as one of America’s Top Lawyers.

Small Business owners receive grant money Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Keiashia Wood has owned Key2Glam Hair & Makeup Artistry, located at 2150 S. Canalport, for almost four years. Like most business owners, Wood has felt the effects of closures due to COVID-19.

“We were very much affected by it.

Me, personally, it probably hit me harder being the owner of the shop, because they still expected their rent. So, I still had to pay rent in a location I couldn’t do service in,” she said. “I took a really hard hit with that, not being able to work with clients and not being able to have the rest of my staff, because my staff pays booth rent.”

Wood was one of 46 small business owners who received between $5,000 and $10,000 as part of Verizon Foundation’s #PayItForwardLIVE initiative, which was designed and executed by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

Wood said the money she received from the initiative will go towards the back rent she has to pay when COVID-19 hit the hardest.

Wood said now women are back to getting their hair done. She said she knows that the shut down time really affected her clients, as well. “We value getting our hair done, that’s our time where you can let loose, you can talk to your stylist. My clients talk to me about everything. Not having that time to

themselves where they can relax and get their hair done, I had a lot of clients that said, ‘I couldn’t wait to get back into your chair,’” she said.

Wood said now inside the shop, everybody has to wear a mask, the stations have to be socially distanced so that everyone is spread out. Also, clients cannot wait inside the shop.

“It works,” she said. “We’re making the best out of it,” she continued, and “it’s a little different” than how they operated before.

Wood said she appreciates the money and it will help her to stay afloat during a very hard time. In the four years she’s been in business, she said, this is the first time she’s received any type of funding for her business. As a first-time business owner, she said she was excited when she learned that she was a recipient of the money.

“I was so excited because this could really help. I’m trying to create jobs for other people like me. And, this is something that can keep my business going,” she said. “Because I know a lot of people who had to close shop, they got hit pretty hard. It was truly a blessing for me because I’ve never received any type of funding like that for my business.”

Meghan Harte, executive director of LISC Chicago, said the Verizon Foundation had some resources that were flexible and quickly available to small business owners who really needed it.

“We wanted to be able to access that and get it to businesses in Chicago communities,” she said.

Harte said, with the lottery system, there was a preference for small businesses with owners of color and low- to moderate communities that LISC serves.

She said they used the lottery system because the request and the need was significantly larger than what the initiative could serve.

Harte said when it comes to the need for resources during COVID-19, small businesses were hit hardest because of the length of time the pandemic has lasted and because it was unforeseeable.

Harte said the small businesses really needed emergency cash to address some of the lingering things that other resources didn’t cover – rent for a couple of months, so they could preserve their spaces. “Others used it to adjust and adapt their business for what was going on with COVID-19, to do more online or do more marketing,” she said.

Harte said the pandemic has been devastating for a lot of businesses, especially small businesses, but she hopes it also causes people to realize the importance of small businesses. “Hopefully, it’s also a moment in time where the rest of the economy and economic infrastructure can recognize how important small businesses are to the communities we serve, but also to the wealth building to the communities we serve,” she said.

Illinois residents asked for feedback regarding state’s transportation system The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the state’s transportation system through its annual Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey, available now through Dec. 31. The survey is available online by going here: https://uisits.co1.qualtrics.com or by visiting idot. illinois.gov.

“Learning the public’s views on our transportation system is a great tool. This information allows us to better understand travel habits as well as areas where we’re doing a good job and those that may need improvements,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We represent and try to meet the best interests of all Illinois citizens and individual travelers and in an effort to help us continue to provide the best service,

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the state’s transportation system.

please take a few minutes to complete the survey.”

The annual survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield, seeks feedback on topics ranging from road conditions and ice-and-snow removal to commuting habits and driving behaviors.

Questions also ask travelers

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for feedback about any changes in their travel habits due to the pandemic, the IDOT website, the state’s rest areas and passenger rail use.

The Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey has been conducted annually since 2001. A copy of the 2019 survey and results, as well as data collected from past

years, can be viewed at http:// www.idot.illinois.gov/aboutidot/our-story/performance/ reports/traveler-opinion-survey/index For IDOT updates, follow them on Twitter at @IDOT_ Illinois or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

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NEWS

American Veterans Group, UScellular team up to support Chicago-area military veterans

Dominique King, Founder & President of I Heart My HBCU

Black Woman in Tech Creates New Fundraising Opportunities for HBCUs Although spare change technology, also known as round-ups, has been around for a few years, Dominique King, Founder of I Heart My HBCU, was the first to bridge this technology to Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) via a single mobile app. “I Heart My HBCU became the first platform where users could donate spare change to any of the 104 HBCUs in one place,” says King.

