May 17,2023

Dave Jeff, Nosa Ehimwenman and Jonathan Swain

CHICAGO’S 57th Mayor

CNW STAFF

“We can lead Chicago to a new era. Together, we can build a better, stronger, safer Chicago. We just have to look deep into the soul of Chicago. Can I get a witness? As Reverend Meeks said. Are you with me or am I by myself?

I’m talking about the soul of Chicago. Whether you live in Jefferson Park or Morgan Park or McKinley Park or Gage Park or in Humboldt Park.

I’m talking about a revival in the City of Chicago, where the soul of Chicago comes alive. A brand new Chicago is in front of us. I can wait to continue to lead this city toward a future where generations to come will look back and see the soul of Chicago that has made it possible for posterity. Thank you all. “

“My name is Brandon Johnson and I am the 57th Mayor of the City of Chicago.”

Chicago News Weekly

Cheryl Mainor Norman President & Publisher

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-In-Chief

Terri Winston Vice

President

Darnell Pulphus

Art Director Editors

Donna Hodge

Food Editor

Dr. Mila K. Marshall

Cannabis Corner Editor

Staff Writers

Dr. Sharice Braford

Liz Lampkin

Marcus Bouldin

David Pierce

Tammy Gibson

Shaneen Murray

Marti Worell

Contributors

NNPA Newswire

Mare Evans

Melanie Mainor

Eric Grant

Cover Photography

Gabriel Montgomery

Cover Make-Up

Melanie Weaver

The Decline of America

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Vol. 1 No 29 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Chicago News Weekly is published weekly on Wednesday. www.cnwmedia.com

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I’m

thinking that we are living in the decline of America as a world empire. We have grown up knowing its place in the world order. Americans have always thought of the United States of America as the most powerful country in the world and at one time it was absolute. The United States remains the world’s only superpower, despite today’s geopolitical friction. It is by far the leader when the three defining features of a superpower are tallied up: that’s a nation’s economic wealth, ‘hard’ military assets, and ‘soft’ power – in terms of cultural exchanges, diplomacy, or the dissemination of ideas. Countries in rank order 1 through 10

Powerful Countries in the World by Military

1. United States Of America. US Military has the biggest defense budget in the world. ...

2. Russia. Russia is the second most powerful military country. ...

3. China. ...

4. India. ...

5. Japan. ...

6. South Korea.

So, we still utter those words comfortably but those countries that were once underdeveloped have grown over time and evolved to be second and third-tier power brokers. Those like Middle Eastern countries, and some African countries like Nigeria provide most of the world’s oil, while others supply a large number of natural resources, including diamonds, sugar, salt, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, bauxite, silver, petroleum, and cocoa beans, but also tropical timber and tropical fruit.

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world for the past three years left a carnage of tragic consequences, it exposed the cracks in many countries’ education and healthcare systems. Leaving us to recognize America’s stronghold and the work other counties have to improve upon. Despite the context of soft and hard power that defines one country’s position in the world, there is also the subjectivity of archaeologists that list characteristics that signal the decline of civilizations, including disruption to trade routes, shifts in supply and demand, disease, environmental degradation, and extreme political dysfunction which puts us in the world eco-system that can destroy great and powerful empires like Egypt or the Great Hittite Empires, which brings us to:

Would we know if society was about to collapse?

There’s never a shortage of people claiming that our world is about to end, warning of economic, social, and environmental collapse. Historically, the reality is that it happens. We have the Roman Empire --once considered the greatest empire ever, which fell from grace as the most powerful military force in the world, as well as the great Hittite, Mayan, and Egyptian empires which all fell.

Not ignoring the clear and pragmatic message regarding nature’s role in the destruction of great civilizations, however, there are other signs like a clear breakdown in the pillars that

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

are the glue to modern society like the social graces of being polite, respecting others no matter their differences, adhering to the social and political rules, obeying laws, respecting one’s person, following decorum, and falling in line with what’s politically correct. It doesn’t require you to accept or believe in another’s cultural beliefs. It is a way of communicating and co-existing in a culture that is multigenerational, ethnic, racial, religious, gender-conscious, representative of different wealth levels, education and intellect differences, perspectives, and partisan views.

We see the descent in our norms like mass shootings every day that take the lives of innocent men, women, and children in America where freedoms yearned by so many oppressed peoples in other counties are touted. Police brutality by those who are purportedly here to ‘serve and protect’ the people and yet, we witness the personal bias and bigotry safely rooted in systemic racism, that instead protects those who do harm under the sacred badge. We experience the breakdown daily of our once great liberal arts public education system, now in shambles and in shackles by a predatory business community. We recognize the shift from religious faith to the worldly seduction of one’s morals. The conflict between women and men that was once worked out amongst the two, is now decided in the court of public opinion. The once highly regarded Supreme Court has been brought down by the justices’ involvement in activities that more than border on corruption. Too few politicians are interested in the good of the people but more concerned about their personal social aspirations and are willing to destroy the American democratic process and bring down the country. We have witnessed the attempted coup of an authoritarian past President who refused the peaceful transfer of power, causing grave damage to the American democratic fabric. We have seen the attack on government congressional leaders, and Governors, etc.; their husbands and wives, the attempted assassination of Vice President Pence, House Speaker Pelosi; and a domestic terror plot to kidnap American politician Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan and using violence overtly; we’ve noted the flat out refusal to lift a hand to stop the increase and misuse of gun sales that supply the murders with their tools; we observe politicians following the footsteps of a twice impeached past president telling lie after lie to the people.

