Chicago News Weekly
Cheryl Mainor Norman President & Publisher Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-In-ChiefTerri
Winston Vice PresidentDarnell Pulphus
Art DirectorEditors
Danielle Sanders
Managing Editor
Dr. Mila K. Marshall
Cannabis Corner Editor
Staff Writers
Dr. Sharice Braford
Liz Lampkin
Marcus Bouldin
David Pierce
Tammy Gibson
Shaneen Murray
Marti Worell
Contributors
NNPA Newswire
Mare Evans
Eric Grant
Cover Photography
Gabriel Montgomery
i’m writing my ENOTES at the top of April as our issue goes to press and Spring means ‘April showers bring May flowers’. Synonymous with new life, we went to vote today to choose our new Mayor and Donald Trump faced arraignment today on 34 counts. It’s A new day ya’ll.
It’s been no cake walk . . . this mayoral election campaign. It’s been something of an anomaly for Chicago. I mean we began with nine candidates, seven of which were Black, the remaining two were Chuy Garcia, Hispanic (Mexican) and Paul Vallas White( Greek) and I don’t mean (Alpha or Omega). Yep, eight candidates were running against the incumbent. We know what happened Election Day at the polls, leaving two men standing . . . the different visions of the two, both representing the Democratic Party.
In the climate of today’s political fights, it’s comforting to know that you can belong to the same party and have differing views or perspectives on how things can be changed to benefit the people. I’ve been engaged with the Chicago election for that reason and was intrigued with the wider field of Democratic candidates this primary season, several whom we interviewed and hosted the Black Press Round Table with the 2023 Mayoral Candidates at our CNW offices.
The race for mayor of Chicago ran neck and neck between former CPS CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, according to several polls published this past week. It remained constant with few authorities daring to call the election.
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chiefcertain precincts and weak links in others. February’s election showed that Vallas had his strongest finishes in precincts on the city’s far Northwest and Southwest sides and some precincts in and around downtown. Johnson’s strong support were in precincts on the city’s Near Northwest Side and along the lakefront on the Far North and South sides. Definitely interesting. Newsflash. There were definitely Chicago folks, who had not supported either. In fact, more than 570 out of the city’s 1,291 precincts had not chosen Vallas or Johnson. Nearly, all of those precincts are located on the South and West sides in majority-Black and majority-Latino precincts that reflected leanings towards either incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot or Congressman Jesus “Chuy” García.
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Northwestern University released a poll Tuesday by a coalition of Black and Latino nonprofits showed the two candidates with equal amounts of support a week ahead of their April 4 runoff election. Three other polls of likely voters show Vallas with single-digit leads over Johnson.
Vallas and Johnson emerged as the top two from the crowded field with Vallas receiving about 33% of the vote while Johnson finished second with close to 22%. What makes the race close is that, 13 percent of voters who remained are still undecided until election day.
The question looms largely as to whether the 1 million other registered voters are who sat out the election will join in this cycle and cast a vote. And, while nearly half of the Chicagoans who voted in February chose a different candidate, today’s vote was about change and just who are those voters, and who they in the end, thought worthy of their vote for mayor in today’s mayoral runoff election? Or if they decided to vote at all?
Both Candidates Johnson and Vallas had to step up their game in several areas. That meant that each had strong holds in
Lightfoot finished first in about two-thirds of those precincts and García carried nearly another third. Businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson, who finished fifth overall in February, carried another 14 precincts.
They were the votes worth chatting about. So, we know that Candidate Wilson threw his support behind Vallas, as did Candidates Sawyer and King. Candidates Garcia and Buckner chose to follow Rev Jesse Jackson and supported Johnson. The final question is who did you vote for and why? I hope you chose wisely considering that for the next four years you are putting the city in their hands. Will his way or his way contribute to your success? Will his way or his way make a difference in your life? Will his way or his way advance your community? Will his way lead Chicago out of the crime ridden darkness and decrease the city’s debt? Will your choice for Mayor return Chicago to its former greatness? I hope that you made the right choice.
TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses Sexual Assault
Liz Lampkin CNW Staff WriterIncest, unwanted sexual advances, emotional incest, and molestation imposed upon one family member to another are frequent, concealed egregious occurrences that have plagued black families for generations. Why? What makes a family member desire to engage in any form of sexual contact with another family member? More so than that, if family members are aware of it, why do they cover it up, sweep it under the rug, or even ignore it? This must be addressed and stopped. But how? Raven Fisher, MA, LCPC and Owner of Nave Wellness Center suggests that in order for the cycle of family molestation/incest to be broken, someone in the family must have the desire to come forward to break the cycle and challenge the family rule of keeping things a secret. Family molestation/incest is often kept secret because of generational and societal norms of abiding by the rule of “not airing dirty laundry” to others. Coming forward about sexual abuse can bring shame upon a family unit, and victims of sexual assault from a family member find it difficult to come forward because they fear they will be ostracized by their loved ones. They’re afraid they won’t believe them or be accused of sexual manipulation. She went on further to say that victims and perpetrators tend not to seek help because it is an admittance that something is wrong which creates a sense of personal shame, and self-blame and they equate those feelings with human imperfections.
Generational incest often stems from untreated internal trauma, perpetrators were once victims themselves, and the trauma in turn is internalized and normalized because it goes unaddressed. The effects of sexual assault come in different forms. Victims can suffer from sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies. It can negatively affect how they relate to sex or physical intimacy. They can become overly sexually expressive, experience sexual shut-down (not engaging in healthy sexual relationships), a lack of trust because of the trauma, they can become hypersexualized or display maladaptive behaviors. For victims turned survivors of sexual assault, Raven Fisher wants them to understand that is it not their fault and that it’s okay to seek help. “Your worth as a human being is so much more than the experiences that you have had. Being accepted by others does not determine your value and it’s okay to not be okay.” Lastly, she wants survivors to know that, “resources exist for a reason: so that we can use them. It is okay to ask for help. Seek therapy and utilize available resources so that you can live more fully and freely.”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month draws attention to the invisible fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in a com-
munity. The national focus for the month is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The theme’s focus calls for communities, organizations, institutions, and individuals to learn how to draw connections between the different forms of oppression and how they connect to the underlying causes of sexual assault. The first Tuesday of April (April 4th) is SAAM Day of Action. This day has been designated for opportunities to begin the month with coordinated actions to
bring awareness to sexual assault and prevention. On this day, people are encouraged to wear the color teal, participate in a SAAM event, sponsor an event, or positively interact on social media regarding SAAM. For more information on how to get involved visit https://www.nsvrc.org/saam
Families are the heart of communities, and each one harbors secrets they are careful not to expose for the sake of holding the family together from the point of view of outsiders. However, what most families fail to realize is that the secrets they hold near and dear to their hearts are tearing down the internal structure of the family unit causing it to break down. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, please seek help and start a movement to end this vicious cycle to restore the strength your individual strength and identify and restore familial communities.
1. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network 800-656- HOPE (4673) https:// centers.rainn.org/
2. Survivors of Incest Anonymous (peer support groups) 877-742-9761 https:// siawso.org/
3. Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline 1-888-293-2080
4. Our Resilience 312-443-9603 ourresilience.org or info@ourresilience.org
5. Pillars Community Health 708-482-9600
6. Nave Wellness Center 1-877-929-6283 (NAVE) www.navecenter.com
7. Chicagoblacktherapist.com
The month of March was filled with so many exciting events and things to celebrate. It was National Women’s History Month, the election of new officials for cities across the country, St. Patrick’s Day, birthday celebrations, daylight savings time, the first day of spring, and of course March Madness. The month was filled with new beginnings and endings for many. Whether it was a new hobby, new job, relationship, or mindset something new should have started for you during this time. With every passing day, it’s important to create new endings and beginnings from different aspects in your life. There’s so much you can do to make each day of a month new and fruitful for you and those around you. If you don’t know how to refresh the days of your life, take a look at the list below for some ways this can be done.
Begin each day with a grateful heart. Before your day starts, find one thing to be grateful for. Oftentimes we take for granted the things and people we have right in front of us because we are focused on what we don’t have or the things or people we desire. Showing gratitude at the beginning of each day for what you have will not only help you realize how blessed you
are, but it can also motivate you to set goals for things you desire.
Release the previous day’s events and move forward with the day that is in front of you. Beginning a new day allows you to end the previous day meaning you can let go of what happened the day before. Now of course some events and feelings may linger from day to day, but your response can be new each day. Do something outside of your comfort zone. At the beginning of each week, make a short list of things you want to do that are out of your ordinary routine. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as it’s something that will bring you joy.
Creating new beginnings each day will require some personal reflective work. It’s important to understand that in order to begin each day anew you have to be cognizant of what you can do differently and what you want to change. Reflective work is not easy. It opens you up to your flaws and creates a space of vulnerability, but it’s necessary to work to create fresh opportunities to be a better person each day. As a part of your reflective work, it’s important to understand what you need to end in order to begin something new. Here’s how you can do this.
