Chicago News Weekly March 1, 2023

Chicago News Weekly

Cheryl Mainor Norman

President & Publisher

Kai EL’ Zabar

Editor In Chief

Terri Winston

Vice President

Darnell Pulphus

Art Director

Editors

Danielle Sanders

Managing Editor

Sterling Caprico

Fashion Editor

Marti Worell

Arts & Culture Editor

Staff Writers

Dr. Sharice Braford

Liz Lampkin

Marcus Bouldin

David Pierce

Tammy Gibson

Theresa Horton

Shaneen Murray

Marti Worell

Mila K. Marshall, PhD

Contributors

NNPA Newswire

Mare Evans

Eric Grant

Cover Photography

Worsome Robinson

E notes

Women on the Rise

The Trick

Today’s social-political climate is not that of pre-Barack Obama’s election as President.

In fact, in retrospect, it seems like a different era. Obama slid into the White House on the notion that we as a nation had arrived as a country free of the bias that had created the racism of its past. Sure, we knew that some people as individuals remained racist. We could handle that. Even when we stood by observing the Republican Party publicly reject over and over again any and all legislature Obama sought to pass because he was Black. Still, we believed in the American ultimate goal of, “one nation, under God . . . where all men are created equal.” He was elected for a second term. We believed that America would step up and demonstrate to the world and itself that it had indeed advanced passed the clandestine racism that lived in the pores of the system where it bore itself deeply hidden in crevices that only showed itself vividly in the areas often not traveled by the middle class. We thought that we could beat the system that was never meant to include those outside the mainstream that looked like the men who had written the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The path was paved, the door was opened. We believed that America would elect its first woman president. Instead, ‘they’ chose Trump.

The Backdrop

Vol.

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African American women took position front and center and drove the vote for Hillary Clinton and though devastated by Hillary’s loss, Black women emerged victorious establishing themselves as the one consistent segment of the population that delivered their vote for the Democrats. Shocked and even offended by the idea that Black women dare point it out, white women failed to grasp what was really on hand for them to gain from what Black women had done. Black women are dependable. Let us mention the vote that they continued to bring in the various state elections helping Democratic candidates to beat their Republican opponents after Trump’s win.

The takeaway is that ‘you can count on Black women registered voters.’ Biden addressed it after his victory and made BW a promise. America has emerged talking more about identity within the context of what makes us different rather than what makes us one. The labels identify us by gender, race, sexual proclivity, and party affiliation creating a major conclave in the fabric of American politics which spills over into the social and economic sectors of life affecting everyone worldwide. Then the reversal of ‘Roe vs. Wade’ actually happened. Women’s voices and actions have grown, and women candidates are running in greater numbers than ever in America’s history and doing so while emphasizing their gender. Women are fed up!

THE SIEGE

As the headlines screamed of the sexual harassment and abuse at the workplace women have gained confidence and a sense of empowerment propelling them to move forward in a world that is not accepting of them as equal citizens. Note, our fight has never been against our men, we fight for equality period. During the women’s suffrage movement to gain the right to vote, Black women made it very clear that we were fighting for the right for our men to also be granted the ‘right to vote.’

And Black women are not going to stand in the background and be usurped of their moment in history to take the lead in demonstrating the unique brilliance that is ours. The fact that we have always had to be independent, have worked alongside our men, our parents, and children; have worked full time while attending school, have worked as domestics cooking, cleaning, and taking care of other peoples’ children, that we endured a history of slavery having been denied the opportunity and or choice to fall in love, marry and have children with whom we desired has gifted us a tremendous ability to overcome and survive. We have learned to run and manage households on bare budgets, feed our families, and shower them with love. Yes, Black women rise. We are poised to lead and most important to do what Black women do best— to express love and compassion. We remain endeared to our people.

THE END GAME

We can lead by example, showing compassion and empathy for the oppressed because we live it. We know how to push through and push past what we go through to get through.

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

photo credit: Dot Ward

“I Want to Have a MILLIoN DoLLARS When I Retire”

By Eric Grant CNW Columnist

In 37 years, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say this. The retirement equation, not long after social security was established, assumed that every retiree would have social security, a pension, and whatever funds they may have saved.. Of course, having a million dollars saved would, by definition, make one a millionaire, which for generations, was a dream goal. However, in the context of retirement, what will a million dollars actually do?

Many people, these days, debate the viability of social security, and we shall leave that to the pundits. Defined benefit pension plans, where a retiree’s income is defined prior to retirement, usually as a percentage of income based on years of work, are not as prevalent

Hot topic

as they once were. These considerations place more of the burden of your retirement on your ability to save. Financial services industry nerds, using their little fancy calculators, have determined that retirees can reasonably plan to withdraw any saved funds at a rate between 4 and 5%. This math would yield a retiree, who has accumulated one million dollars between 50 and 60 thousand dollars per year in income before taxes.

Income is the key word in retirement planning. No matter what plans you make for retirement, it has to yield income.There are fundamentally only 2 ways to create income where the 2 options are you working, or money working. So in making your retirement planning calculations, everything has to be converted to income, including that one million dollars. With

R. Kelly The Gift and The Curse

Shaneen Murray CNW Staff Writer

R.Kelly hasn’t hit a high note since his last album in 2016 due to various sexual allegations and lawsuits he has faced over the years. The Guilty Until Proven Innocent singer is in fact not innocent and has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for child pornography and sex abuse. For years, R. Kelly has been known for sexually charged song lyrics and his preference for young women. My question to you is: Are we really surprised? Let’s explore the ugly truth about this musical genius.

I first learned of R. Kelly in 1991 at Kenwood Academy. I was 15 years old and had a 10th-period music class taught by Reverend Dr. Lena McLin, R. Kelly’s mentor. R. Kelly and his then bandmates, MGM, used to perform for my class regularly and everything seemed harmless; just a group of talented guys in their early to mid 20’s getting students excited about music. However, rumors floated around that R. Kelly used to hang out at the McDonald’s in Hyde Park to talk to high school girls.

After MGM, R. Kelly formed the group Public Announcement and his fame started to rise. When he went solo, he became a household name and everyone wanted a piece of Kellz. In 1994, his debut solo album 12 Play included hit songs “Bump ‘n Grind”, “Sex Me, and “Your Body’s Callin”’, his sexually explicit lyrics told us exactly what was on his mind, nevertheless they were hits and we all knew the song lyrics word for word. We even ignored Aaliyah’s song Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number, written and produced by R. Kelly. Respectfully, her parents allowed this grown man to

mentor their 14-year-old daughter. Honestly, he’s been telling us for years but we didn’t listen until the scandals came out.

In the 2000s, Chicago nightlife was something spectacular, if you were there, you know exactly what I mean! The clubs were celebrity-filled and R. Kelly’s music was often on the soundtrack, from “Fiesta” to “Thoia Thong” to “Ignition”. Not only was Kellz hot in the clubs, every artist wanted to collaborate because they knew it would be a hit, despite the ugly rumors. When Kellz was in Chicago, he was always on the scene in VIP. You may remember the women in the Lifetime documentary, “Surviving R. Kelly”, talking about how his security guards selected women and gave them a tiny piece of paper with a phone number on it and it’s true. How do I know? I received one of those pieces of paper at the club. His security guards were also his enablers.

You may have heard about parties at his home in Olympia Fields, if you were an attendee you had to sign an NDA, leave your cell phone behind, park in a lot, and ride a shuttle bus to his home. That is also true. How do I know? I attended several of those epic parties. I noticed how everyone wanted to be in his presence. At his studio, there used to be lines of people waiting to meet the superstar.

