Chicago News Weekly
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Vol. 1 No 22
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
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You already know . . . Mayor Lori Lightfoot is out, and the race is on. Running for the race are Paul Vallas veteran public servant and Brandon Johnson has served the public as a teacher and a Chicago commissioner. CNW has kept a close eye on both and will go into detail. However, my concern is what such men and or women think when they run for public office. I mean, do they run with the intention of serving the people or is it about power, security from that good government job, or a stepping stone to your other political aspirations? I’d love to believe that the majority does it to serve the people and to advance the ‘American way’ more towards what its forefathers wrote as America’s democracy. I say this after having endured the Donald Trump years bearing the worse representation of the American ideal. He chose not to, lean in as he had demonstrated during the Obama years in the White House. He was a major player in the attempt to discredit Barack Obama’s legitimacy from his birth to his election. Yes, he may not have been the spark that ignited the lie, but she certainly poured gasoline on the false stories about Obama’s birth and the added tales about his faith. So, here’s the question, why would people expect anything different from him as a president? Needless to say, he also showed himself as a candidate when he spewed the most disrespectful and distasteful commentary about the different people that make -up the American population and said horrible things about his Republican opponents.
Trump threw civility and decorum out the window and encouraged others when talking about race groups, religions, and those differently abled than most. The saddest thing is that the people he distains the most accepted him and latched on to his hypocritical double talk about them. They had no idea that he never meant to include them in the making of Ameri-
ca great. America was already great. We were in high pursuit of seeking a higher order when he (and other frightened white males) got wind that America could just well be on its way to achieving the highest order of a democratic system that really awarded people based on the content of their character and effort.
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-ChiefThat was not the ‘world order,’ that he and the others who wish to be puppeteers of mankind when they disrupted the ‘peaceful transition of power’ to cause a temporary halt in the democratic order we knew. Let me say this, he did not succeed and as long as we hold our elected accountable, he and the likes of him will never win.
So, when I read that Former Vice President Mike Pence, on Saturday night said, “that history will hold Donald Trump accountable” for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol,” which he called “a disgrace,” at the annual Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington, I thought ‘well he must be feeling comfortable nowadays.’
He didn’t stop there Pence used the historical moment to go deep in at Trump at a moment when conservative media commentators and the usual Republicans in Congress have continued to try and dismiss the seriousness of the attempted coup which resulted in a riot at the Capitol. He is quoted as having said, “Tourists don’t injure 140 police officers by sightseeing,” Mr. Pence said, according to media reports from the event, and of course an implicit rebuke of the Fox News host Tucker Carlson and other conservatives who have used selective security camera footage to reframe the riot as a large-
ly peaceful demonstration. Further, he said, “Tourists don’t break down doors to get to the speaker of the House or voice threats against public officials.”
And finally, Pence said of his past partner, “President Trump was wrong; I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day. And I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
Ummmmm, well! After two years, he’s finally got the gumption to speak the truth. Listen up people, we’re glad he finally got it right and shared the truth he always knew. But I’m saying this, ‘you always know.’ There’s that inner voice that informs us and too often we ignore it.
So, as you research their past, listen and observe the current candidates for Mayor of Chicago. Finally, pay attention to your inner voice, choose and vote. We are all held accountable for our choices
Edith Spurlock Sampson dedicated her life to changing the system. Sampson spoke from her heart and fought for what was right as a Chicago lawyer. Sampson was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to a father who was a shipping clerk and her mother as a homemaker. After graduating from Peabody High School, Sampson studied criminology at the New York School of Social Work. Sampson excelled in her studies and her professor told her that she had the talent to be a lawyer. Sampson moved to Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree at John Marshall Law School in 1925, making her the highest-ranking student of the 95 enrolled in the course on jurisprudence, earning a special commendation from Dean Edward T. Lee. In 1927, Sampson was the first woman to receive a law degree from Loyola University. That same year, Sampson was admitted to the Illinois bar.
In 1927, Sampson opened a law firm on the south side of Chicago. Her firm specialized in domestic relations, criminal law and offered legal advice to Blacks that could not afford an attorney. When Sampson represented her clients in court, she stated, “I talk from my heart and let the law take care of itself.”
In 1934, Sampson was the first Black woman to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. That same year, Sampson married attorney Joseph Clayton, who worked as law partners for over ten years until his death in 1957. In 1938, Sampson and Black attorney Georgia Jones Ellis became the first Blacks to join the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Women Lawyers.
Sampson held membership in organizations including the National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, and League of Women Voters. Chicago Professional Women’s
Club, Chicago Urban League, and the South Side Community Center.
Sampson served as president of the World Town Hall Seminar, that promoted democracy around the world. Her work caught the attention of President Harry Truman. In 1950, President Truman appointed Sampson as the first Black U.S. delegate to the United Nations and was re-appointed in 1952. During Dwight Eisenhower’s administration, Sampson was a U.S. Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) member. In 1961, Sampson became the first Black U.S. representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In 1962, Sampson, age 61, became the first Black female in the United States to be elected associate to the Municipal Court of Chicago. In 1966, Sampson was the first Black elected to a seat on the Circuit Court of Cook County. In 1978, Sampson retired from the bench. Sampson received numerous honorary degrees, including a doctor of law degree from John Marshall Law School.
Sampson had no children but instilled in her family the work ethic to achieve success. Nephews Oliver and Charles T. Spurlock followed in their aunt’s footsteps and became successful judges. Sampson’s niece Jeanne Spurlock was the first Black woman to be dean at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, and great-niece Lynn Moody was an actress who appeared in the television miniseries, “Roots.” Sampson died on October 8, 1979, in Chicago.
Located in Lincoln Park, a two 11-story high rise for senior citizens was renamed Edith Spurlock Sampson Apartment with 394 units. In 2021, Chicago Housing Authority, 43rd Ward Alderwoman Michele Smith, and Illinois Housing Development Authority hosted a groundbreaking to add 80 new family units, amenities, and features to the building. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Edith Spurlock Sampson made her mark as a dedicated servant who served her people, was the first of many positions, and was a true inspiration to many all over the world.
Tammy Gibson is a Black history traveler. Find her on social media @sankofatravelher.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Ald. Jeanette Taylor joined New City stakeholders to start construction on United Yards, a $58M mixed-use project that will revitalize the heart of the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Being developed by Celadon Blackwood Limited Partnership through the Mayor’s INVEST South/ West initiative, the project includes multiple new and rehabilitated commercial and residential buildings near the 47th and Ashland intersection.
“This groundbreaking marks yet another milestone in our INVEST South/ West journey to revitalize our underserved neighborhoods,” Mayor Light-
foot said. “The economic activity, job opportunities, health care, and housing options that United Yards is bringing to New City will catalyze future investment in the surrounding community for years to come. I’ve been proud to work with my team and deliver these kinds of transformative projects across the South and West sides over the last four years.”
United Yards’ $17.9M first phase includes the adaptive re-use of a former Goldblatt’s showroom at 4700 S. Ashland Ave. as a 15,000-square-foot, federally qualified health center, which will provide primary care services, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Approximately 7,200 square feet will be used as retail space for La Selva Apparel Company, Back of the Yards Coffee, Back of the Yards Barbershop, and Aracely’s Bakery. Made possible by $5M in Tax Incre-
ment Financing by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), United Yards’ first phase is expected to generate 40 permanent full-time jobs.