Make a list of habits, hobbies, routines, or relationships that weighed you down this month. Think about how and why they weighed you down, and then make a list of pros and cons about them. As you examine your list, write down reasons that releasing those things listed will benefit your life and how it will help to begin anew. It’s also important to remember that as you release old things, you need to make room for new ones that bring you joy. Doing this will keep you focused on creating brand-new spaces for you and keep you from reverting back to old things.
Establish a solid circle of accountability partners. Let your circle know what you are doing, set meeting times, and reflect on how you’re moving forward. Be sure you are ready to move on from things you’ve released. Give yourself closer, come to peaceful terms with people or situations you’ve decided to release, and affirm the decisions you’ve made.
As April begins, be sure you have created fresh space and spaces for yourself that end old things within you to begin a new journey into your next day.
Liz Lampkin is the “Wright Now Writer.” She creates Faith and Lifestyle stories to give a voice to the unheard. Follow her on social media @Liz_Lampkin.
Elizabeth Lindsay Davis is an overlooked heroine of Peoria, IL. Davis came from a family involved in organizations fighting for Black Peorians’ rights, including education and better housing. Davis’ father, Thomas Lindsay, owned property and was Peoria’s first market master selling goods in downtown Peoria. Lindsay was respected in the community for his tireless efforts to build the city of Peoria.
Davis traveled over 50 miles away to Princeton Township High School, which offered a better education. In 1873, Davis graduated with high honors and delivered the commencement entitled “The Past and Future of the Negro.”
In 1893, Davis and her husband, Dr. William H. Davis, moved to Chicago. Davis became heavily involved in several Black women’s organizations protesting discrimination. Davis was a national organizer for the National Association of Colored Women (“NACW”), which helped uplift women to the best of their ability. NACW’s motto was “Lifting As We Climb.” Prominent women that led the organization included Mary McLeod Bethune and Mary Church Terrell. The same year, Davis was the first secretary of the Ida B. Wells Club, founded in 1893. The club was instrumental in establishing the first Black orchestra in Chicago and the first kindergarten for Blacks in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
Davis founded the Phyllis Wheatley Woman’s Club in Chicago in 1896, named after the first published black poet in the United States in the 18th century. The mission was to provide homes and employment for women and families that left the south to come to Chicago during the Great Migration. In 1908, the Phyllis Wheatley Home for Girls opened at 3256 Rhodes Avenue and was later located at 5128 S. Michigan Avenue, which provided accommodations, education, and health services for over twenty women. Davis served as the club’s president for 28 years. In 1918, Davis was the official historian of the Illinois Federation of Colored Women’s Club, preserving Black women’s stories of hardship and triumph during the early twentieth century. In 1933, Davis published “Lifting As We Climb, the history of
the Black women’s club movement. Davis’ other work includes writing for “The Crisis.” In 1944, Davis passed away at the age of 88. The Phyllis Wheatley Home continued to function until 1967. Elizabeth Lindsay Davis advocated for the uplifting of Black women and girls throughout Illinois who had nowhere to go.
In 1989, Dr. JoAnn Tate purchased the Phyllis Wheatley home on Michigan Avenue. A not-for-profit, the Phyllis Wheatley Home Group will be a transformative oasis providing family-building skills to create stability within the Black family.
“It will be a place where it is about Black families. We will teach them entrepreneurship, leadership, and charity,” says Tate.
The Phyllis Wheatley Home Group’s goal is to develop skills for family continuity. It will display Blacks’ strides from racial injustice, migration, and shortcomings to black excellence as the platform for Black Family Development. The Phyllis Wheatley Home Renovation will be a collaboration of community, private, and public entities.
To help support the Phyllis Wheatley Home, contact phylliswheatleyhome5128@ yahoo.com
“It is fitting at this time that the Negro woman should take her part in the Century of Progress and prove to the world that she, too, is finding her place in the sun.” -
Elizabeth Lindsay Davis
Sharice Bradford, PH.D., CNW Staff Writer
To close out Women’s History Month, Chicago State University and the Chicago State University Foundation, hosted a panel discussion entitled “Women Who Lead Chicago’s Iconic Institutions”. In a room of dynamic accomplished women, mostly African American women, this was a phenomenal way to close out Women’s History Month. Chicago State President, Zaldwaynaka ‘Z’ Scott and her team put together a dynamic panel of iconic women leaders of iconic Chicagoland institutions. The event was held in partnership with United Airlines at their headquarters at the Willis Tower.
The panel was comprised of Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), Meghan Curran, Chief Marketing and Experience Office at Shedd Aquarium, and Perri Irmer, President and CEO of the DuSable Museum and Education Center. The panel was moderated by the President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, Karen Freeman Wilson.
This invitation only event was not only inspirational, it was educational and informative. It was also an opportunity for women at all stages of their career to hear from leaders from various industries about the practical advice they would offer women at any stage of their career.
Freeman-Wilson spoke of being the caretaker of her mother who is a six-time stroke survivor and how her
mother was an example to her of how to take care of yourself in the midst of what you do for others. Perri Imer shared the importance of being an advocate for women. She stressed the importance of advocating for others and that people should be given the space to be leaders.
Larita spoke about her challenges in the convention industry that can be a separate ecosystem. She shared about the lack of diversity in the convention industry.
As a woman born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, Larita shared her commitment to inspiring and encouraging those who work for the MPEA. Meghan shared how interacting with new staff at the Shedd inspires her to look at the aquarium with new eyes and explore things she had not experienced in some time.
All of the women spoke of the importance of making calls to trusted women to ask for advice, assistance and even words of encouragement. Freeman-Wilson shared
how Janice Jackson of Hope Chicago, formerly Chicago Public Schools, took calls from her and was a consistent resource during and trying time. Freeman-Wilson underscored that as women in leadership it is important to have a circle that reminded you that you are capable and able.
The panel discussed motherhood, self care and other women who inspired them such as Michelle Obama, Shedd CEO Bridget Coughlin, their mothers and others who inspired, encouraged and mentored them along the way. In addition to the distinguished panel other notable Chicago leaders such as Avis Lavelle Northstar Lottery Group, Melissa Donaldson, Wintrust Bank, and Angela Manning-Hardimon, CFO of Illinois Institute of Chicago were on hand to be inspired and hear the words of wisdom the panel offered. The women in the room left not only a lot more empowered but more inspired to continue being change makers in their various industries and supporting and encouraging other women on their paths to success.
The event was a great way to culminate Women’s History Month 2023 with women in leadership from various industries within the city. Kudos to President Scott and her team for closing out Women’s History Month 2023 by celebrating strong, fearless and courageous women from our city. It is apparent that their iconic institutions remain iconic due to the strong, qualified and respected leaders at the helm.
CNW Staff Report
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2022 state individual income tax returns is Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
“We encourage those taxpayers who have not yet filed to do so soon and file electronically with direct deposit to ensure the most efficient processing and issuance of any refunds,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Taxpayers may file electronic returns for free by using our recently enhanced online account management program MyTax Illinois and electronic filing is also available through third-party software or with most tax preparers.”
MyTax Illinois has been improved this year to make filing easier than ever. The system now includes a simple question-and-answer format, along with tax information prepopulated from previous returns. Taxpayers can also file their individual income tax returns using MyTax Illinois with or without an account and receive an immediate confirmation once their returns have been submitted.
If a taxpayer electronically files an error-free return, they should receive a direct deposit refund in approximately four weeks. Last year, IDOR received a total of nearly 6.2 million IL-1040 returns. Of those returns received, close to 5.6 million were filed electronically, or 90.3%.
“IDOR works vigilantly to protect taxpayers from identity theft and continues to coordinate with the Internal Revenue Service and other states to strengthen our efforts. By verifying information on tax returns before issuing refunds, in just the last
year alone, IDOR prevented over $62 million in fraudulent or erroneous refunds from being issued,” Director Harris said.
While the state of Illinois does grant an automatic six-month extension to file an IL-1040 each year, taxpayers must still pay any money owed on their returns by April 18 to avoid penalties and interest.
If a return cannot be filed by the April 18 due date, taxpayers may make an extension payment electronically through MyTax Illinois. To pay by mail, they may use Form IL-505-I, Automatic Extension Payment for Individuals Filing Form IL-1040, to calculate and make payments.
In addition to the free filing of Form IL-1040 through MyTax Illinois, individuals may also utilize the site to make payments, respond to department inquiries, and check the status of their refunds using the Where’s My Refund? link. Taxpayers may also look up IL-PINs, amounts of any estimated tax payments made, and when necessary, amounts reported on Form 1099-G with MyTax Illinois.
To assist taxpayers with last-minute questions, IDOR will have extended telephone hours on Friday, April 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1-800-732-8866. The automated line also provides assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules, and instructions for the 2023 tax season, please visit IDOR’s website at: tax.illinois.gov.
