Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-In-Chief
Terri Winston Vice
PresidentDarnell
Donna Hodge Food Editor
Dr. Mila K. Marshall Cannabis Corner Editor Staff Writers
Dr. Sharice Braford
Liz Lampkin
Tammy Gibsons
Shaneen Murray
Marti Worell
Wanda Wright
Mare Evans
Melanie Mainor
Eric Grant
Darnell Pulphus
you’re anything like me, I know that it’s hard for you to listen to the repeated nauseating news reports of the Trump folks fawning over his exclamations of innocence. But worse is that they accuse the Biden administration of going after Trump as a witch hunt scheme in attempts to eliminate him from the presidential race. OMG, already. It’s exhausting to have to hear about him, hear him, see him on the news as a constant again! I thought, did not the mainstream media learn anything from the last presidential election? Must we consume our days with news about Trump, Trump, Trump and if we must can it be information that advances the conversation?
Seriously, we cannot afford to hear daily that Trump is doing what he does, and we know that includes not accepting responsibility for any of the choices that he’s made that have put him in the current legal position and circumstances he now finds himself. This we expect of him. But honestly, I am appalled by those who claim to be running against him for the Republican presidential nomination-- Francis Suarez, (the last to join at the time of this writing), Doug Burgum, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Asa Hutchinson, Larry Elder, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley all of whom have avoided the obvious question asked of them by Republican political pundits.
When asked if elected would they pardon a guilty Trump? Pence hymned and hawed skirted the situation, saying that we have to wait and see what the outcome is of Trump’s Federal trial is. That’s a very logical response. However, he of all people had the opportunity to say, “Absolutely not. Trump asked me to break the law. I upheld the rule of law, and his people built a gallow to hang me. Trump never called on them to tear down the gallow or to back down as they attempted to siege the Capitol. If had followed Trump’s order, I’d be under arrest facing federal criminal charges. Or, if Trump’s dangerous malicia had succeeded I’d be dead. The worst case scenario is that had they succeeded we’d be under the rule of an autocrat not a U.S. President.” He has the facts to support him and prove once and for all that he’s not a ‘patsy.’ He didn’t. Then there’s, Nikki Haley, who blew her opportunity as a stand-alone woman to acknowledge his guilty verdict regarding his bad behavior in the E Carroll case; present his upcoming case regarding the ‘hush money for an abortion for a porn star he apparently impregnated. Finally, blast all the nasty/disrespectful things he’s said about women., etc. Have some courage. I’d never vote for a woman like her who has obvious has so little self-respect. Then there’s Christie the stand-out candidate who says unapologetically that, “Trump is in this predicament because of his choices.
1. He took classified documents that belong to the U.S government 2. He refused to return them when asked by the feds, and
3. He asked his lawyers to lie and say that he didn’t have them. Christie also said of that the DOJ has presented an ‘evidence laden indictment.” The facts are there. Lastly, Christie says most importantly is that Trump puts himself before the country and if he were to return to the White House, he’d be settling his vindictive scores. Lastly, let’s look at DeSantis, who has clearly stated that he’d put a pardon on the table if Trump were reelected. So, we get what the candidates have to lose but what hold
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chiefdoes Trump have on grown men and women? How do they buy into his continued lies, blatant lies? I thought and have been thinking about this over the years. And besides the page he took out of the notebook of a once powerful sleazy attorney Roy Cohn, who represented Mafia bosses Fat Tony Salerno, Carmine Galante, and John Gotti, Trump is a severe narcissist. It’s important to understand who this man was. Roy Marcus Cohn gained fame from his high profile case as Senator Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the Army–McCarthy hearings in 1954, when he assisted McCarthy’s investigations of suspected communists. Cohn became a prominent political fixer in New York City. He also represented and mentored New York City real estate developer and future U.S. President Donald Trump during his early business career. It is he who taught him how to win the game against all odds. Trump’s a master at pulling people into his rabbit hole that as going down, they get as dirty as himself. He pulls his lawyers into his criminal acts as he did which is caught on tape in the current indictment suggesting that they lie, instructing him to lie about not having the documents and so much more. He creates the illusion that they are untouchable with him and that they will be highly rewarded. It is part of the evidence supporting his indictment on 7 counts. Okay so there’s that.
But back to the blind supporters who voluntarily put on and keep on the blinders. How do they respond to Donald Trump’s manipulations like using his legal woes to plead for money from them/supporters – again. Following his first indictment, Trump the billionaire asked supporters to ‘make a contribution to peacefully defend our movement from the never ending witch hunts’. Today it totals 11 million collected donations and will be more by the publication of this issue. This he has accomplished as he maintains “I am an innocent man” though he could face prison if convicted.
He further states, “Joe Biden’s Department of Justice has INDICTED me even though I did NOTHING wrong,” in one of several June 9, morning emails.
The email ended with links asking supporters for donations of varying amounts, from $25 to $250, pooled by the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, the main fundraising
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NNPA NEWSWIRE — The truth is, crime is out of control in this country, especially in too many of our cities. While many choose to turn a blind eye, it is people of color who are the majority of the victims: People of color account for 73 percent of rape victims; 72 percent of robbery victims; and 80 percent of felony assault victims; and 68.7 percent of the people in prison are Black and brown and 44% percent of the people killed by police in the United States are Black and brown.
By Andrew M. Cuomo and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
America 2023: tumultuous times. Yes. Yet, amidst the greatest domestic challenges of American history, our nation has attempted to respond to the challenges through transformative public policy initiatives that have moved America toward a more perfect inclusive union.
Today there are new challenges to be sure, but also there are ongoing battles that have yet to be won. There are civil rights struggles and conditions that harken back to the 1960s that still abuse people of color every day, that still deny justice, equality and opportunity for all.
There’s an old saying: The first step to solving a problem is admitting it — and the first step can be painful. There is still gross inequity in our education system, between rich school districts and poor districts. There is still inequality in access to healthcare, employment, to financial credit and there is a basic violation of civil and human rights in our criminal justice system. Misguided pseudo-progressive policies such as “defund the police” and soft on crime procedures are literally contributing to the killing of hundreds of Black people and other people of color every day across America. The truth is, crime is out of control in this country, especially in too many of our cities. While many choose to turn a blind eye, it is people of color who are the majority of the victims: People of color account for 73 percent of rape victims; 72 percent of robbery victims; and 80 percent of felony assault victims; and 68.7 percent
of the people in prison are Black and brown and 44% percent of the people killed by police in the United States are Black and brown.
