May 24, 2023 Edition

Cheryl Mainor Norman President & Publisher

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-In-Chief

Terri Winston Vice President

Darnell Pulphus

Art Director Editors

Donna Hodge

Food 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

Melanie Mainor

Eric Grant

Cover Photography

Kai EL’ Zabar

Cover Concept

Darnell Pulphus

WHiTE Supremacy is . . .

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Vol. 1 No 30

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

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Ifyou think it’s a joke, plan on being shocked. If you are insightful and recognize that ‘white supremacy’ is alive and well, then you are awake . . . if you are enlightened then you know that it is afoot in all areas and aspects of our lives seeking to dominate, oppress and rule America and the world. So, White supremacy defined, is the belief that white people are superior to everyone, not white and thus should dominate them. The belief supports the preservation and protection of any power and privilege held by white people. White supremacy has roots in the now-discredited doctrine of scientific racism and was a key justification for European colonialism. To better understand and know that scientific racism/pseudo-scientific, is often referred to as biological racism, and is the belief that empirical evidence exists to support or justify racism (racial discrimination), racial inferiority, or racial superiority. It’s important that you get this so that you better understand what is going on around us. Unfortunately, this writing is not extremist nor an exaggeration of what is amidst us right now. White supremacy is invasive in our economic, social, political, educational, entertainment, labor, law, sex, and war aspects of our lives. We are experiencing the effects daily. Unfortunately, this writing is not extremist nor an exaggeration of what is admist us right now. White supremacy was implied in the Constitution but never stated because the writers never envisioned Blacks or others as their equal and therefore the language was not inclusive. It does differentiate the Blacks as 3/5th man. We are experiencing it daily. As you observe the laws that protect our freedoms being rolled back you best pay

attention. Pay attention. The January 6, 2020 was just a warning.

As a political ideology, it imposes and conserves cultural, social, political, historical, and/or institutional domination by white people and non-white supporters. In the past, this ideology was effectively implemented through socioeconomic and legal structures such as the Atlantic slave trade; Jim Crow laws in the United States from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation-“Jim Crow” being a pejorative term for an African-American. Such laws remained in force through the 1960s; the White Australia policies from the 1890s to the mid-1970s, and apartheid in South Africa. This ideology is also today present among neo-Confederates. Is this clear?

Understand, that white supremacy underlies a spectrum of contemporary movements, including white nationalism, white separatism,neo-Nazism, and the Christian Identity movement (outrageous right?). They were oppressed and kept in check just mounting pressure internally within those who dared not expose their true thinking until the right time. In the United States, white supremacy is primarily associated with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), Aryan Nations, and the White American Resistance movement, all of which are also considered to be antisemitic.

The Proud Boys( this is the group Tump told to ‘stand down,’ in a debate with Presidential Candidate Biden), and the Republican left, despite claiming non-association with white supremacy, have been described in academic contexts as being exactly what they deny they are, based on their rhetoric and actions. In recent years, websites such as Twitter, Reddit,

Editor-in-Chief

and Stormfront, and most prominently Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign platform have contributed to an increased activity and interest in white supremacy because he spoke to it in code and they heard him.

In academic usage, particularly in critical race theory, a cross-disciplinary examination or intersectionality of, “white supremacy” can also refer to a social system in which white people enjoy structural advantages (privilege) over other ethnic groups, on both a collective and individual level, despite formal legal equality. You must understand that this information is considered dangerous because it informs youth to think critically using historical, factual, and scientific information to allow them to discern and arrive at their own conclusions. Therefore, the banning and burning of books are very dangerous actions to allow particularly in a democracy that claims, ‘freedom of speech,’ as a cornerstone of its foundation.

In American more than any other place, besides old South Africa, ‘white’ is a racialized classification of people using a skin color clarifier, generally used for people of European ancestry. Race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a

given society.

White supremacy held a dominant grip on the United States both before and after the American Civil War, and it persevered for decades after the Reconstruction Era throughout which, many wealthy White-European land owners owned slaves; they justified their economic exploitation of Black people by creating a “pseudo-scientific” theory of White superiority and Black inferiority, which has been disproven over and over. Future president Thomas Jefferson, was one such slave owner, who wrote in 1785, “Blacks are inferior to the whites in the endowments of body and mind.” This he stated formally as he indulged intimately with his slave girl Sally with whom he fathered many children. This inconsistency is seen throughout America’s history.

Honestly, how is that the white slave owners thought it fine to have Black slave wet nurses to feed their children from their breasts and not comprehend that the mother’s milk was a significant source of food produced in that inferior Black woman’s body?”

That they’re documentation rarely provided insight pertaining to Blacks’ achievements against all the odds is

Kai EL’ Zabar

photo credit: Dot Ward

By Eric Grant CNW Columnist

How Will You Pay for College?

Eric Grant CNW Columnist

As we wrap up prom season and wander into high school graduation season, this is the question that many are asking. Many students have made social media posts about their college and trade school choices, sporting gear from their chosen school. Many of these posts were shared by proud parents who at the same time are wondering how to pay for this. For most, paying for college or trade school is like many other financial goals that require some planning and time. What is also true for many is that the financial resources and or the planning didn’t happen as we would have liked.

College costs are as volatile as any, and the growth of college costs has escalated at roughly 8% per year, doubling every 9 years or so. The average Annual cost of a private college, with room and board is over $30,000 and for a public college, just over $20,000. Trade schools, many will be surprised to know, are not much less expensive at roughly $30,000 per year. If you saved roughly $600 per month for the first 18 years of a child’s life, you would have the money to pay for the average cost of college. But of course, that child of

Empowerment

Procrastination is a “Purpose Killer” because it averts you from acting on the things that matter to you. When you procrastinate, it causes you to put off important tasks and goals leading to you feeling stuck, often untethered and directionless

In a fast-paced society full of distractions and demands it can easily lead to many individuals finding themselves trapped in procrastination. Procrastination, might seem harmless at first. Nevertheless, any habits of delaying tasks will eventually have deep consequences for an individual’s ability to pursue their purpose and unlock their true potential.

What is procrastination?

Procrastination, is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions that need to be accomplished, often opting for more immediate and pleasurable activates instead. Procrastination involves avoiding or putting off tasks that require effort, concentration or discomfort. This behavior often results in unnecessary

yours has chosen a school with an average cost north of $90,000 per year, and you are proud to share with all your friends on social media.

I see a lot of people steering their child towards “affordable” schools, where affordable is dependent on what your family can afford. This is a personal choice based on your own family dynamics. Some will support their child’s choice of school and find a way, including student loans, parent plus loans and school payment

stress, reduced productivity and missed opportunities. Having personally dealt with procrastination, I am aware that anyone can experience a period of procrastination. The key is to develop strategies to overcome it. Everyone has the power to break free from the chains of procrastination and start reclaiming their path to success.

Clearly, procrastination is a formidable obstacle that can hinder and stand in the way of our personal growth and one of the “Purpose Killers”. Today, let me share with you 7 tips to overcoming Procrastination.

1. Get Clear on Your Priorities: Start daily by prioritizing your day. Instead of doing a “Things to Do List”, starting thinking about a “Today List”. The today list can assist you setting boundaries for the day and no longer allowing yourself to be pulled in different directions.

2. Allow “No” to be a complete sentence. When you learn that ‘No” is a complete sentence it’s helps you to stop allowing others to keep you

in a state of procrastination and set clearer boundaries. This results in you saying no when needed and helps you better prioritize your day and meet deadlines.

3. Reduce distractions: Determine what things distract you and do all you can to eliminate them. An example is spending too much time on social media platforms, or watching reels. These become distractions which take you away from the tasks that needs to be completed.

4. Practice Positive SelfTalk: Engaging in rewarding self-talk is okay when you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or discouraged. When you are feeling overcritical of yourself, we are prone to negative self-talk. Turning that around to positive self-talk helps you to counteract those thoughts and builds your self-esteem.

5. Build Your Confidence: Learning to build your confidence is an effective way to overcome procrastination. When you build your confidence in your abilities, you

plans. This is also a personal choice based on the perceived value of the degree from the chosen school. The payoff is simple. The average earning for a high school graduate is $28,000, trade school is $42,000 and college is $51,000 per year.