By Marion Hercyl CNW Contributor
The Chicago City Council made a move to make itself an independent body regardless of the winner between Paul Vallas or Brandon Johnson. The City Council has never held this type of vote to restructure itself in this manner, which will allow them to set new committee chairs, and to revise the council’s rules at the end of the term instead of at the beginning. With a turnover of 14 current members and a runoff of 8 wards still to be decided, several on the council were upset by the vote, leading to a raucous, contentious debate.
The plan will increase the number of City Council committees from 19 to 28, which passed by a vote of 22-11, and change the rules to, among other things, limit direct introductions and reduce committee membership which passed by 34-10. Councilmembers who were opposed to the vote claimed that the timing for this was rushed, and leaves out the new incoming members, and the constituencies they serve. The plan does not identify where the estimated $2.5 million-plus needed annually to fund the nine new committees will come from.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot who presided over the council meeting issued a statement after the historic vote, “Today, the City Council took steps to reorganize itself for the next four years. While this process and vote are unusual, particularly given the timing, if members of the City Council and Committee Chairs use this as an opportunity to put the interest of Chicagoans front and center in all their work, this could be viewed as a historic step in increasing the ways this body can advocate on residents’ behalf. However, if this expansion to 28 committees and other reorganization efforts do not have consistent wins on behalf of our residents, it will be viewed in a far less favorable light. Time will only tell which verdict will be rendered.”
While City Council members have always had the authority to decide who chairs each committee themselves, for decades they have ceded that power to the city’s mayors, allowing them to select their allies as committee chairs to ensure their agendas can be more easily approved. By charter, Chicago has a weak mayor-strong council system in which most of the power is vested in the city council. In practice, however, the mayor of Chicago has long been one of the most powerful municipal chief executives in the nation. In this case, Aldermen were determined to keep that power to themselves before either Brandon Johnson or Paul Vallas replaces Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Critics accused the aldermen behind the changes of simply trying to protect themselves and award those who went along with the vote with chairmanships, which bring with them additional staff and six- to seven-figure budgets to oversee, depending on the specific committee. One Alderman who was opposed to the rushed process was Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) said, “Why couldn’t we wait five days?” “We’ve been begging to be independent since I got here, and it ain’t happened, and so it’s funny to me that now we’re changing administrations and people have grown some balls.”
Outgoing Alderman and former Mayoral candidate Sophia King (4th), who chairs the council’s Progressive Reform Caucus, complained that a majority of
the group supported Thursday’s vote, saying “This is a jacked-up process, and you know it.”
On the roster of committee chairs, one name was conspicuously missing, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), the 24-year-veteran who is the Council’s second-most senior member.
Over the last four years, Beale has pleaded with his colleagues to end what he called the “dictatorship” under Lightfoot. He claims to have been left out because he made only one request: to chair the Finance Committee, a post-Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) retains in the new line-up.
Beale said he didn’t care about being a chairman, but he questioned the decision to give someone who’s been here two months and “doesn’t even know where the bathroom is” a committee to chair just “to buy votes.”
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have both said they want an empowered, independent, and energized City Council to be their partner in solving Chicago’s enormous challenges.
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today joined GRIT, a multi-partner local developer group that includes, Farpoint Development, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, McLaurin Development Partners, Loop Capital, and Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, to break ground on the infrastructure for the seven million square foot mixed-use Bronzeville Lakefront development to be built on the historic site of the former Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in the South Side community of Bronzeville.
The Redevelopment Agreement, approved by City Council, permits the sale of the 48-acre city-owned site to GRIT for $96.9M to be redeveloped with up to seven million square feet of offices, mixed-income residences, new roadways, parks, and other public amenities. Years in the making, this development’s launch has been made possible by $60M in infrastructure funding from the City of Chicago. The redevelopment project is estimated to directly create up to 20,000 temporary and permanent jobs, including participation by
at least 30% minority- and 10% women-owned business enterprises on all construction. When completed over the term of 14 years, GRIT’s master plan has been approved to include over 5,000 new residential units, 20% of which would be affordable units, the rehabilitation of the Singer Pavilion, a new senior housing building, as well as new retail and office space, a data center, and a 40,000 square foot community center.
“The Bronzeville Lakefront project will bring thousands of permanent and temporary jobs along with greatly needed affordable and market-rate housing to the near South Side,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I’m thrilled to partner with the GRIT team on the development of this site that has sat vacant for more than a decade. Through this partnership, we will bring transformational change to the surrounding neighborhood.”
This plan was developed in close coordination with the Chicago Department of Transportation and provides for connections to the larger regional network as well as a pattern for future development. In addition to
the roadways, GRIT will construct a new two-acre park immediately north of 31st Street. Once completed, the Department of Planning and Development intends to convey the park parcel to the Chicago Park District, and GRIT will continue to maintain the park.
There were robust community engagement efforts in coordination with the Michael Reese Advisory Committee (MRAC) to both refine the vision for the site and define how it will benefit the community, including:
• An anticipated total investment of nearly $3B in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
• $3.1B in new property tax dollars following the stabilization of the development.
• The creation of 10,000 new full-time jobs that will be based in Bronzeville, as well as more than 9,000 construction jobs.
The development will be executed in phases and is expected to be completed in 2035.
Former President Donald Trump made history Tuesday as he surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office where he was arraigned after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury last week. The former President is now the first president to be criminally indicted. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump pleaded not guilty.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges that Trump falsified his business records in New York to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election.”
This comes after a year-long investigation by Manhattan D.A., Alvin Bragg. The charges are related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. Judge Juan Merchan stated he would like to move forward with the case as soon as possible but the next hearing isn’t scheduled until Dec. 4, 2023. Prosecutors want a trial in the first quarter of 2024 but Trump’s legal team would like to delay the trial, especially since the early part of 2024 is the primary season.
“The People of the State of New York allege that Don-
ald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic and fundamental business laws. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law.”
The former president and candidate for the 2024 presidential race was not handcuffed during his arraignment. During the arraignment, the indictment was unsealed by the courts. According to the indictment, Trump made a series of alleged hush money payments in connection with his involvement with porn star, Stormy Daniels, and Playboy model Karen McDougal. The prosecution alleges that the women were paid for their silence involving their affairs with the disgraced former president. Trump denies any involvement with both women.
Trump has slammed the DA’s investigation and the indictment as “Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.”
Former President Trump also faces potential conspiracy and racketeering charges in Georgia, where Atlanta prosecutor Fani Willis has been working to secure an indictment against the MAGA leader there.
Trump also faces potential conspiracy and racketeering charges in Georgia, where Atlanta prosecutor Fani Willis has been working to secure an indictment against the MAGA leader there. Further, Democratic Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, who chaired the Congressional Committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, told the Black Press that a special federal prosecutor had received a mountain of evidence suggesting Trump’s guilt.
Five police officers died because of the Trump-inspired riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“It would be a travesty of justice,” Thompson said if Trump isn’t prosecuted by federal authorities for his role in the insurrection.
“Nobody is above the law, not even the President of the United States.
“What we saw after interviewing more than 1,000 people – the majority of whom identify with the Republican Party – we are convinced that whatever happened, happened because of one person. So, we are clear in our recommen-
dation.”
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other supporters lashed out at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, claiming his investigation amounted to a witch hunt.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), and House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.); sent Bragg a letter demanding he appears before Congress.
“This indictment comes after years of your office searching for a basis — any basis — on which to bring charges, ultimately settling on a novel legal theory untested anywhere in the country and one that federal authorities declined to pursue,” the lawmakers wrote. “If these reports are accurate, your actions will erode confidence in the evenhanded application of justice and unalterably interfere in the course of the 2024 presidential election.”
They said that Cohen, who used to work for Trump and seems to be the main witness against the former President, has a “serious credibility problem.”
They demanded Bragg provide them with documentation of any communications he’d had with the U.S. Department of Justice over the past six years.
Already on the defensive in multiple jurisdictions, Trump’s current attorneys have asked for a judge to toss the final report and evidence from a special grand jury in Georgia.
The attorneys seek to remove Willis, a Black woman, as a prosecutor.
“President Donald J. Trump hereby moves to quash the SPGJ’s [special purpose grand jury’s] report and preclude the use of any evidence derived therefrom, as it was conducted under an unconstitutional statute, through an illegal and unconstitutional process, and by a disqualified District Attorney’s Office who violated prosecutorial standards and acted with disregard for the gravity of the circumstances and the constitutional rights of those involved,” Trump’s attorneys wrote in a court filing.
At the time we went to press and with 98% of the precincts reporting, the Associated Press called the race declaring Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson as the winner of the 2023 Chicago Mayoral election.
Commissioner Brandon Johnson replaces outgoing one-term mayor, Lori Lightfoot who finished third in the February 28th election. It was a fight for the future of the democratic party with progressive Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson going head-to-head with moderate former CPS CEO, Paul Vallas. The runoff election was a fight to the finish with Vallas finishing with 48.55% of the vote and Johnson finishing with 51.45% of the vote. Mail-In ballots have yet to be counted and have until April 18th to be counted.
