October 25- October 31 , 2023 • The Voice Of Black Chicago • Vol.1 No 45 • cnwmedia.com • FREE
Teefa In the late 90’s Chicago would see the rise of a duo whose flows were both clever and captivating, proving that rap wasn’t just for men. A popular urban DJ, Pinkhouse would play a record that was an instant banger and change the course of two young women’s lives forever and cement them into hip-hop history for years to come. Continue on page 8
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Chicago News Weekly
October 25 - October 31, 2023
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 Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson Marti Worell Wanda Wright
Contributors NNPA Newswire Mare Evans Melanie Mainor Kenn Cook, Jr. Cover Photo Courtesy of Teefa
4131 S.State Suite C Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 236-1464 Vol. 1 No 45 Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Chicago News Weekly is published weekly on Wednesday. www.cnwmedia.com advertising@cnwmedia.com editorial@cnwmedia.com Subscription $104 year
October 25 - October 31, 2023
E notes
Fire the Arrogant Elected Who Forget
They Work For Us
O
ften in conversation I hear myself saying, “We no longer have a majority informed constituency,” when talking about politics. I also say, and sometime within that same Conversation that, “the men of old who were statesmen first are longer. Instead, they’ve been replaced by politicians.” We all know what we think of the current day politician and it’s not very wholesome. The third statement I make is that we have become so morally bankrupt, we do not express or exhibit manners, courtesy, or respect. Decorum, protocol, and etiquette are no longer a part of our daily practice. What was once the norm has disintegrated and as my Nana would say, “Those people are so common exhibiting no home training.” As a youth I didn’t necessarily grasp the significance, but I get it now. Today’s world is for the most part grounded in selfishness, thoughtless concerns about the overall well being or long term impact that their actions may have upon others, their household, their community, the world, and the future is left to emerge from such ruins. So, what is meant by those statements and what can we do about it? Our democracy or better stated, our government has been corrupted with a virus of ‘smash and grab,’ theft, the pursuit of wealth not based on one’s merit and accomplished contributions towards making a difference in their communities or the lives of their constituencies but rather looking at the elected position as a means to gain power and wealth, ‘damn the people!’ In the past the elected were educated men and women who had a sense of what governing is and our pursuit as a country to eventually become what the founding fathers intended it to be despite themselves. I say that because the Constitution as wonderfully and well meaning as it is written, did not intend to include Blacks. In fact, a distinction describing the former enslaved in Article one, section two of the Constitution of the United States declared that any person who was not free would be counted as three-fifths of a free individual for the purposes of determining congressional representation. And yet here we are people, resilient. We are a powerful people as a race group in America and in the world.
Let me side-step to take a moment and say it. The world watches us do what we do so effortlessly, as naturally creatively expressed people. Yes, from dance to sports, to the way we walk, talk, sing, and dress. And even the way we worship. We bring what you call swag, cool, and attitude to all that we do and that’s Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief why everyone wants to be us. Yes, they mimic, steal, and take led by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., everything we do and capitalize off it. is the methodology practiced up until Fact is, we just do it out of immediate most recently. It was made clear that it need, necessity, function, purpose, emomust be seen by the world that we come tional response, and expression. Let me in peace. They can’t explain why they give you a few examples. Old school shoot, hose you, or sic dogs on us and people recall these two things; remembeat us down with billy clubs when you ber how old ‘sistahs’ used to walk on the are peaceful while the world is watching. back of their gym shoes because they When the world watched the police kill may have become too tight, right? Well, George Floyd who was not resisting they the ‘watchers,’ observed and began to recognized the wrong. manufacture the ‘mule’ gym shoe and Now too common . . .people, people, it became a real money-making thing. people when did it become okay to tell Now at the same time, brotha’s would everybody that you have to pee? And cut their t-shirts off in half because of the don’t try and argue with me on this. It’s summer heat and did the manufacturers unacceptable and out of ignorance that not make half t-shirts to sell? They did, it is expressed that way. It signifies low but the idea germinated from us because class. In the 70’s when we started Ujiof momentary function. Our music is ma Family Center our Watoto/Children and continues to be the music that inwere taught as we had been—to excuse fluences all other music. From Spiritual themselves to go to the restroom, and to the Blues, to Gospel to Jazz to R & B when out, to ask directions to the reto Soul to HIP Hop/rap and Neo Soul. “ stroom. We do not approach a stranger when entering the museum, school, or PROTOTYPE store and say, “I have to pee.” My reFurther, our struggle has become the sponse when people have said that to prototype for every minority in this me, is, “And what do you want me to country and newly emerging democra- do about that? Or ‘And you’re telling me cies in the world. We have managed to this why?” They quickly switch it up and rise to the highest positions in America ask where’s the restroom? These are poor and yet we do not possess the equity habits. I know some of you are saying, wealth equal to the value of our con- oh that’s bourgie, or uppity, ‘crap.’ tribution to America. We have and we The truth is, at one time as people esmake a difference. So, there’s that. This tablishing rules of conduct we agreed was achieved because as enslaved people amongst ourselves to bathe, wear dewe recognized the value and wealth of odorant, brush our teeth, wear clean education, land, ownership, and stand- clothes, and to not discuss bodily elimiing up for our rights. We stayed aware of nation at the dinner table or out publicwhat was going on and we went to battle ly. Yes, these are not arbitrary happento change what was not good for us as a Continue on page 4 people. Our model of peaceful resistance
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photo credit: Dot Ward
Chicago News Weekly
Healthy Living
By Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Staff Editor
Are We Thinking Far Enough Ahead With the Department of Environment?
