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Thursday, April 17, 2025
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E notes
Peace in the Present Tense
Iknow that the daily barrage of news may have you feeling the load of a heavy burden weighing you down. And you may feel like it’s useless to be hopeful because that voice is telling you that there’s no way out—that you have no control over the outside forces. So, here’s the reality check—you never did. You just thought you had some control. The truth is, the unexpected could always happen at any time: a car accident, the discovery of an incurable disease, a divorce, the loss of a loved one, a fire in your home, an airplane crash, destructive fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, wars—you learn that you will never walk again. … Anything that can disrupt your life, anything unplanned for. These things happen.
A different perspective might be: we all have the capacity to be in this moment, comfortably. What I mean is that you accept the circumstances first for what they are and begin your thinking from that point of reference. It can be so easy to get caught up in the harshness of today, but you can also choose to recognize that it could be worse. Check yourself and reexamine all that is good in your life in spite of the hand that was dealt—leaving you with a smaller salary to meet your same bills.
Think about all that is good: the fact that you’re breathing, you’re standing on your own two feet, you have a roof over your head, a car that runs, food in your refrigerator, and a furnace that works. You also have a family that loves you.
You may have to sell or unload some things, even though it may hurt your pride. You may have to cancel that planned vacation and stop ‘fun shopping’ for a while. You may even have to eat rice and lentils more often than you want to. You may not be able to save any money. But can you see the future? Can you stand in your truth in the now and choose your way? Which door will you walk through—the door of hope or the door of doom?
It’s on you. Just like that. It’s on you. Look—happiness is not a static state of being, but rather an attitude, a perspective on how we navigate life. We can be perpetually at peace, meaning that we come to terms with our reality and the
personal experience that makes it what it is.
Sadly, society pushes and perpetuates what we often come to believe is happiness: the picture we see in a magazine of the family in the big, beautiful house, lavish yard, luxury car, and all the brand-name items that symbolize success. We are groomed this way. Every little girl wants to be the princess that the prince has been looking for all his life—and they live happily ever after. But the truth is that the prince and the princess are real people, like Prince Charles and Princess Diana. They have the same challenges as everyone else—they just have the magazine home, gardens, and cars.
than five minutes.
The resultant delight will be neither complex nor complicated, but it will be profound—and it will serve as a reminder that there is always a reason to smile.
You can establish a ritual. Shower first, to be clean before the spirit, as I say my prayer or announce my commitment and reinforce it daily. After that, I prepare tea as a nourishment, as I meditate on what I have just given thanks for—and embrace it wholeheartedly.
We have failed to grasp that happiness need not come with conditions, things, and gadgets that tell the world that we are happy. Happiness becomes something we must schedule and strive for—a hardwon emotion—and only when we have no worries to occupy our thoughts. In reality, overwhelming joy is not the exclusive province of those with unlimited time and no troubles to speak of.
Many of the happiest people on Earth are also those coping with the most serious challenges, or those who live out a vow of charity—like Sister Teresa. Or President Nelson Mandela (aka Xhosa clan name “Madiba”), whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and freedom led to 27 years of imprisonment before his ultimate release.
They have learned to make time for the simple yet superb pleasures that can be enjoyed quickly and easily—like experiencing joy upon awakening in the morning and thanking God, or being grateful to still be able to help someone else. These actions are the key to true happiness.
Cultivating a happy heart takes releasing the anger and embracing what is near and dear. Opening your arms wide in the morning upon awakening, looking out into the world, facing the day before you and saying “thank you” for another opportunity—to be of service, to be kind to another, to kiss your spouse, and so on—is the key to that release that opens the door to happiness. That may take less
How will you open the door to your ecstasy-inducing experience? It can be accomplished in five minutes. Like me, you can enjoy an aromatic cup of your favorite tea, take a stroll through the garden or a walk along the lake, write about the day's events in a journal, draw while daydreaming, or breathe deeply while you listen to the silence around you. The list is endless as you comb through the memories that make you smile.
You may prefer the company of a good friend or favorite relative, with whom you share laughter, dance together, play a game, or enjoy light or deep bantering and pondering unanswered questions.
The key to the door is identifying what makes you ecstatically joyful. If we do only what we believe should bring us inner peace, our five minutes will not be particularly satisfying. When we allow ourselves the freedom to do whatever brings us pleasure, five minutes out of our wakeful hours can brighten our lives immeasurably.
Choosing happiness, peace, and joy over doom and gloom really is a choice. Making happiness a priority will help you find five minutes every day to engage in the things that inspire joy within you. Eventually, your happiness breaks will become an integral part of your routine. Start now by pursuing activities you already enjoy, and then gradually pursue new and different ways to fill your daily five minutes of happiness—only to discover that you will always have something to smile about.
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief
photo credit: Dot Ward
around town
Photos by John Wheeler Wheeler Photography
Christmas in the Wards held a special event, bringing a little Christmas in April by helping families in need in time for Easter. The Uplifting Communities Spring Give Away was held on Saturday, April 12, at Kennedy King College in Englewood. The invitation only event served 150 families, and was in partnership with Southside Alderpersons, and U.S. Representative Raja Krishnmoorthi and featured giveaways including toddler shoes and socks, diapers and wipes, toys, Ralph Lauren clothing, Pepsi products and so much more. This event was supported by its sponsors, Amazon, Black Men United, Black Oat, ComEd, In His Hands Resource Center, Inc., My Block My Hood My City, Pepsi, S2 Grills and Walsh Construction. Christmas in the Wards founder Larry Huggins addressed the families and thanked the event sponsors, vendors and Alderpersons for their help in bringing the event to the community and sharing the meaning of giving back, which is the mission of Christmas in the Wards.
Holiday Cheer is Good Year Round Christmas in the Wards Presents Uplifting Communities
She Owns It She Biz Conference
Photo Credit: John “Nunu Zomot
The Quarry and Malcolm X College hosted the two-day She Owns It She Biz Conference this past Friday and Saturday.
Attendees, panelists, and honorees alike gathered on the West Side for a day and evening filled with empowerment, networking, and joy. Both our Publisher and Managing Editor served as moderators during the event.