After the AP called the race, Vallas conceded the race speaking to his supporters and said, “It’s clear based on the results tonight that the city is deeply divided. So tonight, even though, of course, we believe every vote should be counted, I called Brandon Johnson and told him I absolutely expect him to be the next mayor of Chicago.”
The mayoral race was dominated by opposite visions about public education and public safety. Vallas campaigned on a “law and order” and “pro-police” platform vowing to fill hundreds of CPD vacancies with an emphasis on community policing. Vallas is also a supporter of charter and military schools. In contrast, Johnson ran on a platform of addressing root causes of violence, reallocation of budget spending, and increased investment into Chicago Public Schools.
Speaking to his supporters, Mayor-Elect, Johnson said, “Tonight is proof that by building a multicultural, multigenerational movement, we can bring together everyone no matter if you live on the north side, the south side,or the westside...we have demonstrated that we can change the world Chicago.”
If you have unpaid administrative hearings (AH) debt owed to the City of Chicago, you may qualify for the benefits below!
• Apply online at www.chicago.gov/adr through December 31, 2023.
• Most AH debt, including but not limited to violations issued by the Departments of Streets and Sanitation, Health, Police, Buildings, and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
• Get interest, costs, and fees waived by paying 50% of the fine amount or enrolling in a payment plan by December 31, 2023.
• Open to individuals only. Must be currently enrolled in Utility Billing Relief or Clear Path Relief, or have a household income less than or equal to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on the 30-day period prior to application.
For more information, visit www.chicago.gov/adr or call (312) 742-3317, M - F | 8am-5pm
The runoff election was divisive with many choosing sides, and joining alliances that often caused discourse among former political allies, friends, family, and co-workers. Now that a new mayor has been decided by the voters, will the city be able to unify to get anything done? That’s the challenge for the new mayor.
The new mayor will need to unite a new city council, work with unions, and city services in order to initiate changes in policy, balance the city’s budget and address Chicago residents’ concerns about public safety, policing and crime. None of these can be addressed without also taking into account the need to address disinvestment in communities, food deserts, poverty and inequities in the cities’ poorest and often most violent communities.
The Chicago Aldermanic Race was decided early the evening of April 4 and the following runoff races in predominantly Black wards is one for the history books. Lamont Robinson secured his first term as 4th ward Alderperson with 66.52% of the votes. Yancy and Hone were neck and neck most of election evening with the union backed Desmon Yancy clinching the victory with 51.79% of the votes to serve as the 5th ward Alderperson replacing retiring Ald. Leslie Hairiston. The 6th ward race between William E. Hall and Richard A. Wooten to replace retiring Ald. Rod Sawyer resulted in Hall winning 57.87% of the votes. Having secured just over 50% of the votes, Ronnie L. Moseley will be serving as alderperson for the 21st ward. Monique Scott was the clear winner having 66% of the votes in ward 24 over her opponent Creative Scott. Ald. Chris Taliaferro will serve another term as alderperson of the 29th ward with only 63 votes separating him from CB Johnson. Chicago News Weekly congratulates all who fought hard on the campaign trail to energize residents to vote and have their voices heard. As Chicago welcomes a new mayor and new members to the Black Caucus there is much work to be done to unite City Council and make good on the ideas and solutions for the benefit of Black Chicago.
February 21, 2019, changed Anjanette Young’s life forever. Like most hardworking people, Anjanette Young had just returned home from her job as a social worker. Tired and ready to decompress for the evening, Young looked forward to her weekly Thursday “selfcare” night when she would enjoy one of her favorite TV shows, “Grey’s Anatomy,” and just relax. As she proceeded to undress and prepare to get comfortable, Chicago Police officers struck the front door of her West Loop home with a battering ram until the door gave way. Not having enough time to get dressed, a naked and terrified Young stood with her hands up in her living room while male officers entered her home shouting with their guns drawn.
The officers handcuffed her while naked as she repeatedly pleaded with officers through tears as she told them that they were in the wrong house. She begged them to let her know what was going on, who they were looking for and to see the search warrant.
On the bodycam footage, she is heard saying, “My name is Anjanette Young. What is going on? You have the wrong house. I live alone. Nobody else lives here. Can I please call somebody? I don’t want to go through this alone. What are you looking for? I’m standing here naked. You won’t let me call someone; you won’t let me put any clothes on . . . You have the wrong information. I live here alone.”
This continued for more than ten minutes until a female officer arrived and took Young to a bedroom to get dressed. They handcuffed her again and then questioned her identity and asked if she had guns in the house. A confused Young continued to shout her plea telling the officers that they were in the wrong house. Moments passed and officers and the sergeant on duty stepped outside. Without explanation, their body cameras mysteriously were turned off. When they returned, the officers removed the handcuffs, apologized for the damage, and attempted to fix her front door. They did not apologize for her degradation. They eventually wedged a side table and ironing board behind the damaged door and left. Dehumanized, humiliated, and traumatized, Anjanette Young was left to pick up the pieces of a night that altered her life forever.
Young was right. She was innocent and the police had the wrong house. A CBS 2 Chicago investigation found that Chicago police failed to do the basic due diligence to confirm the address on the search warrant. Going off a tip from a confidential informant, the police were looking for a 23-year-old male felon. The suspect lived near Anjanette Young and could have easily been tracked as he was wearing an electronic monitoring device. What do you do when you have been violated, dehumanized, and traumatized by those who swore to “serve and protect?” Anjanette Young chose to fight back and in the process, she is healing, redirecting her energy to a greater purpose. This is her story…
“I
Anjanette Young says it was not only that the police raided the wrong house, but the way that she was treated by them that is seared in her memory forever. “I wasn’t angry that they got it wrong. That’s a systemic issue. I was angry about how they mistreated me. However, once they crossed my door, the manner in which, they victimized me was dehumanizing. I felt invisible.”
Young describes a chaotic scene occupied by “police holding big guns” in her home while lights shined on her naked body exposing her in the most literal sense. Young says it was excruciating, the police in the room, particularly the sergeant in charge, “looked through her,” even as she pleaded for her basic rights. “They never engaged with me. The held a piece of paper in his hand, which he described as a search warrant. I asked to see it and he told me, “I’ll give it to you later.” I was standing naked in a room full of cops with guns and he told me that I needed to shut up and calm down.” She described him as insensitive, “ I’ll never forget how dismissive he was towards me.”
On November 12, 2019, the world learned what happened to Anjanette Young. The resolve
to go public with her story was not an easy one since the world would witness her at her most vulnerable. Young says it was anger that initially motivated her to act. “The anger, I felt would not allow me to let them get away with their ill-treatment of me. I wanted to tell my story…my way, and expose them to the world.”
Overnight, Young’s wonderful quiet life was thrust into the national spotlight. Overwhelmed by the intense media attention, Young says it took time to find her voice. “The week the video was released, my attorney and I did 15 to 20 interviews. It seemed like everyone wanted to talk to us. Because of the pandemic, many of them were via Zoom, which made it a little easier. The press conference held in front of police headquarters was my first time speaking publicly about the incident in front of a crowd. I was nervous and anxious.”
She says it wasn’t until January 2021 while speaking at an MLK rally held near her church that she found her voice and understood her new purpose. “I remember standing there in front of a crowd of people who were there because they cared and wanted to show me love and support. That’s when I found my voice and from that moment on, I told myself, I’m ready to do this”.
When the story broke, outrage spread across the city and nation like wildfire. Mayor Lori Lightfoot held a press conference calling the incident a “colossal failure.” Holding back tears, Lightfoot said, “I have an obligation to make that wrong, right. It’s been painful and upsetting.” Initially Lightfoot said she learned of the incident around the time the story was published, but
later admitted she knew about the incident prior to that moment. She signed an executive order making changes to the search warrant, and police and ordered a review of how the incident was handled. She said she wanted to apologize and meet with Young personally. Young thought the mayor that she voted for would collaborate with her to obtain justice and accountability for the officers involved but that was not the case. She met with Lightfoot in December 2020 to accept her apology. Later Young accused the Mayor of break-
ing her promise in June 2021 when the city rejected Young’s settlement offer. Eventually, Young was awarded a $2.9 million settlement from the city. She insists it was never about the money, that it was always about justice and police reform. Young recalls that her experience dealing with Mayor Lightfoot and the city made her feel invisible all over again.
“The settlement doesn’t make me feel safe at night. This could happen again to me or to anyone. The settlement doesn’t take away the PTSD, trauma, and depression I’ll carry for the rest of my life. There is no amount of money that will take that away. If they hadn’t given me a dime, but punished those officers and made policy changes, I’d accept that. To me, justice is about accountability and making changes within the system.” The policy change was to benefit and protect others from future potential victimization by police officers. Young insists Lightfoot refused her requests to meet and discuss the ordinance. “The mayor did what she wanted to do. We drafted the ordinance and even if she didn’t agree with every bullet point, why couldn’t we come to the table and discuss it? We could have drafted something that worked for everyone to get it passed,” Young said. Instead, two months after Young’s story went public, members of Chicago’s city council introduced an ordinance pushing for search warrant reforms and police accountability. The “Anjanette Young Ordinance,” was not supported by the Mayor and failed to pass in the city council.