“In addition to serving the area’s health care needs, this investment will provide opportunities for neighborhood residents to shop, convene, and enjoy their neighborhood,” DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox said. The project’s $40M second phase includes a 51-unit affordable apartment building with a 7,000-square-foot technology training center for minority entrepreneurs at 1515 W. 47th St., and a pair of affordable three-flats at 4706-08 S. Marshfield Ave. All phase two residential units will be affordable for tenants earning up to 60% of the area median income.
Initial work on both of United Yards’ first two phases is underway and expect-
ed to be completed by the end of 2024.
“On behalf of the residents of the 20th Ward, neighbors in Back of the Yards and New City, I am excited to see United Yards come to fruition as the project begins to fulfill a need for more affordable housing and increases employment opportunities for 20th Ward residents,” Ald. Jeanette Taylor said (20th). “This project also provides future INVEST South/West projects with a viable template for community-driven development that can be replicated across the rest of the city. Although it wasn’t always easy, I appreciate the United Yards and Back of the Yards team and the Department of Planning and Development’s efforts to adapt our Ward’s development process and include residents’ voices in the pre-development stages of this project.”
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, the Chicago Fire Football Club, Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward), and the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) announced the signing of a ground lease for a new training facility for Chicago’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team in the Roosevelt Square neighborhood on the Near West Side.
As part of the long-term lease agreement, the Fire will finance the development of the multi-million-dollar facility and provide an $8M community investment to be used for the rehabilitation and preservation of nearby CHA housing and the creation of indoor and outdoor community spaces. Additionally, the Fire will provide long-term employment for community members, resources for minority and women-owned businesses, free sports programming for local youth, community green spaces, and more.
The lease is estimated to generate $40M in revenue for CHA over the next 40 years, and CHA will use proceeds to invest in its housing mission, including ABLA Brooks Homes, Loomis Courts, and Williams Jones. Construction on the training facility is anticipated to begin later this spring.
“The Chicago Fire, one of our city’s greatest sports teams, deserves to have a high-quality training facility that not only meets their needs but fosters the growth of talented athletes,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “This potential new facility will both fulfill this need and provide the surrounding West Side community with job opportunities, recreational activities, and community gathering spaces. Additionally, the millions of dollars in rental income generated by this project will support the CHA’s efforts to rehabilitate and build affordable housing in the surrounding areas.”
The new facility will feature a 53,000 square-foot, two-story performance center, two-and-a-half hybrid grass pitches and three synthetic turf pitches, providing a world-class training environment for the Fire’s professional and Academy players and staff. The hybrid grass pitches will feature a hydronic heating system, and the turf pitches will be protected by an insulated dome from November to March each year.
“I am excited to move forward in this effort to uti-
lize open space to support affordable housing, employment, and recreation opportunities on the Near West Side, for the residents of the 28th ward and the ABLA community,” said Alderman Jason Ervin, 28th Ward. “This economic investment in our community by the Chicago Fire Football Club will create substantial community benefits for generations to come, and I look forward to our ongoing collaboration with the Chicago Fire and Chicago Housing Authority to ensure these benefits are fully realized.”
The 23.3-acre site is generally bounded by Roosevelt Road, Ashland Avenue, 14th Street, and Loomis Street. The site was previously occupied by portions of CHA’s former ABLA Homes, which is already in the process of being replaced by the mixed-income Roosevelt Square community as part of CHA’s ongoing commitment to develop mixed-income, mixed-use housing. In January, CHA and its development partner, Related Midwest, broke ground on Roosevelt Square Phase 3B, a $172M project that will include 222 new homes and 184 renovated apartments. CHA will continue efforts to develop mixed-income housing in the area on nearby vacant CHA parcels, private land, and City-owned land.
“Being a part of and giving back to Chicago is at the heart of the Chicago Fire Football Club ethos, and we are excited to put down roots on the Near West Side in the Roosevelt Square community,” said Chicago Fire FC Owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto. “The development of our new facility will provide a state-of-the-
art training environment for our players, coaches, and sporting staff. Our facility will also serve as a community programming home to the next generation of Chicagoans, bringing our city together through the sport of soccer. We look forward to getting underway and continuing our work with local residents on this project.”
The lease signing comes after an intensive public engagement process to discuss the proposal, including community meetings hosted or co-hosted by the CHA, Department of Planning and Development (DPD), the Fire, and Alderman Jason Ervin (28th Ward). The Fire held numerous meetings with various community organizations to ensure that local residents and stakeholders were able to contribute to the planning process. CHA also received approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the project.
“At CHA, our goal is to help families unlock their economic power and seniors thrive. We know that all residents — including those who use housing subsidies — benefit from mixed-use, mixed-income communities with access to quality public schools, outdoor recreation, jobs and career opportunities, healthcare, and more,” said CHA CEO Tracey Scott. “This new partnership with the Chicago Fire will secure substantial funds to improve aging public housing at ABLA Brooks and Loomis Courts and create long-term employment opportunities for CHA residents. It will serve as a catalyst for future growth on the Near West Side for years to come.”
The South Side Health Community Organization (SSHCO) is a non-profit organization made possible through funding from the state’s Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives initiative. Incorporated in the fall of 2021, it is comprised of 13 healthcare partners on the South Side of Chicago, including three hospital systems, four safety net hospitals and six Federally Qualified Health Centers. The partners include Advocate Trinity Hospital, Beloved Community Family Wellness Center, Chicago Family Health Center, Christian Community Health Center, Friend Health, Jackson Park Hospital, Near North Health, The New Roseland Community Hospital, St. Bernard Hospital, Sinai Chicago – Holy Cross Hospital, South Shore Hospital, TCA Health, and the University of Chicago Medicine. It was formed to put an urgent and sustainable focus on improving health outcomes for South Siders by expanding access to health care, connecting patients to social resources and supporting residents along their wellness journey through hands-on care coordination.
Noting that social determinants of health—like nutritious food and a place to call home—play a big role in health and well-being, the South Side Healthy Community Organization (SSHCO) announced a significant investment in community resources as a key part of building health equity on Chicago’s South Side. Nearly one million dollars has been committed to local organizations that provide nutritious food, employment services, stable housing, emergency financial support and transportation services focused on getting South Side residents to and from medical appointments.
“We know that residents in certain areas of the city and state, including the South Side, live sicker and die much younger than their counterparts in more affluent zip codes, and we aim to change that for the long term,” said Kimberly Hobson, CEO of the SSHCO. “As we were forming our plans, we heard loud and clear from the community of the important role social determinants of health play in wellness – people simply aren’t as healthy when they don’t have housing or employment or access to good food. So, a key part of our model from the beginning was developing a way to connect people to resources that can help.”
The SSHCO launched a competitive bid process to seek proposals from experienced South Side-serving social services and transportation organizations. The following organizations were awarded a one-year grant or contract with the SSHCO:
Dion’s Chicago Dream is dedicated to making an impact on food insecurity through Dream Deliveries, its flagship program which brings fresh produce right to the doorstep – providing five days’ worth of healthy
food options every week at no cost to recipients. Dion’s Chicago Dream purchases the produce directly, so it is new and fresh for residents in need. The organization, anchored in Englewood, owns its vehicles and hires operations specialists, liaisons, and other workers from the communities they serve.