King launched this groundbreaking funding platform three years ago, in 2017, joining an elite group of black women tech entrepreneurs. This technology could have been directed towards many other areas of need, but her plan was to preserve the rich heritage of HBCUs and combat challenges that lead to the closures of some of these great institutions, such as Concordia College in Alabama.

King is passionate about her efforts to preserve the viability of these institutions; being a HBCU graduate herself,

of the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C., she knows first-hand the importance of not only the cultural significance of HBCUs, but the vital role that the education she received at Howard has played in the many successes she has earned in her life to this point.

In her consistent and constantly evolving spirit to give back, she developed a novel way to support HBCUs in their efforts to continue producing scholars and leaders of today and tomorrow. It was out of this spirit of selflessness that I Heart My HBCU was born.

How It Works In as little as 2-minutes, users can download the I Heart My HBCU app in iOS or Android stores and link their bank account. The I Heart My HBCU app rounds up each credit or debit card purchase to the nearest dollar. The spare change will then be donated to the user’s

five favorite HBCUs. “When creating this app, it was important for me to encourage HBCU Alumnae to support all HBCUs. Users can easily adjust how much or how little of their spare change they share to their five favorite HBCUs,” says King.

Always innovating, King is continually updating the app to attract more non-HBCU alumnae, in an effort to help HBCUs expand their donor base beyond its students and alumnae, into other segments of the Black community and all supportive communities in general. I Heart My HBCU’s chat integration creates a virtual community for HBCU alumnae, the Divine Nine, and friends of HBCUs to network, exchange ideas, support other black-owned businesses and to support HBCUs. For more information, visit www. iheartmyhbcu.org Social Media: FB/IG/Twitter @iheartmyhbcuorg.

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American Veterans Group, through its business relationship with UScellular, has provided support for a Chicago-based non-profit organization that works to alleviate the problems of unemployment and underemployment among returning U.S. military veterans.

American Veterans Group has donated $10,000 to Leave No Veterans Behind, a non-profit organization that supports returning veterans by providing them with transitional jobs, job training, and long-term employment placement services.

The gift will be used to expand the organization’s recruitment and referral efforts to connect 100 Chicago-area veterans with transitional job opportunities.

The donation was made possible by American Veterans Group’s investment banking relationship with UScellular. American Veterans Group is a growing investment banking firm that dedicates 25% of its profits to support veterans causes. The firm, a public benefit corporation, directs its philanthropy to the local communities where it and its clients do business.

“Leave No Veteran Behind is doing yeoman’s work providing valuable support to veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life,” said Ben Biles, co-founder and chief executive officer of American Veterans Group. “They’re leveraging the skills veterans have acquired during their time in the service, while at the same time solving issues in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

We admire the win-win nature of the work they do and applaud their mission to never leave a veteran behind.”

Leave No Veteran Behind employs veterans in transitional jobs on a fee-for-service contract basis. Veterans employed through the program are encouraged to leverage their talents to help solve problems and resolve issues in distressed communities. Leave No Veteran Behind also provides job training and helps find long-term employment for its client veterans. Since its founding in 2008, Leave No Veteran Behind has provided more than 1,000 transitional jobs for veterans and has paid more than $9 million in wages to military families, while leveraging veterans’ talents to transform local communities.

“We appreciate the commitment American Veterans Group and UScellular are making to support veterans through non-profit organizations like ours,” said Eli Williamson, an Army veteran and founder of Leave No Veteran Behind. “Their generosity enables us to further our mission and demonstrate to veterans that we truly value the tremendous skills and talents they bring to the table.

Veterans employed through our program are making a profound difference in their communities, and its philanthropic support like this that helps make that happen.”

Earlier this year, American Veterans Group served as a member of a selling group led by Wells Fargo on a UScellular senior debt offering. The $10,000 gift to Leave No Veteran Behind represents a percentage of the fees the firm earned for its role in facilitating the transaction.

“That we’re able to direct our philanthropy to organizations that support veterans in our clients’ hometowns is further incentive to corporate and public financial managers to include us when assembling their investment banking teams,” Biles said. “By considering us and our team of experienced traders when initiating transactions in the capital markets, our clients can advance their social missions by having a positive impact on a large number of veterans in their communities.”

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BUSINESS

MTN DEW® Invests In Black Entrepreneurship MTN DEW® has announced the launch of the MTN DEW Real Change Opportunity Fund, an Ideas Pitch Competition featuring an annual prize pool of $1 Million with an initial commitment through the next five years.