“The Mayor was in a position to make a real difference. She was in a unique space to do something great with a bad experience. I don’t have anything bad to say
“My name is Anjanette Young. What is going on? You have the wrong house. I live alone. Nobody else lives here. Can I please call somebody? I don’t want to go through this alone. What are you looking for? I’m standing here naked. You won’t let me call someone; you won’t let me put any clothes on . . . You have the wrong information. I live here alone.”
about her other than she didn’t utilize the people around her and she was not open to working with others,” says Young.
Young stated further that the irony is that a Black woman made her feel as invisible as the male officers who raided her home and attacked her humanity.
The mayor often responded to Anjanette Young’s criticism callously at times refusing to say her name and referring to her as “that woman.”
Anjanette Young was ready to fight for justice, police reform, and accountability but most importantly Young was fighting for her own healing. As a social worker for over 20 years, Young knew the benefits of therapy and was connected with a therapist before the incident because of the work she does daily. Understandably, the incident left Young harmed by an incredible amount of trauma. Young said, “When the incident initially happened, it was hard for me to function on a daily basis. Paralyzed by the depression, there were days when “I couldn’t get out of bed because the despair was so heavy. It literally felt like a weight was on my entire body.”
Young says her faith, love, and support from her church and therapy were an intricate part of her healing journey. “If not for them, I don’t believe I would be standing as strong as I am,” Young says she contacted her therapist the day after the incident to begin the work of understanding the trauma she’d experienced. Utilizing faith and therapy allowed her to approach her healing from multiple vantage points.
Young testifies all the time that Jesus +Therapy=Healing because it was both that helped her to push through. She says her pastor counseled her to forgive what happened to her otherwise, she would be stuck in her trauma, and her therapist helped her come to a place of acceptance.
Anjanette Young says her experience drives her to fight and advocate for police reform. However, she says there’s a difference between “Law and Order” and “To Serve and Protect.” According to Young, Chicago needs
both. “Chicago has a crime issue. That’s not lost on me. We need law and order, but we also need officers committed to serving and protecting the community while doing the job law and order requires so. She remains hopeful that the “ Anjanette Young Ordinance” will pass but is prepared to take it to the State level if it doesn’t.
She explains that she is using her voice to amplify intolerance for the inhumane treatment of citizens and to empower those like herself who have been victimized. Two years after the raid on her home, Anjanette Young founded the “I AM HER” foundation. Young says her foundation was inspired, “When I saw Breonna Taylor’s story. I saw myself in her and understood what she experienced. Initially, it was just a slogan that I put on a shirt but the more I spoke it out loud and revisited my experience I embraced my truth and now I own my story. I choose to do more.”
Young continued, “I’ve been and will always be an advocate and activist for policy changes. Prior to the incident, I was a social worker advocating for women for over 20 years. I am more than what happened to me with the city and the police.”
The “I AM HER” foundation addresses mental health, wellness, and self-care for Black women. Young says Black Women and girls endure so much trauma and rarely take time to heal. The Foundation’s mission is to provide Black women and girls a space where they are seen, heard, and helped. “I understand that “I AM HER” when I look at my sister. I don’t have to be a victim of what’s happened to me. I can speak my truth.” Young expresses that she will continue raising money through her foundation to send aspiring youth who want to become social workers and mental health counselors and to partner with organizations to provide free therapy for women who don’t have access.”
Young’s journey has taken her a long way from that day in 2019. Part of the trauma makes it difficult to sleep peacefully or find sanctuary in her own home even though she has moved from where the crime happened. She no longer enjoys a Thursday night self-care routine and the sound of fireworks is triggering.
But Young declares, “I’m speaking my truth and telling my story from a place of strength and power instead of feeling like a victim. Young is working on her upcoming book and more importantly, Anjanette Young is living a purposeful driven life on purpose.
Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor
Camille Viviana is a viral content creator having amassed over 100,000 followers on TikTok which she leveraged to scale her e-commerce brand Black Woman on a Mission. In 2020, Viviana founded “Black Women on a Mission” the streetwear brand focused on the strength, resilience, and perseverance of Black Women. Birthed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Viviana says, “One night during the pandemic, I dreamt of a powerful woman pointing toward the sky wearing the Black Woman on a Mission design you see today. I woke up and got to work, afraid I might lose the fleeting dream image. And thank God I did because it’s changed everything.” Black Woman on a Mission describes women who are focused, determined, and driven to reach their goals and live their purpose. The mantra is an expression of admiration for the resilience, strength, and perseverance of Black Women who often face challenges in their pursuit of success. Black Women on a Mission are role models, change-makers, and shining examples for those striving to overcome adversity and reach their goals.
Her clothing line features one special word that she says describes how she identifies as a black woman, resilient. She said as she spoke with other black women, she noticed how the word resilience kept showing up and decided that would be the moniker for the brand.
Viviana says in her quest to find purpose and identity
she wanted to add value to black women everywhere while creating a community. “In a world where I felt aimless, the mantra Black Woman on a Mission became my north star, always guiding me to a higher purpose. I decided to share the mantra through clothes, and in the process gained an amazing community.
Viviana knows the pressures black women face daily. She previously worked as a lobbyist in DC and says there are systemic issues that attempt to impact black women’s growth and hinder their resilience. “Historically the way legislation and laws were crafted to stump our growth not just as black people but also as women. That’s a double whammy. When we look at legislation like the CROWN Act, it sounds so simple, right? To be able to exist and work without having our hair policed in the workplace so we can work in an environment that is productive and conducive. We shouldn’t have to change who we are to fit in. We’ve come a long way but still have so much work to do for decision-makers to acknowledge there is an issue. We have to continue to educate our legislature on what our experiences are.”
Viviana says using her brand and platform is important to amplify and encourage black women. She says having positive spaces for black women is vital. “For so long, black women have been grossly overlooked and our work is so powerful, so vital, and so important. If you look back at major movements, we’ve been at the forefront, albeit in the shadows of so many of them. By
putting black women in the forefront and highlighting them, we put them in a position to be our leaders, and our activists and to make a difference and create change in ways that are going to be lasting and systemic. That’s why representation is so important. This is why we need to lift black women to the heights they deserve to be. think awareness plays such a key role because a lot of people can’t amplify what they don’t know about. Awareness is key because the work you know, it’s deserving.”
Find Camille Viviana on TikTok @camilleviviana_.
Chicago author on growing in the gray, Chicago author Christian Cook, new book, “Growing in the Gray”, tells the story of Christa Clark, a young woman who learns that starting over isn’t always black and white. Kristen Cook says art imitated life when writing this book. “Moving to the city was extremely interesting to me because it was so different. I never lived in a city this big. I was meeting new people and enjoying new experiences immersing myself in a city where I did not know anyone.” Cook says her journal entries became the basis for “Growing in the Grey”. “It was about growing up and growing through life and not being sure of one’s choices”, Cook says. “There’s no decision where I felt 100% sure. It wasn’t black and white, but it was always in between. It was gray. I kept pushing myself because I felt that I would end up where I was supposed to be one day”. Cook moved to Chicago to attend college, initially choosing to study journalism, but later switching to public relations. While she always loved writing, she wasn’t sure of the type of writer she wanted to be. Through journaling, she found her creative voice. “It was through journaling that I was able to exercise my creative writing skills”.
It’s a classic coming-of-age story. “Growing in the Grey” centers around the main character, Christa Clark, who moves from Michigan to Chicago to attend college. She desires a career as an art curator but finds herself struggling to fit in, make friends and navigate an unsure romantic relationship. Cook says “Growing in the Grey” is the first in a series of books that will take readers on a journey as her main character, Christa Clark navigates her college experience. Cook says the book is perfect for anyone who struggles to fit in or who is starting a new chapter in their life. Cok also says
her character is similar to her in that she also had to make a choice to start over and begin to live in her purpose. “I quit my job at the PR agency I was working at because it no longer served me. I was tired of having my ideas shut down and it got to the point where I didn’t need anyone’s validation or approval. So here I am embracing my life as a writer, artist, and creative. It was scary initially, but as I continue, it gives me the courage to keep going”.
Cook says starting over can be intimidating, but it is important to write down your goals and dreams. She also says putting yourself out there is key, especially when switching careers. “Get connected, join groups, and attend networking events where you can meet people who are doing what you want to do. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Know who you are, what you want, and what you hope to gain. Then get yourself connected”.
“Growing in the Grey” is available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble bookstores.
Achampion advocate. A brilliant businesswoman. A force of change. Edie Moore founder of Chicago NORML shares the difference between opening a dispensary in 2015 and 2023 are like night and day. Moore is in the process of opening three locations all in Cook County (BLS Region 5) and one dispensary for certain to be located in the city of Chicago. When asked about the challenges of securing a retail location Moore responded, “I’ve done this before. I did this in 2015 at the beginning of cannabis. I’m very familiar with what will pass zoning.”