Christian Community Health Center is an FQHC that links quality health care and housing. CCHC provides supportive housing services that include interim and permanent placements. For SSHCO enrollees, CCHC plans to provide housing and case management services after hospital discharge, and help its clients with ongoing primary, dental and behavioral health care through referrals.
Phalanx Family Services located in West Pullman was chosen to provide employment services, with a focus on building self-sufficiency through jobs. Phalanx offers two dozen youth and adult programs that provide tools and resources required to both obtain and sustain employment. Support includes job readiness training, career search assistance and job placement opportunities. Phalanx also works to reduce the barriers to employment – like expenses for transportation, uniforms, skill development and wrap-around support.
Centro Comunitario Juan Diego (CCJD) provides multifaceted programming to serve the needs of the local South Chicago community, including health support, trainings and health fairs, utility assistance, and food pantry access. With the SSHCO grant, CCJD will increase its capacity in emergency resources to help
South Side residents avoid a utility shut off, obtain clothing and footwear, receive emergency food services, and acquire transportation for mammogram screenings when needed. CCJD listens closely to the needs of the community and collaborates with many other local organizations to provide a strong support system for residents.
Trek World USA was awarded a contract with the SSHCO to provide non-emergency medical transportation to help South Side residents get to and from medical appointments. It is the first Black-owned healthcare technology company offering a digital on-demand non-emergency medical transport platform. Trek has 24/7 support services through its call center, text, email and chat features. All of its vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
The SSHCO plans to have these partnerships up and running to benefit SSHCO enrollees starting later this spring. These agency partners will all be featured in the next SSHCO virtual town hall, Community Health Conversation, on Wednesday, March 15 from 9 to 10 a.m. These quarterly town halls are designed to regularly update South Side community and faith leaders, elected officials and residents on services, benefits and opportunities, and to hear directly from the community. Anyone can attend this free, informative event via the SSHCO website: www.southsidehealthycommunity.com.
in Community Resources Nutritious food, transportation, housing, jobs, financial assistance and more contribute to a healthier community
CNW Staff Report
Samaya A., 16, a junior at Air Force Academy High School in Armour Square and a member of its after-school Union League Boys & Girls Club, has been named the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs 2023 Youth of the Year, recognizing her academic performance and service to Club, community, and family. Samaya A. will proudly represent the 104-year-old Union League Boys & Girls Clubs organization at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Illinois statewide competition to be held in April. In addition, Lyric P., 12, a sixth grader at the Nicholson STEM Academy in Englewood, was named Union League Boys & Girls Clubs 2023 Junior Youth of the Year, acknowledging her accomplishments at Nicholson’s after-school club. The announcements were made at an inspiring and celebratory Youth of the Year Awards event, co-chaired by Marsha Hoover & Matt Sheahin, and attended by hundreds of Union League Boys & Girls Clubs supporters at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago. Samaya, a junior at the Air Force Academy High School, already holds the rank of Cadet Colonel, a leadership rank usually held by seniors. Academically, she is an exceptional student, receiving Honor Roll accolades annually, and is a proud member of the Student Voice Committee and Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Samaya is proud of, and excited about, Union League Boys & Girls Clubs’ newly formed partnership with Air Force Academy and can’t wait to witness the after-school Club’s continued progress. Her post-secondary plans include majoring in Biology with a focus on environmental science.
“I understand that my experiences at Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, my community, and the world I live in have shaped my perspective, but I know I am the definer of my destiny,” she has said.
Added emcee Brandon Molina, himself the 2013 Union League Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year, “The Union League Boys & Girls Clubs has always been there for me. The Youth of the Year program goes further than just a competition. Over the years, it helped me develop connections, network, and build long-lasting relationships. We have this saying that once a Club kid, always a Club kid, and the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs created not just a safe place for me, but it created a family.”
Among the 15,000 members of Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, seven were selected to participate in its 2023 Youth of the Year program; in addition to Samaya, other Club members include Jacob B. (Junior, Barreto Club); Danika M. (Junior, Clemente Club); Anthony M. (Senior, Club One); Zaida R. (Senior, Club Two); Jamal G. (Senior, Englewood STEM Club); and Jose L. (Senior, Garcia Club). In addition, seven Union League Boys & Girls Clubs members, ages 10-14, were selected
for the 2023 Junior Youth of the Year competition. Besides Lyric, also participating were Quenniyah M. (Barreto); Valeria H. (Club One); Jada A. (Club Two); Daniell J. (Hammond Club); Jordan R. (Stagg Club); and Daniel S. (Zizumbo Charter School Club). The Junior Youth of the Year program gives younger Club members a chance to demonstrate their leadership ability and potential, and to build the strong foundation needed to succeed in the future.
The national Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Youth of the Year recognition is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve. It celebrates youth who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments. Beginning at the local Club level (such as Union League Boys & Girls Clubs) and continuing through state and regional competitions, Boys & Girls Club members throughout the country compete for Youth of the Year honors. The five regional winners will meet in the nation’s capital in September where they will compete for the National Youth of the Year title.
All 2023 Union League Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year and Jr. Youth of the Year participants received technology gifts, including laptops, Chrome books, and tablets, in recognition of their achievements.
CNW Staff Report
Abill introduced by Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Mary E. Flowers, D-Chicago, which recently advanced out of committee, would reform compensation for Illinoisans who are wrongfully convicted and then exonerated, as well as remove a great deal of uncertainty from the process.
“More and more, we see people being exonerated after shoddy police work, prosecutorial misconduct, judicial failures or even outright prejudice and systemic inequality left them unjustly convicted of crimes they didn’t commit,” Flowers said. “It’s clear that more needs to be done for those whose lives have been turned upside down by this type of flagrant injustice. That’s why
I’m working to increase compensation and eliminate limits for those impacted by failures of justice.”
Currently, there is no minimum compensation for those exonerated after a wrongful conviction, and the amount—if any—a person can be awarded is mostly at the discretion of the Court of Claims. There are, however, statutory maximums of $85,350 for five years or less of imprisonment, $170,000 for five to fourteen years and $199,150 for more than fourteen years.
Flowers’ House Bill 1016 would remove entirely these statutory maximums and replace arbitrary awards with guaranteed and fixed award amounts of $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment, including pretrial incarceration or detention while awaiting trial; along with $25,000 per year wrongfully spent not incarcerated but on parole, on probation, or on a sex offender registry.
These amounts would be prorated for partial years and the Court of Claims would retain the ability to raise them by up to 5% per year to account for increases in the consumer price index. The bill contains other measures as well. Full details are available at ILGA.gov.
“It’s true that this opens the door to much larger payments to the wrongfully convicted, but that’s the whole point,” Flowers said. “Miscarriages of justice shouldn’t be affordable. Instead of placing limits on compensation, if the state doesn’t want to pay massive settlements, it should ensure that police, prosecutors and courts do their jobs correctly and in good faith. Tolerating official incompetence, prejudice and bad convictions is a choice. And it is a choice that should have consequences.”
against individuals for receiving reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care.
• Raised the Minimum Wage, implemented the Fair Workweek Ordinance and staffed the Office of Labor Standards to enhance worker’s rights education and enforcement.