The brand is partnering with Howard University, Hampton University and other PepsiCo-affiliated Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), in an effort to discover, challenge and uplift the next generation of Black innovators and entrepreneurs.

MTN DEW Real Change Opportunity Fund initiative reinforces the brand’s commitment to action; with this latest phase making a tangible investment in the Black entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The MTN DEW Real Change Opportunity Fund launches on the heels of the $400 million commitment made by its parent company, PepsiCo, to uplift Black communities and Black representation.

THE REAL CHANGE IDEAS PITCH COMPETITION WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES, PROGRAMMING, AND FUNDING TO FUTURE BLACK ENTREPRENEURS. WITH A PRIZE POOL OF $1 MILLION, THE GOAL IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER HBCU STUDENTS TO GO OUT AND DO, AND ULTIMATELY TURN THEIR IDEAS INTO REAL BUSINESSES. “MTN DEW recognizes the real need for actionable, tangible change and is committed to fueling what’s right as we seek to drive progress against the systemic racism and inequality faced by Black people in America,” says Nicole Portwood, vice president, marketing, MTN DEW. “We believe entrepreneurs exemplify everything that MTN DEW stands for – they are the DOERS and the keys to building up Black-owned businesses, shrinking the historic wealth gap, and broadening the potential for Black generational wealth. We hope to make a lasting impact as we provide resources, programming, funding and empowerment to the

next generation through our partnership with this incredible network of HBCUs and launch of the Real Change Opportunity Fund.”

The Real Change Ideas Pitch Competition will provide resources, programming, and funding to future Black Entrepreneurs. With a prize pool of $1 Million, the goal is to inspire and empower HBCU students to go out and Do, and ultimately turn their ideas into real businesses. Existing students and recent alumni are invited to check out mountaindew.com/realchange for updates on acceptance of applications.

The panel of experienced “Doers,” will select the top 50 applicants and invite them to a round

of virtual pitches with an all-star panel beginning January 18, 2021. Ten finalists will emerge and have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of the Real Change panel. The final pool of finalists will compete for a share of the $1 Million prize pool during the virtually streamed finale in February 2021. Each school represented, will receive an award fund dedicated to creating real change at their respective university.

To bring the stories of these innovators to life, MTN DEW is partnering with media powerhouses ViacomCBS, iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc., Blavity Inc., to highlight the journeys of the ten finalists and their paths to the Real Change Opportunity Fund finale.

MTN DEW will be the sole selector of the winners, schools will not be involved or influence the selection process.

For more information about MTN DEW Real Change Opportunity Fund, please visit mountaindew.com/realchange.

THE HERSHEY COMPANY INCREASED ITS SUPPORT OF BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO HELP FIGHT RACIAL INJUSTICE AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD. THIS INCLUDES A $100,000 DONATION TO THE EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE AND ELEVATING ITS FOCUS ON ITS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PRIORITIES.

Hershey Invests $1.5 Million in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) will invest $1.5 million in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to establish a scholarship endowment, with the goal to increase that to $3 million over the next ten years. The endowment will be used for students pursuing degrees in food science in TMCF-memberschools, which include public colleges that provide advanced education for underrepresented populations.

The historic endowment is the first time a company has committed to endow a TMCF scholarship. Donations to TMCF typically go into the organization’s general fund.

“Hershey has been proudly associated with TMCF for more than a decade, and I am delighted to see the evolution of our Hershey partnership grow,” said Alicia Petross, VP talent acquisition + diversity & inclusion. “Our aim is to make a meaningful difference for deserving under-represented students who aspire to a fulfilling career in food science.”

“We are extremely grateful to Hershey for their generous support and commitment to supporting our students, particularly during these difficult and challenging times,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF. “This scholarship endowment will make it possible for students at our schools to pursue their passion of studying and earning a degree

in food science. This is a welcomed investment in the future of our nation.”

The Hershey Company increased its support of Black and Brown communities across the United States to help fight racial injustice after the death of George Floyd. This includes a $100,000 donation to the Equal Justice Initiative and elevating its focus on its diversity and inclusion priorities. “Hershey took action in this critical time of increased focus on racial

and social justice to review our programs and partnerships to ensure we are doing what we can to make an impact,” said Chris Scalia, SVP & CHRO and TMCF Board Member.

Applications for the Hershey Scholarship are open to any student studying food science at a TMCF-partner school. Students of any race are eligible to apply. The scholarships will be awarded to students who are dedicated to innovating within the food industry, which aligns with Hershey’s iconic brands’ pursuit of delighting their consumers.

