Chicago News Weekly
Cheryl
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NNPA Newswire
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Melanie Weaver
Like most of us, I have been deeply disturbed by the Ralph Yarl shooting. I am of the sensibility that guns, in particular, the shooting of another human being should be reserved for dire circumstances of self-defense. As I continue to read and listen to the news about the shooting of sixteen-year-old innocent Ralph Yarl, shot in the head and arm by 84-year-old, Andrew Lester, so many thoughts and emotions are stirred. I was especially disturbed that Mr. Lester comfortably entered a ‘not guilty plea’ in court on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon last Wednesday. The ease with which he was able to roll those words off his tongue with ease and comfort with the expectation of being set free. Free to go home on a $200.000 bond. The bond required him to report to the police 24 hours after his release and then once a month afterward, during which time he cannot possess any firearms, must surrender his passport, and is not to have any contact with Ralph Yarl or Yarl’s family. He is due back in court on June 1, 2023. Following Lester’s release, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson announced two felony charges against Andrew D. Lester, accused of first-degree assault, a felony that carries the possibility of life imprisonment, and armed criminal action.
So, here’s the juice, the people the Yarl family, and the protesters want Lester to be charged with a hate crime.
The truth is that Ralph Yarl is a high-achieving student who plays in the school jazz band, who arrived at the wrong house and rang the doorbell to Lester’s home while trying to pick up his younger brother from a friend’s home.
Unbeknownst to Ralph, he had gone to Northeast 115th Street instead of Northeast 115th Terrace and rang the wrong doorbell. Lester later admitted to police that he shot Yarl through the locked glass storm door to his home “within a few seconds” of seeing him on the doorstep and without warning. He told police he was “scared to death” and was worried
his home was being broken into after he said he thought Yarl tried to pull at the door handle. Ralph had only rung the doorbell.
The police reported that Lester’s action does not necessarily indicate a ‘Hate crime,’ yet race does play a role in Lester’s actions. Accordingly, Mr. Lester told the police that he opened the door to see this big 6-foot-tall Black guy weighing about 180 pounds standing in front of him behind his glass door. He felt threatened so he shot him through the glass door once in the head and once in the arm. Though charges have been filed the matter remains an ongoing investigation.
Yarl has since been released and is at home under his mother, Cleo Nagbe’s care, who is a nurse. She told CBS, that her son had a bullet in his left frontal lobe for up to 12 hours before it was removed. Apparently, Ralph Yarl, is very fortunate that the bullet didn’t enter his head, a fraction of an inch in any other direction he would probably be dead. Ralph Yarl, no matter his good fortune, he has a long recovery ahead of him after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
This tragedy was one more news discussion in the CNW newsroom amongst staff. Leave it to our brilliant millennial, MKM who always brings reason to the discussion delivering a unique conversation. She says to us amid the emotional reactionary driven exclamations, “Let’s take a look at what happened. “The man who shot Ralph Yarl is 84 years old, white, and lives in Kansas, a city in a very Republican, Maga state. He’s from an era where he had the right to shoot Blacks to kill, so he did.” That’s not a declaration that what he did is right, but rather an explanation of the context from which Lester operates.
Further MKM goes on to say, “And what if he has poor sight, half blind, can’t see and just saw a blur, of a Black man? What if he’s suffering from one of the debilitating mental health disorders like dementia, or Alzheimer’s?” There are so many possibilities.
These are possibilities to be considered. However, when Lester was in the custody of the police, he appeared to be none of those. His vision will have to be tested, but still the crux of this most unfortunate incident that has injured an innocent young man and scarred his perspective on the world for the rest of his life. And though it may not have been a premeditated hate crime, it was a crime rooted in the deep historical racist behavior reflective of how white America has been taught to act when facing Blacks physically. It has been a privilege afforded them. So, Lester had nothing to think about. He feared no recourse, for the law is on his side as interpreted to mean, ‘White folks have the inherent right to defend themselves against Blacks even when they are not imposing any danger. What matters is that ‘you, a white man thought that your life was in danger. And that’s good enough.’ That is the technicality that white men and white law enforcement have rested their actions regarding the murder of Black people.
We must confront this inherent privilege that when white versus Black or any other people of color, white is right.
There was a time where money, as we know it, didn’t exist and in the absence of money, as we know it, people exchanged goods and services using a barter system. Somebody may have rolled up on you and offered you 10 of their chickens for one hog or agreed to fix a hole in your roof for a bag of rice. I don’t really know the prevailing rates for goods and services back then, but you get the point. Cash money is a placeholder, used to accomplish the same exchange of goods and services with a bit more efficiency. Money only has worth to the extent that people view it as having value and will accept it in exchange for goods and services. I’ll reserve a discussion of Crypto Currency, in terms of accepting it for goods and services, for a different column, but much of the same ideas apply.
I heard someone say recently that most people use money to pay bills, while rich people use their money to make money. This is where you stop for a minute
and think about the validity of that assertion. I think that we have all heard someone say that they need a job so that they can pay their bills. We have also heard people, upon losing a job, worry that they won’t be able to pay their bills. Having your lights, cable and cell phone are very important, even essential, to maintaining a lifestyle that you deserve. The two questions that you are probably asking yourself are, are you working to pay your bills, and how can I use money to make money?
I would encourage you to begin the process of answering this question by considering this as a way of thinking or a mindset versus a task. Thinking of this as a mindset should first point you in the direction of creating the essential surplus in income necessary to start the process of building wealth. As a reminder, your expenses should be less than your income and the difference is your surplus. As is the case with any effort to build wealth, creating and using a surplus of income is the start.
If you adopt this mindset that you want to use your money to make money, how should you proceed? You may be looking for an answer here, but that isn’t the goal. Adoption of the mindset is the goal, and I think that you can see why. Take that surplus cash and ask yourself how you can make this surplus make more surplus. Everyone’s answers will differ widely depending on your interests, experience and readily available opportunities. The most important thing is that you are asking yourself the question, how can I use my money to make money. Retirement or financial independence for you occurs when you are able to transition from you working to make money, to money working to make money.