The results are proven, and the only variance lies in the emergence of trade school careers that produce results. The personal financial question is what the return on investment will be. I love my children to the point of irrational behavior, but my personal choice was driven by what it would take to get these children off my payroll. More specifically, what would be the best investment to finish the job of raising my children. As you evaluate the answers to the question for this column, consider student and parent plus loans in the context of an investment in your child. Consider and effort to minimize loans versus avoiding loans all together. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Continued from page 3

E notes

will be more ready to act and to tackle the tasks you have been putting off.

6. Connect with an Accountability Partner: Besides holding yourself accountable, when you have an accountability partner they can provide motivation, offer additional support and help you to stay focus. This also creates a sense of community and helps you set clear boundaries.

7. Share Your Success: Acknowledge your hard work and progress which helps you feel more positive and energized. Take some time to reflect upon your hard work, your accomplishments and acknowledge completing a major task. Use your success to motivate you to set new goals and challenges for yourself. www.sanja@drsanja. com

not accidental. Rather, it is intentional, always has been, as is this politicized position against Critical Race Theory in the schools. How dare they say, ‘It will impact their children.” Well, it should. Who cared how the distorted history taught me and all my brilliant young Black friends. The fact that we had to sit in a classroom and be told that people that looked like us were cannibals and did not invent or create anything worthy of note.’ We were affected and yet as Maya Angelou, wrote . . . “and still I rise.”

My note today is to pay attention as they seek to roll back freedoms, education, the opportunity to vote, and other meaningful opportunities for women, the poor, people of color and anyone that doesn’t fall into their supreme jurisdiction. Pay attention. They support a past president of the U.S., who gave them the okay to hang Vice President Mike Pence; who told and continues to spew lies about a ‘fixed’ election; who has hoodwinked and continues to bamboozle the less educated or the lazy. The information is there if you seek the truth.

Oops! I forgot they stopped teaching ‘critical thinking,’ stop preparing our children to be warriors of truth and lovers of humanity, so it’s easier to accept the rhetoric that is dished out daily all day. I will close with this note, “If they come for me in the morning, they will come for you in the night.” Angela Davis.

The Obesity Crisis is Not a Hopeless Fight for Black America

NNPA NEWSWIRE — From less access to quality healthcare, to the exclusion of anti-obesity medications from Medicare, and most Medicaid and general insurance coverage, our healthcare systems under-prioritizes the well-being of Black Americans. And we’ve learned from history that until we make our voices heard, this crisis will continue to be brushed aside.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr NNPA Columnist

Whether we accept it or not, obesity continues to be a complex, chronic disease that kills thousands of Black Americans every year. Indeed, nearly half of Black Americans live with obesity, so we cannot afford to ignore this national emergency any longer.

The public discourse around weight loss that has taken over recent headlines has entirely missed the mark. Our mainstream media, social media, and content providers are all either dissecting whether a movie star used weight loss medication or analyzing whether these medications are safe to take, even though they’re FDA approved.

The fact of the matter is that we are squandering a critical moment to focus on the deadly disease of obesity, and missing the opportunity to save thousands of lives, particularly Black lives. Within the next seven years, researchers anticipate that half of American adults will live with obesity. This is a personal health burden and a public health crisis, and we should talk about it as such.

Turning the narrative around on this disease, and on Black wellness overall, is critical to stemming obesity’s growth. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade association of more than 250 Black-owned community newspapers and media companies from across the United States, has consistently been the voice of the Black community since its founding 83 years ago.

I serve as the organization’s President and CEO and right now, we’re calling on our members to elevate the conversation on the obesity crisis to one that clarifies the facts, shares reliable resources, and advocates for impactful changes for the benefit of our community’s health and longevity. We can address obesity in a way that gives hope, because this is not a hopeless fight. To start, it’s vital that we correct the misinformation. Too often, people don’t know that obesity is a chronic disease and a long-term illness, with multiple contributing factors outside of a person’s control: environmental circumstances, inherently racist healthcare programs, poverty, and genetics. In cities across the country, like Washington, D.C., where nearly half the population is Black, food deserts and food swamps have become the norm in Black communities. This makes it nearly impossible for many Black residents to eat well even if they wanted to. That is to say, many people cannot access one of the key tools for combating obesity — a healthy diet — because of factors outside of their control.

It’s also important to note that obesity is a complex

disease that may require more than diet and exercise. Our understanding of the disease has changed drastically over the years thanks to scientific research and advances. Where diet and exercise are not enough, some people may need the extra support of anti-obesity medications to fight the disease. Just as many of us take medications to manage hypertension, diabetes, or cholesterol — conditions you may have inherited — medications for chronic weight management may be needed as well. Further, combating severe obesity may even require bariatric surgery. Chronic diseases are treated with a range of treatment options, and obesity is no different.

To be clear, the perception that people who live with obesity just need to take better care of themselves is false and dangerous, as it prevents thousands from receiving or seeking the care they need. Societal weight biases strain the mental health of people living by obesity, prevent people from living their healthiest lives, and contribute to our country’s stagnant healthcare policies that exacerbate obesity’s disproportionate impact on Black communities.

From less access to quality healthcare, to the exclusion of anti-obesity medications from Medicare, and most Medicaid and general insurance cov-

erage, our healthcare systems under-prioritizes the well-being of Black Americans. And we’ve learned from history that until we make our voices heard, this crisis will continue to be brushed aside.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an expert on obesity, noted that we have been living through three pandemics: COVID-19, racism, and obesity. We must prioritize combating the obesity pandemic with the same energy we use to combat COVID-19 and racial injustice. Our lives depend on it.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr is President and CEO of the NNPA, Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations throughout the United States, entrepreneur, global business and civil rights, and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

Living Chicago: Summertime Vibes

By Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Staff Editor

Kids can’t wait to kick off summer in the Chi! But, truth be told parents may be having the exact opposite feelings. Between the weather and expenses of kids home all day some families are left with limited options and don’t know where to begin. This week’s Living Chicago series introduces some great FREE opportunities for families. With vacation comes pool and beach days…does your child know how to swim? Some kids rely on school meals, rock with The Sandwich Ministry helping to bridge the gap and finally Chicago weather is wonky the Garfield Park Conservatory is opened daily that gives the ultimate staycay vibe.

Learn to swim for FREE at Chicago Park Distric Water is both Chicago’s most abundant resource and summertime boogie man. Nationally, nearly 4,000 people perish from unintentional drownings per year, including boating incidents according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drowning victims are most likely to be children under the age of 4, males and minorities and is the 3rd leading cause of death globally according to the World Health Organization.

Since 2014 Chicago Park District has been working to teach kids how to swim for free. Kids ages 6-17 can register for the first session (10 weeks) FREE using the coupon code FIRSTFREE and can be used to register online or in person. Families can request a waiver of fees if they qualify for subsequent sessions. Visit their website for more information at www.chicagopardistrict.com

The Sandwich Ministry

Sandwich MInistry was born in the middle of the pandemic, “i’ve always worked with the youth in some capacity and in 2020 some young people called me and they were closing down the schools

I knew some kids depended on school for food but it wasn’t until the schools ended that I learned they weren’t eating. I got word that they were telling the kids to come to the schools to get their food but enough people aren’t coming so they were told to go elsewhere,” shared Green. Using social media for help, Green was able to start serving lunches to the youth.

Starting June 9th, Green and others from the community will be serving lunches Wed-Friday until school begins again in fall.

The Sandwich Ministry serves in front of The Woodlawn located at 1200 E. 79th street,“Mr. Digby has been so supportive, letting us serve lunches in front of his establishment,” she said, “sometimes people don’t give unless they get something out of it.” Green highlighted the dearth of food and stores in the area and the ministry serves about 500 lunches a week and “super lunches” on Fridays. “On Friday we give a super lunch with ramen, grits, oatmeal and double it up and we know we aren’t going to see them till next week so we add ex-

tra. We give them water and we encourage healthy eating and staying away from pork,” said Green.