Unpopular Opinion: When I think about the women in Surviving R. Kelly, I believe there was a mix- those who were victims and those who wanted to be there. Don’t get me wrong, the self-proclaimed Pied Piper of R&B is without a doubt a predator, let’s just consid-

pensions being less prevalent, you have to save more to make up for the income that pensions don’t provide.

What if you discover this information later in your working years? What if you can’t save enough fast enough to meet your retirement income goal? The answer is, focus on income. First, decide how much income you need or want. Second, conservatively estimate your retirement income sources. The difference between your goal and your actual income is the gap that you will need to fill with savings or other passive income endeavors. Passive income sources like real estate, or passive business ideas are a good start. No matter how you slice it, the pursuit of retirement starts with the pursuit of income that requires minimal or no work.

er his backstory of molestation and abuse; hurt people hurt people, it’s a vicious cycle and his fame only made the access easier. Can you imagine constantly seeking sexual pleasure to fill a void? I think there was something missing that R. Kelly and those women were seeking. Not saying it’s right, just saying.

Unpopular Opinion: It is okay to separate the man from the music. R. Kelly gave us special songs such as I Believe I Can Fly, Prayer Changes, Happy People, and Chicago Stepper’s anthem Step In the Name of Love. His music is a gift that has appeared on the soundtrack of many of our lives. His actions are his curse and he has to live with the judge’s decision. Unmuting R. Kelly’s music does not mean he is absolved from his crimes.

Cook County Awards Community-Based Service Providers $25 Million to Address Gun Violence

In response to high levels of gun violence experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP), together with Cook County’s Justice Advisory Council (JAC), announced today $25 million in grants to fund a diverse array of service providers focused on supporting residents at risk of experiencing gun violence in Chicago and Suburban Cook County.

“Gun violence is not inevitable or a sacrifice that we must make in the false name of freedom. And here in Illinois, we treat gun violence like the public health emergency that it is,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

“Throughout my administration, we have taken an interagency approach to address our uniquely American problem—and this partnership between Cook County and IDHS is the latest example of the many ways we are investing in our communities to prevent gun violence before it strikes.”

“Gun violence is not normal and never will be. That is why this collaborative effort to fund community-based service providers is crucial to tackling this problem at root causes and essential to uplifting and supporting areas harmed the most when violence happens,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Thank you to the members of the Justice Advisory Council, the Department of Human Services, Cook County, and community stakeholders for doing the work that promotes wellbeing and makes communities safer.”

“Working together, we will rise to the challenge of addressing gun violence in our region,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “For the past three years, we have engaged in an unprecedented level of intergovernmental coordination around gun violence prevention.

This funding is a testament to our shared commitment to building safe and thriving communities in Cook County and throughout Illinois. We will continue to invest

in effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions that address the root causes of gun violence in our communities.”

“This funding demonstrates a commitment among Illinois leaders to cooperate and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles so that qualified violence prevention providers can quickly receive the resources that they need to adequately address firearm violence, one of our state’s most significant public health challenges,” said Chris Patterson, Assistant Secretary, the Illinois Department of Human Services. “As partners, we will continue to take a thoughtful, targeted approach to violence intervention in communities with the highest rates of firearm violence. Together, through our partnership with Cook County, community stakeholders, and across all levels of government we are working to prevent and reduce crime.”

In the Summer of 2022, the JAC awarded a historic initial $75 million in Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants, funding individual organizations and coalitions that represent 68 service providers. Partnering with the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Office of Firearm Violence Prevention allows Cook County to leverage State funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to expand upon JAC’s successful funding model that provides vital support to vulnerable and at-risk residents in communities most impacted by crime, violence, and incarceration.

Through this second funding cycle of $25 million, another round of grant awards to individual organizations, both grantees and sub-contractors and coalitions will support 74 service providers working to build safer communities in Cook County and Chicagoland. The $75 million of 2021 funding, builds on over $50 million in County funded grant investments distributed by the JAC between 2015 and 2020. More information about Cook County’s Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grant Initiative is available here https://www.cookcountyil.gov/JACGrants

The Chicago Football Classic Returns to Soldier Field

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Chicago Football Classic returns to Soldier Field. The popular game brings teams from historically black colleges and universities to compete in an annual football tradition. This year, Mississippi Valley State University will go head-to-head with Central State University. Also, each university’s band will battle at halftime.

“Chicago is home, a lot of our alumni and our student body come from the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. And we get a chance to bring our students back home and have this large stage to play on to make a memorable moment for our student-athletes,” said Kevicia

Brown, Director of Athletics at Central State University.

The Chicago Football Classic, Inc (CFC) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire African American high school and college students through support for programs, initiatives, and events that increase awareness of opportunities to achieve educational excellence. CFC events influence students and parents to consider the rich academic and cultural opportunities offered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Founded in 1997 by a group of Black businessmen, Larry Huggins, Everett Rand, and Tim Rand wanted to encourage Black Youth to achieve their person-

al best in school and beyond. They realized a platform was needed to showcase the talents, potential, and accomplishments of scholarship recipients as well as the benefits of attending HBCUs and to encourage Black students and their families to lift the bar of excellence and achievement via a vehicle involving students, their families, and the entire community. The weekend includes cultural, educational, and other exhilarating activities.

More than a football game, the Chicago Football Classic awards nearly $250,000 in scholarships to Black students attending HBCU institutions. African American college students are known to fare

better and graduate at higher rates from HBCUs, than African American students attending mainstream colleges and universities. The group achieves these goals via several initiatives, including adopt-a-school programs and scholarships for African American students planning to attend HBCU institutions. Students are encouraged to check out chicagofootballclassic.org for information on scholarships and an HBCU Fellowship Program with the NBA.

City Breaks Ground On Industrial Site And Innovation Center In North Lawndale

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with partners from 548 Enterprise and Related Midwest, broke ground today on 4300 W. Roosevelt Road in North Lawndale as part of INVEST South/West, Mayor Lightfoot’s signature economic development initiative. The $68 million project will leverage the location’s strengths in freight and logistics with four new buildings, including two 181,760 square foot, solar-powered industrial warehouses with more than 50 dock spaces and two 5,000 square foot innovation centers and a public park for community use. The innovation centers will maximize opportunities for neighborhood groups to host community meetings and events as well as workforce development programs. The project is expected to bring 250 temporary jobs and 250 permanent jobs to North Lawndale. City support for the project includes $8 million in Tax Increment Financing assistance and the sale of 21 acres of City-owned land for $1 per lot. The groundbreaking featured a solar panel demonstration, local musical talent Bianca Shaw, and breakfast pastries and coffee provided by North Lawndale establishments Bee Love Cafe and Trini’s Tasty Pastries.

“I’m thrilled to see this project get underway and deliver job opportunities and community gathering spaces to North Lawndale residents,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “Through INVEST South/West, we are creating visible enhancements while providing good paying jobs to communities that have been denied resources for far too long, and this project is no different. Not only will this project revitalize the surrounding community, but it will also strengthen our city’s industrial and innovation sectors.”

The neighborhood park will adjoin the innovation center buildings and is designed to support activities such as markets, food trucks and pop-up stands. The landscaping plan by Site Design Group (MBE) aims to reintroduce native biodiversity through replanting historic ground species. The 3-acre green space will offer three distinct public spaces, a circuitous fitness path, and over 300 shade trees throughout the site. In addition, the project will include a three-megawatt rooftop community solar system that will be supported by a West Side training program and power approximately 500 West Side homes.