Hershey is a long-time supporter of diversity and inclusion and providing educational opportunities for under-represented students.

Hershey founder, Milton Hershey and his wife Catherine created a school for low-income children in Hershey, Pa., in 1907. The Hershey/TMCF scholarship builds on The Milton

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Hershey School legacy by focusing on the education of students who may otherwise not have these opportunities.

Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.

The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company employing approximately 16,000 people around the world. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive $8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s®, Reese’s®, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher®, Ice Breakers®, SkinnyPop®, and Pirate’s Booty®. To learn more visit www. thehersheycompany.com

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

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Acclaimed Chicago Southside Native to Fill Position Poet Laureate for the State of Illinois First Lady MK Pritzker recently announced the selection of Angela Jackson as the next Poet Laureate for the State of Illinois.

Jackson is the fifth Illinoisan to hold the title, an honorary position selected by a committee of experts and subsequently appointed by the Governor.

Jackson is an accomplished and award-winning poet, novelist, and playwright, who has published three chapbooks and four volumes of poetry.

As Illinois’ next poet laureate, Jackson will work to promote poetry at the state and national level. She will join only four other esteemed poets who have previously held this coveted title.

The first Illinois Poet Laureate, Howard B. Austin, was named in 1936. The three other poets who have held the title are Carl Sandburg (1962-67), Gwendolyn Brooks (19682000), and Kevin Stein (2003-2017).

In June, Governor Pritzker posthumously named John Prine an honorary Poet Laureate.

“Illinois has a proud history of poets who have given us reason for hope in dark times, offered poignant insight into our own humanity and delivered profound social critiques, and as I considered the nominees to be our next Poet Laureate, all of these qualities were important in making the final choice,” said First Lady MK Pritzker, Honorary Chair and Final Judge of the 2020 Illinois Poet Laureate Search Committee. “Members of the committee nominated astounding talents from our state, and I’m grateful for their work. After spending countless hours reviewing all the nominees’ works, I’m confident that Angela Jackson will continue to be a bright shining light of wisdom, inspiration and connection as she promotes the power of poetry.”

“I am honored and excited to have been selected to serve as Illinois Poet Laureate,” said Angela Jackson. “Legendary Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks said, ‘Poetry is life distilled.’

I hope to bring to Illinoisans poetry that they can relate to, be lifted by, and find their lives illuminated in.

Poems bring us to ourselves and poems bring us together.”

In June, the Governor and First Lady Pritzker announced the formation of the 2020 Illinois Poet Laureate Search Committee to fill

the position that has been vacant since late 2017.

The committee, comprised of poets, writers, and academics from across the state, reviewed nominations submitted by the public and recommended three finalists to be the state’s next Poet Laureate.

“Illinois has a proud history of influential poets and I’m proud to continue this tradition by formally appointing our state’s next Poet Laureate,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Angela Jackson is an acclaimed poet and writer and her expansive breadth of work has already inspired so many. I know her words will have a profound impact on the residents of our state as well as the next generation of aspiring poets.”

“Angela Jackson’s poems dwell in fervid topographies of family and myth, heart and tongue,” said previous Illinois Poet Laureate Kevin Stein. “Her lines bristle with the melody of conversation and soulful blues, her voice unwaveringly human.”

Jackson was born in Greenville, Mississippi and raised on Chicago’s Southside and educated at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. She was a 20year member of the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) Writers Workshop, succeeding the late Hoyt W. Fuller as its Chair.

Of Angela’s volumes, Dark Legs and Silk Kisses: The Beatitudes of the Spinners was awarded the Carl Sandburg Award and the Chicago Sun-Times/Friends of Literature Book of the Year Award. And All These Roads Be Luminous: Poems Selected and New was nominated for the National Book Award. It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, the Pen/Open Book Award, a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and a finalist for the Milt Kessler Poetry Prize.

Jackson has received the Shelley Memorial Award of the Poetry Society of America, a Pushcart Prize, the Illinois Center for the Book Heritage Award, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Fuller Award, and the Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent from Chicago State University. In additional to her poetry, Jackson’s novels and plays have also been widely recognized and she has received two American Book Awards.

Gifting Your Child a Mobile Device for the Holidays? What to Know StatePoint - Does your child’s holiday wish-list include a mobile phone or other electronic device? With kids and teens spending more time online than ever these days due to social distancing guidelines and remote-learning, you may feel the time is now to gift them their very own device.