• Opened the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) Career Center, housed at 2102 W. Ogden Avenue, to assist people with disabilities in gaining access to meaningful and sustainable job and career opportunities.
• Launched an Employee Diversity Dashboard on the City’s workforce diversity data to serve as a tool to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the City’s departments.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, with Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner Christopher Owen, Director of the Office of Budget Management (OBM) Susie Park, and Department of Assets and Information (AIS) Commissioner Sandra Blakemore, signed an Executive Order requiring DHR, OBM, and AIS to conduct a bi-annual comprehensive pay equity audit of the City of Chicago workforce, focused on identifying both racial and gender pay discrepancies. This action aims to bring to light the stubborn pay inequities that persist in our labor market — both in Chicago and nationwide — and demonstrate the City’s commitment to closing these gaps.
“I am deeply proud of the ways in which my administration has centered equity, particularly around gender and race,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “These announcements, which will address gender and racial pay gaps,
underscore my commitment to making the City of Chicago a leader in creating safer and more equitable workplaces. I call on partners in the private sector, as well as my colleagues at our Sister Agencies, to join me in not only taking an intentional look at their own workforces but pursuing policies that create better, more inclusive workplaces for all employees.”
Joined by partners from the Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Council, GBV Strategic Plan Implementation Task Force, advocates for gender equity, and Labor, the Mayor also highlighted the following actions the City has taken under her leadership, in partnership with advocates, Labor, and City Council, to create workplaces where women and all workers can thrive:
• Expanded to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for City employees including both the birth and non-birthing parent, as well as those fostering, adopting, or giving birth through surrogacy (details below).
• Strengthened citywide Sexual Harassment laws.
• Passed the ChiBizStrong Ordinance which strengthened protections against wage theft, raised the minimum wage for domestic workers, and required a written contract for all domestic workers.
• Reformed the City of Chicago’s internal background check policy to support employment access for returning residents who seek 2,500+ annual City of Chicago government roles.
• Launched the Your Home is Someone’s Workplace campaign for education and awareness of worker rights for domestic workers.
• Launched a one-time cash assistance program for domestic workers to help alleviate the financial burden that they endured during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Passed the Bodily Autonomy for All ordinance to prevent workplace retaliation and discrimination
• Published a data and recommendations report “Addressing the Economic Barriers COVID-19 Exacerbated for Women in Chicago” in partnership with the Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Council, World Business Chicago, Women Employed, and the Civic Consulting Alliance.
• Passed a resolution in recognition of Transgender Day of Resilience and in memory of Elise Malary, which also supported Hire Trans Now. The Mayor’s Office is partnering with the Chicago Therapy Collective to evaluate and develop trans-inclusive employment practices and recruit 250 new Hire Trans Now businesses.
“We can’t talk about the wage gap for transgender workers unless we talk about the employment and safety gap. Despite having equal or more education and skills, transgender workers are least likely to be hired when compared to cisgender workers. Further, when trans workers are hired, they make 60 to 70 cents to the dollar. Despite these harsh economic realities, trans workers consistently report that their primary concern in the workplace remains safety from harm and violence — this is especially true for trans women and trans women of color,” said Iggy Ladden, Founder and Director of Chicago Therapy Collective. “We commend the initial steps the City has taken this year toward true gender equity in the workplace, most notably with the passing of the Hire Trans Now Resolution that set clear expectations for trans-inclusion across the city. We look forward to continuing to support the city in ensuring that its various efforts extend to trans people most impacted by gender inequity and violence”
Community organizer, Ronnie Mosley secured his spot in the 21st ward aldermanic runoff race on Feb. 28th. He will face his opponent, retired fireman, Cornell Dantzler in the April 4th runoff. Both are seeking to replace retiring alderperson, Howard Brookins, Jr. In the February 28th election, Mosley received 25% of the vote and Dantzler received 21.9%. The 21st ward now includes the 34th ward under the city’s new ward remap and serves parts of the Auburn Gresham, Brainerd, Longwood Manor, West Pullman, and Fernwood neighborhoods.
Mosley spoke with Chicago News Weekly about his vision for the 21st ward, the accusations and why he feels he is the best candidate in this upcoming election. Why he Decided to run
I wanted to give back to the community that has poured so much into me. It was really about the makeup of our community and as I thought about the 21st ward, which has always had the largest amount of registered black voters in the city now merging with the 34th ward, which also has a large voting population, I thought we now have an opportunity to demand resources that will improve our quality of life. That takes real leadership and I felt best positioned to take this ward to where it needs to be and to deliver those resources for our people and for our community.
Bringing more resources to the 21st Ward
I want the 21st ward to be a destination for those who live here so we can stop sending our dollars outside of our community contributing to other economies and strengthening their jobs and opportunities when we need it right here, but I also want others to come to the community and contribute. We have so many answers to our issues right around us, but it takes leadership to cultivate and develop and pull these things together.
Economic Development in the 21st Ward
One of my first priorities is to build a strong business district. There are five different malls in our ward, and I want to see more businesses in those areas. I want our ward to look appealing and inviting and plan to work with leaders and the community on landscaping and the beautification of the ward. I want our business district to be a place where the community can shop, contribute to our economy, and enjoy the experience. It’s what we deserve. There is so much land that is ready for development and I want to make sure that we have a plan in place so that we aren’t always reacting to the dreams of others. This is about our community, and we have to decide how this works for us first. We plan it as a community, then as alderman, my job is to go find people whose dreams are in sync with ours and bring them to the table.
My office is going to be a hub for all services, not just
city services. I want to be visible in the community. We also plan to continue the monthly and quarterly town hall meetings in addition to our weekly constituent meetings. I plan to bring city representatives to these meetings to speak to residents about city services as well.
Our community wants a police force that is reflective and that is responsible to us and for us. Policing and public safety are priorities, but we must be smart about them. We call the police after a crime is committed but what are we doing about preventative measures? How are we responding to the root causes of crime? What are we doing about poverty and providing jobs? How are we getting people who need mental health support access? Where are affordable housing options in our ward? I believe by working to develop the neighborhood economically, we can also create a thriving workforce by hiring within the ward. Economic empowerment can
Two weeks before the Feb. 23 election, Mosley was accused of fabricating his academic credentials. Mosley responded to the controversy by saying, “I’ve said “I’ve completed studies” at Morehouse college and that is true but I did not receive my degree. I used the term “completed studies” because I took my classes there, I took my senior capstone, I took my internship, and so forth and that was interpreted as me saying I graduated from Morehouse and although I have not used that language, that’s the interpretation. I apologize that my language was not clear. My degree is important to me. While I may not be coming back next semester, I’m going to earn my degree at Morehouse College. I guarantee before my four years are up, I’ll have that degree.
Mosley launched his campaign in September 2022
and has been endorsed by Ald. Brookins, Jr and Michelle Harris, St. Sabina pastor, Rev. Michael Pfleger, former state senator Jacqui Collins, Gov. Pritzker and more. His opponent has also questioned the validity of his work experience.