Sharice Bradford, PhD CNW Staff Writer
Financial health plays a key role in the everyday lives of all individuals. Individual finances can have a significant impact on life experiences and life choices. Financial problems can lead to increased levels of stress, lead to higher interest rates on major purchases, trouble paying for necessary experiences and delaying necessary expenses such as healthcare. Financial expert Lynette Khalfani-Cox shared, “Investing in yourself will help you reap millions of dollars over a lifetime.”
According to the Key Findings of the Financial Health Pulse Chicago 2022 report, published by The Chicago Community Trust, in Cook County, 39% of African American residents are financially vulnerable versus 20% of African Americans nationally. This is compared to 30% of Latinx in Cook County versus 21% of Latinx nationally.
As we prepare to wrap up Financial Literacy Month, there are five guiding principles that The United States Financial Literacy and Education Commission would have you remember all year around. There is one additional tip that the author added for encouragement.
1. “Earn. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you make and how to grow your earnings. Contributing to an employer-sponsored 401K or retirement account with matching contributions is a great way to maximize your earnings while also preparing for retirement.
NBC correspondent, Stephanie Ruhle, advises “Give each dollar a purpose.”
2. Save and invest. Save for future goals, like buying a house or retirement. Even if you have to start with as little as $5 per paycheck, start a savings plan. If you are thinking of making a large purchase in the future, such as a new home, understand that while there are many programs that help with down payment and other costs, there may still be some expenses that you will be responsible for. Having money in savings will help you prepare for those additional costs.
3. Protect. Take steps to safeguard yourself in case of unexpected emergencies, which can be very costly. Protection covers yourself and your things. Having mon-
ey set aside for unexpected medical expenses or car repairs can be a major help. Having money set aside to protect you when expected expenses arise allows you to not have to borrow and incur interest from loans.
4. Spend. Be mindful not to spend recklessly. Make sure that you compare options when shopping for large purchases. Get the best value out of what you spend. Make list and plan before grocery shopping to eliminate unnecessary or impulse purchases. Be mindful of needs vs. wants to ensure that you are not overextending your spending. Budgeting can also help make sure that you stay within your financial limits and do not overextend yourself financially.
5. Borrow. For major purchases such as home buying or car purchases, you may have to borrow. When you take on debt from borrowing, make sure the payments are affordable and will not overextend your earnings. Not all debt is bad debt, but be sure that when you take on debt you can afford the debt. According to the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission, debt can also help you grow your wealth by providing liquidity needs, while your investments grow.
6. Don’t give up. It can appear that there is no light at the end of the tunnel but there is always hope. There are many no-cost programs that will help you understand your finances and help you get out of and eliminate bad debt. It is important to note that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE YOUR CREDIT RESTORED OR FIXED. There are many reputable programs that can assist you with understanding and rebuilding your credit at no cost. The road can be long and rough, but it will be worth it. Finance expert Ashley Feinstein Gerstley shares “Don’t leave things out of your budget or round out numbers…keep your budget realistic and optimistic.” This goes a long way to reaching a good credit score and paying less for things over time.
https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealth-management/our-approach/marketnews/ article.1562716.html
In September, lawmakers in Washington rushed through major legislation that would reward massive, legacy media corporations at the expense of smaller community-focused and minority-owned newspapers. While the Journalism Competition Preservation Act (JCPA) is meant to protect publications like those in the National Newspaper Publishers Association, it would ultimately threaten our ability to inform our communities, line the pockets of massive media conglomerates and hedge funds, and lead to the proliferation of harmful misinformation. Good intentions sometimes have negative and counterproductive consequences.
The goal to foster quality, local journalism and journalist jobs is well-intentioned. Local news outlets provide Americans with important information about the political, economic and cultural issues that matter to them. The news industry has reached an inflection point, and much work is still needed to secure a bright and sustainable future for minority-owned publications.
Newspaper employment has fallen by 70% in the past 15 years, and 20% of America’s counties are at risk of becoming news deserts. The top 25 media chains now own a third of all U.S. newspapers. Thousands of newspapers have been acquired by hedge funds and private equity firms like Alden Global Capital or by media behemoths like Gannett, Lee Enterprises and McClatchy. For these media companies, a local newspaper is an asset for profit – not a valuable source of local information. Big media chains acquire newspapers, lay off journalists and staff, drive down wages and shutter publications forever – as they spend millions on executive salaries and stock buybacks.
Now, these same media companies and hedge funds are a step closer to receiving huge payouts – without any accountability or transparency to direct funds to local journalism and journalists. The JCPA would require tech platforms to carry and pay any eligible news publisher for “access” to content. While this may, again, seem well intentioned at first look, upon deeper inspection the law defines “access” so broadly it will require payment for simply crawling a website or sharing a link. Similarly, while a number of conglomerates are scoped into the bill, true independent or small newspa-
pers are explicitly excluded from the legislation because the bill says that an eligible publisher must earn more than $100,000 per year.
Many African American and other BIPOC news outlets are independently owned. Furthermore, these news outlets have developed and grown their audiences because mainstream media publications excluded the perspectives of minority voices. The Black Press built our own news outlets to support our own voices. As a result, this legislation would only further reinforce harmful racial exclusion trends, rather than actually help smaller local publications like those in the NNPA. Similarly, recent amendments to the bill requiring non-discrimination would require platforms to carry and pay for hate speech and objectionable content that
could be harmful to BIPOC communities. If passed, the JCPA would boost misinformation and extremist content. News publications from either side of the aisle that support extremist views will not only receive money, but tech platforms will be required to carry them on their services. This will make it even harder for platforms to moderate harmful and false content. We know that communities like ours will suffer most.
Congress and the Senate should reject the current draft of the JCPA and go back to the drawing board on real solutions for America’s local news problems – solutions that benefit all Americans, instead of just giving handouts to the biggest media corporations in the nation.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) based in Washington, DC representing the interests of the Black Press of America since 1940.
Lawmakers working to create districts for Chicago’s newly elected, representative school board will hold a series of public hearings offering residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the districts should be configured.