Our Publisher led the She’s a Philanthropic panel, which featured:
Terri Winston – Black Fire Brigade
Sandi Robinson – Chi Gives Back
Dr. Dawn Milhouse – Milhouse Charities
Melinda Kelly – Chatham Business Association
Our Managing Editor moderated the She’s an Executive panel, which included:
C. Nicole Flowers – Flowers Communication Group
Andrea Hill – HMC Hospitality Group
Jennifer Yuma – Black Girl Vitamins
Throughout the day, other dynamic panels and experiences unfolded, such as: She’s on the Educational panel
She Reports the News panel
Hands-on workshops
A Headshot Booth
A diverse marketplace of vendors
The evening culminated in an inspiring Award Show which honored a host of impactful leaders, including:
Josephine Wade, Art Norman, Nikki Hayes, Dr. Cameka Smith, Na-Tae Tompson & Deanna McLeary-Sherman, Charise Williams, Robin Beaman, Jamilah Michelle, Angela Martin, Thyatiria A. Towns, Sharon Morgan, and Hosea Sanders.
From early morning check-ins to the final round of applause, Day One set the tone for a weekend centered on celebration, collaboration, and sisterhood.
Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Target Reels from Boycotts, Employee Revolt, and Massive Losses as Activists Plot Next Moves
Target is spiraling as consumer boycotts intensify, workers push to unionize, and the company faces mounting financial losses following its rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
Target is spiraling as consumer boycotts intensify, workers push to unionize, and the company faces mounting financial losses following its rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. With foot traffic plummeting, stock prices at a five-year low, and employee discontent boiling over, national civil rights leaders and grassroots organizers are vowing to escalate pressure in the weeks ahead. Led by Georgia pastor Rev. Jamal Bryant, a 40-day “Targetfast” aligned with the Lenten season continues to gain traction. “This is about holding companies accountable for abandoning progress,” Bryant said, as the campaign encourages consumers to shop elsewhere. Groups like the NAACP, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and The People’s Union USA are amplifying the effort, organizing mass boycotts and strategic buying initiatives to target what they call corporate surrender to bigotry.
Meanwhile, Target’s workforce is in an open revolt. On Reddit, self-identified employees described mass resignations, frustration with meager pay raises, and growing calls to unionize. “We’ve had six people give their two-week notices,” one
worker wrote. “A rogue team member gathered us in the back room and started talking about forming a union.” Others echoed the sentiment, with users posting messages like, “We’ve been talking about forming a union at my store too,” and “Good on them for trying to organize— it needs to happen.” Target’s problems aren’t just anecdotal. The numbers reflect a company in crisis. The retail giant has logged 10 straight weeks of falling in-store traffic. In February, foot traffic dropped 9% year-over-year, including a 9.5% plunge on February 28 during the 24-hour “economic blackout” boycott organized by The People’s Union USA. March saw a 6.5% decline compared to the previous year. Operating income fell 21% in the most recent quarter, and the company’s stock (TGT) opened at just $94 on April 14, down from $142 in January before the DEI cuts and subsequent backlash. The economic backlash is growing louder online, too.
“We are still boycotting Target due to them bending to bigotry by eroding their DEI programs,” posted the activist group We Are Somebody on April 14. “Target stock has gone down, and their projections remain flat. DEI was good for business. Do the right thing.” For-
mer congresswoman Nina Turner, a senior fellow at The New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, wrote, “Boycotts are effective. Boycotts must have a demand. We will continue to boycott until our demands are met.” More action is on the horizon. Another Target boycott is scheduled for June 3–9, part of a broader campaign targeting corporations that have abandoned DEI initiatives under pressure from right-wing politics and recent executive orders by President Donald Trump. The People’s Union USA, which led the February 28 boycott, has already launched similar weeklong actions against Walmart and announced upcoming boycotts of Amazon (May 6–12), Walmart again (May 20–26), and McDonald’s (June 24–30). The organization’s founder, John Schwarz, said the goal is nothing short of shifting the economic power balance. “We are going to remind them who has the power,” Schwarz said. “For one day, we turn it off. For one day, we shut it down. For one day, we remind them that this country does not belong to the elite, it belongs to the people.” As for Target, its top executives continue to downplay the damage. During a recent earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Jim Lee de-
scribed the outlook for 2025 as uncertain, citing the “ripple” effects of tariffs and a wide range of possible outcomes. “We’re going to be focusing on controlling what we can control,” Lee said. But discontent is spreading internally. A Reddit post from a worker claimed, “The HR rep is doing his best to stop the bleeding, but all he did was put a Bluey band-aid on what is essentially a severed limb.”
Several employees criticized the company’s internal rewards system, “Bullseye Bucks,” for offering what amounts to play money. “Can’t pay rent or buy food with Bullseye Bucks,” one wrote. Others urged their colleagues to join unionizing efforts. “Imagine how much Target would lose their mind if they were under a union contract,” one team leader wrote. “It needs to happen at this point.” One former manager said they left the company after an insulting raise. Quit last year when they gave me a 28-cent raise. Best decision I’ve ever made.” From store floors to boardrooms, the pressure is growing on Target. And as calls for justice, equity, and worker rights get louder, one worker put it plainly: “We’re all screwed—unless we fight back.”
Cook County residents will have the chance to clear overdue moving traffic violation fees without incurring additional collection costs during Amnesty Week, running from April 14 to April 18, 2025. This is a limited-time opportunity, with collection fees waived for unpaid traffic fines. Notably, the program excludes parking tickets and red light violations.
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, highlighted the initiative as part of a broader effort to remove financial obstacles that often impact working families. "As Clerk of the Circuit Court, I see our role not only as administrators of justice but as advocates for fairness and accessibility with-
in the court system," Spyropoulos said. "By waiving collection fees, we’re helping residents take meaningful steps toward resolving their cases and restoring trust in a system that should work for everyone."
This amnesty event, the first of its kind since 2019, offers residents an opportunity to pay full or partial payments via cash, check, money order, or credit card. Payments can be made at the Daley Center and all five suburban district locations. For convenience, individuals can also pay by phone by calling the Clerk’s office customer service center at (312) 603-5030.
The Clerk's office aims to provide a more accessible and equitable court system through this initiative, ensuring that
all residents, regardless of their financial situation, can resolve their overdue fines and move forward.
For further information, visit the Clerk's website at www.cookcountyclerkofcourt. org, or follow the Clerk’s office on social media.
Key Locations for Payment: Daley Center
Skokie (D2)
Rolling Meadows (D3)
Bridgeview (D5)
Maywood (D4)
Markham (D6)
Hours:
All locations will be open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM during Amnesty Week.