Mayor Johnson takes a step in the right direction, but does it fall short?
T
he environmental community has since 2011 advocated for a full environmental department in the City of Chicago. When the department was disbanded, a number of staff were released while others were placed in departments to both cut costs as well as strategically place environmental expertise in key departments under former Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. For Chicago’s vulnerable communities an announcement of programs and appropriation of funds for the Department of Environment are indeed a step in the
right direction, however former Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas invited reflection which warrants discussion. His question “is the reestablished Department of Environment just a shell? Are there any plans to provide the department real regulatory authority and responsibilities?” was published on IllinoisPolicy.org. The Chicago Sun Times Editorial Board gently echoed similar sentiments with hopefulness and good faith stating that it is “good to see Johnson follow through with campaign promises,” and “the department needs deep staff to handle a wide range of issues.” Prior to the department being terminated there were 60 positions. Vallas’ question illuminates the need for a clear strategy to lay out the types of positions that will be prioritized to grow the department while also establishing policy and regulatory autonomy relative to existing municipal departments. Mayor Johnson’s budget allocates $1.8M and puts Chicago on the pathway to joining other major cities in having a department charged
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with focusing on environmental issues, but without a plan it leaves those who have been actively seeking the return of the department to wait and see. Every decision Chicago makes must be seen through a climate and resource lens. Increasing vulnerable populations, shifts how resources need to be allocated. An example is how the administration is faced with creating healthy temporary shelter for migrants which requires it to move rapidly through an environmental assessment. Vacant urban lands contribute to blight and contaminated properties often sit for decades and aren’t visually attractive, also, adjacent property values have shown trends of depreciation. In a city filled with Brownfields, leveraging toxic sites for temporary residences on the one hand is concerning and on the other hand inspiring. If the city can rapidly clean up a brownfield what are the next steps to address economic development through clean ups in environmental justice and frontline communities? Furthermore, will the city step up enforcement and accountability from the private sector to cleanup sites. Lastly, advocates are paying close attention to the rapid response capabilities of this administration for migrants. The city is developing a baseline for response
E notes stance acts of evolved humanity. They are intentional in the effort to establish a comfortable and relatively smooth run of the daily life routine in living and working with others. But today so many are lewd, and many cross the line. Finally, ‘Statesmen versus Politicians,’ I’ve discussed this before, so I won’t repeat myself. Today
time that should become the standard and not the exception. The health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals from the developing site leaves the city as perhaps liable. Tensions related to this one issue are complex and it is only one of many issues that are ongoing in Chicago concurrently. While the return of the Department of Environment is a step in the right path, every municipal department and every City Council member is responsible for increasing their environmental, climate, water, energy and disaster preparedness IQ. Chicago cannot afford to invest solely into a single department but must agree on a shared ethic that undergirds our economy and decision making. As far as consistent funding, it is curious that the $12M from cannabis tax has yet to be identified as a viable source of seed funding at the least for urban agriculture initiatives specifically. There has been no intentional or transparent conversation about incorporating cannabis dollars or the industry even though the crop is extremely resource intensive with a significant energy and water footprint. Novel solutions will require diverse talent, let’s hope City Hall is leaning into local expertise from leading academics reflective of deep knowledge and forward thinking for a climate resilient Chicago.