M’Reld shares that the ministry efforts cost about $500/week to coordinate putting the lunches together and is supported by donations. When asked what she needed from she said more Black men to serve. “Kids want to see someone cares, and it is so important that more brothers come out and let these kids see they care and they are here for them, seeing more of them can be a powerful thing. Entering their 4th summer if you wish to give back and volunteer join them at The Woodlawn from 12pm-2pm every Wed-Friday to serve and follow them on IG @ thesandwichministry. They are in need of water, natural juice, boxes of chips and most importantly you and your time. Fight food insecurity

this summer, our communities prosperity and pride is all of our ministries.

Af·ro·fu·tur·ism in bloom

Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N Central Park Ave) has an exhibit worth traveling for. Afrofuturism is the exploration through the Black lens often infused with themes ranging from utopic to cultural reclamation. While artists, authors, designers and creatives often use technology to express the visions of a version of life some such as Kee Merriweather have rooted deep and invite guests on a natural high close to home. “An Otherworldly Existence: Afrofuturism & the Environment” is on display until July 31st and “seeks to represent African-descended people in a rich and robust environment.The need to fight environmental injustice is no longer needed, because this world is now just,” according to the conservatories website. Enjoy a day with the family touring the exhibit and conservatory and don’t just imagine an environmentally just future, claim it and live it today and every day.

THE SOUL CHICAGO

Ifyou were anywhere in the city the night that decided who the next mayor of Chicago would be you can still feel the excitement in the air. For many it was a night of victory and others not so triumphant. As the new Mayor elect Brandon Johnson stepped on the stage to give his acceptance speech the freshness of the new and everything to come permeated the atmosphere and imbued the hearts and minds of Chicago’s populace. The sun was shining brightly even in the night radiating the hope and much needed new way of doing politics. The thirst was felt.

Meanwhile at the Paul Vallas camp people were contemplative and mauling over what the future held for them. Business owners big or moderate were concerned about taxes. If they were wealthy, they questioned if they were in or out? Very watchful of the new mayor’s plans to tax the rich weighed heavily on their minds. Lowered shoulders filled the room like defeated sportsman who had played by the playbook. So, what happened? What’s new?

“It just seems so heavy,” said a colleague, “Now coming out of covid with everything still on the mend, you know. Who needs higher taxes? I mean $128,000, is relative, It doesn’t make you rich. It does mean I may be a little better off compared to the man making $60,000.”

I laughed thinking. ‘See, player that’s your privilege talking. So many people are living at the poverty level, way below sixty grand and most likely they have a few kids running around. As a matter of fact, a man making $128,000 with four kids ain’t rich for sure.”

*Sage

It is difficult to provide a precise percentage of people in the United States who are rich or upper class, as definitions and criteria for these terms can vary. However, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2019, the top 5% of households in terms of income had an annual income of more than $250,000.

This group comprised approximately 6.6 million households, or 5.1% of all households in the country. Additionally, the top 20% of households had an annual income of more than $150,000, comprising approximately 24.5 million households, or 19.3% of all households in the country.

My colleague laughs and says “Exactly. In what reality is that number a rich man’s salary? And yet our new mayor mentioned as a starting point of increasing the taxes of the rich.”

All I could think is . . . it could be a lot worse. We must see just how our new optimistic youthful mayor is going to move forward working the soul of Chicago.

And that’s the way it was. The talk continues after the election night and the tongues were wagging. Everyone had so much to say. What do you think Chicago’s new mayor is going to do? How do you think he’s going to fare? Will he or won’t he deliver on his promises? Is he experienced enough? Will he fold under pressure, or will he rise to the occasion? Will he end the violence that has become a banner for Chicago. Will he make Chicago the city of ‘Big Shoulders’ that it was once fondly referred to? Will it ever become the ‘city that works,’ again minus the patronage tax?

Unfortunately, too few people understand how government works. Fewer know how the different branches of government work in tandem with one another. Less understand the legal jurisdiction of each branch and what each is responsible for. And even less of the voting public understands their real responsibility to hold elected officials accountable and how.

Monday, May 15, 2023, Inauguration arrived and the UIC Pavilion Stadium was filled to the rafters with representation of city reflective of a rainbow coalition and the program was equally inclusive touting the ever expansive changing of the guard. Chicago truly is an urban

city in our view where everyone is welcomed.

The newly elected 57th Mayor of Chicago took the podium and said, “As you look out over Lake Michigan, it’s not just the outstanding food from pizza to Italian beef to the vegetarian tacos. It’s not just our art and music that pushes the boundaries and redefines genres. Oh, I believe what truly makes us great is our people . ...”

The ‘soul of Chicago was the theme of the Mayor’s speech.

CNW took a moment out to ask several people their thoughts about what the Mayor’s Inaugural Address conveyed to the city.

The Gist

The 57th Mayor continued following his intro and went on to get to the nucleus of his address.

“There is something special about this city. I like to call it the soul of Chicago. . . It is alive in each one of us here today. And it’s always been the strong and the heart of everyone who has ever called this land home. I’m talking about the soul of Chicago to live in the hearts of the Miami, the Salk, the Potawatomi who lived on this land for centuries. The soul of Chicago sent a Black Haitian man named Jean Baptiste Point du Sable to establish a city at the mouth of the Chicago River.

Robert Curington, Chicago, Hospitality Manager, age: mature

I think that the Mayor’s intention to bring everyone in sync is a major task that can’t be done in one term. But I think he either will or he won’t. The soul of Chicago will demand of him major anxiety either way, whether he succeeds or not. But to make it happen in one term, in my opinion is not doable.

“It is the soul of Chicago that brought immigrants from all over the world to work, to organize, to build the first sky

skyscraper, to flee persecution in one country and create an entire industry. . . I’m talking about the soul of Chicago. . . .” - Mayor Brandon Johnson.”

William Buzz Browne IV, Hyde Park, Sales & Marketing; age 50

“When I first heard him, the first thing that came to mind was I don’t know if he’s an Obama. And Obama could do that. I know after Obama, the country was polarized. My first impression of Mayor Johnson was that I could dig what he is talking about. The people are the soul of Chicago if you think about it. But can he pull it off? It’s a major goal. Huge. The old guard worked hard to keep the folks separate. I’ll say this, my original gut feeling is kibosh, because I think he is more than what I thought he was. There’s a possibility that he can pull it off. So, with the right counsel he will succeed. He has a diverse team of folks around him so it’s a real possibility.”

“”His position on taxing the rich is a hurdle, he must handle gingerly. Otherwise, he can scare some folks away. I mean they can just choose to pick up their toys and go downstate or to Indiana. He’s got to find a delicate balance.

“That, my friends, is the rich soul of Chicago. That soul is what strikes me today. . . as we debate and discuss the solutions to these crises, I want to remind us that we have the real conversation.”

- Mayor Brandon Johnson

Jo’ Bowie, South Shore, Marketing Director, Private sector; 35

“I think that Mayor Brandon is well meaning and enthusiastic. His enthusiasm is infectious and that is what got him elected. The people are desirous of change, and he made big promises, to bring people together across racial, ethnic, religious and community lines because the people are the soul of Chicago. The people loved it. They never asked

CNW Editors

OF

same time, he’s talking about what rich people with big money don’t like-- that he wants to tax them. So, you have to know, that a lot of the rich are like trying to flee Chicago. That’s one of the reasons why he needs to have an infrastructure that is seriously improvisational and stable in seeking balance to end that nonsensical crap. To bring the people together he’s got to fill that gap.”

how he was going to do it, and he never provided the details. Maybe . . . he said he’d raise taxes on the rich and fund summer jobs for youth. But everybody running for office says that to the poor. I think that if he has people around him that think outside the box, he can pull it off.”

society, but also addressing the issues that have plagued our city and how we can become better together as a community in a more holistic manner. pragmatically.

I think he may. Under Harold Washington we made major strides. And given that we are coming out of a world pandemic, there are new issues that we are facing, that requires the Mayor to surround himself with people that will help him identify and address those in the best way for today.

Johnson N. Muni, South Side, Chicago, Engineer; 66

Brandon

“It seems to me that he ran on the Harold Washington platform of inclusivity and diverse representation reflecting Chicago as a win, win for all. That is what he’s calling the soul of Chicago. It’s going to take major ‘playa’ charisma and skill. If he wants change now in Chicago, he’s got to be willing make a dramatic change that is so radical yet good for everyone.