We do need police reform and reform of the entire justice system.
One: we need to change the culture and premise of policing. Our basic police system was designed in the mid-1800s — a different time and place. Today, it’s estimated that less than 10% of police officers’ time is actually fighting violent crime. We need a different vision, we need to rethink how we police — 911 calls signal an emergency, and we need more specialized and better trained emergency responders for different needs: domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, homeless issues, gang problems as well as violent crime in progress.
Second: We need dangerous guns off the streets and all guns away from dangerous and mentally ill people. By far, most gun crimes are committed in urban areas with handguns.
We need to reduce not increase concealed weapons in our cities.
We need to keep guns out of the hands of anyone under 21.
We need to fill gaps in the background check system so it’s universal and nationwide.
And we need to bring back the assault weapons ban because weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our communities. Assault weapons enable the horrific mass shootings that continue to plague our country.
Third: We need to reduce recidivism. The vast majority of violent crimes are repeated by a small number of people who keep hurting others over and over.
Fourth: We need to have more effective alternatives to incarceration, safer jails, but dangerous and repetitive violent people must be taken off the streets to protect all Americans, and in particular for the most vulnerable who are disproportionately victimized by violence and crime in Black and brown communities.
Fifth: We have to stop over criminalizing petty, non-violent acts. 80 percent of crimes are for misdemeanors, and many are petty non-violent acts. And some charges are deliberately vague and are subject to discretion that can be abused by police, like loitering, vagrancy, trespass, or failure to pay a fine. In fact, some of the most horrific examples of police abuse occurred when a minor crime arrest escalated: Eric Garner killed for selling loose cigarettes; Rodney King beaten within an inch of his life for speeding; George Floyd killed for a bad $20 bill; Alton Sterling killed for selling CDs; Philando Castile killed for a broken taillight; and, Michael Brown killed for jaywalking.
We believe that the time to act is now. These specific categories of civil rights have been violated for too long and the time to make a difference is surely too short. As a nation we cannot afford to remain silent about extremists’ hatred, violence, crime, and the fear-filled deterioration of American cities and towns.
This is for us a sense of urgency and civic responsibility. We have decided to work and act together, and to speak out publicly with recommended commonsense solutions to crime, violence, guns, and police reform that we know the majority of the American people support.
Andrew M. Cuomo, American lawyer who served as the 56th Governor of New York from 2011 to 2021, Chair of the National Governors Association, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and former Attorney General of New York.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV stations across the nation; former Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP, and today serves as a National Co-Chair of No Labels.
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arm of the ex-president’s 2024 campaign.
Those links directed supporters to an online donation portal, which displays another message with more pleas for donations. “President Trump will NEVER SURRENDER our mission to save America. And he knows you won’t either!” reads part of the message online.
The question I repeat is why? I thought about this. Talked about it and asked intelligent people their take on the Trump die-hard supporters. I
conclude that originally the people who became the base were the average hard working white and the poor white Americans who felt that the democrats were riding on some high intellectual horse and was not listening, and certainly had not heard them. So, when Trump began to spew their heartfelt issues and concerns, saying what they wanted to say, but had been forced to be polite, or politically correct, he ripped the bandaid off their lips. And they have been empow-
ered ever since. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t care about them. Every time, Trump speaks they breathe in long satisfying inhales. They don’t read, they don’t watch multiple news platforms, only Fox News and Trump’s horn. They have yet to exhale, holding on to his every word they embrace him as their inner voice and continue to give what he takes from them. And so it is. . . until it’s not.
we need to change the culture and premise of policing. Our basic police system was designed in the mid-1800s — a different time and place. Today, it’s estimated that less than 10% of police officers’ time is actually fighting violent crime.
Itbegan as an engaging conversation between three women just talking before, we moved onto the business. We sat at Alicia’s round table across from her desk. I was certain that many of her brilliant ideas had been hammered out where we were sitting. She began with a compliment regarding my jewelry and shared that as a child she had gone through her grandmother’s jewelry box playing as little girls did in our youth. I was mesmerized by her stunning understated beauty as her long flowing tresses gracefully framed her face softly falling gently upon her shoulders. As she ended her ‘story,’ I heard her say, . . . “but one day I arrived at school and noticed that I was still wearing my grandmother’s wedding ring.”
I had no idea what was coming next, but when the words rolled off her tongue, “and I gave it to the teacher for safe keeping,” I knew that she was an extraordinary human being. To have been that thoughtful to know that it was best that she put the ring in the hands of a responsible adult and to inform her grandmother that her ring was safe, was an act of maturity that most teenagers don’t have, and many adults lack.
Meet Alicia Bunton, Assistant Vice President for Community Affairs and Outreach Programs at Illinois Tech. If you haven’t met her you need to make sure that you meet her on June 24th at the Bronzeville, Vendor Fair & Wildflower Music Festival, Saturday, June 24 on the University’s Campus. Footnote that and let’s continue Alicia’s introduction.
As Asst. VP for Community Affairs (she has many other handles-- Presidential Fellow for Community Engagement; chair the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee; and a fellow at the Center for Ethics and the professions). she leverages the university across three different pillars. There’s art and culture, education, and
That choice was a wise one for Alicia putting her in in communication with Senabella Gill, who had had a business rapport with Alicia’s predecessor. They have since collaborated on many projects, including the upcoming festival.
Alicia made her initial impact by focusing on producing campus concerts at 2 popular spots, the P club a very engaging, intimate space with a fireplace overlooking a little sculpture garden (a personal favorite) and the MTC is a student centered therapy space, which the L goes through. Both are popular for different reasons, but worked for the new VP in accomplishing her initial goals. That effort expanded to include a Black Film Festival, an Asian Film Festival, and a flurry of trolley tours.
economic development. Openly and very candidly she smiles and says, “Each one of those pillars could be a separate job description with a director for each.”
Smart and savvy as she is, Alicia chose the arts and education pillar because the implementation demanded less since the foundation was already in place, “Arguably” she says, “because Brownsville is the home of gospel, jazz, and the blues. So, if I’m leveraging the assets of the university across this pillar, fun to be had was also a component.”