Tornadoes and Flooding Leave Trail of Destruction Across Midwest and South
Avolatile weather system swept through the central United States last week, leaving devastation across at least 14 states. From April 2 to 7, more than 145 confirmed tornadoes touched down, and several regions in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys experienced historic flooding.
Kentucky bore the brunt of the storm, with Governor Andy Beshear declaring a state of emergency following flash floods that dropped more than 15 inches of rain in some areas. Small towns like Mayfield and Owensboro—already impacted by previous natural disasters—saw schools and hospitals temporarily shuttered. At least 25 people have died in connection to the storms, and more than 150 have been reported injured.
“This has been one of the most active April systems we’ve ever seen,” said meteorologist Kendra Rhodes of the National Weather Service. “It wasn’t just the number of tornadoes—it was the sustained
rainfall, the back-to-back storm cells, and how much land they covered.”
Emergency shelters have been set up in parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Indiana, with volunteers assisting evacuees who lost their homes. Power outages persisted across several states for days, prompting a joint FEMA and Red Cross response.
Climate experts say the outbreak fits a broader pattern: warmer winters and early springs are giving rise to longer storm seasons, blurring the lines between “tornado season” and “hurricane season.”
As cleanup begins, local officials are emphasizing the need for long-term infrastructure upgrades.
“You can’t just rebuild a town like you’re pressing reset,” said Owensboro Mayor Teresa James.
“You need storm shelters, flood-resistant roads, and a plan for the next time," she continued. "Because there will be a next time.”
DR. CARol ADAmS The Original Cultural Architect
If Dr. Carol Adams, the former president and CEO of the DuSable Museum of African American History, among many other positions, was an African sculpture, the patina would tell the story of a magnificent cultural architect—layered, rich, and enduring. Her life reflects the deep hues of reddish brown or Redbone, like the iron-tinted patina formed over time: strong, complex, and lasting.
Carol’s story is also the story of a Black Baby Boomer woman, coming of age during a pivotal era of transformation— from Colored to Negro, to Black, to African American. Each term carried its own power and reflected a distinct moment in history.
Family and Education
Carol grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, in a loving, educated household. Her father was a Fisk University graduate and entrepreneur; her mother was insightful and progressive. Carol was the youngest of three daughters, born nine years after
her sisters. “It was like having a bunch of parents,” she recalls. Her older sisters were protective, and she idolized them, always eager to follow in their footsteps. They were opposites—one artistic, the other athletic—offering Carol a blend of both worlds. Her mother encouraged freedom of thought, especially in faith. Carol was allowed to choose her own church, as long as she attended one. She laughs recalling how she went to three services every Sunday: mass with one sister, Baptist church with the other, and evening service with her Presbyterian parents.
Their home often included male cousins, making her feel like the baby of an extended family. “I always had validation,” she says. She was constantly surrounded by love, encouragement, and people who believed she could do anything. One cousin later admitted she couldn’t stand Carol’s piano playing— but always cheered her on anyway. Her eldest sister even helped her skip kindergarten by adjusting her age so
she could enroll directly into first grade. “Everything she taught me prepared me for school,” Carol says.
Reflecting on her childhood, Carol remembers a tight-knit neighborhood where kids roamed freely and doors were never locked. “Everyone knew each other,” she says. “We could run in and out of each other’s homes. It was amazing.”
Now, she mourns the loss of that kind of community. “I look out my window and never see kids playing,” she says. “We’ve lost our sense of the village. That extended family is broken.” In her day, children could walk to the store or church without fear. “Nobody was lurking around to harm you. The community protected you. Everybody knew everybody.”
Off to College
Carol always knew she was going to college—her father made that expectation clear. Although he preferred less male-dominated environments for his daughters, her oldest sister, a pianist, chose Fisk for its renowned music program. The other sister, more traditional,
went to Hampton but agreed to attend at least one year of college before getting married, which she did the following year.
Their family lived in a two-flat building her father owned. He converted the top floor into a larger unit for their household, while other relatives, including one of her sisters and a cousin’s family, lived in the remaining apartments. “That time—living with everyone under one roof—was the happiest of my life,” Carol remembers. With support from cousins, siblings, and parents, she never lacked encouragement or guidance.
She also witnessed the effects of the Great Migration firsthand when a cousin moved to Seattle for work at Boeing, a company more accessible to Black workers in the Pacific Northwest than opportunities available in the South.
When it came time for college, Fisk was again considered for Carol. Her highschool principal agreed to her early admission offered through Fisk’s “Early u Continue on Page 10
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Olivia Obineme
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor -in-Chief
Cover Story
If the Catalyst had a founding principle, it might have been: “Know thyself—in the context of the collective.”
Entrance” program, but she declined— wanting to graduate with her class and already being a year ahead academically. Interested in law school, she opted instead for Lincoln University in Missouri, which had a pre-law track and ties to her family through her father and uncle, both coaches who had sent athletes there.
Carol arrived at Lincoln with 13 “home boys” on the football and basketball teams. Despite her mother’s warning not to get involved in civil rights activities, Carol’s convictions didn’t fade. Though not formally involved with student groups, she joined protests against segregation in Jefferson City. The school president, under pressure from the state, cracked down harshly: expelling demonstrators and instituting strict dorm lockdowns, even hiring guards to enforce isolation.
After a week under those conditions, Carol called her mother to say she was ready to leave. But her mother, ever practical, encouraged her to finish the semester first. “You can do this,” she told her. “Then you never have to go back.”
Carol took that advice—and the lesson stuck: effective activism requires not just passion but preparation. “That’s why civil rights organizers trained people before protests,” she reflects. “You had to be ready mentally, emotionally, and physically.”
Transfer to Fisk
When Carol transferred to Fisk, the environment was completely different. This was after all the school of W.E.B. DuBois. Civil rights activism was supported—not punished. “When we went to jail, they brought us our schoolwork, retained lawyers, and made sure we were okay,” she recalls. At Fisk, she followed in the footsteps of icons like John Lewis and Diane Nash, surrounded by a culture of purposeful resistance.
Her mother, though protective and concerned for the family’s safety, ultimately respected Carol’s choices. Her father, proud and grounded in his own experiences, supported her fully. Carol credits her parents for instilling strength and independence while recognizing each daughter’s individuality. “My mother treated us the same by respecting how different we were,” she says. “That was her superpower.”