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photo credit: Dot Ward

Dollars & Sense

By Eric Grant CNW Columnist

What Will You Do When Cousin Pookie Calls?

Don’t act like I am the only one. What do you do when cousin Pookie calls? You know he (or she) is going to ask for some money. Do you just not answer the call? What’s the plan? You know that when Pookie needs money, that phone will keep ringing. Pookie is very diligent about asking for money, and the opposite of that when it comes to paying that money back. You know that your calls to Pookie about getting paid back will go unanswered, and you’ll be forced to just drop by. Yeah, I knew that I wasn’t the only one.

Unexpected expenses, especially when they are someone else’s, can create financial chaos for you, but you still love your cousins. The reality is, things happen, and you need to start by feeling good that you have the surplus income to be able to address emergencies. So, what will you do? Let me suggest that you should start by answering the call. Second, don’t give anyone any money that you can’t afford to ever see again.

Third, don’t loan any money that you need. Last, budget for those calls from Pookie. Yep, I said it. You should include cousin Pookie in your budget.

Because unexpected expenses are a necessary part of everyone’s financial life, it should be a budget item. I suggest starting by deciding how big of a financial emergency you are willing to respond to, for yourself and anyone else. It is possible that your emergency financial threshold will be higher than your financial willingness to respond to someone else’s emergency. Anything beyond either of those maximum emergency numbers is a hard no. These numbers become your budget line item and the rationale for your response. Having this number will stop the momentum of

the adrenaline associated with responding to a financial emergency. Any emergency that falls below those emergency financial thresholds is, yes (with an acceptable story). Most importantly, once you reach that threshold, you are finished responding to emergencies for this budget year.

It is financial chaos, normally in the form of financial emergencies, that tend to have the most significant impact on our ability to build wealth. Having clear thinking and limits on what financially constitutes an emergency that you are willing to consider can have the effect of bringing a bit of calm to the financial chaos. Absent any emergencies, in a plan to accumulate wealth, the math is easy. We love our cousins, but the only reason that Pookie calls you is because you have a plan, and thus resources to respond to emergencies. It is your job to make sure that you are, at least financially, the person that Pookie thinks of calling. You also need to remain the clear-thinking person that has successfully accumulated the resources to respond to financial emergencies. If Pookie thinks of you first in a financial emergency, you are probably doing something right financially.

Securities are offered through Lion Street Financial, LLC. (LSF), member FINRA & SIPC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Polaris Wealth Management, LLC an investment advisor registered with the state of Illinois. LSF is not affiliated with Polaris Wealth Management, LLC.

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E notes

When we examine the social and political affairs of modern-day man we are addressing those sacred institutions “It’s a subjective answer.” It could mean a collapse in the institutions or the fabric of the society around you and within which we live. And such declines are relative: a citizen living in a wealthy country might consider it a collapse if their living standards were to drop to those experienced by most people in the world. This is a potential reality if Congress doesn’t balance the budget. Most Americans take this concern too lightly not understanding the repercussions.

Democrats claim that During former U.S. President Donald Trump’s presidency, Congress raised the debt limit with bipartisan support and no budget-cut preconditions on three occasions — in 2017, 2018, and 2019 — although the 2019 budget bill did require a commitment to $77 billion in administrative “offsets” to partially make up for sharp increases in defense and domestic spending.

Beggars Pizza Kenwood & Hyde Park Believes in Community

CNW Staff Report

As a new, small family-owned business in the Kenwood & Hyde Park neighborhood, the staff and owners of Beggars Pizza at 47th & Lake Park feel grateful for the opportunity to serve one of the most beautiful and historically rich neighborhoods on the South Side. Beggars Pizza in Kenwood/Hyde Park credits its success to a strongly rooted familial-communal foundation, whether it’s sponsoring a nearby youth league, fundraising for a local shelter, or instilling a philosophy of growth and mentorship within our staff, Beggars strives to make a difference in their community. Together with the already renowned and established “Beggars Pizza” brand, the store wants to make a lasting impact and provide the penultimate customer experience to the Kenwood & Hyde Park neighborhoods.

What’s at Stake:

A report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors in October 2021 warned of the possible effects of the U.S. defaulting, which include a worldwide recession, worldwide frozen credit markets, plunging stock markets, and mass worldwide layoffs. This puts America in a weakened position of strength and the power to influence. Ultimately it means the country defaults on its bills, runs out of money, and can’t borrow any more. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, “It would lead to an economic catastrophe.” The former Federal Reserve chief, also said, “that Biden’s choices are either an ‘economic and financial catastrophe’ or a ‘constitutional crisis.’” When should Biden utilize the 14th Amendment, a never-before-used tactic to stop just short of the economic abyss?