Alicia recognized that Chicagoans appeared landlocked to their seven block radius, when they have a whole city to explore. So, the purpose of the trolley tours was to get people out of their comfort zone and to explore the assets of the adjacent communities. She says, “So I would do Brownsville, Chinatown, Pilsen, Bridgeport tours that celebrated the architectural contributions of African Americans to the Chicago skyline as well as other contributors.”
‘Dîner en Blanc’ was the first big event that I was able to have on campus that drew 4000 people. Le Dîner en Blanc recalls the elegance and glamor of high French society, and guests who have all been patiently waiting to learn where “Dîner en Blanc” will take place receive the location at the last minute. The guests engage one another, knowing that they are taking part in a very magical event.” Alicia says with a big smile ,capturing the success of that event which she explains was the result of serendipity.
Alicia explains the goal for the education pillar, “is always for all kids to realize that STEM is for them, and not some other group, because the exposure is not there. So, there’s a whole world of career options that are not present, for such youth.” She continues, “this realization inspired the STEM Cafes that I implemented with the assistance of a professor who was as committed as I. Initially, the model required parents to accompany their children to our campus which didn’t work out for various reasons, so we switched the model to working with CPS schools and taking over a classroom and sending the professors to teach out of their discipline and create hands on learning opportunities for the students that paired well with the family fun days. So, unlike a stem Expo, which is like speed dating, the Family Fun Day is where I take over one of our halls. And each classroom represents a different STEM experience. And you complete the circuit, and each classroom session is about 35 minutes long. And then there’s a keynote speaker, usually from Fermilab or Aragon lab. It’s a blast.”
One of the most important and distinguishable programs that Alicia has initiated is tied to economic development. Alicia spoke with great excitement, “The university has received a $2 million grant for capital improvement. And we will be using that money to transform a floor in this building designed to provide different types of educational opportunities.” It’s clear
that the building improvement, is important to the project, but the programming is the key factor.
Alicia explains, “We all know that there’s a good population of people who just don’t want to go to college, or those who are not attracted to that way of learning for whatever the reason.
I asked, ‘Isn’t that the big debate between Dubois and Booker T?’ She responded, “Yes, some people want to work with their hands, I mean where would the world be if there were no farmers? And because one doesn’t want to attend college does not mean that they should be relegated to a job at a convenient store or anyplace unless it’s what they want to do. Therefore, we thought there’s got to be more. As a result of that inquiry, we will be offering many credential programs. Illinois.”
Alicia continues, “Tech will offer courses in tech fields, whether it’s programming, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing. It’s really mind blowing. I had a meeting last week with some folks that are going to be working with us, they have these programmable logic controllers. These controllers literally do that. So if you look for the button that you press on your dishwasher, there’s a control system behind the scenes operating, that’s telling that machine to put water in, it’s telling it what water temperature is selected and then it’s sensing whether that water is at that temperature, it’s telling it when to stop water and when to start washing, when to stop washing and rinse when to stop rinsing. But right now, it’s not working. There are switches that specialists know identify to repair the dishwasher. We will be training people to fill such a demand and that’s one of the ways we will be providing education. On top of the fact that we have a new partnership with Coursera. And folks will be able to achieve really a master’s degree, even if they don’t have a bachelor’s degree. They will have to prove that they can, handle the coursework before accepted into the program.
“My goal as the Community Affairs lady is to partner with the community. Literally, my office is in a White Tower in an ivory tower. I’m not the person who’s waving the Imperial one that wheeling this or that on the
community. I LISTEN. Anything that I have done has really come from the community, whether that be the farmers markets or the upcoming Juneteenth event.”
“And mind you,” she says, “I have much to exclaim about Raj Echambadi, our new President at Illinois Institute of Technology who is very community and people conscious. He has expressed and demonstrated his support which is greatly appreciated.
Alicia sighs a confession, “Honestly, There’s so many things that my office does, “I can’t tell it all today because we want to discuss our next big project.” So, this year the inaugurable event is the Juneteenth vendor fair and music Festival.
Alicia continues and muses about the birthing of the Bronzeville Vendor Fair and Wildflower Music Festival that will take place on June 24, 2023, from 10 a.m.–9 p.m., as the inaugural Bronzeville outdoor vendor market and bazaar that will take place on 33rd Boulevard between Michigan Avenue and State Street. The event is a collaboration of creative minds, and skills. Senabella Gill ,who is the music curator for the festival says, ”As we walked the campus one day, and Alicia said, Hey, how about a music festival? And I thought why not? COVID took place, and we continued to have the conversation. Over time, we talked about many ways of approaching the music festival as an installation on IT’s campus grounds and what it would look like as well as how people will experience it. The name was critical, so we went back and forth. Finally, we settled on what wwwe have. As the curator I work closely with Alicia on all thing’s music, consulting on that aspect of this festival to build it up so that it will work for and be embraced by the community.”
Helen West, the producer of the Lake Meadows Arts Festival joined the duo by contacting her vendors to inform them of the opportunity to participate.
Alicia says that it was an opportunity to merge economic development and the arts. To her the two are not either or, but equal in their value and importance so she treated it that way. The idea that the participating vendors are featured as part of the name of the festival is
unique. Most often the headline is arts or music driven. “It’s economic development all around, because none of these artists are performing for free and it’s providing a platform for artists for the vendors. And initially, we talked about having just the separate Music Fest. No, that doesn’t make sense, we’d have to combine these. Because folks who are coming for the music, they’re going to like what they see. And they’re going to purchase from the vendors who set up to market their wares no matter who the musical lineup is.
Just come and we know that you will have a great time. The performing artists featured are:
The Frank Russell Band
Mario Abney and The Abney Effect
D’Erania and Jahari Stampley
The Alan Burroughs and The AB Band
Tony “TOCA” Carpenter—Toca Live!
Mae Koen
Check https://www.iit.edu/events/bronzeville-vendor-fair-and-wildflower-music-festival for artist bios!