Moore is well aware of the challenges retail operators face with state legislation requirements to be in compliance. She shares her process for site selection beginning with the community demographics. “Is it a NIMBY community, full of progressive people? Is there parking? How close is it to an existing dispensary? Is it close to a church?”
While churches don’t require a particular distance, the proximity to churches may become a point of tension further down the line. “While churches aren’t in the law it may matter to those people who attend that church,” shared Moore.
When asked if communities sought out dispensaries for their community Moore lifted up that suburbs of Cook County are excited about tax dollars but they too have ways of pigeonholing cannabis operators to
retail spaces unfit for the new budding business.
“In the suburbs, they want the tax dollars but they will say things like, you can be over there in that corner, or in that corner over there, or maybe over in that corner. I’ve had that conversation at least three times in three different municipalities. When I ask about being in an ideal location for my company it is the existing businesses that don’t want cannabis close to them,” said Moore.
Edie reflects on her first attempt to open a medical dispensary on the south side of Chicago. The then Eighth Ward Accountability Coalition hosted an event called “We Don’t Want It” to reject medical marijuana at 1111 E. 87th Street. The community Facebook event page stated residents of the 8th ward were invited to vote to oppose the opening of that business. “It blew my mind how hard people were pushing back in 2015 on someone who looked like them,” said Moore. Moore eventually ended up selling both her medical licenses and subsequently founded Chicago NORML. “That meeting shook me to my core,” said Moore. When asked how it feels different to move through the community process in 2023…. she responded “Fair….it feels fair.” Moore is thrilled about the support from the LGBTQ community, the alderperson and existing businesses and looks forward to opening the doors at 3340 N. Halsted in Boystown with her partners Art Johnston and José “Pepe” Peña.
Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Cannabis Corner Editor
I’m Chicago’s own personal outdoor assistant. If you don’t know by now how much I adore city nature…well you are about to learn today. As an urban ecologist, I’m most passionate about helping each of you understand how nature in the city supports city living and city lifestyle. I know environmental issues can seem all gloom and doom, but this column is special. Of course, this column will introduce some of the major pressing issues that impact Black Chicago like zoning for industrial polluters and lead contamination, but the sole purpose is for readers to learn a little bit about the environment, read about how to give back through activities and events and live it up, especially because Summertime Chi is about to be an epic open-air vibe.
YES, there are Black tree huggers! YES, there are Black water chemists! Yes, there are Black people who are passionate about protecting air land and water! Earth Month is an opportunity to be reminded about the unique Black experience with nature and for city folks that can mean so many different things. As it is Black Women’s History Month I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce some of our local leading ladies, who are advocates of healthy living and healthy Black lives. Chicago’s south side has a rich history connected to healthy food, air, land and water.
Dr. Alvenia Fulton was the founder and owner of Fultonia Health and Fasting Institute previously located at 1953 W. 63rd St. She was a natural healer in the Black community with a degree in naturopathic medicine from Lincoln College of Naturopathy. She also wrote a column “Eating for Your Health and Strength,” from 1971-1972 in the Chicago Defender. Dr. Fulton was a pioneer in the health and
wellness industry. Her expertise of using natural remedies spread earning her the moniker “The Dietician to the Stars”. She served celebrity clients including; Mahalia Jackson, Ruby Dee, Redd Foxx, Roberta Flack, Ben Vereen, Dick Gregory and Bill Walton. She passed away at 92 years of age in 1999.
GIVE
Eden Place Nature Center; The ordinal urban oasis
Fuller Park is the smallest community in Chicago located on the city’s southside. Michael and Ameilia Howard recently celebrated 30 years of advocacy work that connects Black families to employment opportunities, job training, fresh food and open-air experiences. Eden Place Nature Center (located at 4417 S. Stewart Ave.) is for all intents and purposes a private Black-owned park. The space is quite unbelievable and serves as a gateway to nature. Eden Place has received thousands of guests over the years and has one of Chicago’s biggest pumpkin patch festivals and space to play for hours and located just a few blocks away Eden Place Farms (located at 4911 S. Shields) operates to grow food as well as train urban growers. Giving to EPNC and Fuller Park Community Development is simple. They have opportunities for you to give your time and volunteer for clean-ups as well as accept donations for daily operations and financial contributions. Find them at www.edenplacenaturecenter.org
Grab your bike and slide down Major Taylor Trail
Marshall “Major” Taylor was a superstar athlete. He was not only a competitive Black cyclist but also a Civil-Rights activist. This namesake trail is ideal for the spring weather and bodies wishing to get some fresh air. Hours for the bike trail are sunrise to sunset and bikers can enter the trail at Dan Ryan and Whistler Woods, crossing through the community of West Pullman as well as the Little Calumet River. The trail is approximately 8.1 miles long. Find out more about the trail, access points and trail safety and etiquette at www.fpdcc.com Don’t forget to take lots of pictures and tag Chicago News Weekly! We want to see you live Chicago!
The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art will mark its 10th Anniversary with its return to Chicago’s Navy Pier on Thursday, April 13th. Art collectors and lovers will be treated to art collections from 170 galleries spanning across 90 cities and 38 countries! The EXPO will bring the work of more than 3,000 artists to our city.
Drawing upon the city’s rich history as a vibrant international cultural destination, while highlighting the region’s contemporary arts community, the EXPO will take the art enthusiast on a journey through the heart, eyes, mind, and spirit of artists from around the globe. Their work will inspire, uplift, challenge, provoke thought and, at times, draw unexpected emotion from the viewer. Art can be the catalyst to draw virtual strangers into unexpected conversations that would not have happened otherwise.
EXPO Art Week is April 10–16 and will feature several partner experiences throughout the city. These include film screenings at The Gene Siskel Film Center beginning April 12th. The films presented will profile three contemporary artists, illustrating how their identities and experiences are inextricably linked to their work and their perspectives on the art world. The Melt Goes On Forever-The Art & Times of David Hammons features the artistry of David Hammons from Springfield, Illinois whose work has garnered international accolades for the utilization of ‘found’ objects in the creation of genre-defying and inventive works. Hammons is an African American artist known to be a rule-breaker whose work is an awe-inspiring commentary on race in America. You Can Go Now, examines the extraordinary life & art of contemporary artist, Richard Bell, a self-proclaimed “activist masquerading as an artist,” And returning to the Center the winner of the voted best Film Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, a portrait of renowned artist Nan Goldin. The film depicts her fierce fight to hold the Sackler family accountable for the opioid crises, told through her groundbreaking photography and slideshows. For information on these screenings, visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
The official kick-off to EXPO Art Week begins Tuesday, April 11th with an evening of openings, exhibitions, and performances on Chicago’s vibrant South Side. These
will include the South Side Community
Art Center (SSCAC) where the work of Chicago based artists Roland Knowlden, Andrea L. Hernandez, and Tonika Lewis Johnson will be featured in its latest exhibition titled “where the light corrupts your face.” This exhibit explores the social, cultural, and racial implications of built spaces and natural environments. Encompassing elements of drawing, painting, collage, installation and architecture, artists examine the possibilities of new spatial realities and speculative futures. Extended hours for this event are 4:00 - 7:00pwm. Diaspora Stories: Selections from The CCH Pounder Collection at the DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center. Featuring the works of Mickalene Thomas, Kehinde Wiley and more, the CCH Pounder Collection is an ongoing, living narrative of ancestral memory and cultural tethers that connects African Americans to the Black Diaspora. Extended hours for this event will be 4:00-9:00pm.
At 5:00pm, The Study at the University of Chicago, 1227 E. 60th Street, will host an official toast to kick-off EXPO Art Week before exploring South Side exhibitions and special programs. Return to Truth Be Told off the lobby of The Study throughout the week (April 11-16) and receive a buy-one get-one cocktail, beer or wine by the glass with a valid EXPO ticket or VIP pass.
EXPO ART WEEK offers more than I can write about in this article. Visit EXPOCHICAGO.TIX123.com for tickets and all the information on this fabulous event!
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center opened a new exhibit that features paintings from the collection of Award-winning actress and art collector CCH Pounder.
Pounder is known for her decades-long career in film and television, with roles on such shows as “NCIS: New Orleans”, “The Shield”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “ER”, “The X-FILES”, and “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency”, among others. Film credits include “Home Again”, “Rain”, “Prizzi’s Honor”, “Postcards from the Edge”, “Orphan”, “Avatar”, and her breakout role in “Bagdad Café”.
The exhibit “Diaspora Stories: Selections from the CCH Pounder Collection” displays 24 works of art from Pounder’s extensive collection. The exhibition centers the imagery of Black people in quotidian narratives, portraiture, spirituality, and history. The works of art displayed are by some world-renowned artists. Chicago artists represented in the exhibit include Harmonia Rosales, Yashua Klos, and Ebony G. Patterson, born in Jamaica but currently based in Chicago. The exhibition consists of artwork from the late actor and Tony Award-winning stage director and costume designer Geoffrey Holder, a noted painter.