Trouble in Boston
After Fisk, Carol headed to Boston University to pursue her Ph.D.—but quickly realized Boston was the most racist place she’d ever experienced, despite
having grown up in the South. It wasn’t her first introduction to the North; that summer, she had participated in a Yale experimental program on community development, which brought together Black students from the South and white students from the North. She’d even visited Boston earlier that summer to apartment-hunt with help from a high school friend from Louisville who now lived there.
Carol and her mother traveled to Boston together to set up her new place. She had no trouble renting the apartment, unaware she was the only Black resident in the building. It was close to Boston University, which made it ideal—until the day her mother was set to return home. That morning, racist signs were posted on Carol’s door.
Alarmed, her mother insisted they leave. “You’re not staying. We’re going home,” she said. Carol stood her ground, pointing out she had a friend in the city whose prominent parents had promised to look out for her. “Nothing is going to happen,” they assured her. “Yes, they’re racist, but it’s all bluff—they’re just trying to make you uncomfortable.” Her mother reluctantly agreed to leave. But things escalated. Carol began experiencing daily racism, including being followed home. Once, she said, was too many. Her neighbors across the hall embodied what she described as “MAGA-style” confrontations—aggressive expressions of American exceptionalism that excluded people like her. Fearing for her safety, she called her Fisk alumna sister in Detroit and asked her to send mace.
Still, she remembered her mother’s advice from her time at Lincoln: finish what you started. So she stayed long enough to complete her master’s degree in sociology, then made plans to leave Boston for good.
She began looking for Ph.D. programs and quickly set her sights on Chicago, , known for its sociology footprint. Through The American Sociologist magazine, she found several job listings in the city. Chicago also made sense geographically: it was home to a strong sociology program at the University of Chicago and was just a few hours from her sister in Detroit and family in Louisville.
Move to Chicago and the Catalyst
Carol arrived in Chicago for the first time on September 1, 1966. She stayed at the YWCA on Dearborn and Clark while getting settled. A friend of her sister’s, a sociologist at the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago, suggested she
apply for a research position there. She did—and got the job.
She stayed briefly with her sister’s brother-in-law while searching for an apartment. “Within two months of arriving,” she recalls proudly, “I had a job and a place to live.”
The Welfare Council conducted research and policy work for all the private social service agencies in Chicago. Carol’s role there took her across the city, eventually connecting her with Mr. Simon, who was based on the West Side in North Lawndale.
One day, Charles Ross—who was working on Richard Hatcher’s mayoral campaign—showed up at the office. He shared that Black social workers were organizing. They were frustrated with their lack of voice in the agencies where they worked. Despite being on the front lines, they had no say in policies or decisions, because the agencies were largely run by white leadership and white boards. At the time, there was also an organization (a predecessor to the United Way) that expected monthly donations deducted directly from employees’ paychecks— contributions that ultimately supported decisions Black workers had no influence over.
That first organizing meeting, called by Warner Sanders, Al Raby, and Abena Joan Brown, was held at Brown’s home—and for Carol, it was transformative. “I will never forget that meeting,” she recalled. “It was a life-changing occurrence for me because I met so many people who were major change agents and advocates for the Black community—people like Useni Perkins, Levert King, and Orthello Ellis. It was the beginning of everything for me in Chicago.” That night lit a fire in her—it set her on a clear path and began her integration into Chicago’s Black socio-political movement.
From that meeting, a group emerged, and Carol gave it its name: Catalyst. It was a fitting title for the collective of powerful social architects focused on diversity, human rights, and social justice. As the Catalyst was formalizing, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. Riots erupted in Black neighborhoods across the country—particularly on Chicago’s West Side. The response from social service agencies was dismissive, if not outright hostile. After much deliberation, the Catalyst chose to confront the moment and reject the status quo. In doing so, they became a bold and unified force of intelligent, educated, and skilled people committed to the advancement of Black communities.
The Catalyst soon expanded beyond so-
cial workers, growing to include teachers, professors, artists, writers, psychologists, lawyers, and historians—including well-known figures like Dr. Anderson Thompson, Dr. Harold Pates, and Larry Shaw—as well as Vince Cullers, the founder and president of a Black-owned advertising agency.
In those tense times, with national attention on Black unrest, demands were being made—from Black communities, not just to white leadership but also internally, calling for action and accountability. The Catalyst crafted its own list of demands. Vince Cullers designed a bold black bag to hold a formal telegram, which each member would send to their agency leadership, directing them to attend a meeting at the Afro-Arts Theater with their Black employees.
“It was an opportunity for me to observe and learn from all the people I’ve mentioned—people who became iconic figures in Chicago’s Black leadership,” Carol recalled. “I served when asked, got to know them, and witnessed their thought processes, organizing skills, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. I watched them work together as a team. I learned from them. They were audacious—very bold.”
Abena Joan Brown emphasized a key point: if the telegrams were anonymous or signed only with “The Catalyst,” they might be dismissed. “They needed to know we were in their agencies,” she argued. Every detail mattered.
To avoid getting fired for skipping work, the plan was carefully timed. When the telegrams arrived, Catalyst members would approach their department heads during lunch and identify themselves as members of the Catalyst. It was a coordinated, strategic move— and a powerful statement.
“We assumed they couldn’t fire every Black person working in the agency. And we actually thought we had critical mass, right?” Carol says with a smile.
She recalls how many of these agencies were led by white men—but interestingly, many had Black secretaries. These women became the group’s internal communication line, quietly relaying the agencies’ responses to the Catalyst’s letters and actions. “Surprisingly, nobody got fired,” Carol says. “And the meeting took place. We presented our black bag.” “That’s why the name of my book about the Catalyst is Our Black Bag,” she explains. “The bag symbolized how we intended to move forward. We declared that we no longer worked for them—we worked for our community. We were no longer going to contribute to that Unit-
ed Way predecessor, paying into a fund that never served our interests. We laid it all out—how we felt, how we would operate going forward. And from that strategic move, our organization just kept growing.”
After that, the Catalyst began meeting every Saturday at Parkway Community House on 67th Street, in the theater.
“People would come down with workplace issues,” Carol remembers. “I can recall one meeting where a brother who worked at Cook County Hospital came because he wasn’t allowed to wear a dashiki to work. So we went to the job.”
“The point is,” she continues, “you have to understand the relevance of these issues in the context of the moment. That’s key. You can’t open the door without that understanding. It was important that brother knew he had people listening—and that we were there for him.”