Mila K. Marshall, PH.D. Staff Editor
Season 4 of Sail GP began again at Navy Pier this past weekend. Chicago’s freshwater lake is ideal for the Sailing Grand Prix and a nod to the unique and diverse sailing community of Chicago. While many were excited to see the race Chicago News Weekly caught up with to learn a bit more about the INSPIRE program. The program is an education and outreach initiative with a moto of “Powered by Nature, Driven by Purpose”. Young athletes with the program raised the sail to commemorate the start of season 4 and their collective efforts learning about sailing, racing technology and opportunities in the sport. Sailing may seem quite inaccessible, but there are quite a few ways Chicagoans of all economic backgrounds can enjoy time on the water. Jackson Park Yacht Club Foundation is one of the most accessible and
premiere sailing programs for African American youth in Chicago. JPYC Foundation has different programs for members and non-member children to
learn how to sail. Sail Chicago is another non-profit organization making sailing lessons affordable to adults and in 2022 partnered with Environmentalists of Color to offer scholarships for professionals interested in learning how to sail. Chicago is also home to one of 11 Black owned marinas off the Little Calumet, Chicago’s Finest Marina owned and operated by Ronald Gaines which is also a historic landmark and a stop on the underground railroad.
Sail GP found themselves in good company and modeling the partnerships, valuable to showing Black Chicago that while they are here to race, they are also here to build a diverse community and break down barriers at every level in the racing world. Laura Hadley INSPIRE’s coordinator shared that her team activates in every city they race in.
“We have different pillars to connect to various ages, so for example we have one pillar that is for young athletes ages 9 to 15, these are kids that may have never seen a boat or had any time on the water. We take them for a walk in the pit lane, they meet some of the teams and get insight behind the scenes. We even tie in STEM hands-on learning experiences to make this more relatable. Sometimes we will have the kids make wind turbines or construct boat models to understand buoyancy or drag and then do a fun competition,” she said excitedly.
Sail GP has partners like the RISE program, a non-profit organization seeking to address discrimination and advance racial equity through sports and recreation. “We begin our outreach about six months out and identify partners and activations, every year we have some returning youth athletes, some new and always new connections. It’s growing and we look forward to working with new partners,” said Laura. Sail GP is on the right track and their program is indeed inspiring. As summertime kicks into full swing and families look for unique opportunities Lake Michigan offers an abundance of possibilities.
Mila K. Marshall, PH.D. Staff Editor
From Tik Tok to the big screen, Chicago kids are getting skills on movie making and media at this summer’s Young Filmmakers Camp at Eden Place Farms (4911 S. Shields). Nestled into the back of Chicago’s smallest community of Fuller Park students between the ages of 11 to 18 pose for a picture with their camera as they finish their final days of filmmaking camp with their camp director. Ariel White, a filmmaker herself is all smiles as to how the camp came to be, she shared “we saw a need for youth interested in photography, producing, directing and filmmaking.” Brandon C. is a 13 years old who attends Betty Shabbaz. “I wanted to learn about cameras,” he said, “my mom told me about the camp, and I was interested. I’ve learned how to use lighting and make storyboards,” Brandon continued. He is one of the eight campers in the two week program and is even producing and directing his first film at the end of the camp. The kids have access to a production studio with camera, lighting equipment and software. Brooklyn H. who is also 13 is an aspiring photographer and a student at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep “My dad told me about the program, and I love to take pictures of the sky, plants and people sometimes,” said the buying photojournalist. Brooklyn shared, “my favorite part of camp is learning how to actually make a short film.” All of the youth will be presenting their final films at an end of camp film festival located at Eden Place Farms where friends and family can come and enjoy their work together. The community is welcomed and can find out more information on their website at www.edenplacenaturecenter,org.
The American spa industry estimates that nearly 90% of spa owners and 70% of spa managers are white and overwhelmingly female. In that regard Sharon and Lamant Campbell are unsung heroes changing access to services for a deeply underserved population as owners of Hiz Men Spa (4041 W 115th St.) in Alsip, IL; an upscale nail salon catering to the needs of the modern man. Walking into the space there is an immediate calm. Hues of black and bold yet simple decor create an ambience that invites rest, something Black men surely don’t get enough of. Neither come from the beauty or spa industry, but both are certain of one thing, Black bodies deserve the utmost care and Black men’s bodies deserve to be cared for with luxury and class. Their boutique salon has a range of manicure and pedicure services that appeal to the senses. Sharon brings out the bourbon foot scrub that is just the right amount of sweet for a man’s feet, “it just smells so good,” she whispers, taking it all in. The couple is quite fun loving and share how it all began.
“I went to get a pedicure,” shared Lamant and I was sitting there getting my service and a woman was seated next to me and I noticed just how uncomfortable I got. It was so noticeable that she said I looked tense, and she
was right.” When he told his partner his brilliant idea to start a spa that catered to men Sharon was intrigued. “I started doing some research and realized even after all these years of me getting my nails done, I had never thought about where men get serviced or that they felt uncomfortable coming into a nail salon,” she said. The Campbells are spot-on with how men feel about getting grooming services,”some of the guys come in and see the space and how we treat them and work with them it takes the nervousness away. There are men who have never had a pedicure. A lot of our clients come because their partner or a woman in their life has made an appointment for them so often, they don’t even know what to expect. But our nail techs educate them on what is happening and that helps take some of that nervousness away,” she attested.
“I thought what would a man like… when I go to the nail shop I’m looking to relax and I’m aware of how it smells and how it looks and that it’s calming,” Sharon says. Lamant agrees that his wife literally thought of every comfort a man would or could enjoy as he points to the pedicure station fully equipped with personal headphones to the client’s television and even a complimentary cocktail. This spa is absolutely swagged out and fly. Lamant smiles and says, “and we have a patio in the back where customers can smoke a cigar or maybe
take a call.” It truly feels like a home away from home and it’s not uncommon for the spa to be booked for fellas bachelor parties or just some time with their friends, the space is accommodating especially with services like bourbon and beer infused pedicures.
Alsip is an escape for some of their customers, the Campbells admit. While they are a few minutes outside of Chicago they wanted to have an area, their clients felt safe and could truly for at least an hour unwind from the hustle and bustle of city living. The couple is looking at opening a location in the West Loop but is passionate about making sure Black men get the care they need. “Nails and skin tell a lot about your health, so we don’t just do grooming, we really do help our customers understand if their bodies are telling them something is going on inside that may need attention,” said Sharon.