Continue from page 3 anybody who wants to jump ship from a career that’s not yielding money jumps into the political arena with hopes of a ‘power grab’ and the pursuit of wealth. So, we’ve got to change that and elect qualified people who understand how the government works and who they work for—us. That takes informed voters.
One last thing, do you think that any executive, or manager in corporate America, or other government agencies could leave and take a break/vacation if they had not completed their responsibility to balance their budget? Umph! They could leave and guess what? They would be fired.
October 25 - October 31, 2023
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Chicago News Weekly
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Entertainment
By Clover Lee Staff Writer
A Legend Moves On
Richard Rountree Dies at 81
J
ust say “Shaft,” and Richard Roundtree, a Hollywood icon who played John Shaft in 1971 comes to mind as the iconic character created by Gordon Parks’ introduction to the “Shaft,” film franchise. Roundtree has died at the age of 81. Richard’s death was confirmed by his
manager, Patrick McMinn of McMinn Management and Artists & Representatives Agency. Accordingly, Roundtree was suffering from pancreatic cancer when he passed on Tuesday, afternoon, October 25 with his family at his side, McMinn said, “Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree. Roundtree’s trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come.” Roundtree was a trooper. This wasn’t his first bout with cancer. Known as a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 1993 he became an advocate for greater breast cancer awareness among men. He successfully beat the breast cancer.
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According to Roundtree’s IMDb biography, he was born in New Rochelle, New York, played football for Southern Illinois University, and modeled. You can see him in old print ads in EBONY and ESSENCE magazines. Drawn to the theater he joined New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company, followed with a starring role as Jack Johnson in, “The Great White Hope” off-Broadway many years before the role of John Shaft emerged. The 1971 film, directed by the legendary Gordon Parks, won Oscars for best music and original song for Isaac Hayes’ eponymous hit and other music he created for it. The role of John Shaft, the “hotter than Bond, cooler than Bullitt” private detective, changed Roundtree’s life and the course of Hollywood by introducing him as an unapologetic protagonist and subterranean fighter of crime. The impact of “Shaft” was huge. It was ‘the film’ that introduced into mainstream cinema the African American action hero. Before “Shaft,” action-hero roles had been reserved for white actors, per the University of
Maryland, Baltimore County, notes in a look at “Shaft” for its Online Film Festival synopsis. On its critical and commercial success “Shaft” was the foundation that launched a temporary ripple of major studio films focused on strong Black protagonists in Hollywood. That “Shaft “ effect provided Roundtree acting choices that previously were non-existent. In addition to his fame garnered in the ’70s, he appeared in countless 1980s and 1990s action films, including “Original Gangstas. “The character range made the opportunities, worthwhile and he enjoyed the fame of his face being seen everywhere on film, television radio, and print earning him tv hits including “CHiPs,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Chicago Fire.” His screen presence was one of the ‘badass’ good-looking, turtleneck-covered muscle, and black leather coats that established an archetype for Black masculinity, a manly exhibition of male energy and power paired with wisdom. He was what old school Blacks knew their fathers, uncles, and grandfathers to be. They were thinking men, but they could kick your ass if called upon to do so. He never lost his cool, handsome persona and was cast in roles as relatives or older versions of himself. In the latest series of “Shaft” starring Samuel L. Jackson as his son, he still brings his brains and power. Younger audiences may know him best for his role as the father of Gabrielle Union’s title character on Being Mary Jane for BET from 2013 to 2017. Roundtree won a Peabody Award for his narration of “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow,” a PBS documentary released in 2002. He was the hero of many young Black male actors and the heartthrob of many females. He will be missed.
October 25 - October 31, 2023
By Mila K. Marshall, PhD, CNW Cannabis Corner Editor
Cannabis Corner
Four Priorities for Cannabis Startup Teams to Practice
C
annabis startup teams need to be developed with an extreme amount of intention. It is unwise to believe that a decade of professional experience translates directly to a successful business with its unique set of rules regulations and legal peculiarities. What makes any startup successful is having a good marketable product, a strong go-to-market plan and dynamic leadership. It is the leader’s responsibility to direct the team and provide structure. Here are four practices to implement during the startup phase of any cannabis endeavor that will help keep teams on track and making wise decisions for becoming operational and profitable.
Creating a Culture The culture of your cannabis company is important for the core team of founders. Much of the work for startup groups requires investment of talent and securing capital. Culture can be interpreted as behaviors
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and work practices. For early career cannabis professionals, the industry is new but their work experience in another field could be quite robust. Creating shared understandings and ethics can not only keep members energized but also assist in goal setting, and for cannabis having a culture that includes discernment and data-driven decisions can be valuable.