“Chicago’s newly elected school board is a major step forward for representation. Moving to a popularly elected board is about equity for all Chicago communities, giving everyone a say and a stake in the future of our neighborhoods. Delivering on this goal starts with districts that reflect our unique and diverse communities,” said Rep. Ann Williams, who leads the House Democrats’ CPS Districting Working Group. “People across our city deserve a voice in our schools, and using their insight to help shape the districts can make that a reality.”
In 2021, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation creating an elected, representative school board to oversee the Chicago Public Schools. In 2024, Chicago voters will elect ten board members, who will serve alongside 11 mayoral appointees. In 2026, the 11 appointed members will be replaced by elected board members, creating an entirely elected board. Once fully implemented, 20 board members will represent districts across the city, with one member being elected citywide.
Chicago residents are welcome to share their thoughts on how these new board districts should be configured at any of the following virtual or in-person hearings:
Saturday, April 29 at noon
Kenwood Academy High School - Auditorium
5015 S Blackstone Ave., Chicago
In-person only
Monday, May 1 at 6 p.m.
Lane Tech College Prep High SchoolAuditorium
2501 W Addison St., Chicago
In-person only
Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m.
Fully virtual hearing
Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m.
Curie High School – Auditorium
4959 S Archer Ave., Chicago
In-person only
Individuals or groups interested in testifying should contact RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov. Please include the date of the hearing you wish to attend and a brief description of the testimony you wish to share. Witnesses will then be emailed a link.
Written testimony can also be shared with legislators at any time by emailing RedistrictingCommittee@hds.ilga.gov.
Those interested in viewing virtual hearings can stream at ilga.gov.
Promontory Point, often referred to as “The Point” by locals is officially a city landmark. The designation passed during the last city council meeting under outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot unanimously. The Commission on March 9th said that Promontory Point met the criteria for landmark status which included it is an example of a city, state, or national heritage; it has exemplary architecture; it is the work of a significant architect or designer; and it is a unique or distinctive visual feature.
Previously the city proposed replacing the point’s limestone perimeter with concrete similar to what’s been done with most of the city’s lakeshore. Promontory Point Park, located on the shore of Lake Michigan between 53rd and 57th Streets, extends for 4,200 linear feet of shoreline on Chicago’s South Side. The Point is a 40-acre, man-made peninsula at the south end of Chicago’s 600-acre Burnham Park. Promontory Point begins west of the 55th Street tunnel along Stony Island Boulevard and resumes east of the tunnel along the lakefront.
The Point remains a popular gathering space for Chicago residents offering beautiful views of the city skyline, spaces for picnics or scenic walks, or quiet moments of reflection. For more than 20 years, “Save the Point” has advocated for landmark status for the popular lakefront space. As a nationally recognized landmark, Promontory Point’s limestone revetments can be restored, repaired, and preserved. Members of the advocacy group, Promontory Point Conservancy did not want the limestone demolished and replaced with concrete.
The group funded its own engineering study which showed that the limestone could be restored and would cost less than demolishing it and replacing it with concrete. The US Army Corp of Engineers agreed however, the process stalled until the Point was added to the National Registry for Historic Places. Conservancy members requested the Commission on Chicago Landmarks consider the point for Landmark designation in November. Retiring 5th Ward Ald. Leslie Hairston supported the designation and advocated for the preservation of the limestone.
With the Point granted landmark status, any proposed alterations, demolitions, or construction on or near the Point would be subject to a permit application and review process by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (CCL). In essence, this means that the limestone revetment and other historic features of the Point, including the council rings and the David Wallach Fountain, would be protected against demolition or alteration.
CNW Staff Report
on Monday announced that John Roberson will serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the City of Chicago. Roberson, in this role, will provide leadership and oversight for the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic initiatives and policy priorities related to infrastructure, transportation, regulatory, and municipal administrative services. Chicago’s COO works closely with city officials, department heads, and stakeholders to ensure the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of services to residents.
“John Roberson brings a vast body of work in government and management to the Mayor’s Office, and we are grateful to have him serve in this key role,” said Mayor-elect Johnson. “I’ve seen firsthand his ability to execute strategic initiatives and build consensus from a variety of stakeholders, and I look forward to working with him to make city government work for everyone in Chicago.”
Roberson brings to the role of COO more than 20 years of public, entrepreneurial, and private sector
executive-level experience and management. Roberson most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Cook County, where he was tasked with the executive oversight of activities and staff in the government and legislative affairs related to the County’s Federal, State, County, and Local legislative agenda. Before his service at Cook County, Roberson held various roles, including Commissioner of Aviation for the City of Chicago, Executive Vice President for the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve dedicated my career to public service, and it’s an honor to serve incoming Mayor Johnson in this capacity,” said John Roberson. “I look forward to working closely with Mayor-elect Johnson to identify our goals and policy priorities to achieve our vision for a safer, stronger city that delivers for residents.”
Roberson holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Roosevelt University and is a United States Air Force veteran. He is a lifelong Chicagoan from the South Side.
Maudlyne Ihejirika is an award-winning, journalist and author. Her professional experience in journalism, public relations and government affairs has taken her into different professional arenas. She holds a B.A. in journalism from University of Iowa, an M.S.J. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and a honorary Doctorate from Saint Xavier University. She was a reporter at the Chicago SunTimes and penned “Chicago Chronicles,” longform columns on “people and places that make Chicago tick,” with a focus on Black and brown communities. Her honors include the prestigious Studs Terkel Award, top national and local awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and several civic awards. She served as president of the Chicago Journalists Association and the National Association of Black Journalists Chicago over her career. In 2020, Maudlyne was inducted into the Medill Hall of Achievement in 2020. She also authored the book, “Escape From Nigeria: A Memoir of Faith, Love and War,” a tale of her family’s survival of the brutal Nigerian-Biafran War, and miracles that brought them to the U.S. And that’s where her story truly begins. Though it’s her mother’s story, a tribute to the woman that is Maudlyne’s shero. The book tells of the foundation upon which Maudlyne is grounded. As a child in Nigeria with her mother and siblings while her father Christopher was at Forah Bay University in Freetown, Sierra Leone to study, the Nigerian Biafran War broke out in 1967 separating the family and cutting their communication. It reveals the journey of a mother with her babies who survived vicious massacres as she scavenged to feed them. The challenges to stay alive and yet be in communication with Christopher Ihejirika was a struggle independent of itself. There was a moment when Angelina Ihejirika, traveling to escape from the soldiers could hear them so close upon her heels that she chose a hole under brushes to hide herself and toddlers in, carefully covered them with bush cuttings and leaves. She instructed her children to not move or speak and so they became statues, being as still as one can be as the soldiers passed by them until they were out of danger. Maudlyne has emerged victorious from her early experiences to be a phenomenal woman.