“The project at 4300 W. Roosevelt is an industrial development that will create 250 permanent and 250 temporary jobs in North Lawndale and will rely on state-ofthe-art renewable energy technology that will bring enormous economic benefits to West Side families,” said AJ Patton, CEO of 548 Enterprise. “Being able to deliver this combination of benefits to the community—particularly on a site that has been the source of so many challenges for the community in the past—is what drove me

to do this work, and I’m thrilled to be a partner on this one-of-a-kind project.”

The site is located in the Roosevelt/ Cicero Industrial Corridor, bounded by Roosevelt Road, and Kostner, Kildare and Fifth Avenues. Prior to its acquisition by the City, the industrial corridor was occupied by a Copenhagen snuff plant and other industrial users before being cleared in the 1980s and 1990s.

In the 1990s, the site was a source of controversy when several aldermen took bribes to allow illegal dumping of hazardous materials on the land, which created dangerous conditions for nearby residents and led to an FBI probe known as Operation Silver Shovel.

“To turn a vacant lot with such a dark history into a valuable, opportunity-generating site for North Lawndale is incredible,” said Pastor John Harrell, CEO of Black Men United. “This project is a symbol of the community’s ability to rise above the past as we inspire and empower a whole new generation through workforce development and other community services that will help local residents succeed.”

“This opportunity serves as a transformational moment because it will enable us to provide a sustainable solution for our entrepreneurial community of North Lawndale and help to launch businesses that will generate community wealth,” said Rodney D. Brown, Executive Director and CEO of New Covenant Community Development Corp. “We will use this space as a hub for the business community to collaborate with and learn from each other so those with new and creative business ideas can build on their dreams.”

To design the four new buildings, 548 Enterprise and Related Midwest collaborated with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, a full-service Chicago-based design and architecture firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience, for the design of the innovation centers. Chicago-based Ware Malcomb provided design services for the industrial center.

The general contractors on the project are Pepper Construction, a Chicago-based, family-owned, 90-year old commercial construction company, and GMA Construction Group, a Black-owned MBE with extensive experience rehabbing developments throughout Chicago.

“The construction of this project at Roosevelt and Kostner is a game changer for the North Lawndale community,” said Ald. Monique Scott (24th). “I’m proud that it balances the need for good-paying jobs in an in-demand industry with the services that our community needs to start fresh on this site and build a bright future.”

The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2024.

Charlemae Hill Rollins Black Chicago History

Tammy Gibson CNW Staff Writer

Branch.

In 1932, Rollins became the first children’s librarian at the George Cleveland Hall Branch. While working as a librarian, Rollins could continue her education at Columbia University School of Library Science in 1932 and the University of Chicago from 19341936.

Gwendolyn Brooks.

In 1963, Rollins retired as a librarian after 30+ years of service.

At Rollins retirement party, her mentee, Gwendolyn Brooks, wrote entitled “For Charlemae Rollins.”

“Her gift is long delayed.

And even now is paid

In insufficient measure

Nothing is enough

For one who gave us love

Who gave us clarity

Who gave us sentence

Who gave us definition

Who gave us of her vision”

Charlemae Hills Rollins was an advocate that championed and fought against stereotypical and offensive children’s books. Rollins made it her life’s work for Black children to have pride in their heritage and the importance of literacy.

Rollins was born in Holly Springs, MS, on June 20, 1897. Her father, Allen G. Hill, was a farmer, and her mother, Birdie Tucker Hills, was a teacher.

The Hill family moved from Mississippi to Oklahoma. Due to Oklahoma’s lack of educational facilities, Rollin’s parents opened an elementary school. In 1916, Rollins graduated from Western University, a Black boarding school in Kansas. Rollins attended Howard University for one year before returning to Oklahoma.

On April 8, 1918, Rollins married Joseph Walter Rollins, a veteran of World War I and meat inspector. After serving in the military in 1920, the Rollins moved to Chicago. The Rollins lived at 4635 S. Wabash Avenue and, afterward 500 E. 334d Street.

In 1926, Rollins began her career as a junior library assistant at the Chicago Public Library, Hardin Square

As a librarian, Rollins’ mission was to empower and motivate Black children. To nurture the habit of reading, Rollins, a skilled storyteller, would captivate children with her excitement while promoting literacy development and enhancing their communication skills.

Rollins was steadfast against the negative societal images of Black children. Rollins fought against removing racist books, including the Pickaninny Twins and Little Black Sambo by Lucy Perkins. In 1944, Rollins also sent a letter to the American Library Association (“ALA) for hosting meetings that excluded Blacks.

Rollins wrote books that recognized the contributions of Blacks that, included “We Build Together: A Reader’s Guide to Negro Life and Literature for Elementary and High School Use,” in 1941, “They Showed the Way: Forty American Negro Leaders,” in 1964 and “Black Troubledour: Langston Hughes,” which came in second place in the Coretta Scott King Book Award in 1971. Rollins worked with Chicago’s first Black librarian Vivian G. Harsh and writers Langston Hughes and

Throughout Rollins’ career, she received several awards. In 1970, Rollins became the first Black woman to receive the Constance Lindsay Skinner Award from the Women’s National Book Association. In 1972, Rollins became the first Black woman to receive an honorary membership in the American Librarian Association. Rollins passed away on February 3, 1979. Rollins’ life and legacy are remembered in the City of Chicago. In 1989, the children’s room and in 1998, a memorial reading garden at the George C. Hall branch was named in her honor.

Rollins’s papers are housed at the Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature.

Charlemae Hill Rollins was a pioneering librarian, writer, and storyteller who dedicated her life promoting self-love and pride to Black children.

“[The genre] includes the greatest number of Negro authors. It is here that all children can build a firm foundation of knowledge of and respect for Negroes. They will be prepared for the first introduction to the concept of different skin color… They now can feel that America is indeed their country.” – Charlemae Hills Rollins

Tammy Gibson is a Black history traveler. Find her on social media @sankofatravelher.

Lent Has Begun Pt. 1: Lenten Series

Liz Lampkin CNW Staff Writer

The Lenten season is the time when believers of different denominations focus on prayer, fasting, remembrance, and sacrifice with the goal of developing a closer relationship with God. On this day, believers focus on repentance, prayer, and confession of sins. As the 40-day period continues, ending on Holy Saturday, April 8th, people will focus on prayer as a means of guidance, strength, and confession to develop true intimacy with God. While people are praying, they also give up certain habits to mimic the sacrifice Christ made when He went to the desert to pray and fast before his journey to the cross. As Christ worked toward the cross He endured lies, ridicule, and inhumane treatment to sacrifice His life for sinners. To do this, He had to take

on and display the characteristics of humility, grace, forgiveness, and empathy but most of all He displayed love. The character traits Christ took on enabled Him to complete His mission and set the example for the way believers should live. Each year for Lent, believers everywhere will sacrifice bad eating habits, shopping, social media, alcohol, using foul language, and many other things as a means to emulate Christ’s 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. As many people have started fasting, praying and sacrificing something for the Lenten season, I wonder how many will adopt certain habits that will turn into a lifestyle that will consistently bring them closer to God.

If people desire to get closer to God, repent from their sins and make sacrifices

during this time it’s going to take more of a spiritually conscious effort to do so. If you’ve already started your Lenten season with a physical commitment, try adding on one Biblical character trait to put into practice as well. If you don’t know how to start, here’s how.

• Identify one Biblical character trait you would like to practice more. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what it is, why you want to practice it more and how you will exhibit it.

• During your time of prayer, ask for guidance, discipline and strength to stay the course.

• Give yourself grace. As you focus, you may backslide from time to time. It’s okay. Challenges will come in many forms to distract you, and as humans we will become distracted. If/when this

Faith

happens, think about what triggered and caused you to lose focus and how you plan to get back on track.