However, as a result of all that additional screen time, families should be doubly sure that kids use their devices safely and responsibly. After the holiday gift-giving excitement settles, consider these tips: • Driver’s safety: While no one should ever text and drive, newer drivers need to be especially mindful of the road and the operation of their vehicle. Have a serious discussion about distracted driving. Cell phone usage was responsible for 12 percent of moderate-to-severe crashes of teen drivers studied by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2015.

• Extend the device’s life: Let’s face it, devices are highly breakable and easily lost. Extend the life of your child’s device by ensuring the gift is accompanied by a protective case and warranty. Talk to your child

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Families should be doubly sure that kids use their devices safely and responsibly.

about what to do if the device gets wet, and have a backup plan for the event that it’s lost and your child needs to reach you. Installing a location monitoring app can help you locate the device in a pinch.

• Set ground rules. A few ground rules can help ensure your child uses their new device responsibly. These rules may involve schedules for when the device can be used for purposes unrelated to school, as well as limits on what apps and sites your child can access. Talk to your kids about such topics as healthy digital habits, the need for screen-free time each day, and how and why to report cyber-

bullying and other inappropriate or abusive online behavior.

• Make your rules stick. In so many areas of parenting, creating rules is easier than getting your child to follow them. However, a parental guidance app can help make your digital rules effective. For example, OurPact allows you to remotely set up automated schedules for when internet, apps and the device itself are unavailable. Features include URL whitelisting and blacklisting, daily screen time allowances and iMessage/SMS blocking, helping you ensure your ground rules stick and that all the apps installed on your child’s device pass your approval. Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com.

• Lead the way. Don’t text during dinner. Put your phone away when you are driving. Build goodwill and mutual respect by following the same rules you give your child.

If a digital device is in your child’s future this holiday season, be sure that gift comes with the know-how to use it safely and responsibly.

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

FASHION

Juvia’s Place Releases its First Influencer Collaboration of 2020 Black-owned Cosmetics brand, Juvia’s Place has collaborated with Influencer, Yami Angelina (@yamiangelina), to release a collection just in time for holiday gift-giving.

The collection includes a

6-pan eyeshadow palette, and two high-shine lip-glosses.

La Mariposa Eyeshadow Palette: $15 Eyeshadow Descriptions: Blue metallic: “Angel” (Yami’s Dad’s name)

Pink metallic: BarbiBrat Copper Gold metallic:

“Glitter Queen” Pink Peach Matte: “Arelis” (Yami’s Mom’s name) Yellow Mustard matte: “October 12th” (Yami’s birthday) Chocolate Brown matte: “Ya Tu Sabe” (One of the most fa-

mous phrases to use in the latin/ Dominican community which means “You already know”) Lip gloss: $13 each ISLAND MAMI- A coral peach gloss YAMI YUMMY- A soft

high Glossy shimmery iridescent Pink.

For more product details or to purchase, visit: https:// www.juviasplace.com/collections/yamiangelina-x-juvias-place

Cotton Incorporated Shares Fashion Trends Ahead Of The New Year

Aubrey Howard, a Cotton Incorporated trend forecaster, shared that matching sets are great, especially within the active and loungewear category, as people are staying at home in the current environment.

This holiday season is unique, and while we decide what to wear for our virtual celebrations, we all want to be comfortable and stylish with looks that will make us feel extra special this time of year.

Aubrey Howard, a Cotton Incorporated trend forecaster, virtually sat down with fashion and lifestyle influencer Lexi Holden of @ lexandthecity_, to discuss the brand’s outlook on how the current circumstances have affected what people purchase and provides a forecast of trends for the upcoming year.

As we look ahead at trends for 2021, Howard shares “since things have slowed down a little bit in everyday life, people are going back to basics and wearing the classics like t-shirts and jeans. I’m seeing a bit of updates and tweaks to these tried-and-true pieces, such as the addition of shoulder pads in a t-shirt for an exaggerated silhouette. This is also reflected in jeans, and while we’re all accustomed to the wide leg jeans and the skinny jeans, we’re now seeing the balloon silhouette.”

To look and feel good this holiday season, consumers are going for items that are practical. Howard shared that shoppers are making sure the pieces can be styled in different ways so that items can go a long way wearing-wise.

Matching sets are great, especially within the active and loungewear category, as people are staying at home in the current environment.

These cotton-rich items particularly provide both comfort and versatility.

Staple pieces and more are available at Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton Style House - Holiday Edition. There is a wide variety of styles for those who want to either stay cozy or dress up in cotton at home.

The Cotton Style House - Holiday Edition is available with exclusive content on Amazon.