Defining the Roles and Responsibilities of the Team Teams can range in size and be a partnership between two people and more than ten. No matter the size of your startup team, everyone should understand their skills and what value they bring to the process. There often needs to be some clarity around expectations and responsibilities. For example, if all team members are responsible for securing capital, leadership must create ways for those members to learn how to execute that task. Responsibilities also must be compatible for the timeframe and
talent. When dealing with professionals who work full-time in other non-cannabis industries, delegating tasks that have turnaround times or come into conflict with the current workload is unreasonable. Make sure your team is fully supported and consider the use of consultants to work smarter and faster. Understanding the Politics of Pot Cannabis is an industry that requires all team members to know the law. There is no excuse for patchy understanding and legislative illiteracy. There is much at stake with the industry and misinformation could be costly. If members have little experience with civic engagement this means there needs to be some practice in building relationships with local elected officials. Knowing the law at times isn’t enough, there needs to be an understanding of cannabis laws relative to existing laws and how they are interpreted. Each state, county, city and even precinct deals with cannabis differently. A strong team is on the same page with legislative priorities.
Smart Capital Raising Strategies and Timelines Capital is costly to pursue. Relationships take time to build, and resources are limited as many banks don’t loan to cannabis nor provide banking services to legally operating businesses. Investors are looking to understand risks and rewards, your fundraising strategy and timeline can either bring in interest or turn people away. The team must understand when things are important and urgent. All efforts invested should add value for the present moment and support the business in growing to the next level. Dense short timelines presented by a team with little expertise look much riskier than those presented by a team that is more experienced and can show past success. Longer timelines can on the other hand come off as low risk and safer for a cautious cannabis investor. The team should be empowered to understand the shared goals with a willingness to be self-accountable and self-motivated to accomplish them.
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Cover Story
By Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Staff Editor
Infamous Teefa Talks Love, Lyrics and Leaving a Legacy
I
n the late 90’s Chicago would see the rise of a duo whose flows were both clever and captivating, proving that rap wasn’t just for men. A popular urban DJ, Pinkhouse would play a record that was an instant banger and change the course of two young women’s lives forever and cement them into hip-hop history for years to come. Infamous Syndicate’s first album “Changing the Game” was released in 1999 and for Teefa so much has happened between then and now. Over a decade later she’s still writing and rhyming and has become an emblem of ambition. The clear-sighted creative sat down with Chicago News Weekly in celebra- tion of 50 years of hip hop. As much of her adult life has been in the public eye and she has answered pretty much every question about her rap career and relationship with Shawnna, the other half of Infamous Syndicate, Teefa welcomed a candid conversation about her life, her love of lyrical expression and building her legacy beyond the mic.
From South to the South Suburbs Millennials aren’t too far removed from the violence they face as Chicago teens. The 90s were filled with car clubs, ‘the projects ‘, and gang wars. There were good blocks and bad blocks, and some Chicagoans may still feel this is true
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depending on where they live. Families with the means to do so relocated to the South Suburbs. Parents were trying to save their sons from gun violence, others were looking at the opportunity to have a more peaceful life, better schools, and be removed from concentrated poverty. As the blocks of Chicago emptied out the vacancies didn’t remove the violence…it simply relocated it. Living through loss is a component of the lifestyle for Chicagoans and most certainly a running theme through this queen’s reality. CNW: “What was your childhood like? Where did you grow up?” Teefa: “I grew up on the southeast side of Chicago, I went to Robert A. Black on Jeffrey. And then to Kenwood. I was a Bronco. What happened is my mom observed that the neighborhood was super messed-up at the time, where I lived in Terrortown and the East Side of Chicago was crazy.” CNW: “You moved out of the city at some point with your mother, that had to be tough in the ‘90s?” Teefa: “It was always just me and my mom, I never knew my dad. My mom went back to school to get her GED because she didn’t have a high school diploma after which she attended Sawyer Secretarial School, completed the program, found decent employment, and ended up buying a condo in Calumet City. Consequently, I didn’t graduate from Kenwood. Instead, I ended up at Thornwood. I felt like a fish out of water there. I felt like the things we dealt with as teenagers living in the city and how we kicked it, our sense of fashion, our connection to music, it was just very authentic at Kenwood and felt inauthentic at Thornwood. It felt as if they were trying to capture the city vibe. It wasn’t real. And, I was put on a school bus! I had been riding the CTA since the 6th grade. I was almost grown on a school bus.” CNW: “Sounds like you were not impressed with the suburban life, how did you cope with the move?” Teefa: “ What made it better was that I had a boyfriend whose mom had done the same thing and moved to Dolton. And I did some research on the school, and I found out that I could enroll in a work program. I found a job, got out of school at 12, walked to my job, worked at my job till my mom picked me up, and went home. My first job was just babysitting. And then after that, I worked at Fuddruckers, and I even worked at White Castles. That is the worst job you can have…..oh my god, you go home smelling like powdered onions, and I’d slipped all over the floor at work.”