Pounder’s interest in art was living amongst artists, singers, and dancers. Pounder would have artists come to her home to show their artwork. “I lived in an artistic community. Paintings would be laid out to view while eating different types of food. If you didn’t have any money to buy a piece of art, you would make a trade for a painting,” says Pounder.
Pounder describes her collection under the umbrella of diasporic contemporary art. “I have living artists, from those in their 90s to artists just coming out of college,” says Pounder.
In 1993, Pounder and her late husband, Boubacar Koné, founded the Musée Boribana, the first privately owned contemporary museum in Dakar, Senegal. “We opened a museum with 34 pieces. It was amazing that it even happened. It became a real little gem in Senegal,” says Pounder. When Pounder’s husband passed away, he willed it to the nation in 2014.
Pounder has loaned several pieces from her collection at selected organizations, universities, and museums, including The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI, and Xavier University in New Orleans. DuSable Museum hosted a conversation with CCH Pounder and the opening of the exhibit. Moderators were Perri Irmer, President and CEO, and Dr. Kim L. Dulaney, Vice President of Education and Programs. Guests were amazed and loved Pounder’s approach and the beauty reflected in her collection.
Husband and wife Jimmy and Tori Stewart say the entire showcase is refreshing to see black artists worldwide. “Miss Pounder is amazing. My wife and I were talking about what she has done and brought here to Chicago, which we could emulate worldwide and build off of with other new ideas of preserving and promoting black artists,” says Jimmy.
Tori Stewart, an artist, says that when it comes to art, black people need to claim their own and don’t wait until non-
black people say their artwork is good. “We don’t wait for them to cherry-pick what they think is good about us. It made total sense how I can be more intentional about what I promote and who I support,” says Stewart.
Pounder’s advice for up-and-coming art collectors is to support your community. “Support artists at local art fairs and cultural events. You may never know what they will become later.”
Diaspora Stories: CCH Pounder Collection will run through July 16, 2023. For more information, go to https:// www.dusablemuseum.org.
Most of us have heard that walking is the best way to lose weight or to begin a weight loss journey. However, did you know that walking is also a great treatment for mental health? Yes, a walk could have a significant impact on your mental health. Need a mental health boost, go for a walk. If you are struggling with your mental health, walking is not an alternative to mental health treatment. If you are feeling that your mood or mental health is at risk, the most important thing to do is to seek the assistance of a mental health professional. According to an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Psychiatry edition, 10% of depression cases could be prevented by doing 150 minutes of physical activity a week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults have at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. When adults practice the recommended amount of physical activity, the risk of depression is lowered by 25%. If you cannot commit to the two and a half hours per week recommended by health professionals, even half of that time, approximately 75 minutes per week can lower your risk of depression by 18%. Additional studies have shown that walking daily decreased stress levels as well as decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. The American Psychological Association credit walking to improving sleep, endurance,
stress relief, mood, energy and stamina and weight loss. Walking is also credited to a reduction in cholesterol and tiredness. Walking can increase your mental focus and improve your cardiovascular health.
A January 2019 New York Post article shared the story of 86 year-old, Jessica Slaughter who lost 120 pounds by walking around her living room. There is no need to wait for warmer weather, or the perfect time or location, you can start walking today. Walking 1-2 days per week can have great health benefits, and as the story of Jessica Slaughter shows us, you don’t have to leave your home to get started. If you cannot commit to 30 minutes of walking 5 days a week, you can try to break the walk down into 10 minute walks throughout the day. Many experts say that you can start with as little as 5 minutes at a time. Research demonstrates that women who go for a morning walk live 5 years longer than women who do not exercise regularly. The goal is to just get started.
To make walking a little more enjoyable, you can ask family or friends to walk with you. When walking outside, you can be intentional by focusing on things you see along your walk. Look for fresh flowers, decorations or new sights in your neighborhood or local park. There are apps and guided walking workouts online or YouTube to assist you on this journey. You can also search online for the best walking apps.
Liz Lampkin CNW Staff Writer
This coming Sunday, April 9th, is Easter/Resurrection Sunday. It is the celebration of the risen Christ. It’s the Sunday when families gather together to celebrate during family dinners, and honestly speaking it’s the one Sunday where attendance in church is at an all-time high. Easter Sunday represents so much for people across the globe, including the conclusion of the Lenten season. At the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday, February 22nd), believers everywhere were excited to make sacrifices in an effort to grow in their spirituality, get closer to Christ and emulate His fasting and praying before He went to the cross. People were intentional with their actions. Many remain steadfast and focused. Some may have given in and broken their fast and casually moved on with their usual routines and said that they’ll try again next year. While others may have faced challenges, they still continue to push through each day making an effort to successfully reach the end of the 40-day fasting period. As believers or churchgoers are preparing their lavish ensembles, hats, and hairdos, and even preparing to end their period of sacrifice, how many are preparing their hearts to continue their spiritual journey of becoming Christ-like or becoming closer to God?
On Easter/Resurrection, Sunday believers will break their fasting/period and return to habits they relinquished for 40 days. So if this is the case, what was the point of the sacrifice? Did it bring you closer to God? If so, then why revert back to the habit you let go or was the sacrifice superficial? As people return to their normal routines one can’t help but wonder if the sacrifice was one that focused on spiritual growth, if it was something routine that’s done each year for the sake of honoring routine, or was it a challenge created by church leaders to honor the Lenten season rather than honoring Christ’s sacrifice? If your journey of fasting ends on Easter Sunday and you want to continue, reshape/rethink your road to a deeper connection with Christ. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at the steps below.
Begin planning for next year now! Rather than making a superficial sacrifice, think of a biblical characteristic you want to perfect in you, and one unChrist-like habit you want to purge. Write them both down side by side and then write ways you can implement the biblical trait you want to grow in into your daily life. On the other side, write ways you can stop exercising the habit you want to purge. Make sure the things you’ve listed on both sides are practical and make sense for your spiritual growth.
Find scriptures to read that will help you remain focused on your spiritual growth. Read them daily for understanding and application in your daily life.
For women interested in walking, in Chicago, and across the country GirlTrek not only has organized walks in a neighborhood near you. GirlTrek also has virtual events and in person meet ups to encourage women on their walking journey. Chicago GirlTrek organizer Keinika Carlton, shared that GirlTrek members “walk for mental health just as much as we walk for our physical health. A healthy mindset helps with having a healthy physical body. Self care is a priority.” Recently, GirlTrek chapters around the county participated in Harriet House parties to commemorate the 100th birthday of Harriet Tubman. Chicago area women can find GirlTrek on Facebook through the GirlTrek: Chicagoland group.
There are some other important things to consider when walking. If you chose to walk outside, make sure that you are in a safe area. Make sure that you have the proper footwear when walking to avoid injury. Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a day or days. Take a few extra steps around the house or find a way to work in a little extra walking activity throughout your day. Make walking enjoyable. Add music, bring others and have fun. Try as much as possible to be consistent and stick to the routine. Remember this is about boosting your mental health. Walking is one of the easiest, no cost ways to improve your physical and mental health.
Pray daily for your journey. At the beginning of each day, spend time in prayer before you continue with daily practices. Ask for grace, guidance, focus, and strength as you start each day. To take things a step further, map or write out prayers for your Lenten or spiritual goals. Identify a spiritual accountability partner or create a spiritual accountability team. Everyone needs someone to help them on this journey called life. Identifying a person or group of people to help you with spiritual goals and or planning ahead for next year’s season of lent will keep you focused, and realistic and help you maintain responsibility for your goals. When making this selection, please be very selective. Everyone is not on the same spiritual page as you are, and may not know how to assist you.
Get rid of distractions that may hinder you from accomplishing your Lenten goals. Distractions can include television, cell phones, certain hobbies and even spending less time with certain people. Take some time and reflect on any people, places, things, hobbies, or ideas that often deter you from working on goals, and then decide on how you will remove yourself from them.
As the sun sets on Lenten Season 2023, take some time to reflect on this year’s journey. Think about what you would do differently, and what you’d keep the same, and then move forward with mindful preparation for next year. The only way you’ll begin to change is to take conscious steps toward making it happen. Happy Easter/Resurrection Sunday everyone!
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.
The idea of hosting a brunch can sound intimidating if you’re not a veteran in the kitchen. But Spring is the best time of the year for brunch celebrations for Easter, Mother’s Day, or After Lent or any other occasion, big or small, is appropriate to host a brunch, because everybody loves brunch.
The truth about brunch is that it’s more about a lifestyle than the meal. Brunches promise satisfied appetites and fulfill people after which bodies seek comfortable resting places like a couch or chair.
The decorum is that a respectable brunch begins at noon because simply put, guests want a little day drink and doing so before 12 p.m. is frowned upon in most respectable circles. So, prepare to pop those corks for guests.