• Reflect. At the end of each day, reflect on what went well, what didn’t and how you will improve for the next day. 40 days and 40 nights. This is not a long period of time to emulate Christlike behavior in the sense of His sacrifice. Yes, Lent has started and you may have already begun your personal pilgrimage. However, it’s not too late to add something to your focus that will help change your life and bring you closer to God beyond 40 days and nights.

Liz Lampkin is the“Wright Now Writer”. She creates Faith and Lifestyle articles to give a voice to the unheard. Follow her on social media @Liz_Lampkin.

From Black Resistance to Achievement and Empowerment New Booklist for students celebrates Black History and Culture

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

Reading Partners is a national non-profit organization that helps empower students to succeed in school and beyond by engaging community volunteers to provide proven, one-on-one literacy tutoring. Every year, they curate a booklist with must-read books written by Black authors that uplift, center, and amplify Black communities and experiences. The booklist celebrates Black history and Black culture in a meaningful and nourishing way through centering literature, dialogue, and storytelling.

This year’s booklist aligns with this year’s theme, “From Black Resistance to Achievement and Empowerment,” and highlights not only the history and struggle, but also the undeniable fortitude, traditions, voices, contributions, and joy of Black communities.

Check out the list below:

I Know I Can by Veronica Chapman

” I Know I Can!” is a beautiful children’s book that strengthens the self-esteem of everyone who reads it! ”I Know

I Can!” is the story of a courageous little girl named Faith who dreams big and has the courage to take action! While giving a speech at her high school graduation, Faith, the class valedictorian, shares her childhood dreams, and the lessons that served as the foundation for her courage.

Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham

Evocatively written and vividly illustrated, this mouthwatering story is a warm celebration of tradition and coming together at a table filled with love and delicious food

Black Child, Hold Your Head High by Jasmine Walker

An important book for all ages, Black Child, Hold Your Head High educates and inspires as it beautifully illustrates and highlights historical events and figures. It features both iconic and lesser-known figures in Black history such as professional baseball player Jackie Robinson, musician Bob Marley, President Nelson Mandela, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Astronaut/Engineer/Physician

Dr. Mae Jemison and many others.

Firebird by Misty Copeland

In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl’s faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Hold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black Children by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful love letter to Black children. As affirming as it is touching and warm, Hold Them Close encourages young children to hold close to their joy, the words of their ancestors and elders, as well as their power to change the world. A perfect book for shared story time, this book will inspire young people to march forth with pride, glow, and happiness.

A Door Made for Me by Tyler Merritt

Tyler Merritt presents a message of love and acceptance that will resonate with young readers and offer a starting point for conversations about racial equality between parent or caregiver and child.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who--with perseverance and dedication--proved that you’re never too old to learn.

Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present by Jamia Wilson

Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire, and empower the next generation of changemakers.

THE UNSTOPPABLE Nikki Hayes

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor in Chief

ASPIRATIoNS

Nikki Hayes owner of Pier 31 on the Chicago Lake Front, and recent retiree as President of Laborers’ Local 1001 Union under the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA). In this role, she oversaw the organizing political action committee, laborer training, and apprenticeship. Prior to Local 1001, Nicole served 15 years with the City of Chicago overseeing the Bureau Traffic Services Abandoned Auto Program, in the Department of Streets and Sanitation. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Nicole Hayes attended St. Malachy Catholic School on the West side of Chicago. There she witnessed the nuns daily in a reverent setting making it hard to resist the idea of becoming a nun. She saw women running everything. It was a position that demanded much respect and inspiration for a girl child.

School was full of promise and there was so much about life that the young Nikki, as she is affectionately called by family and friends, had little knowledge. As a student, she was a high academic performer and actively engaged in extracurricular activities, including cheering. Nikki, says, “I always wanted to know what’s going on in the other room. I find that things that interest me most are those that I don’t know about.” That natural curiosity coupled with being the eldest daughter of three says, “Being female and the oldest shaped and molded me to assume a sense of leadership very naturally in life without knowing that’s what I was doing “My mother is a very strong woman. I owe much to her.”

Nikki shared an experience that also shaped her thinking differently but equally as important. What she noticed, not as ‘a thing,’ but observed it just the same was that there really weren’t many Black nuns, however, “There were many East Indian nuns whose complexion was like mine,” Naturally she gravitated toward them. She formed a special bond with one, who just seemed to get her and respected her intelligence. Nikki recounts their communication as playful

yet informative. “Nikki, stop answering the questions, you know, let somebody else answer.” And she would laugh and

we’d joke about it.”

Nikki recalled that the nun had informed her that she had to fulfill an academic requirement and would be gone for a few weeks. Upon her return, Nikki ran over to her with the excitement of a seventh-grader and hugged her. The nun said, “Don’t touch me.’ I had never been so hurt. I asked, ‘don’t touch you?” I thought that something was wrong. When the school principal informed the nun that she had deeply hurt Nikki the nun responded, “I just learned that we’re not supposed to have physical contact.”

REALITY

Years later Nikki found out that the nun’s behavior was in response to the newly instated Catholic rules that the servants of the Catholic church were not to engage in physical touching of those outside of the order, especially children. Still, the nun’s response seemed cold and insensitive which greatly impacted her perspective of who the nuns were and were not. In retrospect Nikki recognizes that the scrutiny that the Catholic was under.

Lane Tech High School was a continuum of grade school. Nikki was consistent in excelling academically and exploring the unknown which led her to woodshop a course dominated by boys. that time, she desired to be an architect. Her extra curriculum activities included the opposite of wood shop-- as a popular cheerleader she maintained her ‘its girl’ status.

Nikki pauses and says, “My story takes a turn, because of my curiosity, my love interest led me to ‘different’ and I got caught up in that, ending in a teenage pregnancy. “I am grateful that my faith gave me the insight to recognize my firstborn, my daughter Shauna as what I know to be true, my pregnancy, her birth, she was my lifesaver. My focus was recalibrated. Curiosity is known to kill the cat. Enough! I must think about my responsibility. I mean I had a trajectory of what my life looked like and what I should be doing. I had let my ‘wonder’ about others get the best of me momentarily. And I questioned myself as to what exactly was my fascination with them? Whatever it was, I learned that it was not meant for me.”

“As a child, I wanted to be a nun when I grew up . . . but as I matured I was observing everything around me and my attention shifted,” says

“We Were Supposed to be a Statistic . . . We Were supposed to Fail . . .”

I must acknowledge that the greatest reward is my daughter who recognized us . . . “Mommy, they counted us out. We were supposed to be a statistic.” That energy allowed Nikki to utilize her experience to shed light and insight regarding challenges and choices with her daughter.

She acknowledges her parents in their unyielding support of her, consequently allowing her to complete high school and college in pursuit of her aspirations. She attended one of the notable HBCU’s --Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana of which she says was one of the best decisions of her life. “I established lifelong friendships.”