Teenage Love and Loss
Dating in the 90s wasn’t centered around technology like it is today. Relationships took time and much of that was done face-to-face and meeting someone special that you connected with, felt safe around, and could trust took time. Teefa’s connection grew with a young man she had known since grade school. As she reminisced and shared her tragic loss she also gained new connections. She shares intimate details of what that experience was like to have loved and lost so young. CNW: “So back to you and your boo, how did being young and in love inspire you?” Teefa: “I was probably in 7th or 8th grade and used to rap all my raps to my boyfriend-- he was my safe space. He was my age, and it was different from rapping for my aunts or grandmother. He was the baby of his family. He was smart and athletic. But a lot of people were jealous of him. He ended up getting murdered after he moved to Dolton, which was crazy, then very soon after my mom and I moved, so we were super close. After he died, I was so depressed, he was my outlet. He was my first love, and his death was tough on me. With him gone started hanging out with my girls all the time. Just freestyling, I was zoned out.” CNW: “You had to grow up really fast it seems with so many transitions, how did you pull yourself out of those dark moments?”
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Teefa: “I truly believe Shawnna and my other friends saved my life. God does things in ways that we don’t understand in the moment, but retrospect is everything. Shortly after he passed, Shawnna and I just hung out heavy for a year and we would spend our time writing songs and freestyle. We’d hang out in Chicago at the ‘Taste of Chicago’) or concerts… a park. We would be in barber shops battling folks rapping for weed money.” CNW: “I’ve heard this story about you and Shawnna battling in barber shops, seems like you all were in the right places at the right times.” Teefa: “ Yeah, so funny story, Andy C. is one of the GOATS in Chicago when it comes to engineering, it was his brother’s barber shop. And his broth-
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er called him and was like, man, these girls down here killing cats. So, we did a demo with Andy, like 15 songs, and ended up putting out “Jenny Jones”… Pinkhouse played that back to back to back, he loved it. The support just started pouring in and the next thing, you know, the labels are coming. So that is how we pretty much transitioned. I feel like the tragedy was the impetus for our triumph.”
Era of authenticity
Teefa was all on the airwaves of Chicago and hosted Power 92.3 FM and 107.5 FM WGCI. At some point, however, she was led towards having an even greater impact on the next generation. Her skills were clearly needed within the Chicago Public Schools broadcast cur-
riculum and her industry expertise valuable for instructors, administrators, and students. She began her teaching career at Westinghouse High School, taught at Al Raby, and now teaches at Hyde Park Career Academy. Her legacy is exponential, and it all began with her being her authentic self. CNW: “You’re a legend here in Chicago and at some point, you were on the radio and now you teach broadcast technology for Chicago Public Schools. How did you get into education?” Teefa: “ Right now I teach broadcast technology. I’ve always been on the radio. I used to have a hip-hop show called “The Basement,” and I loved doing that show, and I’ve always mentored and trained jocks. I would speak to high
schoolers and a coordinator told me he had never seen someone connect to kids so effortlessly, and he suggested that I should teach. My plan was to go into management after radio, but God had a different plan. I’m super unorthodox, but the kids made me realize that is was with them where I belonged. It was so comfortable it felt right.” CNW: “Do you feel like the kids get it and how have your experiences in the industry helped you connect with students? ” Teefa: “It’s interesting that you asked me that because that is the entire drive behind me having to show up as an educator-- being Teefa. I show up with my experiences front and center. I can’t hide the trauma to look a certain
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The point of any CTE career or training program in CPS is for students to graduate with a different opportunity if they are not interested in college or they can start working at an entry level in that industry or trade. way or carry myself the way instructors are expected to represent. I believe it affords me a deeper connection with my students. I teach broadcast technology, but I begin with a discussion on something that’s going on in the world and how they feel about it. I’m really focused and centered on personal storytelling, things that frustrate us, things that help us grow, and celebrating the things that don’t get a lot of attention. If my students can process those ideas they can use it. I truly do feel that in the classroom I am able to be fluid so I can give them permission to be the same.” CNW: “What are you most proud of as a mentor and educator? ” Teefa: “This CPS broadcast program is 20 years old. So, the broadcast certification is Adobe Premiere Pro, the video editing software and Adobe Photoshop with those certifications students can start off at a production company making $35/hr. straight out of high school, that’s a living wage. The point of
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any CTE career or training program in CPS is for students to graduate with a different opportunity if they are not interested in college or they can start working at an entry level in that industry or trade. I’m proud that I was hired by the downtown office to train 36 Digital Media and Broadcast instructors. I traveled to schools with these programs across the city of Chicago and coached teachers, consulted on software culture, pedagogy, and classroom behavior, I ordered their gear and handled all the procurement. In my first year at Hyde Park, I certified my entire senior class. My second year there I certified my entire senior class and my junior class. So, we are 73% certified in a building 73%.”