“. . .Is that what our story will say? That Chicago was unable to, . . that we did not invest in all the people and all the communities that make our city great.. . . We get to tell a different story. I’m talking about a story . . .” - Mayor Brandon Johnson

For instance, what’s different about the violence? As opposed to four years ago, or 24 years ago. Whether it’s gangs, whether it’s kids who don’t have direction, how do we address those issues? In 2023, what are some of the remedies that we would use now to help? We will never eradicate it, but to help address it, so that it makes it a little easier. It makes Chicago the city that people want to come back and visit not be afraid of visiting.”

Conclusion

“And that conversation is about the soul of Chicago. It’s a life. It’s alive and well in each one of us. We have so much in common, you all. They really do. And we know that we all suffer when these ills are allowed to fester and grow. These problems don’t just affect particular neighborhoods. One community or an ethnic group affects all of us. . .” -

D. Hodge, South Side Chicago, CNW Food Editor, mature

Mayor

I think there’s a breakdown in his conscious understanding; I don’t know if he has the support or the charisma to pull it off. We’ll wait to see because at the

“The soul of Chicago is, bringing the heart of community together because, Chicago is a microcosm of a variety of cultures. That’s who we are. And it’s bringing the soul of each community together to be a better Chicago for today’s

Mayor Brandon spoke it loud and clear, ‘the soul of Chicago is its people and if we the people want to win and be the city with big shoulders then we must work together across the aisles, and communities together.”

Are you ready?

Useni Eugene Perkins The Gentle Giant

Kai EL’ Zabar Contributing Writer

Baba Useni Eugene

Perkins left this earth Sunday, May 7, 2023 leaving behind his contribution which has made a difference in the lives of many.

Just several years ago the Chicago Tribune titled an article describing Baba Useni Eugene Perkins as perhaps the most famous poet whose name you don’t know and goes on to tell of the popular poem learned and recited by

As recent as 2017, after an African-American arts website posted video of a 3-year-old Chicago girl reciting “Hey Black Child,” Perkins’ best-known (and most misidentified) poem, with a note explaining that Perkins is the author, not Cullen, a reader left this comment: “You insult my Black heritage to covet that which is not yours. Tell the truth.”

The truth is, Useni Eugene Perkins wrote the popular poem, “Hey Black Child.”

For instance, if at any time since 1975, you were a child in a Black classroom in Chicago, there is a good chance you recited “Hey Black Child,” for an assignment, at an assembly — in fact, if you were a Black child in a Black classroom anywhere in the United States since 1975, there is a chance you recited Perkins. Teachers have used its empowerment message as an affirmation for years. Some families have the poem on posters, framed in their living rooms:

“Hey Black Child

Do you know who you are

Who you really are

Do you know you can be

What you want to be

If you try to be

What you can be ...”

A longtime fixture of the South Side art scene, Perkins was a leader of the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ’70s, which sought to distance its art from European influences, encouraging fresh Afrocentric voices. He wrote “Hey Black Child” in 1975, for his musical “Black Fairy.” He intended the words to be lyrics to the play’s penultimate number. Yet in

the 40 years since, “Hey Black Child,” and its long cultural history, is a story of its own.

It is not surprising that if you came across the poetry of Useni Eugene Perkins, it is likely you thought you were reading the work of Maya Angelou who needs no introduction, or Countee Cullen, a Harlem Renaissance poet who died in the 1940s. This was the intro or disclaimer often used when introducing Useni Eugene Perkins’ work. If not them, it was either Illinois poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks or Langston Hughes all four of whom share a type of simplicity in language voicing a powerful in-depth message, yet their styles were all uniquely expressive of their own voices just as Useni had expressed his. To some such confusion could be considered flattering, however, to Baba Useni, whom I’ve known all my adult life, really didn’t think of it that way. What was important to him was that it was being read and shared.

In fact, Baba Useni Perkins, who when I last saw him earlier this year, shared that he was working on a book about Paul Roberson. He was always writing; only a few years ago he completed RISE OF THE PHOENIX, Voices From Chicago’s Black Struggle published by Third World Press. It’s a collection of personal narratives that articulate the political, social, religious, and cultural experiences of many who participated in Chicago’s Black struggle for self-determination, self-reliance, and equality during the civil rights and Black Power movement. I respected that about him and perhaps more than anything the manner of man that he was.

Women always talk about the ‘gentleman’ with affection and I have to say that Baba Useni was truly a gentle man, perhaps more accurately he was a gentle giant, putting a new spin on the meaning of original ol’G. He walked strong and deliberate with a mighty power always in hand as his words were his greatest weapon slaying the lie and misconceptions about who

Black people are and were in the world described as by those who wrote our history. Baba Useni, like the conscious Blacks before him as well as his peers chose to write our narrative from our lens exposing the truth. Here’s the thing, what you establish as your intention leads you to your destiny. Baba Useni was not seeking fame. That was not his intended outcome but rather to enlighten and uplift the self-consciousness of young Black youth. He wanted to transform any self-doubt that they may have had about themselves. And guess what. His poem “Hey Black Child,” since 1975, was most likely shared in classrooms in Chicago, and a Black classrooms anywhere in the United States. Though they may not have known that it was written by Useni Eugene Perkins, didn’t matter but rather the messages. Teachers have used its empowerment message as an affirmation for years.

So, after “Hey Black Child” was heard at a Black History Month event, by the 3year old Pe’Tehn Jackson, on video, one thing leading to another resulted in the video being viewed millions of times and influenced children from all over the country to do the same.

The good news? Ultimately Little, Brown and Company contacted Useni and proposed that he transform the poem into a children’s book--- now a colorful richly textured story that became Mr. Perkins’ most financially successful work to date, illustrated by Bryan Collier, a four-time honoree of the Caldecott awards, given annually to distinguished picture books. Finally, Useni Eugene Perkin’s poem was acknowledged because the work is powerful as demonstrated by the numerous counts of people who have taught the poem from generation to generation. More importantly, is that it finally settled the identity of the author.”

Baba Useni’s papers, letters, and manuscripts, are located in the Harold Washington Library Center archives to be available for years to come. Because he

was an important contributor to the Black Arts movement particularly to the literary portion, not surprising he was an interdisciplinary artist who expressed himself through multiple disciplines. Because of the times. Baba Useni served his community as a professional social worker meeting the demand of what our community needed at that time. It was not unusual to find our creative artists serving underprivileged African-American neighborhoods.

Black folks of his era did what was called of them and so he worked for organizations like, the Henry Horner Chicago Boys Club, as program director, Chicago Boys Club. the Better Boys Foundation, first as program director then, as executive director just short of 20 years, in North Lawndale. Baba Useni submitted his play “Black Fairy,” to the newly opened LaMont Zeno Community Theater in 1974 which he had written after a trip to the Goodman Theatre with his 8-year-old daughter Julia who is documented to have asked, ‘Daddy, why aren’t there any Black people in children’s plays?”

In 1986 he became the social director at the Chicago Urban League, and two years later became the chief executive officer of the Urban League of Portland. He returned to Chicago to serve as president of the DuSable Museum of African American History; founded the Association for the Positive Development of African American Youth in 199; remained editor of the Black Child Journal which he published for more than 35 years. Of course, there’s more but the point here is that Baba Useni was always engaged in the arts. Perkins authored several books of poetry, a few social justice studies about abused and troubled children; two dozen plays, about race riots, blues pioneer Lead Belly, the civil rights lunch-counter protests; history of Chicago’s Black Power Movement.

The beautiful thing to note about Baba Useni is that he

was modest and humble almost to a fault. He committed to be of service to our Community as did all Catalyst members. He often shared that the Black Arts Movement, in contrast to the civil rights movement, was not interested in conformity or reconciliation; he said white academics have “hijacked” the history of the movement. But about the treatment of his own work — “I think I’ve accepted it.” He was not bitter but at peace that his work has been read and continues to serve and to enlighten generations to come.