Nikki set out to pursue a career in architecture. Her interests led her to take three courses in drafting. Doing so, she recognized that she was ‘the’ only female in the room. It was during that period that she became aware of the inequity of women in certain fields, and felt the weight of what it would take to become that ‘first Black woman’ to build that ‘skyscraper,’ to be too daunting. So, she consciously chose to move on from that vision. She set her eyes on businessworking in the corporate sector. Upon receiving her college degree, Nikki returned home and unsurprisingly worked a series of jobs that were male-dominated. One of which, was a valet service for major hotels. The expe-

rience introduced her to top-level executives and powerful players in the corporate world. She observed their carefree attitude about things that others who had less were inclined to be more uptight mainly – their high-end cars. Nikki says, “The wealthy just give you the keys, to their Porsche, Benz, Maserati, etc., and thought little of it. I learned how to drive all of them, but most importantly I learned more about how the wealthy thought. “

CoASTING

“My Ex-husband was applying for a position with the city and suggested that I do the same, I did, and I got the job in Traffic Services because of my previous work experience,’ Nikki explains. As it turns out, it was a dangerous job . . . I had no idea. Imagine having to investigate someone’s car to gather the VIN number?” Nikki was promoted to supervisor at some point. and oversaw the entire program which was 95% male-dominated. Nikki highlights that she observed and experienced discrimination against women.

Chicago was under fire because, over a thirty-three-year period, there had been no union elections, when in fact they were supposed to be held every four years. At that moment in time, a male colleague approached her and said, “ You know, the union has been indicted. It

needs new blood and I think we should run.” She agreed, but when she received a call from her friend on the day of the nominations, she was home. He asked, “Where are you? You need to be here for the nominations, now. Fortunately, he had arrived early which gave her an opportunity to get there. But she had two little ones and no sitter. He in turn said, “Nikki, bring them, just get here.” So, she took her children to their first union meeting. She recalls, “I can tell you that I had no idea at the time what I was doing there. And people were asking me that very question. Finally, the nominations came up and my friend spoke up, “I nominate Nikki Hayes.” He followed up by asking someone to second the nomination. I was voted in unanimously.”

To Nikki, it seemed crazy, but in retrospect, she says, “Destiny has a way of showing up. I had just been elected as secretary of one of the most powerful City of Chicago’s unions and the country. She expressed the nervousness she felt on the first day because she was unfamiliar with “Robert’s Rules of Order. But she’s always been smart and savvy. So quickly she asked for the minutes from the last meeting. That way she was able to see the format, and structure and familiarize herself with the last actions taken.

After three years she was voted in as President and served twelve more years.

There was so much she accomplished but what she’s most proud of is the work she did in conjunction with a commissioner to help create a department that generated money for the city but also allowed her to select people for the pilot program. “That gave me the opportunity to hire more people that looked like me who were sorely absent. Because of the program, they were able to bid on jobs and secure them. Mind you those individuals never would have been hired in supervisory positions. They rose from sanitation laborers’ positions to supervisors. ”

Naturally, the more she did, the more she was observed and spied on by the opposition, who felt threatened by her presence and the power that she held. Looking at her options Nikki chose to move forward while she was ahead and resumed interest in a long unfulfilled dream. She had always loved the beachfront and was drawn to the Northside’s presentation, however, didn’t feel welcomed She wanted that for the Southside. She applied in 2012 for the opportunity to build her vision at Rainbow Beach again. She had done so ten years prior and lost out to Robinson’s Ribs. The second time was a charm, but the challenge was money. “We were granted the opportunity, but we had to build it out. Pier 31 would cost big dollars.”

Nikki says, “I went through a lot of Architects and contractors to the point that I really thought that they were asking for too much money that my partner and I just didn’t have.” But destiny sent the angel in a form of Mr. Ron Harris, a contractor willing to work with me and allowed me to pay for the material upfront and then pay the rest as we operated the business.” This year Pier 31 celebrates 12 successful years and will host an Anniversary celebration, ‘The Nikki Fest,’ around the top of August.

Assuming responsibility to actively serve the community and philanthropy, She has held multiple offices on multiple committees Former Vice-President of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated; Chicago Chapter, the Recording Secretary of the LiUNA Women’s Caucus, and Board Member of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership just to name a few. Most recently she joined the board of the Auditorium Theater of which she says, “It has been a lesson on the value and importance of the arts. I’ve had the opportunity to rub shoulders with those who are responsible for bringing culture to the city, which if not for them would not happen. It’s an invaluable commitment. I understand that if not for them, there would be no Alvin Ailey performances in Chicago.”

Next? “We’ll have to see. I just retired, January 28, 2022, from the Presidency of the Union. I have so much more to do.

Run Off for Key Aldermanic Races

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

The 4th Ward

The race for the 4th Ward Alderman seat in Chicago has attracted a diverse field of six candidates, with the incumbent Alderman Sophia King deciding not to run for re-election and instead challenge Mayor Lightfoot for the mayoral seat. The candidates’ platforms focus on public safety, economic development, and community resources for education. Seven candidates are vying to represent Kenwood, Oakland and parts of Bronzeville in City Council.

Lamont Robinson will face Prentice Butler or Ebony Lucas in the runoff election. At the time of print Lamont Robinson had 46% of the vote, followed by Butler with 15% and Lucas with 14%.

5th Ward Aldermanic Results

Control of the 5th Ward is up for grabs after the Feb. 28th municipal election. The ward which includes areas of Hyde Park, Woodlawn and South

Shore is facing an economic boom with the addition of the future Obama Presidential Center. Desmond Yancy will face Martina Hone in the runoff election. At the time of print, Yancy had 26% of the vote, followed by Hone with 18%

6th Ward

The residents of the 6th Ward will have a new Alderman after 12 years. Ald. Roderick Sawyer, who is running for mayor, is not seeking re-election as 6th Ward Alderman. Eleven candidates are vying to win the seat to revitalize and make the 6th Ward a more robust and vibrant community. The 6th ward includes parts of West Woodlawn, Chatham, Park Manor, West Chesterfield, Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham and Englewood.

At the time of publication, William Hall had 24.5% of the vote followed by Richard Wooten with 24% of the vote. The two will face off in the runoff election in April.

s21st Ward

After 20 years of service, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr., announced his departure as the long-standing alderman in the 21st ward. Seven candidates are vying for his City Council seat in the upcoming municipal elections. Kweli Kwaza, Ayana Clark, Cornell Dantzler, Larry Lloyd, Preston Brown, Jr., Daliah Goree and Ronnie Mosley are each on the ballot for 21st ward alderperson. The 21st ward serves the Auburn Gresham, Brainerd, Longwood Manor, Fernwood and West Pullman neighborhoods. At the time of publication, Ronnie Mosely was in the lead with 24.4% with Cornell Dantzler in second with 22.6%. The two will face off in the April 2023 election.

Voters once again will head to the polls to determine their next alderperson on April 4th.

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson Face-off in Runoff Election

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

With over 80% of the votes counted at the time of publication, Chicago decides to elect new leadership forcing a runoff between Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner, Brandon Johnson. Vallas took an early lead securing more than 30% of the vote, Johnson came in second with 20%.

Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot failed to secure the number of votes to include her in a runoff. She is the first one-term mayor in 40 years. In a speech to her supporters, Lightfoot said, “Obviously we didn’t win the election today, but I stand here with my head held high, and a heart full of gratitude.”. She called both Vallas and Johnson to congratulate them.

Public Safety, Education, Economic Development, and the rising cost of living in Chicago are the issues most concerning to Black Chicago residents. With nine candidates it was inevitable that the city would see a run-off in April. While the votes are still being counted, it appears that Chicago voters will have to choose between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

Paul Vallas

The former CEO of CPS, Paul Vallas has established himself as a “pro-law enforcement” candidate, securing the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police. At the time of

publication, AP announced Vallas was moving to a runoff with 36% of the vote with over 85% of precincts election results reported. In his speech to his supporters, he pushed his “law and order” platform saying, “I will support our law enforcement officers, but I will also support and have a zero tolerance, when it comes to violating the law and violates the constitution, We will have a safe Chicago. We will make Chicago the safest big city in America.”