As for his work history, Mosley says he’s worked since he was a teen and says that experience makes him the best choice for the 21st ward. “I’ve learned at different levels of government and understand how it works and not just from an idea or theory that we get from books but also from working in these institutions. Having these relationships is key and allows me to be ready on day one. “If I was lying about working from them, I’m sure they would have pulled back their endorsement but they haven’t because they see me working for and with them, and see how I’m able to get things done.”
Who he Supports for Mayor
Mosley said after the February election he would support who the community supports. The 21st ward voted 22% for Brandon Johnson and 6% for Vallas. “I’m still talking to community members, but I think our community’s pretty much spoken about that who they want to see as their mayor.”
Why he feels he’s the best choice for the 21st Ward. Yeah, this is a part of my life’s mission. Addressing the community’s needs will be my guiding compass in doing this work and we’re going to do this work together. I need a strong board organization, blocks clubs and community organizations ready because it takes all of us together. This isn’t about the 21st ward and the 34th separately. We are now one ward and I intend to serve everyone in it because we all deserve a better community. This is how we use our power and make our voices heard and demand resources.
Basketball Stars Anthony Davis Jr., Derrick Rose and Tim Hardaway Jr. Bring Fatburger Back to Illinois and Partner with Local Businesswomen, Toi Salter and Jackie Jackson, to Open First Location Tied to a Multi-Unit Illinois Development Deal
CNW Staff Report
Chicagoland has reason to celebrate the opening of Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express in Orland Park, IL with franchisee A.D.T.J. Development LLC. A.D.T.J. Development LLC, a company created in partnership with professional basketball players, Anthony Davis Jr., Derrick Rose and Tim Hardaway Jr., and Chicago businesswomen, Toi Salter and Jackie Jackson, will also be bringing additional franchised locations of Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express to Illinois in the coming years.
The star-studded team was created thanks to two successful female entrepreneurs – Toi Salter and Jacqueline Jackson. All three players have family ties to the Chicago area, while Salter and Jackson are reputable African American businesswomen in the area.
“Our team is excited to bring the iconic brand Fatburger back to the state of Illinois,” said Toi Salter, Managing Partner of A.D.T.J. Development LLC. “It is truly our favorite burger, and we look forward to entering this market.”
Ever since the first Fatburger opened in Los Angeles 70 years ago, the chain has been known for its delicious, grilled-to-perfection and cooked-to-order burgers. Founder Lovie Yancey believed that a big burger with everything on it is a meal in itself. At Fatburger, “everything” is not just the usual lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, mustard, pickles and relish. Burgers can be customized with toppings including bacon, eggs, chili and onion rings. In addition to its famous burgers, the Fatburger menu also includes Fat and Skinny Fries, sweet potato fries,
scratch-made onion rings, turkeyburgers, hand-breaded crispy chicken sandwiches, and hand-scooped milkshakes made from 100% real ice cream.
Joliet West High School’s Jeremy Fears Jr., a five-star recruit, has become a rising star in the competitive world of Illinois high school basketball. Jeremy Jr., has distinguished himself with his unique skill set, remarkable prowess, and outstanding performance on the court, which have captivated audiences.
Jeremy discovered his passion for basketball during his junior high years and started taking the sport seriously, determined to improve every day. His dedication paid off as he received an invitation to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, an exclusive event featuring the best high school basketball players in the country. The McDonald’s All-American Game is considered one of the premier events in high school basketball, and many past participating players have gone on to have successful college and professional careers. The game has featured many NBA stars, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. Jeremy will be the first player from the Chicagoland area to play in the game since Jalen Brunson in 2015. He’ll play alongside other top prospects like Bronny James, LeBron’s son and Ron Holland. “There’s a level of excitement for everyone to see you play,” said the 6’1 guard about playing in the once-a-year exhibition. “I’m excited to play with my guy Ron, Bronny, and a few other guys.” He adds that his leadership, basketball IQ and defense sets him apart from the other roster of players at the All-American Game. “My main goal is to go out there and give it 110%, no matter if it’s on the offense or defensive end. I want to go on the court and play hard. I want to play a full and complete game no matter what.”
In 2021 and 2022, the 17-year-old prodigy added to his impressive resume when he won Olympic gold in the FIBA Americas U16 and U17 World Cup. He considers
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this achievement a blessing, as it allowed him to represent his country at the highest level of competition. During the 2022 World Cup, Jeremy led Team USA with 17 points and a game-high six assists in a 79-67 win over Spain for the title. “It’s big time,” said Jeremy. “I got to represent the country. It was a great experience. I made great relationships and created bonds, but to win two gold medals, something people don’t do too often is a blessing to win.”
Although widely recognized as the top prospect in the state and among the top twenty players in the country, Jeremy remains humble and committed to his leadership role in helping his team achieve success. He views his individual ranking as secondary to his team’s collective goal of winning. “I don’t look at it as me being the number one player. Because at the end of the day, I have to go out there and help my team get the win any way that I can.” Scouted as a natural point guard with playmaking ability, excellent court vision, and offensive explosiveness, Jeremy Jr., believes that his leadership qualities are equally important, especially when faced with challenging situations during games. He explains, “Leadership is about understanding your teammates and knowing how to respond to each one. Basketball has its ups and downs, but staying positive is key. When things get tough, we have to keep pushing through and never give up.”
Jeremy attributes his desire to succeed to his father, Jeremy Sr. “My dad is my biggest role model. He played basketball overseas and in college, and I’ve always admired watching him play. I even watch old YouTube videos to see how he played back in the day,” says Jeremy Jr. His father, who was nominated to play in the McDonald’s All-American game and a member of the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team and Mid-American Conference All-Tournament Team while playing for Ohio University, taught him everything he knows about the game, according to Jeremy Jr.
The Fears family’s basketball talent extends beyond Jeremy Sr. and Jeremy Jr. Jeremiah Fears, Jeremy’s younger brother, true to his family lineage, is quickly making a name for himself in the sport of high school basketball. As a sophomore and starting guard for Joliet West, Jeremiah is demonstrating that basketball talent runs deep in the Fears family. Jeremiah’s remarkable ball-handling skills, ability to drive and finish around the rim, and impressive 3-point shooting has garnered attention from scouts and coaches at the collegiate level. During Jeremiah’s freshman year, Jeremy
played basketball at La Lumiere, a nationally-ranked prep school in La Porte, Indiana, due to COVID restrictions set by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) that disrupted the 2020-21 season. Being able to share the court with his older sibling in the 2022-23 season, Jeremiah describes it as an “amazing experience.” Jeremiah states that his brother’s return has helped him “grow both as a player and as a person.” However, Jeremiah admits to feeling the pressure of living up to high standards. But, he remains optimistic and determined to elevate his game even further, confidently stating that he aims to surpass his older brother. Both Jeremy and Jeremiah have exceptional athletic abilities, but they’re equally dedicated to their academic excellence. Juggling both academic and athletic commitments can be challenging, but they both agree
that staying focused is essential for achieving success. “Sometimes it does get tough,” says Jeremy. “Even with the long or early practices, you still have to make sure you handle school no matter what. Instead of going to the gym or out with friends, I may have to stay in and finish my work or get caught up on the work because grades are a big part of this process.” Jeremiah adds, “It’s tough going to practice and workouts and still trying to get schoolwork done. But staying focused is important because you still have to do the work to perform at a high level athletically and academically. My mother reminds me that the late nights and early mornings, as well as the days when I am tired and unmotivated, will all be worth it in the end. So I just keep pushing myself, knowing that one day my efforts will pay off.”