Useni Eugene Perkins was born on September 13, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, to Marion Perkins, a celebrated sculptor whose work is collected by the Art Institute of Chicago, and Eve Perkins, who worked for University of Chicago dorms and North Side families as a domestic. When Perkins was 11 years old, his father took him to see Shakespeare’s Othello performed by Paul Robeson, who was a friend of his father as was Richard Wright. Baba Useni credits his father’s efforts to expose him to the arts was an early major influence on his writing career. It was the same year he first published a Poem in the Chicago Tribune. The Perkins family resided in the Ida B. Wells public housing project where Baba Useni grew up. Upon graduation from Wendell Phillips High School, he joined the Air Force from which he returned to pursue a college education at George Williams College in 1963, where he completed his both his BA and MS degrees.

He is survived by children Julia and Russell Perkins and wife Sharon Perkins; his niece, Marian Perkins, nephew, L’Overture Perkins, and sister-in-law Thelma Perkins.

Low Chances But High Hopes

By Mila K. Marshall PhD CNW Cannabis Corner Editor

Cannabis has political boundaries informed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics which governs the total number of licenses for dispensaries that can be awarded each lottery cycle. A unique aspect to the industry to preempt saturation of the market and control the flow of supply across the state. In late April the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that there were 2,693 entries for the state’s Social Equity Criteria License (SECL), across the 17 BLS regions. As Region 5 has 36 licenses to award it isn’t surprising that 85% of those who submitted for the lottery chose the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin BLS region. Next most popular regions are Rockford (R11) and St.Louis (R12) with 79 and 85 applicants vying for one license in each region. It is a highly competitive process, but quite affordable leaving the state with $673,250 in income from applicants. Nyatu Marvel President/ CEO of High Maintenance LLC says the low cost of the application was appreciated, especially because the chances to get one of those licenses is competitive. “It was important to have a low fee,” Marvel shared, “going into the lottery with such a low chance of getting one of those licenses. Being affordable was a really good thing for the applicants,” he continued.

Marvel is one of the 2,299 applicants in the BLS Region 5, his optimism is balanced by his logical side. ‘I did not do any research on any of the other regions,” shared Marvel, “I chose Region 5, because of its proximity to where I live, but now that the list of applicants by region has been released I do think maybe I should have looked into applying for another BLS region because in some there’s only 2 applicants,” he continued. There are 14 regions awarding only 1 license and of them 4 had no more than 9 applications. The state’s

segregation influences the economy both directly and indirectly. As the industry seeks diversity there is not ignoring the elephant in the room. Out of 102 counties that make up Illinois nearly 7 out of 10 Black Illinoians live in Cook County.

His entrepreneurial spirit is anchored in his passion for advocacy and equity and as he awaits to hear if his number he’s celebrating the growth of his own cannabis intelligence. The budding business owner has just recently completed his Cannabis Dispensary Operations Certification at Olive-Harvey College and is ready to begin addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities

through his company and broader outreach. “If I get this license I’m really excited to hire my people… I’ve seen Black staffing as an issue at local dispensaries and in the community in general and am excited to create a pipeline for disproportionately impacted communities,I’m a stickler about social equity,” said Marvel.

“I would definitely select one of the regions where the applicants are minimail I am not going to give up and am looking at avenues to be more active as an advocate in the industry.

His entrepreneurial spirit is anchored in his passion for advocacy and equity and as he awaits to hear if his number has been selected he’s

already preparing for next steps and he is all too aware of how. Marvel is one of the nearly 2,700 applicants looking to make a difference through ownership in Illinois, as the state awaits the 55 businesses there is still much work to do to ensure they can operate and employ. SAFE Banking has yet to pass, and social equity applicants around the nation are being held hostage by the inequitable banking practices due to federal policies. Winners will have to pay $30,000 for a 2 year license earning the state $1.65M. As of the publishing of this article IDFPR has yet to announce the 55 lottery winners for the 2023 Social Equity Criteria License.

Summertime Chi Returns Gospel Festival

Kicks Off the Summer Season June 3rd

Chicago Gospel Music Festival: June 3 •Chicago Blues Festival: June 8 – 11 Chicago House Music Festival and Conference: June 23 & 24

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the lineups and artist highlights for three of Chicago’s most beloved free music festivals taking place at the top of summer: • Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 3; Millennium Park) Kicking off the summer season in Millennium Park, this inspirational music festival brings audiences of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate the power of music. 2023 lineup features Choir Nation opening for multiple GRAMMY®Award winners Karen Clark Sheard and Tye Tribbett on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage; MillenniumPark.org, ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us #ChicagoGospelMusicFestival

• Chicago Blues Festival (June 8 – 11; Millennium Park) The largest, free Blues festival in the world returns with four days of top tier talent performing across three stages in Millennium Park. Headliners include: four-time GRAMMY® winners Los Lobos; one of the most decorated gospel music groups, honored by both the GRAMMYs and The National Endowment for theArts with Lifetime Achievement Awards, Blind Boys of Alabama, will perform with two-time GRAMMY® winner, Bobby Rush; multi award-winning artist and eldest son of Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield; three ofChicago’s own living Blues legends John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, and the Jimmy Burns Band; B.B. King Entertainer and Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year winner Sugaray Rayford,and many more. Guests will enjoy a Blues-inspired food and drink pop-up in the Park, titled “Wally’s BBQ Pitt” catered by Eleven North Hospitality, in addition to a large-scale, historic Blues photography installation curated by Praize Productions. MillenniumPark.org, ChicagoBluesFestival.

us #ChicagoBluesFestival

• Chicago House Music Festival and Conference (June 23, Chicago CulturalCenter; June 24, Humboldt Park Boathouse): Chicago’s favorite dance party takes over the beautiful Humboldt Park Boathouse lawn, June 24, celebrating the genre born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally. DJs include Roy Davis Jr., Psycho-B, NoshaLuv, Emmaculate, DJ V, and more to be announced in the coming weeks. The House conference also returns to the Chicago Cultural Center, June 23, with panel discussions relating to the culture, art, and business of House Music. As part of additional programming citywide throughout the weekend, the festival brings local DJs to spin at the historic Maxwell Street Market, June 25 from 12 – 2pm. ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us #ChicagoHouseMusicFestival

“Chicago is the birthplace of house music, urban blues, and gospel. It’s an honor to celebrate our city’s musical legacy each summer with free concerts across Chicago,” shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey.

Be Sure to Save the dates for these additional DCASE music festivals; as well as the complete Millennium Park Summer Season, including Summer Workouts, Summer Film Series, and more; lineups to be announced in the coming weeks:

• Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): select Mondays & Thursdays, June 22 – August 21, MillenniumPark.org

• Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide and in Millennium Park including Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Thursday – Sunday, August 31 – September 3) MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us

• World Music Festival Chicago (citywide): Friday, September 22 – Sunday, October 1, WorldMusicFestivalChicago. org

For more information about City-funded “Chicago Presents” community events and other City-permitted neighborhood festivals and special events, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE. For Grant Park Music Festival information, visit GPMF.org. Schedule highlights for Gospel, Blues and House Music Festivals enclosed with full details and updates available online.

Photos courtesy of DCASE

Chicago Author

Toya Wolfe

Receives the 2023

Pattis Book Award for Her Debut Novel

CNW Staff Repor

Arts & Culture

Broadway in Chicago Presents Aladdin

Now Playing at Cadillac Palace Theatre through May 28th

The Newberry Library and The Pattis Family Foundation are pleased to announce the winner of the second annual $25,000 Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award. Toya Wolfe, author of Last Summer on State Street, will receive the award, which celebrates works that transform public understanding of Chicago, its history, and its people.

“Toya Wolfe’s debut novel is an endearing, memorable, and page-turning work with broad appeal and deep ‘Chicago heart,’” said Daniel Greene, former President and Librarian of the Newberry and Pattis Award jury member. “Set during an important turning point in the history of public housing in Chicago, Last Summer on State Street is a compelling story of friendship, community, and home.”

“It is such an incredible blessing to receive the Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award,” said Toya Wolfe. “Last Summer on State Street is my debut novel, and to win a prestigious award for my first literary endeavor is wildly affirming and will support me as I begin writing a new novel and TV pilots. I am so grateful to The Pattis Family Foundation and the Newberry Library for establishing this award; on behalf of Chicago writers, thank you for all the ways in which you lift us up and cheer us on!”

The Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award is open to writers working in a variety of genres, including history, biography, social sciences, poetry, drama, graphic novels, and fiction—all relating to Chicago. Dawn Turner received the inaugural Pattis Award in 2022 for Three Girls from Bronzeville.

In addition to awarding Toya Wolfe, the juried panel also recognizes Heather Hendershot as the shortlist award recipient for authoring When the News Broke: Chicago 1968 and the Polarizing of America. Hendershot will receive an award of $2,500.

Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, and Broadway In Chicago are delighted to announce that Disney’s ALADDIN is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.). The long-awaited return engagement is running for a limited time through Sunday, May 28 only.

ALADDIN, the hit musical based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, opened on Broadway at

About Last Summer on State Street

the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20, 2014, and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters, breaking 16 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and spawning nine productions on four continents. Worldwide it has welcomed more than 16 million people and can be seen currently on Broadway and on tour across North America, as well as in Tokyo and Madrid, with a UK tour slated to open later this year. The Broadway production recently played

its 3,000th performance and joined the list of Top 20 longest Broadway runs.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for ALADDIN are on sale now. Tickets start at $48.00 with a select number of premium tickets available. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway In Chicago is the only official retail ticket outlet for all performances at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Broadway In Chicago is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Felicia “Fe Fe” Stevens lives with her loving mother and older brother in Chicago’s Robert Taylor Homes. It’s the summer of 1999, and her high-rise is to be torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. She and two other girls from the housing project form a tentative trio and carve out for themselves a simple life of double Dutch and innocence. As their beloved neighborhood falls down around them, so too do their friendships and the structures of their families. Decades later, as she remembers that fateful summer

— just before her home was demolished, her life uprooted, and community forever changed—Fe Fe tries to make sense of the grief and fraught bonds that still haunt her and attempts to reclaim the love that never left.

Profound, reverent, and uplifting, Last Summer on State Street explores the risk of connection against the backdrop of racist institutions, the restorative power of knowing and claiming one’s own past, and those defining relationships which form the heartbeat of our lives. Interweaving moments of reckoning and sustaining grace, debut author Toya Wolfe has crafted an era-defining story of find-

ing a home—both in one’s history and in one’s self.

The presentation of the 2023 Pattis Family Foundation Chicago Book Award takes place at a free, public event at the Newberry Library on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Toya Wolfe will receive the award and discuss Last Summer on State Street with Gail Kern Paster, Interim President and Librarian at the Newberry. The event will also serve as a celebration of the power of storytelling and Chicago, featuring a roster of speakers whose work in the city strives to change our communities for the better.

Toya Wolfe, Pattis Award Winner for Last Summer on State Street

City of Chicago Partners with Biden-Harris Administration on New initiative to Address Homelessness

Chicago is one of six sites selected for new initiative

Mayor Brandon Johnson; Deputy Mayor of Education, Youth, & Human Services Jennifer Johnson; the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS); and All Chicago Making Homelessness History announced a partnership with the White House and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to participate in ALL INside, a first-of-its-kind initiative to address unsheltered homelessness.

As part of ALL INside, the City will partner with USICH and its 19 federal member agencies for up to two years to strengthen and accelerate local efforts to move unsheltered people off the streets and into homes where they can rebuild their lives.

“We must work with our federal and community partners to assist people experiencing homelessness and build pathways that ensure every Chicagoan has a roof over their head, as well as support services to help them thrive,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “ALL INside is an exciting initiative that helps leverage federal programs and resources to help the City and community address homelessness. I look forward to collaborating with the White House, USICH, and All Chicago Making Homelessness History to exchange best practices and help our unsheltered neighbors find safe places to live.”

To accelerate ongoing efforts by local leaders, the Biden-Harris Administration will offer innovative and tailored support to participating communities for up to two years, including:

Embedding a dedicated federal official in each community to accelerate locally driven strategies and enact

system-level changes to reduce unsheltered homelessness.

Deploying dedicated teams across the federal government to identify opportunities for regulatory relief and flexibilities, navigate federal funding streams, and facilitate a peer learning network across the communities; and

Convening philanthropy, the private sector, and other communities to identify opportunities for follow-on support and collaboration.

“This initiative will provide essential access to Federal alliances as we coordinate and build upon the efforts of our many partners. We know that centralized, coordinated initiatives are more effective in our efforts to find our neighbors experiencing homelessness a safe place to call home,” said Carolyn Ross, President & CEO of All Chicago Making Homelessness History, an organization that prevents and ends homelessness through emergency financial assistance, community partnerships, data analytics, and training. “We need all the help we can get to help our unsheltered neighbors, for whom the situation is dire. ALL INside creates the opportunity to seek guidance in our work to find innovative solutions to roadblocks and ways to better coordinate our efforts. This is an essential step forward in our efforts to end homelessness.”

The City of Chicago, All Chicago, and Chicago Continuum of Care Board identified the following points as key areas of need for the initiative:

A dedicated focus and priority on pathways to housing for residents returning from jails and prisons and residents with arrest or conviction records, including a systematic review of eligibility and exclusions.

An address of the needs of unsheltered people on public transit, as well as safety concerns near highways and under viaducts and bridges — and divert unsheltered persons from transportation systems to safer places for shelter.

Dedicated support to help participants in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) make community choices to create a data system that will support collaborative change in Chicago. Efficient processes for preparing and accessing documentation/IDs to support access to housing and benefits.

An improvement of the involvement of persons with lived experience in actual decision-making processes beyond the “input” stage and extending into the “implementation” stage.

“Many unsheltered people seek refuge on trains and other forms of transportation, which is why we need to ensure the City, as well as our community partners, can reach them and respond to their different needs. Improving our response on transit systems is an essential step toward supporting unsheltered residents,” said DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze. “With this agreement, we have a direct line to our federal partners to advocate for our unsheltered neighbors.”

ALL INside is part of All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, which set a bold goal to reduce homelessness 25% by 2025 and ultimately build a country where every person has a safe and affordable home.

Photo Credit: People’s World

FULLFEST Chicago’s Official Backyard Party Returns!

By Mila K Marshall, PhD CNW Staff Editor

Get it how you live is not just a motto but a lifestyle. This summer welcomes back Chicago’s Official Backyard Party, FULLFEST. Held at Eden Place Nature Center (4417 S. Stewart Ave.), Chicago’s original urban oasis. ” I love everything about Chicago and wanted to create an event that helped the Black community connect to the outdoors in a really dope way,” shared Dr. Mila Marshall. She began her work in non-profit as the nature centers Director of Research while attending Chicago State University. Her passion for the environment was matched by the business savvy of Karen Roberts of Jus Sandwiches. “When Mila brought me to the nature center, I had never seen it before and had no clue this was even back here. She asked me if I could see a party with a purpose and I was in,” shared Karen. Roberts herself is an accomplished entrepreneur and 1st place winner of the Auburn Gresham Shark Tank pitch competition earning $150,000. The pair planned the event in 2022 and brought together 100 guests to enjoy the space and learn about the nature center while vibing out to an all-lady DJ line up including DJ Ari, DJ Niesha, DJ Tasha, DJ 3 Snapz, DJ QT and headliner DJ Ca$hera. “Diverse City was really a driving force behind last year’s success. Our buddy Brian Gorman really helped us with the stage and set up to put on a high-quality event and even found us our DJ’s. Women don’t typically get a lot of shine here in Chicago’s music scene…it’s so amazing to have had the opportunity to employ them, introduce them to guests and plug them to the people,” shared Marshall.

Being the greenest day party isn’t easy and the model for the event has both purpose and passion. “Businesses in our community need events to sponsor to market themselves,” shared Roberts “but sometimes it costs too

much and good businesses don’t get their brands known.” FULLFEST is an experiment to highlight local Black minority owned eco-friendly businesses and brands that are looking to connect with the Black community.

“What I’ve learned in my nearly 20 years in the environmental space is that how we as Black people learn about nature and the environment looks different. The party passively does that while not boring folks or scaring them about how bad climate change is. We want people to see the possibility through their purchases. We want folks to have a good time outdoors and feel that vibe of wanting access to spaces that are exclusive high quality and most importantly reinvest into our communities and businesses,” said Marshall.