Maudlyne says, “In June 1969, we landed in Chicago. I grew up and spent my formative years on the near South Side of Chicago, in a neighborhood called South Commons, and then moved to
the southwest suburbs as a teenager, and attended Downers Grove, South High School.”
In 2022, Maudlyne retired a week before her 29th anniversary at the Sun Times. She shared, “Like many, the COVID-19 Pandemic impacted us in ways that we had no idea knowing that it would. For me I asked all those questions like, is this what I want to do the rest of my life, am I happy doing what I do, is there anything I still want to do that I’ve yet to do? I made the choice to explore that inquiry as a free person. So, I left my position at the Sun Times.” But it was not the first time Maudlyne left the Sun Times.
She took time off to work for DCFS in the early 90’s while covering DCFS when they were constantly in the news regarding so many tragic stories around children. I’d received several offers to join the quote unquote, the dark side, which is what journalists called Public Relations at the time. Many of my colleagues had jumped ship and were on the PR side for government agencies and corporate America because that’s where the money was. So, when DCFS reached out, and asked if I’d consider working with them rather than covering them, to tell their story and help make a difference to turn things around, at first, I said, ‘No. I said, ‘No’ again, but the third time, I accepted their offer.”
She left DCFS after a 2 year stint and spent two years as a press secretary to Illinois Governor, Jim Edgar, however he chose not to run again so Maudlyne served as a Media Strategist and Media Consultant for members of the U.S. Congress, the Chicago City Council and the Illinois Legislature, during which time, “I also served as the Press Secretary for Bobby Rush Campaign, when Barack Obama then a little known political figure was vying for Rush’s seat, which was the only race that Obama lost on his upward trajectory to the White House.”
Maudlyne returned to the “Sun Times,” in 2016, where she spent 11 years the first go around, “I wrote the ‘Chicago Chronicles until retiring at the end of November 2022. More experienced and comfortable in the driver’s seat, she voiced the need for mainstream media to cover a broader range of stories. “For me it was all about race, all the many aspects of (race)racism, racists, discrimination, racial inequity, equality, and those positive narratives/ everyday heroes making sure that those stories get told,” she says.
Maudlyne was ready, “ I entered journalism in the late 80’s, when our newsrooms’ diversity numbers were dismal. They were not too different from the newsrooms of 60’s. To quote the Kerner Commission report, which identified, ‘the lack of voices in covering those communities, by those who look like the communi-
There’s no question about the manner of woman Maudlyne Ihejirika is upon meeting her.
The power of being a force of nature permeates from her and you know instantly that she is one to behold with great regard.
ties they report on. ‘
The challenge according to Maudlyne, was that mainstream media thought, ‘it was about the numbers and failed to understand that hiring more Blacks doesn’t mean you’re done.’ She says, adamantly, “There’s was and is racism to be confronted in the newsroom pertaining to the choice of stories that Black Journalists are allowed to tell. She pauses to say, “It was that period when the National Association of Black Journalists, came to me to champion those issues that Black Journalists across the country were facing. Black journalists were entering and exiting those news fronts.”
She continues however, “There’s this thing in our country where we wavier with the importance of diversity. First, diversity is a wonderful thing. And then diversity is a dirty word. It’s like affirmative action. Under President Bill Clinton-- diversity was a beautiful thing. Affirmative action was a wonderful thing. As soon as Clinton left, it became a dirty word, and those were the dynamics that transpired in the 90s.”
In summary Maudlyne says, “It was a difficult time for journalists. They were constantly fighting, to do the kind of work that they thought needed to be done in terms of covering their community, and to be allowed to do work that was of some significance.”
She says, “The era of 2000 followed with that roller coaster ride we’ve witnessed the diversity barometer go up, then it goes down. By 2010 diversity was way out the window because the nation was divided. One part was mad about a Black president and the other not so. But as Maudlyne saw it, ‘mainstream media needed Black journalists’ perspective on who is this man and where he came from, and the communities that had really rallied to get him elected.’
It was the height of the roller coaster ride, “So our stars rose. And then the Obama years ended after two terms and the Trump era was ushered in. Once more diversity became a dirty word, right?” Maudlyne asks.
“What I’ve observed and experienced is that mainstream media is a hostage of the national temperament on race. Finally, in essence, Black Journalists working for mainstream media who fight for rank, must know that being hired doesn’t mean they’re going to cover those Black stories. It still comes down to who makes the decisions. And the decision makers have always been predominantly white males.”
Maudlyne reflects deeply, “As a Black Journalist, over the course of 30 years, for most of my colleagues and for the NAB J, this is the main issue of discussion, --how do you survive that? How do we keep fighting the good fight, not become come complacent, not give up and not sell our soul? And you know it’s always been difficult. As a Black woman, it’s doubly difficult.”
She continues, “Those stories of increased sensitivity pitched by the Black woman to those white male editors, are too often viewed with glazed eyes .”
According to Maudlyne the waxing and waning of interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the newsroom when on their minds would lead to the formation of committees, and initiatives. We would meet with the executives on an intermittent basis to discuss our quote unquote, issues and concerns. Quickly we recognized that frequently our interests were viewed as confrontational, by the executives, and that they were under attack. In fact, what we expressed was never quite taken in the spirit in which it was delivered And without notice or warning , the committee would die. And no one would care anymore about diversity until it became “a
thing again.”