Women are welcomed in the space, but Sharon is clear about the services they provide, “yes women are absolutely welcomed at Hiz Men Spa,” she shared, but ladies there is no polish service at this spa, yet the services are top notch, nonetheless. As for Lamant, he is in business with his best friend. Sharon not only listened to her partner ,but made sure other men have a chance to be listened to, cared for, and protected from fingertips to toes.
The U.S. Farm Bill in 2018 made industrial hemp fully federally legal. The farming community celebrated this with hopes of increasing profits with the newly decriminalized agricultural commodity. Black farmers reportedly were looking to cash in big on the crop. Farming, however, is a volatile and heavily subsidized industry in and of itself. Land affordability, lack of access to capital and brokers for identifying end buyers inhibits profitability. Land values have increased in 2022 according to a U. S. Department of Agriculture report. Farming isn’t cheap, Illinois is the 5th most expensive state for cropland the average Illinois farmer pays $243 per acre. It also isn’t diverse, no more than 6% of the13,102 respondents of the 2022 survey reported being Black. With such small numbers of primary producers, it is necessary to reflect on just how profitable hemp farming is or can be for contributing to the economic growth of the Black economy.
A ban or legislation controlling Delta-8 THC has mustered up entrepreneurs concerns about Illinois’ fledgling hemp economy and supply chain. A ban on delta-8 could inherently put some people out of business. Not much is known about Illinois delta-8 THC sales from reputable and law abiding businesses. “Lawmakers didn’t address Delta-8 THC until MSO’s put it on lawmaker’s radar telling them kids were getting sick. It wasn’t until recently when news reports surfaced about kids getting sick that there was some interest. Lawmakers had more than enough time to initiate discussions and ask questions about regulating Delta-8 THC,” said Doug Kelly Executive Director of Cannabis Equity Coalition Illinois. Kelly like others in the state assert the infusion of hemp into the final days of cannabis equity legislation was strategic and used to derail the cannabis bill, which appears to have worked.
In a May Chicago Tribune article state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (was reported saying “This is the wild West, we don’t know what they’re selling, and somebody is going to die,” referencing the harms of unregulated delta-8 THC on Illinois store shelves. Interestingly enough the DEA announced in February of 2023 that Delta-8 THCO, the synthetically altered compound does not classify as hemp and is a schedule 1 drug. In May of 2019 Rep. Cassidy responded via email to a reporter the following: “cannabis should be sold in venues that are highly regulated, taking the pot market out of the shadows. In states that have legalized, you see steady decreases in youth use if you do it right,” she said in THE POLITIFACT article. Has Illinois gotten it right? It is a resounding no from the entire cannabis community on the hemp and marijuana side. “We were definitely concerned about the DEA’s ruling in February of this year,” shared Dr. Mohammad Lofty, co owner of Wake N Bakery, Chicago’s original cannabis infused bakery and coffee shop. He and Brianna Banks have grown their business after the federal legalization of hemp derivatives in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. “We employ about 50 people and have just opened a new location at 38 E. Ontario. Our products are safe and lab tested, consumer quality is our top concern,” shared the medical doctor and researcher. Dr. Lofty points out that a single test for a product can cost as much as $1000 for a single batch depending on the details you wish for, but he also pointed out there is no regulatory framework that protects consumers. “We have gone above and beyond what the state requires, for example ,you MUST be 21 to consume our products and there is a maximum dosage we implanted as well,” he shared.
Brianna an active member of Women In Cannabis, echoed her concern about lawmakers’ conversations of banning Delta-8 THC, “we both want to see this industry grow and be part of the industry that educates people about the benefits of hemp.” Banks and Lofty currently employ 50 people across their three locations and are looking to employ
another 60 with the hopes of three more store openings in the near future. “We both hope to provide more jobs. The average employ doesn’t make less than $20/hr and we are pushing to keep this industry open and accessible to support job growth, but we can’t do that if the laws keep changing in ways that makes that hard,” she said.
Kaylee Hoogkark founder of Midwest Hemp Coalition wasn’t surprised how Delta-8 THC was weaponized recently and shared how hemp derived cannabinoids have been under attack for some time. “The initial intent of the CBD Safety Act was under the guise of consumer safety championed by Bob Morgan (D - Deerfield). What I don’t want to see is over regulation without scientific backing of risks or decisions being made out of fear,” said Hoogkark There is a dearth of information available to the public on federal hemp laws on the Illinois Department of Agricultures website. Even if one wished to become educated on the state of Delta - 8 THC and how the state is addressing it there is not up to date summary nor links to information from the USDA or DEA. There also is no report on the existing state of hemp companies that sell Delta. - 8 THC products, leaving lawmakers in the dark on the current economic impact and business norms practiced by small businesses.
By Barbetorte - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia. org/w/index.php?curid=7558724The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) today announced the official launch of the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) for Gender-based Violence and Human Trafficking (GBV/HT) Survivors, a new $5M fund to provide cash assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, with an additional $1M in funding from the 2023 budget. The program will provide one-time, $1000 payments in support of the economic stability of survivors. The application will be open until June 30. Approved applications in this period will receive assistance in the order in which they applied, following the successful processing of the application itself.
The Emergency Financial Assistance Program is intended to reach over 5,000 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or human trafficking who live in Chicago and have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the program is to support survivors’ economic stability by providing emergency financial assistance to cover expenses such as, but not limited to, childcare, transportation, medical expenses, education, or housing costs. Unrestricted funds allow survivors to spend money where they need to, as survivors know best what they need to stay safe. The program is being administered by The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
“We must do what we can as a city to break down barriers that prevent survivors from accessing the resources they need to personally rebuild and revive,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The Emergency Financial Assistance program is a vital step forward in this recovery because by supporting survivors and putting them on a better path to economic stability, we can help them heal from pain and trauma, and uplift and empower them to carry on living healthy lives.”
“DFSS’s Division on Gender-Based Violence leads an expanding strategy to support GBV survivors, and our experience teaches us that cash is a vital lifeline for individuals in crisis,” said DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze. “The resources from this fund will provide the flexibility that survivors need to determine how to seek safety, access transportation, or obtain healthcare and housing.”