Brandon Johnson

With working-class unions and the Chicago Teacher’s Union behind him, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson delivered the upset to Mayor Lightfoot securing over 20% of the vote. Cook County Board Commissioner, Brandon Johnson says like most middle- and working-class families, his family has felt the challenges of living and raising children in the city. It’s one of the reasons he was inspired to run. “We love living on the west side of Chicago but have experienced

firsthand how horrific the violence can be. It’s left us angry, frustrated, scared, and overwhelmed. I want to lead a city that creates safety, security, and opportunity. That’s what I want for my family and for every resident in the City of Chicago.”

In his speech to his supporters Brandon Johnson said, “You know, a few months ago, they said they didn’t know who I was. Well, if you didn’t know, now you know!” He continued taking a few jabs at his opponent and his record saying, “Paul Vallas is someone who is supported by the Jan. 6th insurrectionists. Johnson continued, “He switched parties when President Barack Obama became president of the United States. He went as far as to say he’s more of a Republican than anything else. He says he fundamentally opposes abortion. These are direct quotes,” Johnson said.

Chicago residents vote for a new mayor in the runoff election on April 4th.

Gina Lamar Evans wants Black Women to Protect Themselves Against HIV

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

Gina Lamar Evans, MPH, is the owner of NEFUSE and creator of Monday Night Mingle. She works to normalize the discussion of sexual health in the Black Community as well as provide case management services for those living with HIV. During Women’s History Month in March, she will host community conversations for Black women on the subject of PrEP and HIV prevention. Lamar says it is imperative Black women know how to keep themselves safe and healthy. “We’ve got to get our health together so we can fight for our families and our communities.”

PrEP is recommended, PrEP coverage was about three times as high in 2020 among males (28%) as among females (10%). Cisgender women represented 19% of new HIV diagnoses in 2019, so addressing this imbalance is critical to achieving adequate PrEP coverage to end the HIV epidemic.

According to the CDC, more than 40% of new HIV infections in the United States occur among Black people. Racism, systemic inequities, social and economic marginalization, residential segregation, and other longstanding barriers are key drivers of the disproportionate impact of HIV among Black communities in the U.S. Despite progress in slowing the spread of HIV, the virus continues to disproportionately affect Black people with Black Gay and Bisexual men and Black heterosexual women being affected most.

For Black Women, 91% of new HIV infections were attributed to heterosexual contact while the HIV infection rate among Black women was the highest compared to women of all other races and ethnicities. Additionally, the CDC study found that Black Transgender women accounted for 62% of HIV infections among transgender women with HIV living in seven major U.S. cities. In spite of these alarming numbers, the most affected groups are also the least likely to receive equitable treatment and prevention options.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis also known as PrEP is an HIV prevention medication initiated before and continued throughout periods of potential exposure to HIV. It is safe and highly effective when taken as prescribed. According to data from the CDC, Black, and Hispanic/Latino people account for the majority of people for whom PrEP is recommended but have the lowest rates of PrEP use among all racial/ethnic groups. Preliminary data shows only 9% (42,372) of the nearly 469,000 Black people who could benefit from PrEP received a prescription in 2020.

Young people ages 1624 are the least likely to be using PrEP. Preliminary CDC data show only about 16% (38,454) of this population for whom PrEP is recommended were prescribed it in 2020, compared to the approximate 27% (119,246) and 30% (72,146) of people aged 25-34 and 35-44, respectively.

PrEP coverage is also unevenly distributed among people based on sex. Among people for whom

Lamar says she decided to launch this discussion this year because women were completely excluded from the medical studies and research involving HIV prevention drugs such as PrEP. “I wanted to do something to bridge the gap between black women and health care. We are dying at higher rates, getting diagnosed with diseases at higher rates.”, Lamar says.

PrEP is for people who are more likely to get HIV from sex or drug use that involves needles. There are different kinds of PrEP medications. Emtricitabine/ tenofovir (Truvada) was approved for people who have receptive vaginal sex, which includes women, transgender men, and some nonbinary people. Another option for women is Apretude (CAB-LA, or long-acting cabotegravir) which was approved for PrEP for both men and women in 2021. Emtricitabine/tenofovir is a pill you take every day. The virus-fighting drugs help stop HIV from setting up an infection and spreading in your body.

PrEP is recommended for women who’ve had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and have:

• A sexual partner with HIV

• Been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months.

• A sexual partner who has risky sex with other people

• A partner who uses injectable drugs

• Used post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) more than once.

It’s also recommended if you don’t always use a condom. You might also benefit from PrEP if you use injectable drugs and you:

• Have an injection partner with HIV.

• Share needles, syringes, or other tools for drug use. Lamar says the key to HIV prevention is knowledge and education but also agrees that the messaging surrounding HIV prevention drugs like PrEP have to be targeted to reach the demographics the virus affects most. “I wanted to be more intentional about preparing black women to unite and ignite and to do more for ourselves”, said Lamar.

Dr. Maya Green, Chief Medical Officer, for Howard Brown Health will also join Lamar for some of the community conversation events. “Candid Community Conversations” will discuss PrEP, relationships, and how black women can protect themselves from HIV.

Advancing Equity & Compliance in Illinois

Dr. Mila K. Marshall CNW Cannabis Corner Editor

Better together

State Representative LaShawn Ford along with six other democratic lawmakers has created a working group focused on equitable and fair cannabis policies. State Reps. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, and Bob Morgan, D-Highland Park will be working towards advancing social equity.

The working group comes at a time in which Illinois is facing emerging competition with maturing markets in Missouri. December 2022 record high sales of $143M dropped to $128M total in January of 2023. Dips in sales mean a decrease in cannabis tax dollars. Illinois cannabis has the 2nd highest taxes in the nation. Funding state social equity programs using tax dollars is risky. Shifts to cannabis sales lessen tax revenue and can decrease capital allocated for business grants or violence prevention programs across the state.

Lawmakers have their work cut out for them as they balance the protection of the market for consumers while removing barriers for social equity entrepreneurs.

Delta-8 count your days.

When the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill passed, agricultural communities were elated to have yet another cash crop. Most hemp processed was for the extraction of CBD, but through extraction and synthesis, delta-8 THCO rapidly became the less expensive and legal way to sell and consume THC. The low barriers to entry into cannabis through hemp is alluring. Yet the complexity of the shifting political landscape can be confusing and intimidating. This past week the DEA stated that delta-8 THCO in fact is a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The popular substance can only be obtained through chemical alteration.

Be sure with AccuSure Analytical Laboratories

Grace Analytical Environmental Laboratories has been around since 1988. Current owner and CEO Dr. Marlon Everett, Owner of Grace AccuSure Analytical Laboratories purchased the company in late fall of 2022. Dr. Everett is a practicing physician dedicated to protecting patient health through high-quality and safe medication.

Everett bought the lab to focus, specifically on safety.

“I’ve seen patients who had secondary infections from contaminated

marijuana with microorganisms,” Dr. Everett shared.

“If it is legal then it should be safe and that is my whole purpose. My whole life is directed towards patient safety and marijuana is a drug just as any other we provide and people deserve to have confidence in what they are consuming to help them feel better,” Everett responded.

Of the 5 testing labs in Illinois, AccuSure is the first 100% Black owned and operating cannabis testing lab in the state and one of the few in the nation. The lab is located about 20 minutes from downtown Chicago in Berkeley, Illinois and looking to strengthen its share of the cannabis compliance market. Before being purchased by Everett the Grace had already been serving the medical hemp community as early as 2015.

The market in Illinois is still maturing, leaving companies like AccuSure to identify alternative clients outside of the industry. Everett sees compliance as highly valuable to avoid contamination. Currently, there are 5 analytical labs approved by IDOA to test marijuana.