We would be remiss if I failed to interject the reality of what was transpiring in America. Mainstream media was but a mere reflection of the shift and the “Sun Times,” was sold and resold and sold again many times over as the paper fought for its voice and station in the media arena. Staying relevant was a reality. All this was in the midst as Black journalists at the forefront fought their battle. As all this was going on Maudlyne leaned in and pressed to be heard as an invaluable journalist with her pulse on the public, finally she was able see her stories come to life in black and white print. Those which impacted her the most over the years are the Sandra Bland story, Jesse Jackson when he received his COVID -19 Vaccine from one of the Black doctors who had helped engineer it, the tragic death of 16-year old, Wilson Gregory, the Home of Emmet Till. This snippet of stories is just a few that stand out. Maudlyne shares that early on in her career, those stories that evolved from the Chicago Public Housing, the transformation of it as the nation began to demolish them was fascinating to her. The violence that centered around it . . . that began in Chicago told an entirely different story from what was told in the city’s daily news. She recalls the 7-year-old Dantrell Davis in the Cabrini Green housing project as his mother Annette Freeman walked him to school. Those stories that were the essence of why Public Housing didn’t work was motivation for her to pursue them with a vengeance. Her eyes light up when she tells the experience that captures her investigative reporter skills. President Bill Clinton was visiting the Chicago public housing as its crisis rose. She says, “And “because I’m Black I was able to merge with the people and not be noticed as a reporter, so once the President was exiting the site, I was able to address him with a few questions before his Secret Service protection ended our exchange earning her an exclusive interview.
There’s that question that we must address . . . how did she do it? She smiled that M.I. smile and answered “Isn’t that the challenge that confronts every woman? Yes. Let’s go further regarding what confronts even deeper every Black woman, because of the dynamics of the economics of our community. There is a cost. So, you know, it’s difficult. It was difficult for me. I had to balance being a wife, and a mother of two, and a mother of a special needs child while career climbing.” The way I see it, going in on the mommy track led to nowhere. I had to able to compartmentalize my home life and present myself as a fierce reporter who is ready to rise through the ranks and not someone who was worried constantly about their children. The truth is, in my case it was a constant concern about my special needs child. So, I become two people merged in one body.”
As Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote, “We wear the mask,” So, in public, I’d show up like I’ve got it together. But then I’d go home, and I was just trying to keep it together. The reality is one suffers. I sacrificed to improve my family circumstances. I did well, career wise, but home didn’t do as well. But you know, you just keep plugging along with your children. And my children are wonderful. Children are resilient. If you express your love for them, they get it.”
Maudlyne feels that there will always be a need for Black newspapers. Because mainstream media dedicate such a small segment of its resources—coverage and staff toward those issues that are relevant to the Black
community. And we’re not alone. . .” she cites. As we winded down we queried the value of print . . . hard copy newspaper and how the industry has changed since the introduction of the internet. We agreed that print is here to stay because it’s important to think about the ‘print’ footprint as history goes. If saved, a printed newspaper is what it is . . . it’s truth and the legitimacy of lie in its existence. But what if the digital news as time goes on is dumped when there is no more cloud space? It’s gone ,puff! Of, course archives on drives are being saved but may not be accessible to all. Who knows in times such as these when books are being banned. Information can also be banned. Save your sources folks to be safe.
On the importance of training journalists in this moment when there are so many self-proclaimed journalists who know nothing about journalism—the ethics, protocols, the practice of and responsibility to the craft. Maudlyne, says, “It’s a problem but we must continue to teach, train and enforce the practice: research, investigation, facts, not opinions or rehashed stories, interviews of relevant people, protection of sources and more.” She continues, “We must protect the integrity of journalism,” Maudlyne ends.
Currently Maudlyne, is Media and Storytelling Program Manager at the Field Foundation of Illinois, where she helps to determine where the foundation should direct its journalism grants funding.
Neffer-Oduntude A. Kerr is currently the Professional Development and Education Committee Chair of Illinois Women in Cannabis. As a seasoned professional, her previous experience as a consultant for the past 15 years quickly became the fuel for her success. Her unique insight to cannabis startups gives her first hand knowledge of what often causes many businesses and projects to struggle.
“Startups in cannabis sometimes don’t realize this is a pseudo legal industry, assumptions about getting loans or being able to write off items are prevalent. You can’t handle money or process payments like other businesses for example,” said Kerr.
Businesses often run out of capital sooner than expected. The expensive industry requires running a tight ship and Kerr is convinced start ups are ideal for certain types of professionals.
Kerr shares, “people who are established financially and can invest their additional time and resources where it doesn’t take away from their regular earning and honestly those who have multiple streams of revenue, have disposable income, maybe even retirees are in ideal positions to be more successful in a startup than others.” Access to capital indeed disrupts the natural flow of financial resources. Kerr’s experience in supporting restructuring of management illuminates something more valuable than money to protect…trustworthiness.
“Putting together a good team is easy when you properly vet them, but when you have these people to help and you don’t like their contribution or disagree that it isn’t easy to let your ideas go when you don’t trust your team,” said Kerr.
She believes it is the soft skills that startups and businesses have. “I’ve been brought in to streamline operations, identification of gaps in the inter-
nal culture and to help businesses to scale, but it is the small things like micromanaging or interpersonal skills. There is a lot of pushback when leaders learn it is how they are treating people that is causing the most harm,” Kerr stated.
Decision making can be challenging for start-
ups and consultants like Kerr have some strong recommendations for cannabis startups when hiring consultants to accomplish the ‘ganja’ goals. “Everybody needs to do their research, ask around, who have they worked with, what companies have they helped and did they accomplish the goals they set,” said Kerr. Time is money, talent is expensive. Social equity businesses must be flexible, protect their capital, be well versed in compliance and be ready to pivot to protect their profits.
The story of “Support Your Local Weed Man” is a true David and Goliath tale. But in this case, David has a secret weapon: the power of community. In the wake of cannabis legalization in Illinois, many small business owners have emerged to take advantage of this new industry. For decades, Black communities have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. People of color have been more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses, despite using the drug at similar rates to white people. This has resulted in a significant loss of economic and social opportunities, as many individuals have been labeled as felons and unable to access jobs or housing. Founders of the brand“Support Your Local Weed Man” fought for access to the legal cannabis industry through protesting and educating. They understand that the success of their business is about more than just making money. It’s about providing opportunities for those who have been unfairly marginalized by the war on drugs. By giving a voice and a platform to these individuals, they are helping to break down the systemic barriers that have kept them from achieving success in the past … so support them.