Through December 31, Amazon shoppers can purchase a variety of on-trend cotton apparel, gifting and home items curated by internationally-recognized celebrity stylist Irma Martínez.

The collection will bring people together through virtual programming with the goal to create connections across all communities and cultures. Among others, actress Debby Ryan shows you some of her favorite women’s contemporary pieces in the collection, while influencer Daniela Ramirez and her husband show you how to coordinate the family in comfort and style. Custom video content will also help

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Staple pieces and more are available at Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton Style House - Holiday Edition.

you deck your homes with holiday cheer and find unique gifts– all in cotton. The collection is available at Amazon.com/ShopCotton.

From Mara Hoffman to Levi’s, Calvin Klein, and STAUD, as well as other brands, each piece found in the Cotton Style House - Holiday Edition exhibits the versatility and comfort of cotton. Inspiration was drawn from a range of participating trendsetters including Debby Ryan, Daniela Ramirez, Ryan Clark, Gregory Dava, Coco Bassey, and Jill Wallace, who will be showcasing their favorite go-to cotton finds for the holidays.

Shop the Cotton Style House - Holiday Edition: Available through December 31, at Amazon.com/ShopCotton.

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

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Best Man Holiday available with Xfinity On Demand

‘Tis the season to scoot over.

Gather your loved ones together for the best TV experience. Share the entertainment you love, from classic holiday hits, blockbuster movies, music and more, all with Black Film & TV on Xfinity On Demand. Make your home a hub of good cheer with easy access to your favorite streaming apps, like Peacock and more. Best of all, now without switching inputs. This holiday, make all your connections special with Xfinity. Simple. Easy. Awesome.

Visit xfinity.com/discovermore

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. X1 requires Xfinity TV with compatible set top box and Xfinity Internet. On Demand selections subject to charge indicated at time of purchase. Subscriptions required to access Peacock and Netflix. Š2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. Individual programs and marks are the property of their respective owners.

8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT IN HIS MASTERCLASS, MOSLEY WILL SHARE INSIGHTS ON HOW TO USE WRITING AS A DEVICE TO SHED LIGHT ON IDENTITY, CHALLENGE OUR NOTIONS OF WHO ARE HEROES AND PROTAGONISTS WORTHY OF NARRATIVE AND USE FICTION AS A MEANS OF PERSONAL DISCOVERY. DESIGNED FOR WRITERS AND NONWRITERS ALIKE, HIS CLASS WILL DIVE INTO THE FUNDAMENTALS OF HOW TO STRUCTURE A STORY, DEVELOP STRONG CHARACTERS AND CREATE A COMPELLING PLOT TO DRIVE THE READER FORWARD.

Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group

Byron Allen To Launch TheGrio.TV To Target African-American Viewers Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group recently announced that its recently-acquired MGM over-the-air broadcast television network Light TV will officially transition to TheGrio.TV television network on January 15, 2021 – the start of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.

The newly-rebranded broadcast television network TheGrio.TV will feature African American-focused content reaching over 100 million U.S. households via over-the-air broadcast television stations, cable/telco/satellite platforms, and free digital streaming.

TheGrio.TV – with its new network brand slogan “Our Culture Forever” – will feature movies, sitcoms, dramas, concerts, talk shows, variety shows, game shows, news, and lifestyle content.

At one time owned by NBCUniversal, TheGrio.com was purchased by Byron Allen in 2016 when it had less than 1 million monthly active users. In Summer 2020, TheGrio.com achieved its peak of over 10.5 million monthly active users. TheGrio.com is now one of the most visited news and entertainment sites for the African-American community, and is the largest employer of African-American journalists. In the past 2 years, Allen Media Group has invested over one billion dollars in acquiring media assets, including The Weather Channel in 2018, and 16 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX broadcast network affiliate television stations

THE NEWLY-REBRANDED BROADCAST TELEVISION NETWORK THEGRIO.TV WILL FEATURE AFRICAN AMERICANFOCUSED CONTENT REACHING OVER 100 MILLION U.S. HOUSEHOLDS VIA OVER-THE-AIR BROADCAST TELEVISION STATIONS, CABLE/ TELCO/SATELLITE PLATFORMS, AND FREE DIGITAL STREAMING. around the country. Allen Media Group plans to invest an additional $10 billion over the next two years to acquire other strategic media assets.

“The Grio – which means ‘storyteller’ in Africa – is the first platform to offer an online digital news destination, a free streaming app providing local news, weather, sports, traffic, and entertainment content geofenced to the user’s zip code, and an overthe-air broadcast television network,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/ CEO of Allen Media Group. “TheGrio.