Last Tuesday, Biden said that he has “been considering the 14th Amendment.” However, he wants certainty around the constitutional use of the 14th Amendment as it pertains to the debt ceiling.

This is where we are folks as the deadline is upon us. This can clearly bring our world power standing down a notch or two.

Left to right: Markeitta Johnson, Jashetta Harris, Oscar Wells

CHICAGO’s PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER

Cheryl Mainor Norman Publisher

On Friday, May 12, 2023, Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s 56th Mayor ended her position as the leader of the third largest city in the country. She left the fifthfloor City Hall office and entered into her place in the history of the City of Chicago. Her departing words were captured from a tweet, “I’m forever humbled and grateful to have served our City as mayor. These past four years were filled with challenges, yet we achieved and celebrated so much together.”

At the close of her last day, the City Hall lobby was filled with well-wishers who bid her farewell and she was greeted outside with confetti, bagpipes, hugs, and handshakes, and shouts of approval. The people were left with her promise, “I will be here as private citizen, continually rooting for you and every resident of our city. . . My work is not done,” she said. “I will roll up my sleeves in another form and fashion but continue on.”

The Challenge

Although Chicago did not re-elect Mayor Lightfoot, she has much to be proud of and the city has much to be grateful for. As a first-time politician/mayor, she faced some of the most tumultuous socio-political terrain one can face. Certainly, having to face the pandemic COVID-19 complicated by civil unrest was a tremendous challenge. Did she do everything right? No. Did she get us through it with a city that kept true to the mask-wearing mandates and other preventative measures to stop the Covid virus spread? Yes.

However, her handling of the unruly civil unrest did not satisfy Chicago’s North or Southside residents and received harsh criticism. Chicago was already plagued by its crime tag and mayoral candidates used it as a topic to wave and promise to turn it around. Mayor Lightfoot too, promised to turn around and transform the city’s reputation as a center for crime and corruption. And it was and remains as such. Corruption has a long history interwoven within the political machine. It’s hard to undo business as usual especially when that way of doing things becomes institutionalized as the way things are done. It takes time to beat it down. But it is coming to a halt. Slowly at first but now that the last major corruption boss’s former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Michael Joseph Madigan and Edward Burke are out, the underlings are sure to disappear. Look, “Chicago Magazine” named Madigan as the fourth most powerful Chicagoan in 2012 and as the second in both 2013 and 2014, earning him the nickname “the Velvet Hammer—a.k.a. the Real Governor of Illinois.” He was known behind closed doors as the state’s real political boss and we all know that his reach was long and deep into Chicago. With them gone it seemed plausible that a new dawn had awakened but Mayor Lightfoot’s ambitious plans to lead Chicago out and away from its dark past were derailed by the deadly combination of the pandemic and its vomit—widespread looting following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back.

Lightfoot’s task became presiding over the city’s most tumultuous era in generations, one marked by enormous strain on every element of civic life and the twin crises of COVID-19 and civil unrest.

Faced with so much, worst of all was the mayor’s inability to maintain her connection with stakeholders and public officials who could help her forge a reorganization agenda that would be palpable to her supporters. If there was any major failure on her part, it was the loss of the initial support that she did not nurture and cultivate.

But she did much in the four years that she was in office to leave a mark. “When we work to achieve equity, what we really mean is we are looking at our history and the deep scars that systemic racism, machine politics, and disinvestment have left,” Lightfoot said bidding farewell to Chicago. The solutions, she said, “won’t come overnight. But our administration created real change and planted seeds for the transformation of our city to right these historic wrongs.”

Indeed, where Lightfoot experienced most success was in putting a spotlight on Chicago’s inequities and advocating to reverse deeply engrained racial exclusion and social-economic inequity. During her term, Lightfoot’s administration spent millions of dollars in public funds working to implement public and private development in neighborhoods, particularly on the south and west sides that have experienced generations of disinvestment. Invest South/West was touted as a top strategic economic development program.

In truth, some of the programs developed under the tagline Invest South/West had been put into place prior to her election. But she did follow through recognizing its importance and it grew, accomplishing some good things. Her Invest South/West steered many projects and redirected builders to underserved communities. Many of them, in places the investment dollars would not have flowed had it not been for the program.

One major star in Lightfoot’s crown is that she made possible the elected civilian oversight board of the Police Department. Naysayers express concern that the agency lacks what it takes to make a difference, as it only has limited power to change department policy. But, there was a robust response by citizens eager to fill the board, who ran and were elected, and the city is hopeful that this will be an important cog in the wheel needed to right the ship in the City’s quest to rehabilitate and perhaps reshape what public safety is for Chicago.