Disclaimer: The LTE does not reflect the views or positions of CNW or its staff
Editor
“people who are established financially and can invest their additional time and resources where it doesn’t take away from their regular earning and honestly those who have multiple streams of revenue, have disposable income, maybe even retirees are in ideal positions to be more successful in a startup than others.”
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, proudly named avery r. young as the inaugural Chicago Poet Laureate. An award-winning poet, educator, composer, performer, and producer, young’s work spans the genres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. He is a co-director of The Floating Museum, Cave Canem fellow, Leader for a New Chicago 2022 awardee, and performer with his band, de deacon board. With more than two decades as a teaching artist, he has mentored generations of young poets. His poetry and prose are featured in several anthologies and periodicals. In the foreword of his most recent book, neckbone: visual verses, Theaster Gates called young, “one of our greatest living street poets.”
As Chicago Poet Laureate, young will serve a two-year term and be awarded $50,000 for the commissioning of new poems and to create public programming, including programs for youth and students. The Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.
“I am proud to name avery r. young as the first-ever Chicago Poet Laureate,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “As a multifaceted, boundary-breaking poet and transformational youth educator who was born and bred in Chicago, avery will serve and strengthen our city’s literary and creative communities.”
“avery is a poet and artist who connects, engages, and inspires,” said Erin Harkey, DCASE Commissioner. “As the first Chicago Poet Laureate, avery will play an important role in helping to build and shape the program. We’re honored to support him and experience what he creates and catalyzes through his tenure as Laureate.”
The Chicago Poet Laureate program, which was announced in January 2023, comes from the advocacy of the city’s creative and civic communities. It aims to increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists. The announcement of the Chicago Poet Laureate coincides with the celebration of National Poetry Month.
young’s first public appearance as Chicago Poet Laureate takes place, Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m., as part of the Chicago Public Library’sannual National Poetry Month celebration, Poetry Fest at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St.). young will be in conversation with Dr. Eve L. Ewing. The public and press are invited to attend; interviews can be arranged following the event. Visit chipublib.org/poetry for more information about the event.
“From the open mic to lecture halls, from Lollapalooza to the Art Institute, I have been on a journey to figure out all the spaces where language can make room and build. I don’t walk into this appointment by myself, I enter this tenure with a community of social activists, cre-
atives and municipal entities excited about the many ways in which this Poet Laureate appointment can weave poetry into the fabric of this great city,” shared Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young. “I understand the history in being the inaugural Poet Laureate, but I also understand the service it will take to lay the groundwork of a legacy and platform for all the Laureates who will follow.”
“On behalf of the Poetry Foundation, I want to congratulate avery r. young on being named Chicago’s first Poet Laureate,” said Michelle T. Boone, president of the Poetry Foundation. “As a gifted multidisciplinary artist, he is uniquely poised to amplify poetry and foster a love for it in new audiences. The Poetry Foundation has experienced the power of his art over his years of collaboration with us, and we look forward to supporting his efforts to craft a promising future for our community through poetry.”
“We are thrilled about the appointment of avery r. young as the first-ever Chicago Poet Laureate and cannot wait to collaborate with him on a range of exciting new programs and works that will enrich our neighborhood library branches,” stated Chris Brown, CPL Commissioner. “This Poet Laureate program not only acknowledges the immense talent of Chicago’s creators, but also offers a unique opportunity to amplify and celebrate their contributions. As we welcome avery in his new role, we are excited to witness the transformative power of poetry in our library branches and beyond.” avery r. young, Chicago Poet Laureate, pictured at the Poetry Foundation.
Notes/Instructions:
I must say is delightful and very uplifting. I can’t say that I expected it to be as wonderful as it is, but it is! In today’s political climate and the harsh realities of what is, Into the Woods is a welcomed escape from all that is bad. It seemed simple enough that the play was the union of well-known fairytale characters each holding true to its basic narrative yet born to new life as a musical. But to create such a fabulous one tale out of many is an ambitious undertaking, requiring a mastery of sophisticated artistic creative expression rooted in the depth of knowledge rooted in political purpose that presents the space for natural contagious laughter and pleasure. Together, the familiar fairytales are interwoven with the tale of a baker and his wife, who yearn for a child; Cinderella, who desires to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, of course who wants his cow to give milk; and Little Red Riding Hood who is the desire of the wolf, all of whom go off into the woods.
The Baker and his wife’s natural yearning for a baby, as much as they’ve tried seems hopeless because unbeknownst to them, they’ve been cursed by their next door neighbor, a witch, who one day just happens to tell of their curse as she also reveals the remedy to break the spell. So, the baker played by Sebastian Arcelus and his wife portrayed seamlessly by Ximone Rose Friday, April 28, 2023, go off on a journey to retrieve items that will break the spell; but not before, Little Red Riding Hood stocks up on delicious bread and pastries from their bakery.
The tale is not new to us who grew up on Perrault and Brothers Grimm fairy tales but “Into the Woods
is a finely crafted quilt of several stories all infusing us with wisdom and life antidotes, like Little Red Riding Hood’s warning to us. She has lived from her experience in the woods--her encounter with wolf, the dark, death and the knife. She heeds us to be prepared, and confesses “I Know Things Now, ” and “Watch out for strangers.” She then declares, “Nice is different than good.”
We are familiar these fairytales and even if not, we expect a happy ending. That doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen or that everyone makes it. But like life it depends on where you are on the journey. That’s what Life is all about and “Into The Woods,” tells it in a wonderful musical sort of way. The central characters, the mistreated Cinderella who never loses her compassion and kindness towards others; Jack, whose faith is a big as the giant he slays, Little Red Riding Hood who is fearless, the Baker’s wife whose longing for a child grasp at partnership; the simple Baker, whose backbone needs strengthening and the witch who needs a heart.