Twice
Teefa found love and in 2010 married Antwone Muhammad who passed away on March 30 of this year. It was 2011 when her late husband was diagnosed with breast cancer even though they were separated at the time she took care
of him. She found herself in the throes of grief once again losing someone close to her and wrapping her mind around the emotions and her new life without his physical presence. CNW: “You are still releasing new music and you have a song in loving memory of Antwone…what does the song “Twice,” truly represent? ” Teefa: “Twice” expresses my feelings of a double life and twice in my life I’ve felt like I lost him. And then twice I lost somebody that I was with a partner that I really loved. First, I lost my teenage boyfriend to a senseless murder. But that story, I don’t tell in that song, more importantly, it is the storyline of my life it seems.” CNW: “How do you use music to support you through grief and transitions, it seems like these moments have never dissuaded you but have been therapy? ” Teefa: “It has been very powerful for me. When I was younger, I couldn’t
move around and do whatever whenever, however, it didn’t, I didn’t need much to get by. So, with music, it’s an investment before it’s an asset. God has connected me to a deep ability to thrive while I’m experiencing grief. Music allows me to not get so caught up and forget that I have a testimony.” CNW: “What lessons have you learned that you are passing down to your students and your children? ” Teefa: “I’ve learned to agree to disagree a lot. I’ve learned that I don’t have to fight every battle that wasn’t aligned with what I thought, it should look like or what my beliefs were, or what my principles were. I’ve learned to simply move around the differences and keep going and by doing that, I’ve been able to stay in my femininity, peacefulness, and my grace. I want my kids to express their thoughts, but you don’t have to express everything publicly you can save pieces of yourself, think before you speak and remember that ‘hurt’ people hurt ‘people.’ Finally, I want them to know that life is a beautiful journey even though it can be filled with hard times.”
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W Art & culture
Chicago in LA C.L. Blackburn Staff Writer
Chicago and LA have an undeniable synergy even though they couldn’t be more different. Chicago sits in the Midwest on a Lake while LA is on the West Coast and sits on the Pacific Coast.
However, if you give credence to astrology, both cities
are ruled under the summer sign Leo. Yes, these two cit-
ies like their human counterparts love being the center
of attention yet, their grace, charm, and warmth cover
Carol Adams with Phyllis Banks Book signing
that up. People from all over the world travel to both cities to visit and live because each gives its residents a sense of a city on top, a leader amongst the rest. Both cities are excellent at attracting money and being high-profile
cities which as that’s where they work their magic. This profile is attractive to people seeking the glamour and success that each provides so it’s no wonder that many Chicagoans move to LA. This summer CNW captured
some of Chicagoans who live in Chicago and others who were visiting.