The Conclusion

Monday, May 15th at the inauguration of the 57th Mayor Brandon Johnson, following her introduction, the crowd stood up and applauded her noting that somehow, they knew that she had done her best. They were appreciative. She then announced, “. . . this is a peaceful transition of power,” and the crowd roared again with applause.

Best wishes to Former Mayor Lightfoot, and Thank you for your service.

BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY SAVVY

Mila K. Marshall, PhD. CNW Staff Editor

of lead lines is costly at about $8,000 and the city of Chicago has five programs that can help support voluntary removal.

Homeowners may be eligible for free replacement but with stipulations. For example, homes with children under 18 are prioritized, income below 80% of the median area income and live in a home that is owner occupied. Homeowners working with contractors are eligible for $5,000 reimbursement but commercial and mixed-use zoned properties are ineligible. There is also free replacement for child daycares in low-income communities, owners seeking more information can call 312-744-6635 or email daycares@cityofchicago.org.

Be Fashionable and Sustainable

The environment shapes every aspect of our city, lives. Most environmental conversations can lead to gloom and doom conclusions. It’s scary thinking about toxins and pollution. By the time an invitation to help be part of the solution comes around it’s easy to check out because the problem seems insurmountable and so big. Learning about what is available can inspire confidence in making better decisions. Chicago’s lead service line removal program is far from perfect. But do you know if you are eligible for subsidies? Are you a contractor or a developer? In this market being in the know helps businesses operate in the black. Are you a fashionista? While everyone is hashtagging thrift store haul, some are using upcycled fashion to reduce waste and conserve water. You may be surprised how expensive that outfit really is. Giving new life to your swag is sustainable and healthy for the economy. Finally, city life can be draining but traveling with the entire family on a vacation may not be affordable. Close to home camping is an option to tap out of technology and into nature.

Getting the lead out of Chicago

Lead service lines move water from the main street to Chicago homes. According to the National Defense Council Chicago has the most miles of lead lines in the nation. There is no safe exposure to lead which causes irreversible brain damage. The city of Chicago offers voluntary lead service line replacement programs that can be found at www.leadsafechicago.org. If a home was built before 1986 it is highly likely there are lead lines. Black and brown communities are also more likely to have lead lines. Removal

How much water does it take to make a cotton shirt? Actually, quite a bit. The World’s Resource Institute estimates it takes 2,000 liters of water to make one cotton shirt. It may be surprising but 20% of the world’s global water use is by the fashion industry. There are about 100 billion garments produced every year and about 92 tons of textile waste ends up in a landfill. What does this mean for your closet? This year as you clear out the closets consider not just throwing clothes in the garbage but donating or reselling your gently used items. Give your wardrobe new life. Is buying a brand-new blouse necessary? Shopping second hand, or vintage is another way to protect the plant and practice protecting the environment one fly outfit at a time.

Camping close to home

Camping is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you don’t know where to pitch a tent. The Forest Preserves of Cook County are a great option for city dwellers who want to experience the outdoors without feeling so far from civilization. There is absolutely something for everyone’s budget and camping experience. There are five locations available across Cook County for reservations. To find the one closest to you visit www.fpdcc.com. Camp Shabonna Woods in South Holland, IL is adjacent to a water park and River Oaks Mall and minutes off the Bishop Ford Expressway. You can rent a tent site or the entire campground for as low as $37 for residents per night.

Wasting clothing is out of fashion. Look for a sustainable option before tossing your clothing into the trash. Image by Shutterstock

The Hyde Park Summer Fest Rooted in Culture and Community

Jonathan Swain, Dave Jeff and Nosa Ehimwenman

Danielle Sanders Contributing Writer

hat started in a parking lot in the Hyde Park neighborhood has grown to an event attended by more than thirty thousand people. For over seven years, the Hyde Park Summer Fest (HPSF) brings together artists, local brands, and the neighborhood to enjoy a weekend filled with music, community, and a celebration of Chicago culture. Over the years, the festival has grown and evolved. This year the Hyde Park Summerfest is being held at the Midway Plaisance to accommodate its growing attendance. This year’s festival takes place June 17-18th and features a star-studded lineup, including Tobe Nwigwe, Robert Glasper, Uncle Waffles, Terry Hunter, Alex Isley and more. This year’s festival also celebrates #HipHop50 with some of the genre’s brightest stars from Chicago featuring Vic Mensa, Twista, Shawnna, Crucial Conflict and Do or Die. The iconic hip hop duo, Clipse also reunites at this year’s festival for a special performance to commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

“As a Black-owned festival, it’s important for us to create a welcoming, inclusive space for our neighbors and business owners to celebrate Chicago culture through music and food while honoring hip-hop’s impact on the world,” said Jonathan Swain, founder of Hyde Park Summer Fest.

For many, the Hyde Park Summerfest serves as the unofficial kickoff to #summertimechi on the Southside of Chicago. Co-founders, Jonathan Swain, and Dave Jeff along with Nosa Ehimwenman, President & CEO of BOWA Construction sat down with CNW Weekly to discuss this year’s festival, it’s evolution and why the festival remains committed to the neighborhood and the community.