In the end “Into the Woods” is a tale of people thrown together as their paths cross as each pursue their heart’s desire. It’s a brilliant and sophisticated work of art, revealing the departure from childish innocence to adolescent self-centeredness to eventual adult sensibility and interdependence.
There’s much to be learned from this very insightful musical as you look at the cast representing a spectrum of race, ethnicities, men, women, complexions, shapes, and sizes, remindful of “Hamilton,” and yet not rooted in a historical context which makes it so palatable and easy to receive. Yet, the message is upon us as we face
Liz Lampkin CNW Staff Writer
Unmarried Christians are a big part of the church. They play intricate roles in ministry work, and they are faithful members who are often overlooked and undervalued. Many Christian singles attend churches where they have thriving singles ministries that focus on their spiritual growth, while others don’t. Some attend places of worship where they’ve been taught so many things about what to do to get married, how to involve themselves in ministry work and how NOT to date. However, the one thing the church hasn’t done for singles is taught them how to live and be a single Christian outside of things that focus on marriage. While marriage is a wonderful thing for those who want it, it should not be one of the primary focuses for singles or churchgoers for singles. In order for unmarried believers to thrive in life they need specific support from their church families. Here’s what this can look like.
Pray for singles to live a life according to biblical principles. Many parishioners often pray for singles to find their soulmate, rather than praying for them to recognize their wholeness and live a fulfilled life with or without the benefit of marriage. If you’re going to God on behalf of someone, make sure you know what their single needs are according to their desires for their life and relationships, not your desires for them. Singles should also be taught how to pray for each other and
themselves.Stop encouraging singles to position themselves to be found, and encourage them to live this time the way God wants them to. This message is misleading for so many reasons but primarily misleads them into thinking that if they’re doing certain things in life or working in the church or going to certain areas they will be “found” by the one God has for them. This is not the reality for many singles and it can be discouraging if their expectations aren’t met.
● Create singles ministries that focus on their growth, and not groom them for marriage. Singles ministries should be formed so unmarried Christians can grow in their faith, learn how to live prosperously during this season and build themselves up in Christ. Counseling shouldn’t just be available to married couples.
Have Christian counselors available for those who struggle with being single. Many singles grapple with not being married or having a family they can call their own. With this struggle comes self-doubt and in many cases, depression. Having counselors or counseling for singles in the house of worship will show them that they’re valued in the body and will help them with their struggles.
the conundrum of today’s world, we live in. What are we going to do? Will we slay the giant, Do we give up giant slayer to giant’s wife? Or do we band together to survive and win?
The laughter and the applause were consistent throughout the evening. In fact, I can’t recall ever hearing so much applause at any other theatrical performance. You must go for yourself to experience. Also different is the set design--a forest as abstract and real as one could be — descending birch trunks, a rising moon and beautiful lighting. Most surprising is the orchestra on stage behind the actors. Though wonderful we never see them because our eyes never stray from the characters who are stage front, simply magical! Special acknowledgement to Gavin Creel, Red Riding Hood’s Wolf/Cinderella’s the Prince; and Little Red Riding Hood, Katy Geraghty, whose performances were most entertaining; Jack played by Cole Thompson was superb; Montego Glover as the witch is in a class by herself and delivers magnificently. Ta’nika Gibson as Lucinda is wonderful; Felicia Curry as Granny, Cinderella’s mother and the giant is great; and finally Milky White puppeteer, Kennedy Kanagawa who was excellent. The entire cast is something to behold. It goes without saying that I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Stephen Sondheim’s songs, which are effortlessly bonded to James Lapine’s text, as flawless expressions of what makes life what it is. We witness the complexities of living in the modern world facing the many choices we face on our life journeys” Into the Woods.” We are all in it together.
Avoid telling singles they should date someone who attends church. It’s a great thing for someone to work in the church, but it does not mean they are worth dating. Just because someone actively attends church does not mean they will have pure intentions in dating. There are many reasons people go to church and be active in ministry work. Some intentions are pure; some aren’t. It’s important to understand the difference between the two. So, rather than date someone simply because they go to church, singles should look at how they live their life outside of the church.
Teach singles how to date. The world shows up for singles in every aspect of dating. They provide their point of view, opinions and philosophies of what it looks like. Meanwhile, where do single believers go for directions on dating? It should be the church, but oftentimes it’s not and this must change.
Churches across the globe must change the way they support their unmarried members. They should be affirmed during this time in their lives and not convinced that marriage qualifies as the key to happiness. Single members should also take responsibility for their spiritual growth and work towards implementing changes to support them in their places of worship. Singleness is a gift and should be treated and supported as such.
“IntoLiz 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
Cinco
Mayo commemorates Mexico’s unexpected victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The conflict between the two countries had begun in 1861, after Benito Juárez, then the president of Mexico, suspended the nation’s foreign debt payments, and Napoleon III responded by sending French troops to invade.
The victory in Puebla galvanized the Mexican forces but turned out to be shortlived, and France later occupied the country, installing Maximilian I as emperor. Not until 1867 did the new Mexican Republic finally expel the French, but then executed Maximilian I and regained control of the country. This victory became a popular celebration in the United States to enjoy the vast flavors of Mexican cuisine and many of its well-known and beloved favorites including tacos, mezcal and margaritas. Cinco de Mayo has a history that runs deep and continues to serve as a vehicle conveying Mexican culture, pride, and values. To commemorate this occasion, I decided to make Carne Asada (grilled meat) Tacos in the crockpot. But by all means, you can prepare the meat on the grill or on a stove top grill.
Here is my recipe for Carne Asada Tacos
3-pound flank steak (skirt steak is a good substitute as well)
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup orange juice
Juice of one lime about 2 tablespoons
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoons chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon agave nectar
Directions
Turn the slow cooker on low. I line my slow cooker liners (This is optional, I prefer to line it to maintain all of the flavors)
Add flank steak to bottom of slow cooker
In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and agave nectar until smooth. Pour over steak in slow cooker making sure all meat is covered with juice
Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until tender
Remove from slow cooker and slice (you can either slice it against the grain or shred the beef)
Serve immediately or return to slow cooker on keep warm and let soak in juices. Serve on flour tortillas topped with cabbage, Sriracha mayo, salsa, Salsa Verde, and cilantro or as desired.