Her dream is to see this day party grow to include a luxury electric car show and give larger brands an opportunity to connect with Black patrons and an urban market.

“We are really excited to run it back this year…it’s our Jordan year, and it is the 50th anniversary of hip hop,” said Roberts. Guests can expect a special experience with the Chicago Hip Hop Heritage Museum kicking off the event with tunes from local DJ Jukie Tha-KidD, a guest appearance by poet M’Reld Green and hosted by hilarious comedian Meechie Hall.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests this year and we are praying for good weather and dope vibes. I’m so grateful for all the support we have gotten, and we are dedicated to making this event successful and the pride of the southside. The fellas have had their run with the HydePark Summerfest and Silver Room Block Club Party, so it feels good to be a woman in this space. We chopped it up with Swain who gave us his blessing. We thanked him for getting bigger, it made it possible for us to grow into this space and do something on a smaller scale,” said Marshall enthusiastically. The party has a capacity of

200 guests, vendors are encouraged to use non plastic items and sponsors are invited to invest dollars and sweat equity into Eden Place Nature Center.

Founders want to donate a portion of the proceeds to Eden Place and want more green businesses to find their way to FULLFEST. “Our lowest sponsorship is $50 for businesses, we know lots of Black companies that need more customers and social media isn’t cutting it…we wanted to make it accessible for companies of all levels,” shared Roberts. While they are still looking for a main sponsor they are hopeful. “It is my sole mission to amplify the blue and green economy of Black Chicago, from boat charters to vegan restaurants and organic pest control and lawn care companies and even cannabis and beer, we want them to see others care about the environment in our community. I think both my partner and I are excited about the growth we have, Funkytown Brewery this year, Chicago News Weekly, The Corner Convo Podcast and ChiBlizz Radio are on deck and our friends at Honeysuckle Magazine are returning. “I’m so grateful others see the vision,” said Marshall.

Marshall credits the success of the event to Mr. Michael Howard and the Board of Fuller Park Community Development. “This wouldn’t happen if Mr. Howard and the Board didn’t believe in me and my vision. They trusted me with this special place, and I want to tell the world about our very own urban oasis and put my people on,” said Marshall. Guests can find the tickets on Eventnoire and follow them on IG @fullfestchi. July 1st will surely be lit!

hEALTHY lIVING

New Study Reveals Years of Potential Life Lost For Blacks from 1999-2020

NNPA NEWSWIRE —

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) said their results show that new ways of doing things are needed. JAMA looked at statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that when the coronavirus pandemic hit the world in 2020, the number of deaths and years of potential life lost went up.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

Newswire Senior National Correspondent

A new study shows that after some progress, the number of deaths and years of possible life lost among America’s Black population stopped going down and then started going up again.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) said their results show that new ways of doing things are needed. JAMA looked at statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that when the coronavirus pandemic hit the world in 2020, the number of deaths and years of potential life lost went up.

Compared to white people, 1.63 million more Black people died than they should have.

Experts said that’s the equivalent of 80 million years

of potential life during the study period, which took place from 1999 to 2020. “After a period of progress in reducing disparities, improvements stopped, and differences between the Black population and the white population got worse in 2020,” JAMA experts wrote. Because of the pandemic, experts stated that years of growth had ended. They said the pandemic affected Black Americans more than other groups.

Herman Taylor, one of the study’s authors and head of the cardiovascular research institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, said, “The study is very important for about 1.63 million reasons.” “Real lives are being lost. Real families are missing parents and grandparents,” Taylor declared. “Babies and their mothers are dying. We have been screaming this message for de-

cades.”

Clyde Yancy, an author of the study and chief of cardiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, told reporters that high death rates among Black people have less to do with their genes.

However, it has more to do with the country’s long history of discrimination, which has hurt generations of Black people’s chances of getting an education, a good place to live, and a good job. Yancy said that Black areas redlined in the 1930s, meaning that mortgages and other investments were too “high risk” for them, are still poorer and sicker today.

Yancy remarked that there were also more COVID infections and deaths in ZIP codes that used to be redlined. “It’s very clear that we have an uneven distribution of health,” Yancy said. “We’re talking about the freedom to be healthy.”

In 2021, non-Hispanic white Americans could expect to live to 76 years old, but non-Hispanic Black Americans could only hope to live to 71 years old. A big reason for this difference is another study that showed that non-Hispanic Black babies are 2.5 times more likely to die before their first birthday than non-Hispanic white babies. Non-Hispanic Black mothers are more than three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related problem than non-Hispanic white moms.

That’s All She Wrote

A Community Conversation with Dr. Carol Adams at CICS

Kai EL’ Zabar CNW Contributing Writer

That’s All She Wrote . . . Reflections and Remembrances

It opened as a book signing celebrating and honoring the poetry book written by Carol Adams Ph.D. “That’s All She Wrote,” a collection of personal reflection memoirs written about personal experiences. Upon entering the room, I could see that everything was in place, set-up for a book signing and conversation. I was early so I seized the moment to sit down and interview my respected friend who as always was poised, relaxed and ready.

I opened with, “What made you choose poetry as the genre to tell your story? Because the book does tell the story? Like many I know that the doctor is brilliant and creatively poised to express herself through any chosen vehicle, so I was like most curious why poetry now?

Without hesitating Dr. Adams began with, “Over a period of many years, I wrote, not with the thought of publishing. They were for me. It was the way I processed different things that I was experiencing. That expanded when I started writing about my I travel. Writing was something I did since my childhood. At home in the evenings from time to time, I would read one or more, randomly based on a feeling.” She shared, “I’m going to read one this evening from a trip to Jamaica, where, I took a group of students. When we returned, I presented the poems to them because every night I had only about what things that I had I done, and which thought were only of interest to me. But after that, I traveled to Israel twice and when I returned the second time, I shared it with Prince Asiel. Such sharing what I wrote with others were exceptions, “ she said more to herself than to me.

Dr. Adams lingered in her pause and inquired whether or not I knew Kwesi, who was an invaluable member of Chicago State’s staff with whom she shared one of her personal favorites – “We Need Some More Neighbor in this Hood.” After reading it to him, Kwesi asked, “What? Can you read that again?” After which, he inquired, “where can I get that? ” When she expressed that it wasn’t published he responded , “Well, you should.”Dr. Adams continues, “So he put the thought in my head. Later at some point Tracie Hall , Executive Di-

rector at American Library Association encouraged me to publish as well. I was already processing the idea of writing about Catalyst, which I am currently working on, now that I am free to do things I want to, meaning I have the time, so I can.”

We paused for a moment as guests strolled in and immediately approached the table to greet Dr. Adams and purchase an autographed copy of her book. It was so seamlessly fluid as she flowed in and out of conversations with the guests and I, one thread weaving the fabric of conversations woven into the story I get to tell. It was surreal—I felt I was participating in a poem yet to be written.

“Hi, darlin, how are you? Yes, yes, where do you want it? . . .

“Sure we can take. Selfie . ..” the author says ever giddy. The guest takes the selfie with Dr. Adams and moves on. She turns to me, and continues, “ Yes, so, I’ve decided to do some of the things I really want to do, as a way of taking time for myself is essential to complete the circle.”

I advance the conversation, “So, you’re working on the book about the Catalyst. What is that journey, like so far?”

She smiles lighting up her eyes and says, “Oh, it’s amazing, because I know the work. I know it’s value. The research has revealed the berth, the full weight of it, so I find myself impressed. I was there and I knew what we were up to, still, now going through the archives, I’m thrown back in time reminiscing and discovering simultaneously. It’s celebratory.”

Just then a striking young sister approaches the table and compliments acknowledges Dr. Adams, as MamaDoc, and I knew that she was one of our Watoto . . . community children. She goes on to compliment Dr. Adams on her fabulous gele/headwrap, who accepts the compliment and then introduces me to Pilar Audain, as we both realize that we are FB friends. She would later conduct the actual interview with Dr. Adams. And just like that Dr. Adams kept it moving and continued, “The members of Catalyst were phenomenal people.