Carol adds, “We did everything from small things like that to something huge—like “Bird of the Iron Feather.” That was when they were trying to get the show on TV. By then, Oscar Brown Jr. was involved. Everybody was involved. It was the first all-Black soap opera.”
The Catalyst mobilized and went to WTTW to demand that Bird of the Iron Feather be aired. The series became the highest-rated local show ever broadcast by WTTW-TV in Chicago. Life magazine noted in April 1970 that the show’s ratings were “high enough to have assured syndication by at least 40 educational stations around the country this year.” Lee Bey of WBEZ called it “an unflinching look at the harsh realities of ghetto life.” Life described it as “television’s first attempt to portray life in the Black ghetto as it is actually lived,” praising its “authentic, controversial portrayal of Black ghetto life” and its “gutsy reality that is missing from white-washed Black-life shows like Julia.”
Sometime after the WTTW action, the Catalyst staged a powerful demonstration at the United Way’s annual meeting. They showed up with their respective agencies and took their seats at designated tables. As the speakers began, the Black men stood and walked to the stage. The women stood at their tables in silent support. Then the men voiced the group’s demands to the audience, declaring that they would no longer participate in the organization unless Black people were placed in decision-making positions.
That bold move eventually led to real change. In the 1980s, Jerome Stevenson became the first Black head of the United Way.
The most important thing is that the Catalyst had become a think tank that turned thought into action. As Carol puts it, the organization kept growing stronger. Major Chicago heavy hitters in social change got involved—like Lou Palmer and Georgia Palmer—and with them, the Catalyst expanded its reach and influence.
Carol pauses and smiles as she continues: “It was the organization people looked to when they wanted to elevate Black people into different spaces and places.”
“It was from that standpoint that we backed folks—and they catapulted to higher ground,” she says.
“Warner Saunders, for instance, left his position as Executive Director of the Better Boys Foundation—which was then filled by Useni Perkins—to join WBBM as Director of Community Affairs and host Common Ground. Frank Bacon, also a Catalyst member, became head of Corporate Affairs at Sears. Chuck Curry, another Catalyst member, got the Corporate Affairs position at Quaker Oats. And so on. There are so many stories like that. But you get the drift.”
In retrospect, the Catalyst functioned like old money power and influence— but for Black folks, who historically had no access to those kinds of levers in the places and spaces they aspired to. It was also a training ground—a place where Black people could learn organizational skills and gain knowledge and understanding of how business works: in the corporate world, in nonprofits, and in philanthropy.
Members learned not just the technical side, but the culture of each space—how to navigate them. Whereas wealthy people often grow up immersed in business culture and internalize how those systems work, Black people in Chicago rarely had that kind of access. The Catalyst helped fill that gap.
Carol acknowledges that at its core, the Catalyst was rooted in Blackness and in a deep love for Black people and culture. It represented a commitment to uplift, to advance growth and development, to push the community forward. If the Catalyst had a founding principle, it might have been: “Know thyself—in the context of the collective.”
Enrolling at University of Chicago
In 1970, Carol enrolled in the University of Chicago’s sociology Ph.D. program on a fellowship. Though the program discouraged students from working, she
took a teaching position at Crane, where she taught her first African American Studies class—another pivotal moment in her life.
Her students included Henry English and Calvin Cook—grown men, many recently out of the military, and older than she was. “I had graduated college at 21,” she recalls. “So here I was, teaching men who had more life experience than me—but I was also learning from them.”
It was a period of intense political awakening. The Black Panther Party was gaining momentum, and her students were joining the movement. They successfully lobbied to rename their school Malcolm X College.
Meanwhile, Carol continued doing research for the Welfare Council—her passion for research unwavering. Then came the third major turning point: she landed a job at the newly opened Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University on 39th and Oakwood. There, she encountered another level of brilliance: scholars like historian Anderson Thompson, and creatives like Larry Shaw and Vince Cullers, who were revolutionizing education with visual storytelling.
Simultaneously, Doris Wilson of the YWCA was organizing Black women across the city to advocate for quality daycare and racial equity. Doris’s push led to the national YWCA adopting the goal of eliminating racism—a strategy that originated right in Chicago. Many
of those women were also part of the Catalyst.
Carol reflects, “These people—my mentors, teachers, friends—were brilliant. They read, studied, planned, wrote. We read books together, discussed them deeply.” She recalls the impact of Lou’s Bookshelf, started by Lou Palmer, where members read and dissected books like The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual, often continuing conversations late into the night at Queen of the Sea.
Listening to Carol, you sense the urgency and discipline of that era. People pursued knowledge to be informed— not performative, but rooted in truth. They asked: What happened? Why? And how does it affect us now?
Today, Carol says, disinformation and narrative manipulation threaten that grounding in reality.
“Back then, people didn’t just act randomly,” she said. “They studied, they researched. The Black Panther Party was full of young people reading, learning, trying to live out the knowledge they gained.”
Her message is clear: misguiding our youth or failing to teach them how to seek truth is dangerous—but not irreversible.
“We must never stop pursuing truth,” she said. “Fantasy will fade. Reality will always set in.”
pRead or listen to extened version online.
THE BooK oF DAVID
Chicago’s Sanctuary Policies Continue to Endanger Law Enforcement and Residents Alike
Another violent night in Chicago. Another failure of leadership. And another reminder that progressive ideology is no match for the harsh realities on the ground.
Late Friday night, around 10:45 p.m. in Little Village—a predominantly Latino neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest Side—Chicago police officers were targeted in an alleged gang-related shooting. The scene was chilling: four armed males stood in the street, halting vehicles and pointing guns at innocent civilians. Surveillance footage revealed two of the suspects hiding in the shadows, waiting for the officers to pass, only to ambush them with bullets and bravado, shouting, “Now, now, F them up.”
Let that sink in. These criminals waited for police to pass. They planned to open fire. This wasn’t panic. This was predato-
ry. And yet, what was the city's official response?
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office issued the following statement: “This brazen act of violence has no place in our communities. These individuals put our police officers and the entire neighborhood in danger by recklessly firing down a residential street. While we are relieved that no officers or residents were injured in this incident, this could have easily become a tragedy. The Chicago Police Department is investigating this incident, and we will provide updates as they become available. We must continue to double down on our efforts to get illegal guns off our streets and to stem the flow of guns into our city.”