To meet eligibility requirements, an individual must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), for example $74,580 per year for a family of three, as dictated by the Treasury Department. Survivors who live in or are fleeing violence from communities hard-hit by COVID-19 will be prioritized.
In its commitment to trauma-informed practices, survivors will not be asked for evidence of survivorship, but will be asked to self-attest, or instead provide a connection to an advocate or service provider.
“The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence is proud to partner with the City of Chicago to strengthen the safety net for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and/or stalking in Chicago,” said The Network’s Executive Director, Amanda Pyron. “We thank Mayor Johnson for continuing this essential program and dedicating the critical funding to ensure survivors of gender-based violence can afford safety.”
After the initial pilot phase in which over 1,000 applications were accepted, the first payments were made to 733 survivors at the beginning of May. Of the survivors who were funded in the first phase, 35% identified as Latinx/ Hispanic, and 47% identified as Black/African-American. More than 42% of the survivors receiving funds were from communities identified as High Vulnerability under the Chicago COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index. For more demographic information on the first phase applicants, visit https://chirecoveryplan.com/programs/ gender-based-violence-reduction/.
The application will be opened in phases throughout the rest of 2023 until 5,520 survivor payments are completed.
Survivors interested in applying can visit www.the-network.org/survivor-fund/ .
CNW Staff Report
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is set to receive a grant of $6.8 million from the Mellon Foundation to support the Chicago Monuments Project (CMP) and citywide community-generated commemorative initiatives and installations. The funding, the Mellon Foundation’s largest grant to date, will allow for the implementation of eight new Chicago monuments, including the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial, all of which were conceived and developed from the community engagement work of the Chicago Monuments Project.
“Chicago’s monuments and memorials are more than just public art — they speak directly to the values, history, and vision of our great city,” said Mayor Johnson. “I’m grateful for the Mellon Foundation’s support of the Chicago Monuments Project and the creation of cultural works around labor, civil rights, racial justice and other areas that represent our diversity, honor our history and tell our story.”
These eight projects will add—permanently and temporarily—to the City of
Chicago’s collection and memorialize events, people, and groups that historically have been excluded or underrepresented. Additional funding from Mellon will also support ongoing programs that facilitate the continued engagement of artists and communities around monuments, public art, and cultural history.
“This catalytic support from the Mellon Foundation will fundamentally strengthen our City as our public art collection becomes more honest about our history and far more inclusive regarding who is represented and what stories are told. We are thrilled to celebrate and support our incredible grantees, many of whom have been hard at work for years to see these artistic visions come to life,” shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “Mellon’s funding will enable the City to continue engaging thoughtfully and creatively with the complex, ever-evolving issues related to justice, public space and our shared history.”
The Chicago Monuments Project (CMP) was created as a response to the City of Chicago’s need for a larger reckoning with monuments that symbolize outdated values and do not tell the story—or the full
story—of Chicago’s history. A collaboration between DCASE, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the Chicago Park District (CPD), CMP’s work began in 2020 and was guided by an advisory committee of community leaders, artists, architects, scholars, curators, and City officials.
The Chicago Monuments Project Advisory Committee released its final report in August 2022, synthesized from a comprehensive, community-focused engagement process—the first of its kind in a major U.S. city. Thousands of Chicagoans from diverse communities contributed to the conversation on the city’s public monuments through several modes including surveys, live discussions, and free-response public feedback submitted via ChicagoMonuments.org.
The Mellon Foundation grant will help support the implementation of the eight priority projects that were identified through the CMP new work engagement process:
Chicago Torture Justice Memorial, artist Patricia Nguyen and architectural designer John Lee
George Washington Monument Intervention, a new public art project by re-
nowned Chicago artist Amanda Williams
A Long Walk Home (ALWH), “#SayHerName: The Rekia Boyd Monument Project”
Mother Jones, in partnership with the Mother Jones Heritage Project (MJHP), a commission to honor Mother Jones’s important contributions to labor history
Mahalia Jackson monument by artist Gerald Griffin, spearheaded by the Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI)
Pilsen Latina Histories, lead artist Diana Solis, scholars from the University of Illinois, Pilsen Arts & Community House staff, and additional artists and community groups in Pilsen
Chicago Race Riots of 1919 Commemoration Project, designed and produced in partnership with youth artists at Firebird Community Arts’ Project FIRE DuSable, a series of monuments that explore the settling of Chicago, including projects which amplify historic and notable Native Americans
OnSaturday, June 17, the Chicago Cubs were named “Corporation of the Year” by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Chicago. UNCF strives to change the narrative of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) across the nation, which is done by equipping more HBCU students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America’s highly educated workforce.
“Our partnership with the Cubs has been instrumental in raising awareness and interest which has helped us secure more funds and ultimately educate more students,” said UNCF Midwest Regional Workplace Director Lisa Rollins.
“Over the last several years, the Cubs have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to UNCF through fundraising and integrating UNCF in its HBCU Celebration gameday activations as well as dedicated programming and promotion on Marquee Sports Network.”
The Corporate Award is given to organizations that have an ongoing commitment to UNCF and minority education.
“Since my family assumed control of the Cubs more than a decade ago, we have been long-time supporters of helping underrepresented students go to college,” said Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts. “Whether it’s our support of the Chicago Football Classic or Bud Billiken Parade scholarship initiatives, as well as our own Cubs Scholars program, we understand by ensuring all children have equal access to a college education helps build stronger communities, develop engaged citizens and increase the contributions they make to our city and country.”
As a result of this support, member institutions educate more than 60,000 students each year and have produced more than 500,000 graduates with the help of UNCF.
was my pleasure and honor to sit down and discuss with my friend Pepper Miller her latest book, “Let Me Explain Black Again . . . Exploring Blind spots and Black Insights for Marketing & Understanding Black Culture and Perspectives.”
What you need to know before getting into the book is that Pepper is one of the leading spokespersons, and most sought after consultants as a thought leader and specialist in her field. She provides insight, knowledge, information, and resolutions to clients in her pursuit of what she identifies as the best outcome to walk away with after having read her book is, “that you have clarity that will encourage you to see Black people and Black consumers as valuable, on a deeper more in depth level.