TV is especially important to me as it will both serve and uplift all viewers.

TheGrio.TV is the first and only 100 percent African American-owned and targeted broadcast television network and free digital platform – making us truly authentic, without being filtered or controlled by others outside of the community.”

PRNewsfoto/MasterClass

MasterClass Announces Acclaimed Author Walter Mosley to Teach Fiction and Storytelling MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world’s best across a wide range of subjects, recently announced that acclaimed novelist Walter Mosley will teach a class on fiction and storytelling.

Mosley, a recent recipient of the National Book Award’s 2020 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, will help members improve their craft and share how writing can create a whole new understanding of the world. Mosley’s class is now available exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers get unlimited access to all 90+ instructors with an annual membership.

“Throughout his impressive career, Walter has used writing to illuminate important racial issues and as a means of personal discovery,” said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass. “In his MasterClass, he not only sheds light on the importance of race and representation in fiction but helps members eliminate barriers to writing their own stories.”

In his MasterClass, Mosley will share insights on how to use writing as a device to shed light on identity, challenge our notions of who are heroes and protagonists worthy of narrative and use fiction as a means of personal discovery. Designed for writers and nonwriters alike, his class will dive into the fundamentals of how to structure a story, develop strong characters and create a compelling plot to drive the reader forward. Sharing his own writing techniques step by step, Mosley will challenge members to rethink genres and emphasize the importance of representation in fiction, using one of his best-known characters, L.A. Detective Easy Rawlins, as an example. Mosley teaches members how to say things that live in their heart, underscoring the www.citizennewspapergroup.com

importance of creating just for themselves. He also emphasizes the value in writing every day to develop a nuanced understanding of the narrative voice.

Having started his own writing career in his mid30s, Mosley reinforces the idea that it’s never too late for members to follow their dreams, and that fear of failure should never impede the pursuit of their passions.

“Fiction is one of the few things in the modern world in which you can make something from nothing,” Mosley said. “In my MasterClass, I will show you how writing can create a whole new understanding of the world and hopefully leave you with the confidence to write your own stories.”

Walter Mosley is an award-winning author whose career spans more than three decades and more than 60 books. He is best known for his mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins, a Black private detective living in Los Angeles, whose adventures have played out across 14 novels since his introduction in Devil in a Blue Dress in 1990. Mosley’s works have earned him some of the literary industry’s highest honors, including being inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame in 2013 and named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 2016.

Beyond mystery, Mosley’s works span a range of genres including literary fiction, science fiction, young adult, nonfiction, plays, erotica and more.

Mosley’s wide-ranging narrative powers allow him to explore the fundamental issues that underpin all of human life. In November 2020, he became the first Black man to receive the National Book Award’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters for lifetime achievement in writing.

Embed & view the trailer here: https://youtu.be/ZoAYmnRX2gY

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

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10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

HOME

Home Lighting to Add to Your Holiday Wish List (StatePoint) Spending more time at home working, learning and simply living? The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to gift your household with lighting that enhances the feel and function of your spaces.

To take advantage of the best deals of the season, create your “lighting wish-list” in advance of Cyber Monday. Manufacturers such as Progress Lighting are making it easy to plan ahead . As you seek inspiration, consider these designs, which align with the latest home decor trends: • Bath & Vanity: Create a serene bathroom oasis capturing the old and the new. Featuring a clean, precise design, the Hansford Collection’s four-light bath and vanity bracket with an Antique Bronze finish lends itself to farmhouse, coastal or industrial interiors. For a modern, yet timeless look, consider the Carisa Collection’s three-light Vintage Gold Bath light. Its metallic finish supports glossy white glass globes.

• Ceiling Fans: Add expansive design to great rooms, living rooms and bedrooms with statementmaking ceiling fans. The Springer Collection 60inch 12-Blade Distressed Walnut Coastal Windmill fan, inspired by the form and function of a windmill, has an architectural bronze finish ideal for farmhouse, industrial and transitional interior settings. For sophisticated, modern design, consider the Glandon Collection 60-inch fan, which has full-range dimming and reversible blades in driftwood and walnut.

• Chandeliers: Complement rustic and modern farmhouse home décor in hallways, foyers and great rooms, as well as urban industrial and coastal interior settings, with the four-light linear chandelier of the Gulliver Collection. Its three circular bands wrap together for an open design.

Dual-toned frame color combinations of graphite feature weathered gray accents. Or, create a soft, muted glow with the four-light black chandelier in the Durrell Collection. Inside the sailcloth linen shade nestle light bases on gently curved arms coated in a beautiful finish.