Highly recommended are an array of bubbly (prosecco or champagne), mimosas, freshly squeezed OJ or grapefruit juice. Some folks serve the hard stuff like Vodka or gin but they aren’t expected.
Brunch takes the guests through a sensory journey from breakfast to lunch to dinner as a mashup of the meals, and you should not feel wedded to just eggs or lean heavily into lunch.
You want to hit a home run so knock it out with fun twists on your favorite Easter breakfast dishes So, make it extra, with stunning. Herby-Beet Deviled Eggs which are easy. To assure they’re delicious, level-up with crème fraîche and goat cheese to make sure they’re noteworthy. Add Asparagus Tratines, with crème fraiche and softboiled eggs, because eggs are essential to the brunch menu.
Finally, you may include the Croque Madame twist in the breakfast category, a French playful fusion of French Toast and the Parisian favorite, Croque Madame.
servings: 4
prep time: 45 MINS
total time:45 MINS
INGREDIENTS
• 6 ounces deli ham, roughly chopped
• 6 ounces aged Gruyère cheese, grated
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons divided Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 8 large eggs, divided
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped, if desired
• 8 slices brioche, pan de mie, pullman or challah
• 6 tablespoons divided Vermont Creamery Sea Salt Cultured Butter - 82% Butterfat
• maple syrup, for serving, if desired
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil; set aside.
2. To make filling, combine chopped ham, Gruyère cheese, 1/2 cup crème fraîche, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg in medium bowl; mix well. Remove 1/2 cup mixture; set aside.
3. To assemble French toast, place 4 slices bread on rimmed baking sheet. Divide larger portion of filling evenly among bread on baking sheet, gently pressing into even layer crust to crust. Top each with remaining slices bread, gently pressing down to seal sandwiches.
4. Whisk together 4 eggs, milk, remaining 2 tablespoons crème fraîche and 1/4 teaspoon salt and rosemary, if desired, in medium bowl. Pour egg mixture over sandwiches, flipping each sandwich to coat. Allow sandwiches to rest, flipping again halfway through, 10 minutes or until all liquid is soaked into bread.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until dappled and deep golden. Transfer sandwiches to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches. Wipe skillet clean; set aside for cooking remaining eggs.
6. Divide remaining 1/2 cup filling among 4 sandwiches, placing in small even circle in center of each. Bake 10 minutes or until French toast is puffy and fully heated through.
7. Meanwhile, return skillet to medium heat; add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Heat until melted and foaming. Crack remaining 4 eggs into skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook
8. Transfer baked French toast to large platter or individual plates; top each sandwich with 1 fried egg. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.
9. *FDA guidelines for safe handling instructions recommend cooking eggs until white and yolk are firm.
Bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch with a savory showpiece like a potato gallete with crème fraîche and salmon, it’s delicious and has just enough of the savory saltiness to warrant another mimosa, drink up. When your guests ask what galette means, just say it’s French for yum.
After digesting dairy products, booze and pancakes you have to think it might help to eat some little mixed greens. Instead of salad incorporate some fresh Goat Cheese and Mushroom, Asparagus Tart.
Creating cheeseboards means throwing caution to the wind and embracing your creativity. Sprinkle in some scrumptious cultured butter and seasonal veggies like crunchy carrots and fresh radishes.
A strong, sweet finish is the star on top. Try something like an ‘Ube Pound Cake’ with Crème Fraîche Glaze by creative chef Daniela Gerson. This French dessert is the big finale to your brunch. Select a beautifully aged cheese like Bonne Bouche, and pair it with a cocktail.
Being a fashion influencer sounds exciting, fun, and hitting the lottery if you’re a fashion-interested kind of creative. Attracting brands who become your client who want you to do what fashion influencers do is just the beginning. Taking part in fashion show catwalks and receiving an invitation to the Met Gala are some of the other benefits that make the career of a Fashion Influencer pretty darn exciting.
However, it doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen without doing the work. It’s a journey so how do you reach your destination? Ask yourself ‘what are the first steps I need to take to make my career a successful reality?
First, note that Fashion Influencer is ‘a thing’, ‘a real thing.’ You make want to begin by studying some of the most successful influencer success stories. Next, you should study and master the 5 essential steps that you need to get started as a fashion influencer.
Before that, you must know the answers to several essential questions
1. What is a fashion influencer?
2. Is it a smart career option?
3. Why do you want to become a fashion influencer?
Granted fashion influencers are virtually a new thing. There is no set qualification like a BA or certificate but rather one who is committed to their interest in fashion and sharing that interest with the world. FI’s are recognized persons in the social media community who generate fashion info via blogs, Instagram stories, Youtube videos, TikTok, and Facebook which are the top platforms.
Each influencer focuses on creating content relating to fashion. They may include content relating to other areas, such as lifestyle, travel, beauty, and fitness because they complement one another.
Those influencers who branch out into other niches tend to attract a wider audience and opens the door for greater brand collaboration opportunities.
True some are born with an eye for fashion, and they dress well, stay on top of the fashion trends. Think of that FI the friend who shares their knowledge and information about where to buy, what brands to wear, when where and whys this color woks and that one doesn’t for this scene or that situation and so on. An influencer knows how to engage with their audience and build a trusting relationship. So defined, an influencer has a special talent to influence the opinions of their audiences and their purchasing behavior.
Because of the FI’s power to persuade and influence the views, about products brands are eager to sponsor influencers for everything from creating a social media post while wearing their clothing to attending exclusive fashion parties.
As a business, knowledge is powerful, and you need to know that your work as an FI is all about business. For instance, if a brand provides payment to you for publishing a post, the influencer needs to note on the post “paid or sponsored content.” The terms of the transaction, however, is unique and between the influencer and the brand. Particulars, such as the cost-per-post and even the duration for which the post will be live, and what it is that you are required to do per brand or client is different. You must be able to provide proof of your work. You can screen shot various occurrences like viewership, likes and dislikes, shares and so on.
Fashion influencers may enjoy some of the celebrity that models, actors, musicians, and sports stars enjoy but their work is always all the time whereas the other celebrities deliver a product on time: record releases, games, movies and tv series etc. However, unlike traditional celebrities, these rising influential talents engage directly with their audiences
daily or weekly developing personal bonds with their audiences. They respect their followers instant and immediate direct and personal connection consequently FI’s communicate with their audiences directly. Most fashion influencers demonstrate respect and appreciate their followers.
Statistics have revealed that our youth no longer talk about their desire to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, or engineers. It’s all about making it big on YouTube or Instagram, or TikTok. This phenomenon is in part due to the growth of social media and the deterioration of the public school system. Social media has been a game changer in providing options available regarding one’s career choice. People are no longer interested in the good old government manufacturing company jobs that demand laborious work for hourly wages and pensions. Nor are they excited or enticed by the college when they can easily make $100k a year as an influencer?”
– That’s along the lines of what is voiced by and echoed by youth.
Of course, it does not speak for every single kid in the world, but the numbers show that the world view about work has changed. The have nots want more and are tired of waiting. Influencers are already out there influencing future generations. And these next generations are going to be our world leaders. Leaders with the power to influence their communities.
A fashion influencer who takes it seriously definitely makes a smart choice. It’s a powerful position. Also, paydays are something to get excited about as an influencer. The downside is that you may not make a lot of money in the beginning as a fashion influencer. You must build your audience. But if you work hard that paycheck will grow and has not top-off. The income growth is fully dependent on your commitment and passion.
encer?
That leads us address why you choose to pursue Fashion Influencer as a career.
What is the guarantee that you will remain committed to a career as a fashion influencer? Ask yourself, “Am I passionate about fashion and the potential life as an influencer?”
If your answer is yes, then go for it. Still like any other career choice you must ask yourself, “why do I want to become a fashion influencer?”?
Those who choose to go into the medical field or healthcare industry do so because they have a passion for helping
others and saving lives. Did you know that there are health influencers out there who are real doctors?
So let me ask you, “are you passionate about fashion?”
Even if you choose later to change your career choice go for it if it’s what you think you want to do. Most people don’t know what they want to do with their lives. The only way you will know what you want is to explore all the options out there.
Here’s a few tips on becoming a fashion influencer for a living.
5 Master Tips Towards a Career as a Fashion Influencer
Here are the tips:
1. Be confident in your personal style
2. Master the art of fashion shots
3. Join fashion communities, events, and store appearances.
4. Establish collaborations with brands—do it for a nominal trade (Clothing for example) at first to grow your visibility with a contract stating that once you reach $10,000; $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 negotiate your incremental increase in value.
5. Don’t be afraid to be picky with collaborations
6. Branch out to lifestyle, makeup, and any other interests
7. Post daily.
8. Send press releases to the online fashion pages, and print publications . . .query them about blogging for the publication, collaborating with them at fashion events,
9. Present to brands your relationships with stores, and organizations . . . fashion shows etc.
NOW GO BE AN F!