For the Joliet West sophomore, Jeremiah has several D1 colleges, including Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois, submitting their offer letters in hopes of landing the young talented, and determined Fears. Jeremy has decided to play for the Michigan State Spartans next fall, but vetted offers from Illinois, UConn, and Gonzaga. “I chose Michigan State because I love the culture,” said Jeremy Jr. “I’ll get to play my freshman year. I’m able to make mistakes and learn from a hall-of-fame coach, Tom Izzo. Everyone there, from the staff to the players on the team, is great. It feels like a family.”
The Fears’ family’s commitment to excellence and the discipline required to achieve excellence is truly inspiring. Jeremy’s decision to return to his hometown to team up with his brother for his final year of high school was motivated by the desire to do something unique for the community. “Playing with my brother has been fantastic,” Jeremy said. “We finally have the chance to do something special for the community, the team, each other, our family, and myself.”
Together, Jeremy, “The Floor General” Fears Jr., and his brother Jeremiah Fears led the Joliet West boys basketball team to victory in the 2022-23 ISHA Regional Championship. This accomplishment is particularly remarkable as it marks the team’s second 4A Regional Championship win in just three years. Jeremy Fears Jr., has also been named the 2023 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year, making him the 64th recipient of the award. Jeremy earned a unanimous vote to secure the honor. Notably, he is the first athlete from Joliet to claim this recognition.
pril 2nd- 8th (Sunday thru Saturday) marks the dates of this year’s celebration of Holy Week, culminating with the Resurrection/Easter Celebration on Sunday, April 9th. Many churches and denominations acknowledge the events of the week in variations according to the scriptures. Communion, Good Friday services, creating images of the cross with palms to place on the garments of believers and preparing traditional Easter Sunday dinner. As families/believers across the world prepare for Resurrection Sunday, the preparation for Holy Week is often overshadowed by preparations for Easter Sunday. Beauty and barber shops are blessed, booked and busy as people plan to attend Easter Sunday service. But why don’t believers prioritize preparing for Holy Week as they do for Easter Sunday? After all, Holy Week is the time period when believers honor the acts of Jesus Christ before His crucifixion. Take a look below.
Palm Sunday (April 2nd). The Sunday before Jesus’ journey to the cross where He humbly entered Jerusalem, knowing what was ahead of Him, on a donkey while being welcomed and greeted by the people.
Maundy Thursday (April 6th). A number of events took place on Maundy Thursday that taught lifelong lessons and represented so much of how and why believers should remember the sacrifice Christ made. Preparation for the Passover, The Last Supper or the Lord’s Supper, Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper or communion, and betrayal.
Good Friday (April 7th). The Friday before Easter Sunday. The day when believers commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Calvary. On this day, Jesus humbly fulfilled His purpose and gave His life for the sins of mankind. Holy Saturday (April 9th). The day after Good Friday and the day before Resurrection Sunday. This day is typically commemorated by meditating on how dark the world would be if Christ had not sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. This day (for many) also marks the end of the Lenten season.
As you reflect on the events of each day, what will you do? How will you honor these days on your spiritual journey? How will you prepare in advance to commemorate each day? If you don’t know where to start, here are a few ways.
• Make each day personal. Reflect on the events that occurred, what they mean to you on a personal level and how you will adopt the character traits in your life as daily habits. Ask yourself how you can be more intentional about the way you will follow the example of Christ during Holy week every day. How will you serve others beyond Holy Week? How will you exemplify humility as Jesus did by washing the feet of His disciples? These acts and characteristics are essential to the journey of discipleship and should become a part of the believers’ lifestyle.
• Have personal and private devotion that focuses on growing closer to Christ.
• Designate a time of prayer the week before Holy Week where you ask for guidance on how you can become more like Christ and exemplify His character during adversity.
• Read and closely study the scriptures that give an account of each event that occurred during Christ’s journey to the cross. Doing this will allow you to delve deeper into the characters of the disciples who walked alongside Jesus as well as a deeper understanding of how Jesus handled them with love.
• Prepare your schedule in advance to participate in Holy Week activities at church. Daily life is filled and busy with many responsibilities. However, all schedules can be rearranged to participate and delve into Holy Week activities. Making it a priority in advance will allow you to receive what Christ wants you to receive from it, and not simply go through each day as a formality.
• Think about ways you can humbly serve others during Holy Week in preparation for it. You can serve your loved ones, colleagues, members of your church and members of your surrounding community to imitate Christ’s humility on Maundy Thursday.
These are just a few ways you can prepare for Holy Week in advance to ensure you have a spirit-filled and meaningful week. Many times believers focus solely on Easter Sunday because of the lavish celebrations that come along with it, as well as the way society markets it. But as believers, it is important to remember the events that led up to the great day of resurrection and remember what Jesus did and how He did it.
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.
Businesses looking to call Chicago home have to get the blessing of the Zoning Board of Appeals and hold community meetings. Decriminalized marijuana seems to be dope but have Chicagoans been pushing back on bud businesses? A new PotCast is on its way to all the streaming platforms and we have dibs on the details with one of the three hosts. Finally a peek at pot in other Black metro entrepreneurs blazing trails.
A former currency exchange may become the new home for a majority Black owned dispensary, Perception Cannabis. But before the bud shop can even think about operating they need a Special Use Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alderperson Maria Hadden of the 49th Wardhosted a community meeting on March 14th to discuss the plans with the community. Anyone seeking such a permit is required to have at least one community meeting in the ward they are looking to do business in. Special uses are reviewed to identify “the compatibility with adjacent properties” as published on the City of Chicago website.
The Board is made up of appointed members by the mayor. Currently the ZBA is composed of Chairman Brian Sanchez, Angela Brooks, Zurich Esposito and Sam Toia, a stellar group of local influencers and leaders. It’s unknown if the newly elected mayor will keep the current ZBA or replace them with new decision makers. This month the ZBA will be deciding on only one request for a property in the 4th ward where a runoff is ensuing between Prentice Butler and Lamont Robinson. Family Roots, LLC is seeking a permit for a property at 1147 S. Wabash.
Citizens can still push back on pot! Not all precincts are welcoming to weed businesses. The 26th precinct of the 23rd ward, the 42nd precinct of the 2nd ward and the 13th precinct of the 13th ward each restrict new or additional cultivation centers, craft growers, and processing, infuser, dispensing
and transporting organizations. The 2nd precinct of the 2nd ward has an active letter of intent to restrict cannabis and if accepted it will have two restricted zones. Interested parties can search for petitions at www.chicityclerk.com
A blazing hot potcast is coming from the best of the Midwest. Hosts Steven Philpott Jr., Justin Staples and Neffer Kerr are teaming up to amplify the mental health and wellness benefits of bud. “Anyone who is interested in learning more about sports, science and the culture of the cannabis industry should be listening in,” shared Kerr.
With tons of new cannabis related podcasts popping up Kerr shared what sets their conversation apart is that it’s fact based and not just opinions and personal experiences.
The Full Spectrum won’t just cover cannabis, but also other psychoactive substances.