Our first stop was at Cultural Interiors, a Black-owned
gift shop where Chicagoan jewelry designer Akosua
Bandele set up to share her designs with her LA customers. Next CNW attended the African Focus Affair where Chicago transplant Jan Robinson Flint was in-
ducted into the Mjasiri Tanzania family. We were de-
lighted to attend a party hosted by Chicago homegirl
Boney Manilli
Efe McWhorter to welcome Chicago folk, Judy Lindsey, and Kai EL’ Zabar, joined by Andre and Frances Guich-
ard of Chicago’s Gallery Guichard and many other Chicagoans. We were pleasantly surprised to have Dr. Carol Adams of Chicago, grace LA with her presence as she
shared her fabulous poems from her book “Reflections and Remembrances, “ at the Black-owned restaurant ‘Alta.’ Next was the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus 46th Annual Festivals weekend, where so many Chica-
go’s come through. Then there was the world premiere at Disney’s Redcat Theater of “Boney Manilli,” a play by
Idrees Degas
Edgar Arceneaux about ‘a slice of life’ mixing the pop music world, family drama, the artist’ pursuit, and great dance starring our’s truly Efe McWhorter who garnered
a standing ovation. Wow! She really was/is phenomenal. And big kudos and mucho congratulations from us to
Chicago Native Son, Idrees Degas, awarded the Hap-
Awards ‘Best Male Actor’ for his role in “The Rain Has
Efe McWhorter
Passed.”
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October 25 - October 31, 2023
W Akosua Babdele
African Focus
Moza & Kai at festival
Kai & Phyllis Banks
Efe McWhorter
Fran & Andre Guichards at Pool Party
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Food & Wine
Mare Evans Contributing Wriiter
Caramel Apple Cookies A Fall Favorite
L
isten my mother’s people owned apple orchards in Oxford Ohio and so every fall we went apple picking. It was actually a very festive season. Apples were a major fruit since there was less to pick from when I was growing up. The fruit choice was basic from apples, oranges, grapes, pears, and bananas unless you counted raisins. So, if you love caramel apples on a stick then you’ll love caramel apple cookies. Some people even made caramel apples for Halloween parties. But in the caramel cookies, the apple flavor is dialed up because of the freshly grated apple and dried apple chips in the dough. The caramel icing adds a little somethin’ somethin’ with a dash of sweet and toasty. But the secret ingredient in this recipe is brown butter! The richness that it adds makes the apple pop . . . As if it could more anymore. Just me it can and does. This one is a keeper so save the recipe Browning the butter This one’s easy, slowly melt the butter on the stovetop and keep cooking, whisking occasionally, until it turns golden, and wait for a nutty, toasty aroma. Check by
dipping a metal spoon in the butter and check the color—it should be no darker than a medium golden brown when it’s ready. It’s important to pour the butter into a heatproof bowl at the moment it’s ready so that it doesn’t burn. BONUS TIP: What is in apple pie spice? Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice are the three-star ingredients of apple pie spice (cardamom and ginger are sometimes added as a personal preference). This blend makes anything apple taste even more apple-ee. You can grab a jar from the spice aisle or make your own. Yields: 2 Dozen cookies (24) Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Ingredients FOR THE COOKIES:
• 3/4 c. salted butter (1 1/2 sticks) • 1/2 c. dark brown
sugar • 1/4 c. granulated sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tsp. vanilla • 2 c. all-purpose flour • 1/4 tsp. baking soda • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt • 1 tsp. apple pie spice • 3/4 c. rolled oats • 1 Granny Smith apple, grated (about 1/2 cup) • 1/2 c. chopped apple chips
FOR THE CARAMEL ICING: • 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar • 2 tbsp. apple cider or juice • 3 tbsp. caramel sauce • 1/2 c. apple chips, chopped
Directions
1. For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350˚. 2. Brown the butter by melting it over medium heat in a medium saucepan, then let it cook and bubble for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the foam and butter underneath is golden brown.
Transfer it to a large, heatproof mixing bowl and swirl a few times to help stop the browning. Let it cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice in a medium bowl; set aside. 4. 4Add the brown and granulated sugars to the mixing bowl with the browned butter and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla, and mix on low just until combined. 5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until combined. Mix in the oats and grated apple. Fold in the apple chips with a rubber spatula. 6. Scoop the dough into balls, about 1 1/2 tablespoons in size, onto two parchment lined baking sheets and press gently with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes on the sheet tray, before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. 7. For the caramel icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, apple juice, and caramel sauce. Using a spoon, drizzle the cookies generously with the icing and top with the chopped apple chips. Allow the glaze to set before serving, about 1 hour (at room temperature). 8. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Use crispy apple chips I prefer the Seneca brand.