It’s a tired, tone-deaf response that refuses to confront the actual root of the issue. Illegal guns didn’t shoot at officers. Criminals did. And Mayor Johnson, as
always, ducks any serious conversation about who is committing these crimes— and why his city continues to tie the hands of law enforcement.
Little Village is 81% Latino and 37% foreign-born. It is entirely fair to ask: How many of these suspects are in the country illegally? But because Chicago is a self-declared sanctuary city, that question will likely never be answered. In fact, under current policy, city officials are forbidden from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement—even when public safety is clearly at risk.
Mayor Johnson’s progressive policies have effectively created a shield for those who would do harm. Criminals—regardless of immigration status—have learned they can operate with impunity in neighborhoods like Little Village. And instead of empowering police, Johnson and the City Council continue to de-
fund, restrict, and scapegoat the very officers who run toward danger while the politicians hide behind microphones. We are told again and again that the real enemy is the “flow of guns,” as if the guns themselves pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, the residents of Chicago— law-abiding citizens and public servants alike—are the ones who suffer, trapped in a city where ideology has replaced accountability.
Mayor Johnson may be relieved that “no officers or residents were injured,” but Chicago can’t afford to keep gambling with luck. The next time, it may not end so fortunately. Enough is enough. It’s time to put safety over slogans—and law enforcement over lip service.
The Invisible Allergy in a Corn-Fed Nation
For millions of Americans living with food allergies, trips to the doctor follow a familiar script: What did you eat? Do you have known allergies? Did you come in contact with tree nuts, shellfish, dairy? But for patients with corn allergies, the answer is often overlooked entirely.
Despite being one of the most pervasive ingredients in the American food supply, corn rarely gets flagged as a common allergen. “Corn derivatives are in everything,” says Dr. Nina Wallace, an allergist and researcher based in Chicago. “From thickeners to sweeteners to pharmaceuticals, it’s difficult to even recognize all the exposures.”
One Chicago-based patient who has lived with a corn allergy for years, says most medical professionals don’t even bring it up as a possibility. “I’ve gone to urgent care and mentioned my allergy, only to be given medication or bandages that contain corn byproducts,” he says. “The burden falls entirely on me to check everything—because the system doesn’t.”
The lack of clinical focus on corn allergies stems in part from how they present. Unlike peanut or shellfish allergies, which often trigger severe anaphylaxis, corn sensitivities may manifest as GI distress, hives, chronic inflammation, or brain fog. This leads to frequent misdiagnosis or dismissal.
“It’s an invisible allergy in a corn-fed world,” says Dr. Wallace. “Until we train providers to look beyond the top eight allergens, these patients will keep slipping through the cracks.”
Advocacy groups like Corn Allergy Girl and Feed the People Wellness are pushing
for standardized labeling of corn-derived ingredients and increased research funding. Until then, patients rely on online forums and word-of-mouth survival strategies. In a country that produces more corn than any other crop, recognition remains slow—but awareness is growing, one medical encounter at a time.
The A.I. The answer.is...
As content creators, the CNW editorial team is acutely aware of the importance—and the invaluable significance—of how we communicate what we wish to convey. Effective communication requires a clear understanding of language and intentional word choice. You must know what each word means, and more importantly, how it works with other words to form precise, meaningful expression.
That precision is critical in conveying your thoughts clearly. That's why we make a deliberate effort to choose our words carefully, ensuring we are presenting our message in a clear, concise, and impactful way.
Language in the Modern Age
Today, words are often used to serve the end goals of their users—sometimes at the expense of truth and clarity. A notable example is when Kellyanne Conway introduced the phrase “alternative facts.” This phrase sparked widespread debate about truth, reality, and the manipulation of language in public discourse.
To better understand how language is used—and misused—we offer definitions of ten key terms that often shape and complicate modern communication:
Definitions
1. Fact
A statement that can be proven true or false based on evidence and objective observation.
Example: “Humans have 206 bones in their bodies.”
2. Fake News
Deliberately false or misleading information, often disguised as legitimate news, intended to deceive or manipulate.
Example: A viral post falsely claiming a politician passed a law that doesn’t exist.
3. Perspective
A particular way of seeing or understanding something, often shaped by personal
beliefs or experiences.
Example: A refugee’s perspective on borders may differ from that of a government official.
4. Perception
The way individuals become aware of or interpret sensory or experiential input. Example: One person may hear criticism as constructive, while another hears it as hostile, depending on their emotional state.
5. Reality
The actual state of existence—what is, regardless of beliefs or interpretations. Example: The sun exists whether or not someone believes it does.
6. Frame of Reference
The mental, emotional, and experiential context through which one views the world.
Example: Someone raised in poverty may interpret wealth and success differently than someone raised with privilege.
7. Interpretation
The act of assigning meaning to facts, events, or experiences, often influenced by one’s frame of reference.
Example: Two students may interpret the same historical event differently based on the curriculum they were taught.
8. Truth
The state of being in accordance with fact or reality. Truth can be objective (factbased) or subjective (personal).
Example: “It is true that water is made of hydrogen and oxygen.”
9. Indisputable
Not open to question or doubt; undeniably true or valid.
Example: “The Earth orbits the sun” is an indisputable fact based on current scientific understanding.
10. Alternative Facts
A term popularized in 2017 by Kellyanne Conway, who described it as offering "additional facts and alternative information." However, the phrase has been widely criticized for presenting falsehoods as if they were facts—suggesting multiple interpretations of data, even when one is demonstrably false.
Example (her comparison): “Two plus two is four. Three plus one is four. Partly cloudy, partly sunny. Glass half full, glass half empty.”
How These Concepts Interconnect
• Reality is the foundational layer—what exists, regardless of our awareness.
• Facts describe specific, observable elements of reality.
• Indisputable facts have overwhelming evidence and near-universal agreement.
• Truth aligns with facts and reality, but can also include subjective or philosophical dimensions.
• Perception is how we sense and process reality, and it can distort or limit our access to truth.
• Perspective filters perception based on personal or cultural background.
• Frame of Reference is the broader system of beliefs and experiences that shapes our perspective.
• Interpretation gives meaning to facts and experiences, informed by our frame of reference.
• Fake News thrives in the gaps between reality, perception, and interpretation— exploiting limited knowledge, bias, or misinformation.
• Indisputable truths serve as anchors that help us navigate distorted narratives.