Sponsors and community supporters include :Illinois Cannabis Training Center, Inc. - ICTC, Up Elevated Cocktails, The 1937 Group, Anzisha Consulting, NorthStar Minority Cannabis Association, and Runners High Chicago. As the industry continues to suffer from the failed attempts to decriminalize marijuana organizations and entrepreneurs need ways to keep the conversation going. Follow along and find them on IG @fullspectrumpod
Detroit Cannabis Project is holding it down for the culture making sure those impacted by the war on drugs get a fair shot at the billion dollar industry. As a technical assistance provider they are an all inclusive incubator program helping to prepare Michiganders for making green in the marijuana market.
Ladies are in a huff as regulators for New York cannabis have unintentionally created some difficulties to licensing for women. August was the launch of the program and the state awarded numerous licenses for family members convicted of marijuana charges. Round one awarded 7% of licenses to women and 14% in round 2. Be it gender or ethnicity advocates are paying attention to how regulators make it hard for some to get to the bag and entrepreneurs are pushing for fair and equitable access.
Cases where three pounds or less of marijuana are eligible for automatic expungement. But some courts are saying they are overworked as expungements of old records are pushing them to their limits. To be in compliance records for all misdemeanor marijuana offenses must be expunged by June 8th and it costs time and money to accommodate the amendment.
According to the Riverfront Times the state had cleared 7,500 records by the end of February. But records had only been removed for 60 out of the state’s 114 counties. In 2018 the state had the 11th highest marijuana possession arrest rate in America and weed possession accounted for 50 percent of all drug arrests. The state recently approved recreational sales in February of 2023 and approved nearly 70 dispensaries to operate in the St. Louis area.
Are you someone with dreams of getting into the film industry? Are you a writer, actor, director, cinematographer, set, costume, or sound designer? Are you a detail person who believes he would be a great film editor? How would you like to be in the room with someone who has done it all, sharing pearls of wisdom born from the work of writing, producing, directing, pitching, marketing and more? This week on Saturday, March 18th, you have the opportunity to do just that! Chicago’s own, award-winning actor, director, producer, writer and comedian, Robert Townsend, returns home to host Script to Screen, a Masterclass on Filmmaking sponsored by Harry Lennix’s passion project, the African American Museum for the Performing Arts (AAMPA) Griot Lab.
This class will be the first of many AAMPA masterclasses designed to equip the next generation of filmmakers, performers, actors, writers, designers, etc., with the experience-backed tools and information they need to achieve their dream.
Robert has left his mark on both the big and small
screens. Beginning with his personal credit card, self-funded “Hollywood Shuffle,” a brilliant, tour-deforce satirical look at the so-called “opportunities” for Black actors in the film industry, his work has made a difference. His own firsthand experiences were the fuel for this comedy classic. For his next big feature film, his role was that of director for Eddie Murphy’s “Raw.” This was followed by the beautiful and heart-breaking “Five Heartbeats,” feature film, which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in. And the wacky, super-hero spoof, Meteor Man followed soon after. For television, Robert created two variety shows, HBO’s “Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime” and Fox’s “Townsend Television.” His biggest show was the family sitcom, “The Parenthood,” which ran from 1995 to 1999. Some of his other notable turns in the director’s seat are MTV’s “Carmen: A Hip Hop Opera,” NBC’s “Livin for Love: The Natalie Cole Story,” and Showtime’s “Holiday Heart” starring Alfre Woodard and Ving Rhames. In addition to his creative work, Robert is a tenured Professor of Cinematic Arts at USC/University of South-
ern California. Bottom line, Robert Townsend, the man brings a lot to the table and has much to share from his hard-earned experiential wisdom with the lucky few who get a ticket to this masterclass.
Robert is going to walk the students through the process of making movies & television shows from script development to pitching the idea and shooting the film with little to no budget. He will shed light on the mechanics of making movies and some of his best practices.
Tickets are available for both in-person and virtual attendance. The class will be held in person at the Greenline Theatre, 329 E. Garfield Blvd, Chicago from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. For tickets go to aampamuseum.org/ roberttownsend.
What a great start to the African American Museum for the Performing Arts/AAMPA’s Masterclass Series! Kudos to its founder, Harry Lennix!
Be sure to stay tuned to “Chicago News Weekly” for more news from the AAMPA!
a two-day music festival that celebrates Chicago culture, today announced its first 2023 headliner as the iconic hip-hop duo Clipse. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, brothers Pusha T and No Malice will reunite to headline night one of the highly anticipated music festival on June 17-18 at Midway Plaisance Park in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park.
Clipse will perform some of their biggest hits, including “Grindin’” and “When the Last Time,” alongside other collaborations and fan favorites. For hip-hop fans who have anxiously awaited another reunion, this is a dream come true.
“This is a huge win for Chicago and the music industry overall, especially since our city’s hip-hop influence is often overlooked and underestimated,” said Dave Jeff, co-producer of Hyde Park Summer Fest
“With the return of Clipse for an exclusive performance, we’ll be able to celebrate a legendary duo alongside the fifty-year anniversary of hip-hop, a genre that Chicago has undoubtedly continued to play a leading role in growing and evolving.”
In addition to Clipse, music and culture fans alike will witness exciting live performances from 2 Chainz, Robert Glasper, Tobe Nwigwe, Uncle Waffles, Terry Hunter, Twista, Shawnna, Do Or Die, Crucial Conflict, Vic Mensa and Jonathan McReynolds. More artists are soon to be announced.
Hyde Park Summer Fest expects this to be its best year yet. Following exponential growth over the past eight years, what began as Hyde Park Brew Fest has evolved into a community-centric, fiercely independent music staple of Chicago summer, particularly in the city’s South Side. Launching its current iteration in 2022, Hyde Park Summer Fest donated $75,000 in proceeds to five area high schools, created nearly 200 temporary jobs in the community, and encouraged participation from over 50 local small businesses, and expects to sur-
pass these accomplishments with this year’s festival.
“As a Black-owned festival, it’s important for us to create a welcoming, inclusive space for our neighbors and business owners to celebrate Chicago culture through music and food while honoring hip-hop’s impact on the world,” said Jonathan Swain, founder of Hyde Park Summer Fest. “This announcement is just the beginning of a long list of performers, artists, vendors and community partners that we’re teaming up with this year. There’s more to come, Chicago - get ready for a weekend you don’t want to miss.”
Two-day general admission tickets start at $129 and single day general admission at $79, with prices subject to change. Hyde Park Summer Fest takes place June 17-18, 2023 at Midway Plaisance Park in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park (1130 Midway Plaisance, Chicago, IL 60637).
For more information on Hyde Park Summer Fest’s lineup, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.hydeparksummerfest.com.
In most American households pancakes are a favorite breakfast food and have become relegated to weekends when there is time for preparation and time to enjoy the delicious meal. So let’s look first at what a pancake is. Simply put, a pancake is a flat cake made from a batter of eggs, milk, and flour and fried on a very hot surface, often with butter. Depending on your preference, pancakes can be thin or thick, crispy or fluffy based on the recipe, and are served with a variety of toppings and sauces.
Ordinarily, there are two types of pancakes, but we will introduce a third type of pancake here: The two types of pancakes most people are familiar with are:
• Crêpes - Thin, French-style crêpes originated in Brittany hundreds of years ago and are now eaten around the globe. They can be eaten with sweet or savory fillings or toppings and are often crispy around the edges.