“I think it is important for all aspects of cannabis to be diverse. Testing is an ancillary service. Traditionally the industry is dominated by white entrepreneurs and influencers, but diversity in compliance is just as important as increasing diversity in other areas of the supply chain.” - Dr. Marlon Everett.

Testing fees don’t worry Everett. He believes compliance costs will not negatively impact social equity growers’ bottom lines.

“I think the quality of Illinois cannabis is fairly good. I haven’t seen a lot of problems in the batches we test. But as we increase mass production and more companies compete there is the potential for cutting corners. We need to make sure that all cannabis products are as safe as they can be,” says Dr. Everett.

AccuSure has plans to strengthen its presence in the Illinois market. With slow-to-open craft growing companies in Illinois, compliance has to pivot and provide testing services for other industries. Everett’s team does environmental and FDA testing and looks forward to the growing cannabis testing needs as the market matures.

Much has happened over the course of 7 days in the cannabis world. The industry was recently thrown an anticipated curve ball by the Drug Enforcement Agency on delta-8 THC, Illinois Democrats have partnered up to work on identifying and passing fair policies and there is a new player in the mix on the compliance side.

Arts & Culture

Alvin Ailey Returns to Chicago

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre returns to the Auditorium Theatre for six performances only March 8-12, 2023, during their 22-city North American tour.

Under the acclaimed artistic direction of Robert Battle, Ailey’s renowned artists will move audiences with three distinct mixed repertory programs highlighting new works from celebrated choreographers along with repertory favorites. Throughout the engagement audiences will witness the Chicago premieres of Kyle Abraham’s Are You in Your Feelings?, a celebration of Black culture scored to a ‘mixtape’ of soul, hip-hop, and R&B, and Jamar Roberts’ In A Sentimental Mood, an intimate duet using an original composition by Duke Ellington. Audiences will also be treated to the recent Company premieres from Alvin Ailey peer choreographers Paul

orable works while premiering choreography by Kyle Abraham and Jamar Roberts that explore Black culture and love through soulful and inventive musical journeys,” said Artistic Director Robert Battle. “For decades, we’ve been proud to bring to Chicagoans our vision of resilience, artistry and spirit, using dance to inspire, entertain and share the joy of connections.”

Vernard J. Gilmore began dancing at Curie Performing and Creative Arts High School in Chicago under Diane Holda. He later studied at the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre with Harriet Ross, Marquita Levy, and Emily Stein. After college, he then studied at The Ailey School and was a member of Ailey II. Mr. Gilmore joined the Company in 1997. The Chicago native will dance the lead role of Nelson Mandela in remounted production of Ailey’s moving work, ‘Survivors’ which pays tribute to Nelson and Winnie Mandela, among other roles.

was a survival technique. It’s an incredibly emotional piece that leaves me physically and emotionally drained but it’s such a wonderful journey. As an artist, to be able to perform it in the way Ailey crafted it was a beautiful journey for me as an artist.”-Vernard Gilmore

The production features seven dancers, with two representing the anti-apartheid activist duo. Physical bars separate the cast from one male dancer, embodying the heaviness of Nelson Mandela’s 27 years as a political prisoner. “It’s real jail bars, not circles of light that are supposed to imprison,” Mr. Ailey stressed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1987. “Part of the memory, the experience, is in its physical headiness, its heat, its texture, its agony, its abstraction, its sound.” After its world premiere at the Lyric Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri in 1986, the Company took Survivors on tour—four years before Mandela would finally be freed from prison.

Taylor, with the simplicity and beauty of DUET; and Twyla Tharp, seen in her rollicking best in Roy’s Joys;, as well as a new production of Ailey’s 1986 impassioned tribute to Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Survivors. As is tradition, Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece Revelations, which has inspired generations through its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring spirituals since its creation in 1960, will serve as the finale for all performances.

“For over five decades, the Auditorium Theatre has proudly presented the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as one of its Visiting Resident Companies,” said Auditorium Theatre CEO Rich Regan. “This annual Spring visit has become a highly anticipated tradition and treasure on Chicago’s arts calendar. Count us among Ailey’s many fans looking forward to welcoming back the company.”

“I am excited to see the brilliance of Ailey’s dancers back on the Auditorium Theatre stage in this season’s repertory filled with some of Alvin Ailey’s most mem-

Gilmore says tackling the lead dance role for “Survivors” was challenging but transformative. “It really helped me understand what injustice does to a relationship and what it does to you as a human being. As I was doing my research, I began to understand the nuances of their personalities and wanted to bring that to the dance as well.”, Gilmore said.

The dance theatre describes “Survivors: as an “impassioned tribute to the profound courage and terrible anguish of Nelson and Winnie Mandela is, more broadly, a portrait of people transformed by injustice. Max Roach’s richly varied drumming and Abbey Lincoln’s vocals set the emotional tone for this powerful work that lifts up those who resist oppression in any form.”

“Because Mandela was in jail, he started to look at things a tad harsher and began to understand the way forward was with everyone and that’s what his agenda became. It’s also understanding the pain that Winnie endured. She also hardened herself as so many black women have had to do to maintain their strength. It

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre is known for drawing audiences into the story. Through the art form of dance and music, the company and its team of dancers visually illustrate black stories of joy, sadness, triumph, strength, survival and faith through their many works. Gilmore says working with the Ailey company involves more than training and rehearsals but researching the story. “If you are going to represent our icons and legends, you have to do your research. You have to understand who you are portraying and apply yourself to it. I always tell younger dancers that they understand pain, and oppression because we are all living it right now. If you can transcend that feeling, then the audience will have a great experience as well because they can feel your humanity. That’s what you want. It’s about reaching people and the best way to do that is to be real and authentic in who you are as a person first. Dance is one of the universal languages that everyone can understand. They know what the feeling is. That’s the beauty of dance, it creates emotions without words.

ESSENCE Celebrates the 16th Annual Black Women in Hollywood

The Star-Studded Red Carpet Event and ESSENCE Hollywood House Will Take Place on March 9-10 in Los Angeles

Black Women in Hollywood Awards.

The star-studded event honors Black women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and forging forward their own definition of what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood. The brilliance of modern-day entertainment unequivocally shines brighter because of the tremendous impact of Black women who continue to move the needle.

On Thursday, March 9, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, CA, ESSENCE will mark this momentous occasion honoring luminaries: executive Tara Duncan (President, Freeform and Onyx Collective), director Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), SAG, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice and NAACP-nominated actress Danielle Deadwyler (Till), actress Dominique Thorne (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), and Emmy-Winning Actress & Activist Sheryl Lee Ralph

(Abbott Elementary). This year’s ceremony will include awards presented by actress & producer Yara Shahidi and producer and director Chinonye Chukwu. Additional talent to be announced soon.

The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, sponsored by Coca-Cola™ and Netflix’s Queen Charlotte will be available on ESSENCEStudios.com and ESSENCE.com.

“For more than a decade and a half, ESSENCE has championed the Black Women in Hollywood Awards to commemorate the Black women who are the story makers, storytellers, story-doers, and story-sharers that cultivate the entertainment ecosystem that the world cherishes and loves deeply. We are privileged to have this sacred platform that illuminates the on-going accomplishments of Black women at our annual luncheon in its 16th year since inception. Whether the world acknowledges it or not, Black women are the CEOs of home, culture and community and because of that role, when you engage with her, you engage with the Black community as a whole,” said Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures, LLC. Fans will receive exclusive access to the red carpet, interviews with the honorees and attendees and Black Women in Hollywood Awards ceremony via livestream on ESSENCE.com starting at 11 AM PT.