The bodies of work that emerged from each member, who had made a strong commitment to Abena Joan Brown to work for our people, not for those who work against us, is incredible (you’ll have to learn the details when the book is published). Each of us committed to work for Black people and we were everywhere as educators, administrators, executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, institution builders, artists, writers, technicians, etc. The work speaks for itself, but I am pursuing what each individual thought about, their goal and intention” Then she shifted her body towards me looking directly in my eyes, and said, “Think about our latest Catalyst member to transition,’ referring to Useni Eugene Perkins who passed earlier this month. “His body of work, as one individual is staggering. A reporter from the Sun Times called me for an interview regarding Useni-talking about the “Black Fairy,” as she shook her head.” His written tome includes Poems. Plays, social, commentaries, cultural history and case studies for social and economic justice and more.”

It was understood that those people and unfortunately too few of our own have no idea that Useni was a major contributor to the literary world. She continued, “And I had to say, ‘That’s just one thing.”

She mentioned how thorough Catalyst was as a group, how they covered everything. It’s all there for the record, there is photographic documentation captured. I could literally feel her excitement. The journey of revisiting the ‘s work that she helped to create together with her comrades lives and she gets to share their journey’s as each found their own path to achieve great things is affirming that they did what they set out to do. She informed me that she even has the minutes from their meetings which reveals their intentions, accomplishments and how and what they did to achieve their work.

iN THE MOMENT

Back to her collection of poetic stories, of which she said, “My book tour has been very exciting in that I get to be with and commune with people from every phase of my life. It’s rejuvenating. So its successful in that way and because I’m selling books that allow insight into my

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Mayor Johnson Presides Over First City Council Meeting Council Approves Mayor’s Unity Plan

OnWednesday, the City Council approved of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Unity Council Organization Plan, marking a significant milestone in his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible outcomes for the people of Chicago. The innovative Unity Plan introduces a comprehensive framework designed to foster collaboration among aldermen from diverse backgrounds while aligning the Mayor’s office and City Council around shared priorities and values.

“As elected leaders, our primary responsibility is to ensure that our government is structured to effectively serve the people,” stated Mayor Johnson. “This plan empowers the most diverse group of Council chairs in our city’s history and unites us across geographical boundaries and political spectrums.”

Mayor Johnson’s Unity Plan introduces 20 committees providing avenues for addressing critical issues facing the city. By appointing aldermen from a wide range of political affiliations as committee chairs, the plan promotes inclusivity and ensures equitable representation for all communities.

The Unity Plan includes the following aldermen in prominent leadership positions within City Council:

• Ald. Pat Dowell, Chair of the Committee on Finance

• Ald. Jason Ervin, Chair of the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations

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thinking. She noted, “I did one a couple Sundays ago at the Kentucky Derby.. It was hosted at the iconic Black owned club there, Joe’s. My friends, girls that I attended elementary school with were there. It was a special kind of reunion amongst friends .”

I inquired about one of the poems that really resonated with me, “The Baby.” The poem captures so eloquently the relationship between her, her sisters and cousins who were older testifying to the gap of 10-years between her the youngest’s before her. They were in school walking and talking, being young ladies. Dr. Adams voice permeated with love and joy in remembrance of her girl family, all of whom she recalls as being worthy to imitate. They were bright, bubbly, brilliant and bodacious. “ I wanted to be

• Ald. Maria Hadden, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy

• Ald. Michelle Harris, Chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules

• Ald. Brian Hopkins, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety

• Ald. Daniel La Spata, Chair of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

• Ald. Matt Martin, Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight

• Ald. Greg Mitchell, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Public Way

• Ald. Emma Mitts, Chair of the Committee on Contracting, Oversight and Equity

• Ald. Matt O’Shea, Chair of the Committee on Aviation

• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, Chair of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards

• Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Relations

• Ald. Michael Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Workforce Development and Audit

• Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate

like them.”

Dr Adams, never short on words breathes in and finalizes her story about “Baby,” expressing, “All of our experiences are different and unique one from the other even though we may experience the same thing at the same time. I know that I grew up following in the footsteps of my siblings and cousins who were extended sisters, I essentially was babied by them. I was the baby.”

I mean they don’t tell the baby that at some point in time the baby becomes the oldest when the older become elders, I had to manage the caretaking and the burying of my older sister and cousins/ family. Yeah, That was the impetus for that particular poem.

Dr. Adams, says directly to today’s youth, “Focus on who you are. Again, because coming up in today’s environ-

• Ald. Deb Silverstein, Chair of the Committee on License and Consumer Protection

• Ald. Nick Sposato, Chair of the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation

• Ald. Chris Taliaferro, Chair of the Committee on Police and Fire

• Ald. Jeannette Taylor, Chair of the Committee on Education and Child Development

• Ald. Andre Vasquez, Chair of the Committee on Immigration and Refugee Rights

ments, there’s nothing quite like what we have here. You know, and when I think about our kids who have lived the life we created for them—they had cultural institutions that nurtured them compared to others who had education with no cultural reference, history or context, absent of the nurturing and the academic clarity that helps to root young people. Our children were provided for with the confidence of family and extended community support. We prepared our children for leadership. I believe in you—” there’s no stopping you now.”

The Author’s Favorites

Dr. Adams says of her own writing, “I like different ones (poems) for different reasons. Like the ones about my girls, you know? Because, some have passed on and then there’s that moment, I real-

• Ald. Gil Villegas, Chair of the Committee on the Economic, Capital and Technology Development

The implementation of Mayor Johnson’s Unity Plan marks several historic firsts, including the appointment of the first Black woman as Finance Committee chair, the first Latinaleading a committee, and a record-breaking seven Latinx aldermen serving as Chairs.

Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th) will serve as President Pro Tempore, while Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) assumes the role of Assistant President Pro Tempore. Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) will make history as the first Black Vice Mayor.

ize that most of my best friends are longer here so there’s one that says, “I want all my girls,’” and another that says, “I want to call you.”

I also like those that address social issues, particularly, “We Need More Neighbor in the Hood” and “Jacked Up.” They capture how I was what is going on in our world as I experience it.” Both are, must reads when you pick up your book.

There was so much more I wanted to discuss, but the time had come. Akua Lanu, Director of Northeastern’s Center for Inner City Studies, introduced Dr. Adams and the Pilar Audain who conducted the community conversational interview. It lands differently when the truth comes from one who walks the talk! ”And that’s All She Wrote.” . . .

Available on line

it’s Back to Summer Chicago . . .

C.L. Blackburn CNW Staff Writer

The question is what to wear from lakefront weddings to long-awaited vacations and so many other places to go, and things to do, all requiring apparel because you’ve got to look good. Hopefully, you’ve been on top of your diet and exercise routine so that last year’s clothes still fit. That is ‘a thing,’ for sure.

After two years of the pandemic that plagued our lives, there are so many things to look forward to this season. First things first. Do go through your closet, keep what you want and send the other items to a thrift shop or resale store. Try on the rest to make sure they fit—choose to shed a few or keep it moving and send them away also. Next, look at what you absolutely need to complete your wardrobe. How’s that swimsuit looking? And your sundresses—they always work. What’s a summer without them?

Now you’re ready to add to your ‘list of things to do,’ a list of shopping summer clothing sales. That’s right because right now, there are many things to scoop up at slashed prices, everywhere from Nordstrom to Net-

a-Porter to Khaite to Tory Burch. Yep, because they’ve done what you just did. Out with the old and in with the new. Go shopping now. If you don’t have any and need a pair, right now is the moment to stack your closet with pedicure-flirtatious sandals that flaunt your beautiful feet, Marilyn Monroe-worthy dresses—just make sure, when your dress blows up, that you have on beautiful underwear, and that you’re shaved. Next, look out for jaw-dropping flatter-worthy swimsuits from your favorite labels. Still, you may want to add labels like Altuzarra, Gabriela Hearst, and Dôen—which rarely reduce

their prices at the level seen this season. So get out and be about the rewards that this summer Fashion Goddess has bestowed upon you and check out seasonal transitional pieces, which will come in handy as cooler fall weather starts to arrive. Add some cardigans and knit dresses, even a tennis skirt, and wear it with a pair of those beautiful sandals you buy.