October 25 - October 31, 2023
Forces of Fashion
fashion By C.L. Blackburn Staff Writer
D
ame Anna Wintour born 3 November in 1949 is a British-born American media executive based in New York City who has served as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue since 1988. Other than her world standing as the most famous of Vogue editors, she was adequately celebrated as the role model used for the Meryl Streep role of Amanda Priestly in the film “The Devil Wears Prada.” She is probably the longest-serving editor for any Vogue or any Conte Nest publication. Known by sight for sporting her trademark pageboy bob haircut and dark sunglasses, Wintour is regarded as the most powerful woman in publishing and is one of the most important figures in much of the fashion world. Praised for her skill in identifying emerging fashion trends, she has furthered the careers of many of the internationally respected designers. Her influence continues to go a long way even now at 73 years of age so many of the designers who were young when she was a young maverick have gone on and or are up in age. We’d like to think that she’s grooming folks to maintain the skill and art of being at the head of Vogue. With New York’s 2023 September Fashion Week now behind us we can look at some of what it was all about . . Returning brands like Altuzarra, Anna Sui, Area, Brandon Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Christian Siriano, Collina Strada, COS, Dion Lee, Eckhaus Latta, Elena Velez, Gabriela Hearst, Jason Wu, Khaite, LaQuan Smith, Michael Kors, Palomo Spain, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Puppets & Puppets, Sergio Hudson, Theory, Tibi, Tory Burch, Ulla Johnson, and Willy Chavarria showcased their new lines while New Yorker superstar Ralph Lauren made his comeback to the New York runway. Jonathan Cohen and 3.1 Phillip Lim also returned to the week. First-time additions to the schedule included Advisory, Chan Chit Lo, FFORME, Grace Ling, and Sho Konishi. Each showcased audience-favored lines leaving New York on a high note. Per its usual Vogue’s annual Forces of Fashion event was a star-studded, high-octane affair, but rumor has it never more so than this year, as the 2023 iteration—which took place last week Thursday, October 19. Held at the Condé Nast offices in New York, gave fortunate fashion fans the rare opportunity to experience a peek at the Vogue offices. The Run-Through With Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi and Chloe Malle were on hand to host Thursday’s proceedings, which included a conversation with Bottega Veneta creative director Matthieu Blazy,
October 25 - October 31, 2023
Edward Enninful Ghanaian-British Vogue editor
Chioma Nnadi American Vogue Digital Editor
as well as a behindthe-scenes look at how an issue of Vogue is made from “concept to cover shoot,” hosted by fashion director Virginia Smith, Vogue Runway director Nicole Phelps, and accessories and collaborations director Willow Lindley. While all that is part of the reporting, the real news of interest is that Chioma Nnadi a British fashion editor poised to succeed Edward Enninfulas the editor of British Vogue, Nnadi's title will be the "Head of Editorial Content" while previous editors had been described as "Editor-in-Chief." To the point here, Nnadi was born to a Nigerian father and a Swiss-German nurse. She grew up in London. Nnadi began her career at the “Evening Standard Newspaper,” then moved on to the “Trace” and “The Fader” magazines where she worked on the features desk for its sister magazine. In 2010 she joined Vogue in New York and currently runs the American website of Vogue as well as writing for the magazine and co-hosting the Vogue podcast. Nnadi will assume her new position in December. In common with Edward Ko-
bina Enninful is their shared African heritage. He is a Ghanaian-born British editor and stylist who was the editor-in-chief of British Vogue and the European editorial director of Conde Nest. All three Vogue editors mentioned here are British no matter their original roots or cultural influence. But it’s a huge statement about the cultural differences between Great Britain and
America. Will we ever Samira Nasr see a Black editor of Bazaar Vogue? Not to men- Maagine Edirot tion that stepping into the shoes of Anna Wintour is a tall order to fill when the time comes. Meanwhile, Samira Nasr is the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar — and the first Black woman after 153 years to hold the position since June 2020 when she assumed the role.
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Doing Business With Government Agencies Are you interested in doing business with government agencies? Join CTA’s Diversity Programs for a panel discussion on how your firm can qualify to partner with government agencies. Learn about required certifications and upcoming procurement opportunities as you hear from procurement personnel at the following agencies: • Chicago Transit Authority • City of Chicago • Metra
Thursday, November 16, 2023 10:00 AM- 12:00 Noon
• Illinois Tollway
CTA Headquarters 567 W. Lake St. Chicago, Il 60661
• Forest Preserves of Cook County
To register please visit:
• Cook County Government
• Pace Bus • Illinois Dept. of Human Services • Illinois Capital Development Board
https://bit.ly/46kPzgv For more information contact: diversity@transitchicago.com
• Public Building Commission • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
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October 25 - October 31, 2023