When she opened the Hunter-Miller Group Chicago-based agency in 1995 to conduct research for the general market she expected success. After all she had cut her teeth at J. Walter Thompson Advertising Company, a world renown agency. But her naivety was confronted with the very racial bias that redirected her focus and launch her next career—conducting research with Black consumers and transforming that into information to support what she always believed about Black people as a tool for companies to use towards marketing to the American Blacks. Today that specialty comes with 2 previous books and invaluable years of experience as a market researcher and Black American subject-matter expert that can ultimately effect/increase the bottom line of companies in expanding their marketing base to include Blacks. Her work has helped Fortune 500 companies and non-profits to gain better understanding of and to positively engage with Blacks.
This latest endeavor spans 244 pages power packed information-
Ital insights that proves helpful to both consumers and companies. Its format is an easy-read, not business specific using marketing terms and jargon that mean little to the lay person, but rather a powerful overlay perspective on the value of Black people in the world worthy of the respect for their existence before we get to their market value. Written in a story format while sharing market and marketing research examples helps readers to grasp the significance of language, belief systems and cultural behaviors associated with Blacks.
Pepper explores and explains major components that in their sum information can transform one’s view of people when considering them as demographic in particular because Pepper says our American experience is not like any other. She stands her ground on this positions and presents the case quite thoroughly.
She sets up her position by providing the reader with:
SEVEN Blind Spots that prevent business leaders from “Getting” those Blacks whom they serve or work with, and future potential audiences.
The platform is set she presents.
FIVE Shape-Shifting segments within the Black population and demonstrates each of the five groups share like attitudes, but also how they differ from each other in ways important to her clients.
Further ,she discusses some very critical things to note in today’s polarized -political climate that weigh heavy upon us like America is NOT post-racial, including education, health and healthcare, housing, wealth & financial services, and the justice system itself.
‘Thought Leader’ that she Pepper leaves us with several take-aways as she advocates opportunities for a better future—what real inclusion, equality, and celebration look like.
And because marketing is an important aspect of media, she addresses the significance and value
of Black owned media, particularly newspapers, which maintain a connection to the community in a way that no other entity can.
Two things: Pepper shared an experience where a white director of the Multiracial Team for a major financial services company shut down the idea of a targeted African American campaign with five words, “They speak English don’t they?” You already know, right? And that’s the problem. That right there is an issue that Pepper’s expertise smashes with an informed approach which provides her clients a whole new take on communicating with Blacks.
Pepper makes the case for the huge misconception to think Blacks are darker skinned versions of their white neighbors and makes it clear that we are not.
Takeaway 1. “Yes, I speak English. . . but are you talking to me?”
This understanding is supported her expressed appreciation for Black owned newspapers, authors, and researchers to do what they do because Blacks must tell their stories, study their own research, and define themselves.
Takeaway 2. Blacks must write their own narrative.
Upon completing the book readers should walk away with a clear understanding of “different doesn’t be deficient.”
BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE AT AMAZON AND major Bookstores
Part 1 established the facts that make Chicago a music powerhouse not only in Chicago but in the world. Celebrating Black Music Month and 50 years of Hip Hop this year we would be remiss if we failed to look at Chicago’s role and contribution in the world. We ended with House Music which began in Chicago setting the record straight cancelling any recent rumors, some as far-fetched as ‘Beyonce started House music.” How can that even be when she wasn’t even born was she?
Let the record show that House Music began In Chicago in 1977, Knuckles began his DJ residency at the Warehouse, the house that inspired and named Knuckles’ brewing new genre. Beyonce was born September 8, 1981. What we do know is that according to L’Officiel Magazine “With the new releases of Drake’s seventh studio album Honestly, Nevermind and Beyoncé’s single “Break My Soul,” house music seems to be the trending sound of the summer. Join L’OFFICIEL as we investigate the history of the disco-inspired genre.”
So, let’s move on. The “Chicago style” of jazz which originated from southern musicians moving North after 1917, bringing with them the New Orleans “Dixieland” or sometimes called “hot jazz” styles. This comes as no surprise as we note that the Great Migration, by the way, instigated by one Black Man, Robert Sengstacke Abbott, publisher of the iconic Chicago Defender and inspired millions of Blacks to exit the oppressed South and seek a life of greater freedom and opportunity in the north. They did and with them came the art of music and more.
King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton emerged as stars of the Chicago jazz scene. King Oliver in particular brought Louis Armstrong to Chicago in 1922 while he was performing at the Dreamland Café with his “Creole Jazz Band. .” More importantly, white musicians, or “alligators”, attended Oliver’s performances to learn how to play jazz. Between the years 1925 to 1928, Louis Armstrong’s recordings with his Chicago-based Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five and Hot Seven Bands were released
and conjured great demand from both Black and white audiences. Louis Armstrong’s recordings marked the transition of original New Orleans jazz to a more sophisticated type of American improvised music with more emphasis on solo choruses instead of just little solo breaks. His style of playing was mimicked by white musicians who favored meters of 2 instead of 4. The emphasis on solos, faster tempos, string bass and guitar (replacing the traditional New Orleans tuba and banjo) and saxophones also distinguish Chicago-style playing from New Orleans style. Chicago musicians progressed to playing 4 beat measures and laid the foundation for the swing era. So, the Lindy Hop was originally danced to 4 beat Chicago style jazz and went on to become one of the iconic features of the swing era made headway because the white musicians took a liking to it. Chicago gangsters hired specific musicians like Earl Hines, and Louis Armstrong to play for their private events. Original Chicago-style pianist Art Hodes presented the classic jazz style in a TV show series.
One of the most important organizations in the and Modern Chicago jazz era from the mid 1960s to the present day is the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) which took a fresh approach to this music called Jazz. Like many rebellious Black jazz artists, they did not like being pigeonholed into a music category that stifled their expression. White music critics listen define the music based on the consistent
beat measures, instrumentation and so on. The AACM refused and described what they were creating as “Great Black Music: Ancient to the Future.”