POST COVID PIVOT

The Hyde Park Summerfest returned in 2022 after a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival returned with a new name, new location and for the first time, the festival charged attendees to enter. Initially the response was mixed with some questioning if the festival would still maintain its neighborhood party vibes with a new location and ticketing structure. Co-Founder, Dave Jeff says he felt the support from the community even with the changes. “We’ve taken this from a street fest to a festival. Those who have supported us over the years continue applauding the growth.”

2022’s was one for the books with epic performances by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ashanti, Busta Rhymes, Lucky Daye, Marshia Ambrosius, Lupe Fiasco and more. The new location, midway Plaisance, was more spacious, allowing attendees plenty of room to dance, enjoy the music, shop, and eat. Throughout the festival were new activations and plenty of “Instagram-able moments”.

WCo-Founder and entrepreneur Jonathan Swain said, “The overwhelming response last year was great. People were excited about having an opportunity to celebrate community and enjoy top quality musical talent on the Southside of Chicago”.

FESTIVAL LOGISTICS

This year’s festival comes in the midst of construction in the area for the new Obama Presidential Center. The HPSF team took that into consideration in planning the logistics for this year’s festival. In addition, the team also listened to feedback from festival attendees and added new additions to this year’ festival along with many improvements.

Summerfest 2023 will have improved points of entry. There will be multiple general admission entry points and a separate VIP and GA+ entry point. In addition, the site is oriented so festival attendees can enter via the western end of the midway, away from the Obama Center construction area. Organizers encourage attendees to use public transportation or rideshare services. Beach towels, ponchos, and foldable chairs in bags are permitted but are subject to security screening. Outside food, drinks, umbrellas, coolers, and large carts are not allowed. For a full list of permitted items, visit their website.

A FOCUS ON LOCAL TALENT

Festival organizers say they grow from listening to the community and from listening to those who regularly attend the festival each year. Swain says, “Attendees said they wanted to see local talent highlighted more at the festival. “ This year, the HPSF added two additional stages and will host a local music showcase to highlight more local talent.

“We definitely listened, heard what they said and answered the call from our people to include more local talent. We want everyone to understand that this festival is inclusive,” says co-founder Dave Jeff

IT’S NOT JUST BUSINESS…IT’S ABOUT THE PEOPLE

When the Summerfest returned in 2022, many balked at the idea of paying for entry, however, festival co-founders Swain and Jeff strongly felt the need to make sure this annual event gave something back to community. “Business is not solely about padding your pocket. It’s about creating an economy for those you care about,” Swain says. The festival hires residents from the community, uses a majority of small black and brown owned businesses as food and merchant vendors and takes a share of the festival proceeds to donate to local public schools in the community. In 2022, Hyde Park Summer Fest donated $75,000 in proceeds to five area high schools, created nearly 200 temporary jobs in the community, and encouraged participation from over 50 local small businesses. They expect to surpass these numbers in 2023.

In other neighborhoods there is talk of getting rid of

certain festivals. Community residents feel that some neighborhood festivals do nothing but take resources and space away from community members without investing in those same communities. With festivals such as “Riot Fest”, held in Douglas Park, receiving community pushback from residents on the Westside, The Hyde Park Summer Fest, a Black Owned and operated music festival continues to receive community and neighborhood support. A fact that festival organizers say is rooted in their commitment to community first. Swain says, “In the midst of doing all of the financial and economic stuff, we realized there has to be a philanthropic side because business drives a lot of philanthropy, especially in the black community.”

That’s where Nosa Ehimwenman, President and CEO of BOWA Construction enters the picture.

Ehimwenman says partnering with Swain and Jeff was an extension of the work he does with his construction company. “It’s about economic impact and driving what we do every day in business to positively impact the community. It is how we connect economic development and construction to social impact and a community, creating a pipeline with our youth though architecture, engineering, and construction and now through art and music.

He continued, stressing that the festival is more than producing a high-quality event, it’s about leaving something better to the community. “Our initial involvement centered around how we can inject financial resources that are going to impact this festival by bringing top-quality, award-winning artists and putting together a great production. It doesn’t end there, however, Ehimwenman continued. “Afterwards, when everyone goes away, the economics of what we brought into the community can facilitate and filter into the south side.

“STAYING IN THE GOOD”

It’s what the Chicago mainstream media doesn’t want you to see. With so much chatter in the media about public safety and how Black people gather, particularly in summertime, the Hyde Park Summer Fest is one of a few Black owned and operated music festivals in the city. Although rarely reported by the mainstream, each year the festival is attended by thousands and has remained violence and incident free since its inception. Dave Jeff says the festival remains a space of safety and black joy because of the positive energy they bring to the curation of this event.

“We owe our community everything. We just mirror goodness. I call it staying in the good. We live by that and that is what I believe is returned to us each year by those who attend this event”-Hyde Park Summerfest co-founder, Dave Jeff.