Over the last 16 years, Black Women in Hollywood

has grown from an exclusive luncheon for 400 guests, to an oasis of sisterhood and a safe space for Black women to fully see, hear and embrace one another. ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards is an annual celebration that honors pioneering and immensely talented Black women in Hollywood – both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. It is a love letter of sincere reverence, camaraderie and celebration to each woman and those who aspire to be like them.

In addition, ESSENCE is bringing back its fourth annual ESSENCE Hollywood House, which will be held on Friday, March 10th. ESSENCE Hollywood House was developed to provide compelling and engaging live content aimed at sparking meaningful conversation and action to drive more inclusion in Hollywood, as well as to provide an opportunity for Black creatives— aspiring and established—to educate, collaborate and empower one another with a purpose. The experience sponsored by Coca-Cola™ and Prime Video will feature thought leaders, industry stakeholders and members of the creative community including actors, directors, writers, showrunners, studio heads and others who will lead a curated schedule of interactive conversations, panels, masterclasses, fireside chats and more. Los Angeles based attendees can register at: ESSENCE.com/ HollywoodHouse and the event will be featured on ESSENCEStudios.com and ESSENCE.com.

ESSENCE, the leading and only 100% Black-owned media, technology and commerce company at scale dedicated to Black women and communities, today announced the honorees for the 16th annual ESSENCE

CNW Staff Report

Comfort Food

Mare Evans CNW Contributor

When it comes to comfort food, no one does it quite like Midwesterners. Midwest recipes, like butter-basted burgers, tater tot casserole, and buckeyes, are guaranteed to make you feel right at home. curled up with a book or laptop in the middle of winter.

Smash Burgers

A Smash burger is exactly what you think it is; balls of ground beef smashed onto a hot griddle. You’ll want to smash them into thinly pressed patties, so they cook quickly and will get you those crispy, brown (not burnt) edges while still keeping the interior nice and juicy. If you’re counting Calories. Now is not the time to cut calories or skimp on the salt. Be clear, we’re going for taste and satisfaction. If dieting, count this as your ‘cheat day.

Choose a ground chuck that is at least 80/20. Look for a blend of ground brisket or short rib. The best burger comes when you’re liberal with kosher salt which according to some is beef’s best friend.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (preferably 80% lean)

• 1 teaspoon canola oil

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, divided

• 4 hamburger buns, split

• Optional: Mayonnaise, sliced American cheese, sliced tomato, dill pickle slices, lettuce, ketchup, and yellow mustard

Directions

1. Place a 9-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, gently shape the beef into 4 balls, shaping just enough to keep them together (do not compact).

2. Increase burner temperature to medium-high; add oil. Add 2 beef balls. With a heavy metal spatula, flatten each to 1/4- to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle each with 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1-1/2 minutes. Turn burgers and sprinkle each Turn burgers and sprinkle each with ab additional 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Cook until well browned and a thermometer reads at least 160°, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining beef.

3. Serve burgers on buns with toppings as desired.

Test Kitchen Tips

• Want a Smash Cheeseburger? Add a slice of your favorite cheese right after you flip it.

• The more you work the ground beef the tougher the burger will be. So use just your fingertips to form the loose balls. Don’t worry about tucking in all those loose strands that may stick out; they turn into well-browned bits of goodness.

• There is a lot of flavor in the browning, so after you smash them don’t move them until you’re ready to flip. If you have the space, flip the burger onto an unused area of the skillet; it’s much hotter than the section of the pan where the burger was.

• Using a meat mallet to press on the spatula while you’re flattening the burgers will help to form them evenly and will help keep your spatula from bending.

Nutrition Facts

1 burger: 339 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 760mg sodium,

Sequins &Stilettos

C.L. Blackburn CNW Contributor

Ifyou’re a fashion, lover like me you are probably still clutching your pearls at some of the liberties the youth have taken, take, and most probably will continue to do. It’s their time. Clearly, there are major distinctions in the world of fashion that separate the youth from their predecessors. Those who grew up on the glamour of the big screen featuring the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Dianna Carrol and so many more who dawned the screen with their fabulous couture attire and perfectly coiffed hair, and make-up to look lady-like and natural, until the Babyboomers through caution to the wind and burned their bras.

Today young women have changed their thinking to an “in your face” attitude. They are making bold statements that a woman can dress as she pleases and flaunt her physique and not be wanton. ‘Shaming women based on the way she dresses ’ is under attack and shunned by the GenXer,’s the X generation, and the Millennials as it should be. Women are not allowing the male perspective to determine their self-expression or haughty women for that matter.

So, women wear anything from fabric shoes to plastic with rhinestones, pearls, and crystals. It’s all about the blink made popular by the Rap and Hip Hop generation which flooded society to rock the flashy bling. From the diamond and gold plated teeth to the heavy gold chains gracing the neck of rappers are not as current as the memory remains around many a neck as a throwback to when it was hip and now! You know that they had impacted the world when Karl Lagerfeld incorporated the signature big link gold chains into Chanel.

But the leftover is ‘Shine.’ Yeah, it’s taking over. It’s all about incorporating glitter into day-to-day wear yet not feeling ‘over the top.’ So how do you pull off sequins during the day when it’s been noted that they are definitely a night sort

of fabric? Everybody wears sequins for night entertainment. However, today’s youth are making a statement about their lifestyle. They have no corporate culture to abide by. They are the new work world. And they want to wear what their money can buy. Further what used to be led by French and Italian designers is now led by the young wealthy who are setting the standards influencing the designers. It’s huge because there’s enough of the 6 figure salary youth in sports, entertainment, and tech worlds that drive the market. As we’d say . . .”They got it like that.” Their fans follow suit and the trends of the nouveau rich have overtaken the subdued conservative quaint ladylike and gentlemanly style to gangster, to athletic casual wear to transgender cross-clothing. Billy Porter is a leading influencer in self-expressed gender-bending style.

Everyone else scrabbles to get ‘the look, ‘so they buy the knock-off. Instead of purchasing Bagley Mischka’s stilettos, they buy the Steve Madden version of the popular rhinestone double bow pump if they can’t afford the costly designer price. Or they can purchase for example the SILVER CRYSTAL

exposed arms wearing a sleeveless dress?

exposed arms wearing a sleeveless dress?

ROPE

SANDAL that Rhianna wore and broke the internet on credit in interest-free installments and or go to a fabulous consignment shop and buy used although. I’ve bought new Jimmy Choos at a consignment shop. The point is that there are choices now. There are high-end consignment shops in each city, with a steady wealthy clientele who sell their wares so that you can buy them slightly worn.

This new fashion trend and exposure to the best that wealth can buy have literally changed how people shop. Further, the exposure to the accomplished who set their own trends has impacted the fashion world in an entirely different way because of social media. Influencers have a place in this fashion cogwheel.

Who will dare forget when Michelle Obama sat with her bare legs crossed and

Well, after that, women in the corporate world tossed ‘their suits and chose dresses, donning their bare legs and arms. That impacted the stockings industry in a big way.

I’m telling you . . . it’s a thang.’ The fashion world is led by the youth of today until it’s not, so it’s sequins and athletic shoes to the office or whatever they darn well please for now!

Who will dare forget when Michelle Obama sat with her bare legs crossed and

Well, after that, women in the corporate world tossed ‘their suits and chose dresses, donning their bare legs and arms. That impacted the stockings industry in a big way.

I’m telling you . . . it’s a thang.’ The fashion world is led by the youth of today until it’s not, so it’s sequins and athletic shoes to the office or whatever they darn well please for now!