Cadillac Margarita
Ingredients
2 oz. reposado tequila
1 oz. Grand Marnier
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, about 1 lime
Ice
Additional lime slices for garnish, optional
Coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
Instructions
Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Put on the top and shake vigorously, about 15-30 seconds. For a salted rim, run a lime slice along the edge of the serving glass. Swirl the moistened rim into a small plate of coarse sea salt. Add ice to the glass. Strain the margarita into the serving glass. Garnish with additional lime slices if desired. Enjoy!
Notes:
1.Cadillac margaritas traditionally don’t call for sweetener. However, if you prefer it a little sweeter, add 1 ounce of simple syrup or agave nectar.
2. Pick limes that give in when you squeeze them. This ensures they’re nice and juicy. Before juicing the lime, firmly roll it on the countertop a few times to help get the juice flowing.
3. The best mixing technique is to use two hands while shaking. This helps ensure you get enough vigorous force behind the shake. ¡Salud!
Donna Hodge is a noted chef for her original recipes and fabulous dishes. All recipes published in CNW are in preparation for her new recipe book.
Popping up all over in the urbane world is the repurposed shop popularly referred to as resale, consignment or thrift shop featuring the reselling of luxury goods to make available to those not of the wealthy class mirror the looks of the celebrities that set fashion trends. They cannot afford the outrageous cost associated with status, but they can rent clothing for monthly use of otherwise unaffordable clothes and or by quality vintage fashion pieces.
In preparing for this article, I had to make it my charge to share my new insight with you. What kind of steps can we take to respect Mother Earth and sustain what is good? Repurposing clothes as a start has taken both the environmental and fashion industries by surprise because it is an ‘easy can-do.’ It’s not as complicated as recycling paper, cans, and plastic. It’s more like upcycling. This trend has continued to increase in popularity since 2020, as consignment and thrift sales rise, and the nostalgic trends such as Y2k resurgence on social media, has put this sustainable fashion obsession on the high end of the righteous thing to do.
Without question we benefit from this fashion trend, but the real formidable power here is the science behind the movement. The knowledge of knowing What happens when you repurpose your old clothes? How do these actions contribute to a more sustainable future?
1. Reduces energy consumption
The process of creating a garment from start to finish utilizes a complicated system that uses more energy than both aviation and shopping combined, requiring 10 times more energy to produce one ton of textiles than for one ton of glass. . It doesn’t matter what aspect you examine, from fiber production, or electricity used to transport the wares to the actual selling of clothes, to consumers, the production of what we wear from start to finish contributes to the destruction of the planet.
Repurposing clothing, whether it’s through purchasing second-hand or upcycling your own, completely avoids this energy-extracting process. In 2023, ThreadUp, CEO, James Reinhart of the popular second-hand site released a report finding that if everyone bought one second-hand clothing items instead of a
newly produced piece this year, it would amount to what equates to about 37 Billion hours of watching Netflix!
By dressing up an old pair of jeans or hitting second-hand stores like Shop Repurpose, you’re directly cutting down electricity use from fossil fuels, fashion’s primary source of energy and the main culprit behind greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to an overall more energy-preserving world.
FACT: *The fashion industry’s high levels of energy consumption contribute to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Decreases our carbon footprint
If the fashion industry were a country its 10% of global carbon emissions would be 6 amongst the largest producers of carbon emissions in the world and those from the industry alone will rise about 63% by 2030, which is equivalent to 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
TRANSLATION:
Wearing and buying repurposed clothing instead of new clothing reduces emissions by approximately 25%, and saves 3kg of CO2 per each high/medium quality clothing reused. For each preowned item purchased from repurposed luxurious collections, or bought directly from upcycling teams who offer the latest innovations, so customers can fashionably reap the benefits of SRW carbon emission reduction efforts.
3. Cuts down on water usage
FACT: That pair of jeans you love dearly took about 10 years’ worth of drinking water for one person (7,500-10,000 liters) to make. Fashion manufacturer’s use of water, as epitomized in a singular pair of jeans, scandalously uses and wastes gallons upon gallons of water each year unapologetically and without conscious. The industry alone contributes to about 20% of global waste water.
FACT: The act of repurposing old clothes, could substantially reduce the global water crisis that the world is facing because reusing clothes requires only 0.01% of the water used to produce new ones. Buying a second hand clothing item over a new item saves 88.89 gallons of water over a singular lifetime, while
wearing pre owned or upcycled clothing avoids this water waste altogether. The textile production process contributes to about 20% of global water waste.
4. Prevents waste and pollution
Individually, the average American produces 82 lbs. of textile waste per year, which equals 11 million tons of textile waste from the U.S, contributing to a global sum of 92 million tons annually.
Think of it this way, imagine a garbage truck full of clothes getting dumped into a landfill site every second. We talk about pollution as an imminent global problem, but we remain ignorant to its impact on our existence. The fashion industry only exacerbates it further.
Repurposing clothes directly replaces and cancels the need to discard old garments by throwing an old sweater in the trash or recycling bins with the false belief that it will be efficiently repurposed is at best a myth. To sidestep the complicated process completely you must activate your consciousness to be present of all that we do that contributes to the de-
struction of the earth. Choosing to take your excess fabrics by donating them to local second-hand shops is a huge step towards eliminating pollution.
5. Promotes sustainable habits
Repurposing clothes in and of itself is an environmentally admirable habit that has the power to sway others into following suit. Upcycling and repurposing clothing open the floodgates to the sustainable fashion industry and general eco-friendly practices. By repurposing your clothes – whether it be by donating, purchasing second-hand, or upcycling – you are sustainable ball making a huge step on your journey of practicing more green habits that transcend the fashion industry.
Get started today and shop thrift, resale, consignment or rent your clothing
CONCLUSION: If we get it right, the global secondhand market is predicted to double by 2027, reaching $350 billion dollars and still look good!