Demand attention with the Lassiter Five-Light Brushed Nickel Chandelier. Square tubing with clean angles and striking vintage light sockets blend the modern with traditional.

• Close-to-Ceiling: A new category of vintage modern fixtures takes center stage with this convertible fixture in the Debut Collection.

Delicate details in a graphite finish create a statement-making focal piece for a variety of interiors -- whether mounted flush to the ceiling or chain-hung -- for a fitting stage to feature nostalgic, vintage lamps. For rustic flair, consider a close-to-ceiling fixture in the Durrell Collection featuring a round open-cage frame coated in a farmhouse-style matte black finish.

• Outdoor: Enhance modern and transitional style settings outdoors with the minimalist, yet exciting design of the Square Wall Lantern. The crisscross design of the Hollingsworth Collection Wall Lantern surrounds clear seeded glass, emulating popular farmhouse décor and when paired with vintage or traditional bulbs, enhances a variety of transitional exteriors.

• Pendants: The concentric rings of Equinox pendants pivot for an otherworldly feel inspired by astronomy, whereas Penn, a one-light large pendant with a clear glass sphere in a natural brass finish, embraces a modern take on vintage electric design.

• Controls: Experience the convenience of touchless lighting with voice control through Siri, Amazon Alexa, or the Google Assistant using the iDevices Smart Lighting Controls. Manage www.citizennewspapergroup.com

home lighting from anywhere and set dynamic scenes via the connected app.

By upgrading home lighting during the holidays, you can affordably gift your family beautiful, functional spaces.

PHOTO CAPTION: Take advantage of deals to upgrade lighting this holiday season.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICE

SERVICE

HELP WANTED

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS Derrick Lowe,Plaintiff (s) v.

Yvette Anderson Lowe, Defendant (s) No# 2020D630638 TO: Yvette Anderson Lowe, Motion by Derrick Lowe FOR: Divorce Hearing I (We) do hereby certify that a copy of this instrument was served upon all parties who have appeared and have not previously been found by the court to be in default for failure to plead. Dated: October 29, 2020, Name: Derrick Lowe Address: 12142 S. Bishop Street, Chicago, Illinois 60643, Telephone: 773-648-3878.

DOROTHY BROWN, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. __________________________________

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

3+ Bedroom HOMES FOR SALE SELLER FINANCING Call: FRED D. CLINK (773) 294-5870 REALTY SERVICES CONSORTIUM ______________________________________

MISCELLANEOUS

Darrell Garth

President /Publisher

Advertising

(StatePoint) During a holiday season that by all counts will be unlike any other experienced in recent history, shoppers may be looking for creative and nontraditional ways to celebrate and share the festive spirit, while at the same time carefully managing tight budgets in an especially challenging economy.

Offering gift cards during the holidays is nothing new, but the options people have for purchasing and using them are evolving.

Each year, PNC Bank sees a spike in credit card award redemptions during the holidays, and this year, there are more opportunities than ever to exchange points for gift cards without any additional expenses, according to Tammy McIntosh, head of credit card rewards at the bank.

“This year we are seeing more demand as credit card holders are finding new ways to give,” she said. “Given social distancing guidelines, there are far fewer holiday parties or other in-person engagements, so some may view awarding gift cards as a way to safely say thank you to a friend, newspaper carrier or hair stylist.”

In addition to general merchandise cards that allow recipients to choose their own gifts, other ideas this year include food delivery services, restaurant certificates for catering small gatherings and subscription services – things that may help the recipient offset costs for basic needs.

“In response to customer preferences, PNC and many other credit card issuers have changed their redemption policies to allow for more flexibility,” McIntosh said.

This has been especially true with travel cards, as many are home-bound due to the pandemic’s impacts on travel.

“Check with your issuer to see if it has expanded its redemption catalogue for travel card holders,” McIntosh said. “Many can now convert their travel points into redemption options for a variety of items, including physical and digital gift cards for retail, grocery stores, drug stores, restaurant takeout and delivery, or even charitable donations.”

Further, customers can add value by using their card company’s online shopping portals to receive extra rewards through cash back on those purchases.

“Accruing points throughout the year and redeeming for holiday gift cards, merchandise and even cash, for yourself or as a gift, is as trendy – and easy – as ever,” McIntosh said.

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

Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com

Classified Advertising call us at

(773) 783-1251

Display Advertising call us at

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Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor, Greater Grand Crossing, Burnside, Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights, Roseland, Rosemoor, Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman, Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

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CHICAGO WEEKEND

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SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGI), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

12 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Dec. 23, 2020