Nosa Ehimwenman believes staying true to their foundation allows the festival to stay rooted in the culture. “Whenever you create the right culture and develop it, that creates a good brand.

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...the festival is more than producing a high-quality event, it’s about leaving something better to the community.

2 Chainz Twista Vic Mensa Lil’ Kim Clipse Robert Glasper

Shawnna Do or Die

Tobe Nwigwe Jonathan McReynolds Omen

Alex Isley Oxlade Crucial Conflict Libianca

Lola Brooke Terry Hunter

Uncle Waffles Mother Nature PROTEGE’

DJ Diesel

Dee Jay Alicia Philmore Greene

Boolu Master Dj Ringo

DJ Rtc Jay Illa Duane Powell Kid Clay

Continued from page 10

Nosa Ehimwenman, Dave Jeff and Jonathan Swain

As long as the partners and principals stay true to that foundation and the culture that built it, the brand can sustain itself.

HPSF co-founder, Jonathan Swain echoed those sentiments ,saying they are more than businessmen and entrepreneurs who created an idea and event to generate money. They are neighbors and residents of the Southside’s Hyde Park and Bronzeville community who see the festival as giving back to the community that has given them so much.

“We are businessmen who are driven at a high level by our values. How we approach it may be different, but our values are aligned and that’s what keeps us grounded. We approach this as neighbors of the community who want to minimize any impact our event may have on the community while providing this brand benefit. We want to continue to make sure that the benefits outweigh the downsides”, Swain said.

Celebrating Chicago Hip Hop

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the genre of Hip Hop. Yes, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hiphop, with celebrations planned both nationally and globally. Swain, Jeff and Ehimwenman as the festival organizers, they knew that they had to commemorate the occasion with a special tribute featuring some of Chicago’s best and most beloved talent in the hip-hop game.

The festival features a special celebration hosted by Dave Jeff with DJ Mustafa Rocks to celebrate Chicago’s contributions to hip-hop on day two with performances by Do or Die, Crucial Conflict, Vic Mensa, Twista and Shawnna. Dave Jeff says there are other surprises in store for festival attendees. “We are going to curate

something special that represents the dope Chicago timeline in hip-hop.” In addition to the Chicago hiphop 50 tribute, rap superstar, 2 Chainz and brothers Pusha T and No Malice also known as “Clipse” reunites to headline the first night of the festival and hip-hop icon, Lil Kim headlines night two.

“This is a huge win for Chicago and the music industry overall, especially since our city’s hip-hop influence is often overlooked and underestimated,” said Dave Jeff, co-producer of Hyde Park Summer Fest

Always for the Culture

Curating a two-day music festival not only takes business acumen and planning, but it also takes organizers who remain committed to the original vision of celebrating culture and community. Swain says it’s about showcasing the best of Chicago and the southside in particular. “We are always looking to bring different people and different music to the stage. In previous years, we’ve layered a mix of house, hip hop, gospel, r&b, and jazz influenced music to this event”.

This year’s festival also includes afro-beat artists, Uncle Waffles, Oxlade and Tobe Nwigwe, R&B songstress, Alex Isley, and Gospel artist, Johnathan McReynolds. “It’s about capturing the current appetite and culture” says Jeff, “we are thinking broader each year.”

House music also remains a staple of the Hyde Park Summerfest with 2 time Grammy nominated producer and Chosen Few DJ, Terry Hunter returning this year to the festival. Local DJs, Boolu Master, Duane Powell and Dee Jay Alicia round out this year’s house music selectors.

We Deserve to Celebrate Black Joy

Swain said, “The festival is diverse in the different el-

ement’s attendees can enjoy, but this is rooted in our community and our culture but is open to anyone. We want everyone to come and celebrate the best of the southside.”

Nosa Ehimwenman echoed the sentiment, saying, “Why can’t we have our own…built by our own… for our own…in our community? This also creates a lasting impact on our youth who can see three Black men coming together from different sectors to build this great festival.”

The Hyde Park Summerfest is one of those events filled with laughter, good food, curated cocktails, music, beer, good times and memories with family and friends. It’s a celebration of Black joy and the festival’s organizers know they have created a safe space for attendees to relax, unwind and enjoy their neighborhood in summertime.

“We are able to keep this going because we put God first. We pray about this and we create a space where joy can be present. I think ultimately that’s the fundamental foundation of how this works. It’s how different businessmen came together to create joy for our community. Black joy is beautiful…and we deserve it,”cites Jonathan Swain.

Two-day general admission tickets start at $129- and single-day general admission at $79, with prices subject to change. Hyde Park Summer Fest takes place June 17-18, 2023, at Midway Plaisance Park in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park (1130 Midway Plaisance, Chicago, IL 60637).

For more information on Hyde Park Summer Fest’s lineup, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.hydeparksummerfest.com.

HIGHschool, A Parent Talks Pot

By Mila K. Marshall CNW Cannabis Corner Editor

Itwas an early afternoon when the phone call came in from an unknown number.