• Alternative Facts, as a rhetorical device, challenge objectivity by cloaking misinformation in the appearance of legitimacy.
The Weight of Every Word
To be an articulate speaker or effective communicator, one must take words seriously—especially how they're used. Unfortunately, modern education often fails to emphasize foundational vocabulary, leading people to learn words primarily through casual conversation. As a result, many develop only a vague understanding of a word's meaning, missing its full depth and varied definitions.
This gap in understanding leads to miscommunication and a breakdown in the ability to receive—or convey—the intended message.
Language is a powerful tool. When used thoughtfully, it bridges worlds. When used carelessly, it builds walls.
Laura Miller Managing Editor
Who Taught You to Love Me? Unlearning Inherited Patterns in Modern Relationships
Love is often portrayed as a natural, instinctive emotion. Yet the ways we express and experience love are deeply influenced by the relationships we've observed and the cultural narratives we've internalized. Many of us have adopted patterns and beliefs about love that, while familiar, may not serve us well in our current relationships.
The Echoes of Early Attachments
Our early relationships—especially with caregivers—lay the foundation for how we connect with others romantically. When a parent is absent, whether physically or emotionally, it can lead to the development of insecure attachment styles. These often manifest as a fear of abandonment or an aversion to intimacy. For instance, someone who experienced parental absence might preemptively end relationships to avoid being left themselves, or conversely, might cling to unfulfilling partnerships out of fear of solitude.
Even without formal therapy, self-reflection can illuminate these patterns. By examining our relationship histories, we
can identify recurring themes and behaviors that stem from early life experiences. Recognizing these patterns is a crucial step toward fostering healthier connections.
Recognizing and Releasing Inherited Patterns
Many of us carry forward relationship dynamics we observed in our formative years. These patterns can include communication styles, conflict resolution approaches, and expectations around emotional support. For example, if open emotional expression was discouraged in your family, you might struggle to share your feelings with a partner—leading to misunderstandings and emotional distance. Similarly, growing up with conditional or inconsistent love can create anxieties about abandonment or make it difficult to trust others.
To break free from these inherited patterns, consider the following steps:
• Self-Reflection: Examine your relationship history to identify recurring themes or challenges.
• Mindfulness: Notice your reactions in
relationships and consider when they may be influenced by past experiences.
• Education: Seek out books, workshops, or therapy that offer insights into healthy relationship dynamics.
• Open Dialogue: Engage in honest conversations with partners about expectations, boundaries, and growth.
• Community Support: Surround yourself with individuals who model and support healthy relationships. By consciously choosing to examine— and, when necessary, redefine—our beliefs about love, we pave the way for more fulfilling and authentic connections.
Embracing a New Narrative
It's essential to recognize that our past does not define our future. While early experiences shape us, they do not have to dictate our relationship patterns indefinitely. By acknowledging and addressing these inherited dynamics, we can create space for healthier, more intentional connections.
As we continue moving toward a more modern version of love—one that defies traditional gender roles and outdated expectations—it's time to look inward and determine what feels right for us individually. This self-awareness allows us to build relationships based on mutual respect, understanding, and genuine connection. Remember, it’s not solely about where you’ve been—but where you’re going. By understanding and addressing the roots of our relationship patterns, we empower ourselves to forge connections that are authentic, fulfilling, and reflective of our true selves.
art & culture
Laura Miller Managing Editor
Words I’ve Never Said Anthony Bartley Paints a New Language for Black Emotion
Chicago-based artist Anthony Bartley, known by his creative moniker Fading Royalty, is making vulnerability visible. His debut solo exhibition, Words I’ve Never Said, opens on Friday, April 18, at Connect Gallery in Hyde Park and runs through May 22. It’s not just a showcase of paintings—it’s an experience rooted in healing, honesty, and human connection.
The exhibition is deeply personal. For Bartley, art began as a lifeline. After battling anxiety and depression, he first turned to painting as a form of therapy during college. What emerged from that moment of survival is a visual language of introspection—one that now speaks to anyone who's ever had something to say but couldn’t find the words.
“Art is therapy for me before it’s anything else,” he explains. “Before it’s for a gallery. Before it’s for the community. It saved me first.”
Raised on anime and comic books, Bartley’s early inspirations included characters from Naruto and One Piece, but his creative turning point came when he discovered Takashi Murakami—specifically Murakami’s work on Kanye West’s Good Morning video. That moment shifted his understanding of what art could be: emotionally expressive, visually bold, and culturally expansive.
You’ll see those threads woven throughout Words I’ve Never Said. His work pulls from Japanese visual culture and fuses it with a deeply Black emotional lens, creating portraits and imagery that feel intimate yet universal. The exhibition title itself comes from the idea that every piece represents a moment or feeling he didn’t know how to express—until now.
One of the most powerful elements of the show is the interactive installation. Visitors are encouraged to respond to the question “When was the last time you felt like this?” on sticky notes placed near each piece. It’s a quiet but profound act of communal storytelling— making the space not only reflective, but relational.
“We don’t often get to see Black people represented in art when they’re just… sad. Not destroyed, not angry, just navigating everyday sadness,” Bartley says. “I wanted to create that space.”
In addition to the exhibit, Bartley has curated over ten free community events during the show’s run, from holistic healing workshops to portrait days and creative pop-ups. It’s part of his mission to make the gallery feel welcoming to those who may not have grown up seeing themselves reflected in such spaces.
“I didn’t grow up thinking galleries were for me,” he says. “So I created the one I needed.”
Never Said is an invitation to bring your full self into the room—and leave a little lighter.
Visit the Show
Words I’ve Never Said by Fading Royalty (Anthony Bartley)
Connect Gallery | 1520 E. Harper Ct., Chicago, IL
The opening Show is April 18th from 6 PM to 9 PM, and the Show Runs through May 22, 2025.
Programming announced via Instagram: @fadingroyalty
More info: www.fadingroyalty.com
There’s no centerpiece, no single painting meant to steal the show. Instead, the exhibition moves like memory—nonlinear, emotional, and fluid. It’s a space where the viewer’s interpretation is just as important as the artist’s intention. Whether you come for the art, the programming, or simply to feel seen, Words I’ve
Black Artists Shine at Coachella 2025 A Celebration of Culture and Sound
Indio, California — The desert was alive with more than just lights and lasers this weekend.
Coachella 2025 delivered its annual spectacle of sound, but it was the performances by Black artists that offered the festival’s most unforgettable, culturally resonant moments.