• American-style Pancakes - Thick and fluffy, these types of pancakes are associated with breakfast in the US. They are much fatter than crêpes
- due to the addition of baking powder or whipped egg whites to the ingredients, and eaten with sweet foods like fruit, chocolate chips and syrup (as well as thin, crispy bacon).
• The 3rd type is Called Pancake Puffs
Pancakes
¾ cup unbleached flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ¼ cups soy or almond milk
2 tbsp olive oil
Fruit Sauce
1 ½ cups frozen strawberries.
2 tbsp grape jelly
Optional Topping coconut yogurt, vanilla flavor
instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place two muffin tin pans in the oven to preheat.
2. In a large bowl, add dry ingredients for pancakes and mix.
3. Add milk and oil and stir until just blended (the batter will still appear lumpy, but that is good).
4. After the muffin tins have been in the oven for at least 5 minutes, pull them out of the oven and spray them with a non-stick spray. Fill each muffin space with batter until ½ full. Leave any extra spaces empty.
5. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the pancake puffs from the muffin tin.
6. While the pancakes are baking, prepare the berry sauce. Place frozen strawberries and grape jelly into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warm. Mash berries with a fork and mix well.
7. Serve over the top of the pancake puffs with optional coconut yogurt.
Pancakes are not exactly what we’d describe as healthy, but they do contain several vitamins and minerals. They can also be high in fat, calories, carbs and sodium, and if made with the usual white flour which can cause blood sugar spikes you want to be easy on the amount you eat. Few suggest that for these reasons you eat pancakes in moderation. It’s also better to opt for homemade pancakes rather than processed ones, which may contain hidden sugar and salt.
Making good pancakes
Few people take the step that can assure you great pancakes because it requires that you rest the batter for at least 10 minutes, or even overnight before cooking. This allows time for the flour to hydrate and soften, eliminating any lumps and distributing the bubbles to give you a perfectly lifted pancake.
The main ingredients in pancake batter are:
• Plain flour
• Milk
• Eggs
• Pinch of salt
• or oil or butter for cooking in a skillet
*Pancakes are not vegetarian because that would mean that they are plant-based and pancakes contain milk a derivative from cows and eggs if fertilized become chickens. Both are animal products, yet they do not contain meat.
Pancakes are not vegan - traditional pancake recipes include eggs and milk (and sometimes butter for cooking in), which are animal-derived products. However, vegans can still enjoy pancakes, as there are many vegan egg and dairy replacements on the market. You can find our tips for the perfect vegan in vegan recipes.
Pancakes are not gluten-free, because flour is one of the main ingredients which is made from wheat, which contains gluten. However, gluten-free pancakes can be made using gluten-free flour. Because gluten helps food rise, it should be noted that the addition of baking powder is required if you want fat, fluffy gluten-free pancakes. Finally, pancakes contain at least 3 of the 14 major food allergens. These are:
• Milk
• Eggs
• Cereals containing Gluten (via flour)
Depending on the pancake topping they may also contain other allergen ingredients such as Nuts.
ingredients:
¾ cup unbleached flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ¼ cups soy or almond milk
2 tbsp olive oil
Fruit Sauce
1 ½ cups frozen strawberries.
2 tbsp grape jelly
Optional Topping coconut yogurt, vanilla flavor instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place two muffin tin pans in the oven to preheat.
2. In a large bowl, add dry ingredients for pancakes and mix.
3. Add milk and oil and stir until just blended (the batter will still appear lumpy, but that is good).
4. After the muffin tins have been in the oven for at least 5 minutes, pull them out of the oven and spray them with a non-stick spray. Fill each muffin space with batter until ½ full. Leave any extra spaces empty.
5. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the pancake puffs from the muffin tin.
6. While the pancakes are baking, prepare the berry sauce. Place frozen strawberries and grape jelly into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until warm. Mash berries with a fork and mix well.
7. Serve over the top of the pancake puffs with optional coconut yogurt. Now go make your pancakes.
Fashion has always been a form of communication if for no other reason but to distinguish one social class from another, or one’s profession and so on. Fashion says so much more about you than you think before you even open your mouth. Today vintage clothing is an inexorable phenomenon thus the description as ‘anachronistic attire’ meaning belonging to a period other than that being portrayed or belonging or appropriate to an earlier period, especially so as to seem conspicuously old-fashioned is a notable popular phrase amongst fashionistas. The attraction to particular designers’ vintage creations is for many reasons.
Red carpets and Instagram feeds are filled with archival Versace (worn in the last year by Jenna Ortega, Bella Hadid, Zendaya and Kim ), Jean Paul Gaultier (Hadid, the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan, Olivia Rodrigo), Valentino (Zendaya and Emma Chamberlain); and not without criticism Kim Kardashian’s appearance on the Met Gala red carpet wearing Marilyn Monroe’s original 1962 Jean Louis gown, in which she famously sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. Of course, it was very much a publicity stunt for Kim Kardashian. Most recently, at the African American Black Film Festival, Kerry Washington wore the exact
figure-hugging, red velvet, halter-neck dress Whitney Houston wore to perform at the 1996 BET’s Walk of Fame awards. Why? Because it is so beautiful!
Clearly, celebrities choose their attire for many reasons, mostly because they can, but primarily because they are public figures that have to always be actively visible to maintain their popularity. Thus, vintage looks established by iconic figures wearing magical pieces are a no-brainer. The magic is.
The popularity associated with known celebrities has now gone beyond and has reached into the realm of those who can afford the clothing items and want to appear bigger than life as do the stars they immolate.
The consistent highlights of magenta hints of nostalgia have been visible in many runway collections this season showcasing the wasp waists at Dior and the ‘power ‘shoulders of Saint Laurent identifying vintage designs. Inspiration is varied. There are those who wear gowns modeled after the historical mistresses of Versailles or 1860s shapes and contours like remixed music in applying current fabrics. There are those who have taken to reconstruct robes à la française for hundreds of hours, or dedicated historians for whom wearing a period design is an extension of their careers. This type of interest is what costume designers do when creating a look’ for period films.
Whether they call themselves historical costumers, period design specialists or interpreters, and or vintage enthusiasts the point is that their commitment or enthusiasm for the aesthetics of the past is enthralling. It begs the question about fashion as a form of communication through personal self-expression. So, what exactly does it mean to skip modern trends in favor of era portraits cut out of the past? It’s hard to imagine a woman walking down a busy street in the modern day wearing a corset, bustier, and bustle dress with an overlay laced Parasol. For Black people, who have embraced antique or historical clothing, it’s an interesting question as to why? It’s reminiscent of the
60s and 70’s when Blacks began wearing African-influenced attire is a statement screaming that they were identifying with their African roots. But today what is the connection? What statement are they making in embracing designs from the 18th-, 19th- or 20th-century, when most American Blacks were enslaved, and later could not afford the stylish attire? There were few Black designers of past eras and therefore, there are few designers in historical costuming. It’s referred to as ‘vintage style, not vintage values’ to make a statement that there were people of color in the past, and they wore these fashions.
Be clear that anachronistic attire is “a thing” and can be a conversation-starter or a form of escapism or a joyful form of escapism.