“Jane” wishes to remain anonymous to protect herself and her family. The voice on the other line was a school nurse who communicated some disturbing news about her teen.

“She was calling from her private number and communicated that my child was unresponsive, and I should get to the school immediately. I was in a panic because my kid is a healthy child,” said Jane recalling the conversation. It turned into a direction she wasn’t prepared for.

“I was in total shock. She said my kid wasn’t responding and she was throwing up and her eyes were rolling back. The lady whispered and told me she thought my daughter may be high on weed…I honestly couldn’t believe it,” said Jane.

Adolescent brains are still developing and there is much unknown about the impacts of cannabis consumption on teens. A researcher from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Professor Kuei Tseng is using rats that would be the equivalent in teenage years to a human, to study the long-term effects of THC consumption. Dr. Tseng is a biological psychiatrist and at the forefront of this area of this much-needed research. His work supports other neuroscientists in that during the brain development of teenagers weed use can impact intelligence for example.

Jane is all too aware of the many unknowns in the industry because she works in it. “On some level, I felt so guilty because this is what I do. I absolutely knew my child didn’t get into my weed so I knew they must have gotten it from somewhere else,” she said.

When Jane walked into the office her child was slumped into a chair, vomit all over them, and completely disoriented. Jane continued, “I couldn’t believe how out of it my kid was. This wasn’t a normal reaction to weed, and I knew it had to be an edible, but my child couldn’t communicate…that is when I decided to take them to the emergency room. I was so embarrassed. Here I am a ‘whole advocate,’ and my child is overdosing at school. But when I heard the nurse tell me this was the FIFTH child and she had to give some sternum rubs because their heart rate was low, I was speechless.”

Jane is concerned about outing the school, herself, and her child but she welcomes a community conversation with medical providers, school administrators and elected officials. ‘My kid was ultimately suspended for not telling who they got the edible from. They would rather be suspended than get anyone in trouble. I told my kid that they were poisoned, and it could have been worse,” said the concerned mom. The high school, which Jane also wants to keep anonymous, never sent out any literature or notification of edibles in the school despite the nurse communicating Jane’s child wasn’t the first and probably won’t be the last.

“My kids come home talking about how everyone is high during the day in school and some of the adults know but just let it slide, I don’t know how I feel about that. On the one hand here, we are trying to decriminalize it and turn it into a legitimate opportunity for our communities but how do we make sure these teens understand the risks of consuming cannabis?” Jane considers.

Ultimately, she wants ways in which teens can learn and teachers to be supported but Jane realizes more penalties and consequences that cause harm may not be the answer. “It seems to me some kids may be experimenting or self-medicating and thinking this doesn‘t harm them. I’m curious how parents of teens using medical cannabis can help us parents be better at understanding its benefits but most importantly I just want to know that the school is prepared to take action if another child needs to be sent to the emergency room, a batch of bad edibles floating around the school is not ok with me and I hope that child that made those edibles understands this is not a game,” Jane shared.

MOTHER The Full Meaning

Clover Lee CNW Staff Writer

Asimplistic meaning of the word mother is “ the woman who birthed you or a female parent who nurtures and cares for children. Her nurturing includes feeding, dressing, nursing, and teaching. The mother is the first human the child connects to while in the womb. She is its host from whom it is nourished and protected. In many African languages, the mother is deemed the first teacher because mothers teach child the essentials and are held in high esteem.

In African as well as other cultures the term mother is one of endearment bestowed upon an elderly woman or mother superior. She is also referred to as Queen Mother, the mother of all.

It goes without saying that mothers are parents, yet I dare not say that mother is the female equivalent of a father. Mothers and fathers have very different roles and yet in our modern world, particularly in single-parent homes, the traditional roles have blurred.

Essentially, we must address the distinctions between men and women that are unique from one to the other. To begin there is the fact that after the impregnation that requires a woman’s egg and the man’s sperm, the child grows inside the female vessel. This is the beginning of a special bonding that makes for that special connection between mother and child. It is an important link that is partly due to the DNA and is reinforced in one’s culture. The fact that a mother’s breasts fill with milk as a source of ‘first food’ for the baby is a significant indicator of this invaluable relationship between mother and child. Unfortunately, the modern world has convinced women that their body appearance is more valuable than the nourishment of their baby. They have misinformed generations of women that what they have manufactured can provide the same and or more sustenance as her body which has carried her child.

It’s always disturbed me that those who proclaimed to believe in God, their creator who created man and woman and provided man with life instructions, think it’s okay to arbitrarily decide to not feed their babies naturally as intended. Sure, you can say, some women don’t produce milk, others have difficulty so what about them? True, True. And so it is that there are exceptions to the rule. What I know to be true is that in the days of old which of course are long gone, women who lived in the same village or were from the same tribe would feed one another’s babies because their food, diets, and habits were the same. The point here is that the women valued the significance of food made from their own bodies for the child. We, unfortunately, are less so. Perhaps not intentionally but just the same we have accepted the propaganda of modern salesmen who redirect us to choices that were never meant to be alternatives for the milk your body produces.