The organization was founded in 1961 by pianist/composer Muhal Richard Abrams (b. 1930) bassist Donald “Rafael” Garrett (1932–1989) and Phil Cohran who was very instrumental in the establishment of the AACM. He been a member of Sun Ra’s band as a trumpeter from the ‘50s until Ra left Chicago in 1961). The organization has gone onto become one of the dominant influences in what is described by white critics as avant garde jazz. As previously stated, the organization defines their music as Great Black Music. Many respected trailblazing Chicago artists emerged from this organization, such as Pulitzer prize winning spawned Henry Threadgill Anthony Braxton, Leo Smith, The Art Ensemble of Chicago (( Lester Bowie, Famoudou Don Moye, Joseph Jarmen, Malachi Favors Amina Claudine Meyers, Pete Cosey, George Lewis and Kahil EL’ Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Steve Adegoke, Dee Alexander and countless others.
The musicians that emerged were engaged in creating music, composing their own and presenting it as the felt and envisioned it. They did not restrict themselves to play within the lines or playing standards. From the greats before them they embraced the heart of jazz, Bebop and kept it liquid. Today their music is fluid and continues to grow marrying not just African rhythms, funk, and jazz
The Art Ensemble of Chicagoimprovisation, but African instruments like the thumb piano or Sansa, shekere, the kora kora and Indian instruments as well as instruments they make joined with the traditional European instrumentation creating unique sounds of harmonics coupled with groove and tempos shifting and turning where never expected. The AACM developed a mayor following of University of Chicago students , critics and in-the know Blacks. Groups like Art Ensemble of Chicago and the Ethnic Heritage were popular in Europe and the attention received prompted an exodus of Chicago AACM members to move to New York in the late 70’s, leaving behind the younger members whose stars were still growing. One of Chicago’s other brothers, Kurt Elling was influence greatly by AACM’s vocalist Luba Rashick, is popular and in demand.
Since the AACM’s beginning members of the organization have performed their expression of “Great Black Music” throughout the world shaking it up.
The staple for Chicago’s jazz scene is the annual Chicago Jazz Festival, which has its origins in the 1970s. Festival performers have included Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Ornette Coleman, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Dawkins, Von Freeman, Slide Hampton, Sarah Vaughn, Archie Shepp, Eddie Harris and Roy Haynes etc. Younger artists like Corey Wilkes, Isaiah Collier, Justin Dillard are advancing Chicago’s jazz scene keeping it fluid.
Donna Hodge Food Editor
With Father’s behind us, knowing that you went full out to make him smile, we want to continue the act of preparing something special and memorable at least once a week. We know Dad is probably the king of the grill, so last weekend was his day to kick back, relax and be pampered. And if you want to keep that special man in your life smiling. Here’s a delicious recipe that is quick and easy to prepare. You can cook it in the oven or on the grill. The seasonings work just as well for meat and fish too.
I love preparing meals with Cornish Hens. Often forgotten, these little hens are juicy, tender, and easy to prepare. They adapt to many different seasonings. You can stuff them with regular dressing or fill them with a variety of fruit. This recipe can be cooked in the oven or smoked on the grill. Served with rice drizzled with gravy accompanied by dad’s favorite vegetables, and you have a winning dinner! Don’t forget to give him his favorite beverage. From a tall glass of cold milk to a chilled cocktail, shaken or stirred, it’s the thought of creating a delicious meal that will warm his heart, is what counts.
2 Cornish hens (1.5 pounds) each
1 tablespoon All Purpose Seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ stick butter
2 limes, juiced
½ cup Apricot Preserves
1 cup Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey *
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 oranges, cut up into cubes
4 garlic cloves, peeled
Preheat oven to 400F.
Thaw Cornish hens in the refrigerator. When thawed, rinse well. Pour lime juice over the hens, then pat them dry. Set them aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine all seasonings. Rub chickens with 1 tablespoon of butter. Rub seasoning mixture all over the outside and inside the cavity of the hens. Place oranges, 2 garlic cloves, in the cavity of each hen. Lightly rub roasting pan or baking dish with olive oil. Arrange the chicken in a large, heavy roasting pan. Spray foil with olive oil or nonstick buttered spray. Cover hens with foil. Roast for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300F. Cook for an additional 25-30 minutes. Cook until hens are golden brown, and juices run clear. Use an instant digital thermometer, cook until the thermometer reaches 170 degrees.
In a microwave bowl, add apricot preserves, Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey, brown sugar, and remaining butter. Cook for 1 minute. You can also cook this in a small pot on the stove. Just bring it to a slow boil. Remove it from the heat. Ten minutes before the hens are done, drizzle them with the apricot glaze. Place back into the oven for the last 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat, let them cool. Pour remaining glaze over the hens. Serve with rice. Drizzle a little of the glaze over the rice.
*Note: You can substitute the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey with apple or orange juice.
It’sall about the swag, that thang, that thang, that thaaaaang! And two folks that got it like that, are Pharrell Williams, the new Louis Vuitton’s menswear creative director. and Rihanna. Ummmm, yes! So, what does he do? He features the swag queen, Rihanna and her baby bump in his first-ever campaign as Louis Vuitton’s menswear creative director. And who better than Pharrell to be creative stylist? There are well dressed men, and there are well dressed women
amongst the celebrities, but few are trendsetters bringing the ‘real’ to the game. But Pharrell and Rhianna hands down are unique within their individual creative self-expression through their style.w
On June 16th the swag King and Queen introduced their collaborative ad effort featuring Rihanna on a stylish coffee run while toting a rainbow stack of bags covered in the House of Louie Vuitton’s signature Damier logo motifs. Beauty mogul Rhianna is captured wearing a multi-toned gray and pixelated leather button-up, which is left unbuttoned, exposing her baby bump underneath. Around her neck, she’s draped with layers of necklaces, and a glittering earring cuff as the final accent. Below her belly, she sports black trousers. This collaboration is not the swag
duo’s first creative collaboration. They’ve worked together on music projects, including the song “N.E.R.D, ”that they performed at the Diamond Ball in 2019. However, this is their first fashion collaborative endeavor and hopefully the start of something enduring. After all the fashion world loves Rhianna and how she rocks apparel always showcasing it in unexpected ways. She is the celebrity fashion rockstar.
Williams posted on Instagram his announcement of the mega collaboration by sharing a photo of himself posing in front of one of the billboards, blown up outside the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. In the snap, he wears a black leather biker jacket, baggy black pants, and yellow reflective sunglasses.
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
C.L. Blackburn Contributing Writer
Pharrell Williams tapped the superstar for the house’s spring/summer 2024 men’s collection.