Megan Thee Stallion took center stage Saturday night, delivering a performance equal parts bombastic and emotional. Her set featured surprise appearances by Queen Latifah, Ciara, and Victoria Monét. The three joined Megan for a triumphant, all-women anthem run that concluded with Latifah’s 1993 classic “U.N.I.T.Y.” A microphone cut during Megan’s “Mamushi” track sparked online chatter, but she pushed through without missing a beat—cementing her reputation as both a showstopper and a professional.
“Technical difficulties won’t stop the Hot Girl Coach,” Megan later posted on X. And they didn’t.
For Ghanaian-American artist Amaarae, Coachella was a milestone. The sul-
try-voiced singer became the first Ghanaian to perform a solo set at the festival, bringing Afrofuturist flair and experimental pop to the Gobi Stage. With a setlist that included unreleased tracks and songs by fellow Ghanaian artists, she used the moment to spotlight African music on her own terms. Her message was clear: this is African artistry—global, genre-defying, and unapologetically bold.
over both fans and critics, offering a sound that felt raw and fully formed.
Elsewhere on the lineup, African talent made itself known: Tyla, fresh off her Grammy win, brought amapiano rhythms to a packed Mojave Tent; Rema delivered a high-octane set that bridged Afrobeats with rap; and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 lit up the afternoon with a blast of Afrobeat fire, connecting generations through groove and protest.
GloRilla also made a strong showing, riding the momentum of her debut album Glorious and her North American tour of the same name. Her gritty delivery and Memphis-bred confidence won
If Coachella once earned a reputation for leaning too hard into electronic sameness and indie nostalgia, 2025 shows the tide may be turning. The lineup’s inclusion of Black artists across genres—hiphop, R&B, Afropop, alternative, and more—signaled a shift in who gets center stage, and why it matters.
These performances weren’t just about visibility—they were about presence, voice, and lineage. In a space long dominated by aesthetic, spectacle, and trend, Black artists this year brought substance. They didn’t just play the stage. They made it matter.
Food & Wine Mare Evans
The o xtails I Grew Up On
This oxtail recipe is a soul food blast from the past, with a special touch from my mother. You can—and should—adjust the spices to your taste. Our family loves bold flavors and plenty of seasoning. You can also double the gravy if you like. We love this dish served with rice and cornbread—maybe you will too.
This week is Passover, a Jewish tradition when many reflect on tradition and heritage. I remember mentioning once that I had started cooking oxtails as a preteen, and friends from different backgrounds chimed in to say their grandparents made them too. The truth is, oxtails are a beloved comfort food across many races and cultures.
Oxtail dishes are popular in regions around the world, including South America, West Africa, China, Spain, Korea, and Indonesia—highlighting their versatility and universal appeal. In Jewish cuisine, especially in Russian and Eastern European traditions, oxtails have also played a role in hearty, celebratory meals. Though not traditionally considered kosher due to the sciatic nerve, they can be made kosher with special preparation by a qualified shochet.
In short, oxtails are a favorite among many communities—Jewish, African American, and others—because of their deep flavor, tender texture, and historical significance in home cooking around the world. To add a bit of more soul... serve with cornbread. You'll loveit
Oxtails with Gravy
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins
Servings: 6
Ingredients
(Original recipe yields 6 servings)
2 pounds beef oxtail
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
1 tablespoon salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
4 cups water, or as needed
2 tablespoons bacon drippings or shortening
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 dashes browning sauce
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
391 Calories
20g Fat
5g Carbs
47g Protein
Directions
1. In a large stockpot, combine oxtails, onion, garlic, Greek seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and seasoning salt. Add enough water to cover the oxtails and place over high heat. Bring to a boil.
2. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook until oxtails are tender, 2½ to 3 hours. Remove from heat and reserve 2 cups of the broth.
3. In a skillet, warm bacon drippings or shortening over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Gradually stir in the reserved broth and browning sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until the gravy thickens, stirring constantly.
5. Add oxtails to the skillet and stir to coat with gravy. Cook over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Note: The nutrition info reflects the salt added to the cooking liquid—most of which is discarded.
Stylin’ & Profilin’ at the Fashion Trust Awards
Stepping high and in sync on the red carpet, celebrities brought the lights, the flash, and the glamour to the 2025 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, held April 8 in Los Angeles. Some of our fashion favorites were in attendance—and many were not. But those who showed up brought the light. From the red carpet outside to the fashion museum ambiance inside, the night was flowing with persona, fashioned and captured inside extravagance on display and full-on fashion lass energy.
The Fashion Trust U.S. is all about showcasing and supporting the next wave of design talent. The nonprofit awards program introduces and highlights up-and-coming designers, providing them with funding and one-year mentorships to help turn their labels into thriving global brands.
This year’s awards were held at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood, where the industrial venue was transformed with a pink carpet and Fiji-sponsored activations. The 2025 edition was hosted by the ever-effervescent Keke Palmer, who stunned in a vintage Oscar de la Renta black silk gown from Spring 2013, dripping in sequins and feathers. She kept the vibe high and the energy flowing as the night celebrated emerging visionaries in the fashion world.
The big winners included Rachel Scott of Diotima for Ready-To-Wear, Patrick Taylor for the Graduate Award, Dani Griffiths of CLYDE for Accessories, Beck for Jewelry, and Kwame Adusei for Sustainability. A new Honorary Award was also introduced this year and presented by Hailey Bieber to none other than Anthony Vaccarello of Saint Lau-
gold sequin Burberry dress, straight off the runway.
Fashion-conscious celebrities including Taraji P. Henson, Hailey Bieber, Ciara, Kate Hudson, and Lori Harvey also made bold statements on the carpet, making the scene a visual feast for the style-obsessed.
The night wrapped with a surprise performance by Natasha Bedingfield, whose live set brought the whole event to a joyous close, uniting everyone in a celebra tion of creativity, craft, and community.
The red carpet? Absolutely delivered. Gabrielle Union shimmered in a sheer, rhinestone-covered Celia Kritharioti Couture gown from Spring 2025—of course, we have to sidebar here and mention her long-running collection with New York & Company, which she’s helmed since 2017. It’s tight, colorful, fresh—and so now. Other red carpet head-turners included Julia Fox in a sculptural trumpet gown from Marni’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection and Kerry Washington in a showstopping