Mothers as told to me by my own father, are our best friend. I couldn’t understand. So, I asked him, “But what about you daddy?”

He repeated,

“Always respect your mother because she will be your best friend when all others disappoint you.”

Breastfeeding is important for numerous reasons. One, it puts babies on a path to healthy development by providing optimal nutrition and helping them to develop a strong immune system. It also protects mothers from diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, and helps to strengthen the emotional bond between mother and child. Additionally, breastfeeding saves families, money they might spend on formula and eliminates the risk of exposing infants to contaminated water, making it a safer, more economical choice. And perhaps more invaluable is the bonding relationship that is established and reinforced between the mother and child. It it establishes a kind of telepathic link between the two.

This is what they don’t tell you. Mothers have a role that fathers cannot replace but they can make do. Here’s another somethin,’ something,’ to think about humans are mammals and all mammals breastfeed their young providing them with the unique make-up of nutritional formula specific to each child. Instead of utilizing this God created safeguard, we have been bamboozled to believe that cow’s milk is good for us. First, let me ask you to put on your thinking cap as my child’s preschool teacher would instruct her students. Did it ever occur to you that we are the only mammal

that voluntarily drinks another mammal’s milk? Just think about it for a moment. The World Health Organization considers breastfeeding one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival and recommends exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age. But, for today’s working mothers balancing professional responsibilities with the commitment to breastfeeding can be a challenge. Many mothers manage by doing both. You choose.

Mothers teach their young how to ‘be’ in the world. She models the interaction between humans, family, friends, and strangers. She teaches them the codes of behaviors--manners, protocol, and decorum. Mothers prepare children for life on so many levels -emotional, physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual providing the tools to navigate their path in the world.

Mothers as told to me by my own father, are our best friend. I couldn’t understand. So, I asked him, “But what about you daddy?”

He repeated, “Always respect your mother because she will be your best friend when all others disappoint you.”

It took me a moment to grasp what he was saying. I recalled the relationship that he shared with my nana, his mother, and got it. Mothers will kill and die protecting and defending their children no matter the circumstances or obstacles.

In conclusion, mothers are many things to all people but most irreplaceable is that a mother is a child’s best friend.

Mary Young’s Indigo Collection on Exhibit at Lys Arts

Arts & Culture

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

Has the spring sun settled, and the fun finally begun? Well Friday, May 5, blessed the City of Chicago with a day of warmth and sunshine in so many ways. One sun way was the opening of Mary Young, The Indigo Lady,” textile artist’s exhibition, at Lys Arts Gallery located at 2700 East 83rd Street. Lys Arts is an arts space, gallery, and shop on the Southside of Chicago dedicated to uplifting diverse, interdisciplinary, and experimental artists. And appropriately so Mary Young’s art was presented in the perfect setting for her work.

I met Mary Young in February of this year when she was acknowledged with the ‘Chicago Living Legends Award from Illinois Institute of the Technology Office of Community Affairs and Outreach in cooperation with Bronzeville Dive Productions, along with six other noteworthy Chicagoans. She has provided instruction in textile design, teaching youth and adults throughout the city of Chicago. Mary Young says, “ Visual Art is the expression of one’s innermost feelings, emotions, intellect, and creativity applied to create a physical image of what you wish to say without words.” So, I asked, what about the artists who use words in their art?”

Mary says, “The words become art, even though they say something, their

formation, shape, color, placement, and actual design are interwoven within the artistic design and serve more visually as a shape than a word.” Mary believes that art is an experience and that all people can express art in some way through the genre they’re called to express or the one of their choice. Clearly, everyone is not meant to be an artist as their living or profession, but at one time most human beings partook in the experience of expressing art.

“Just think of singing in the church or school choir, drawing in school, studying an instrument or your parents buying coloring books, and paint sets. At one time I remember when most Blacks either played a musical instrument or used their voice. Art was a part of everyone’s life. Today with the social media phenomena there is less art and more of that leaving a void.

Do you know that art is the one of things that distinguish us from the rest of the animal Kingdom?

So, thank God for Mary Young, who continues to teach Textile Design inspiring and guiding artistry at institutions including University of Chicago Collegiate Scholars Program; South-Side Community Art Center; Hyde Park Art Center, and Arthur Dixon Elementary School. She continues to instruct those interested in learning the technique she teaches.

In addition to her art Mary is known for her leadership positions in Arts Administration at cultural institutions throughout the City of Chicago Mary has served on grant panels with the Illinois Arts Council and Department of Cultural Affairs and continues to do so on other boards. Mary’s exhibitions have included galleries across the nation. But she is always happy to showcase her work in her home city of Chicago.

She is the recipient of several awards, including a Study-Abroad Program to Italy, an International Artist Exchange Program to Australia, and a Summer Artist Residency with the Department of Interior, Parks and Recreation, in Washington, DC. Mary was awarded an Inaugural Residency in 2015-16 with THE cre.ae.tive ROOM in Chicago, IL, followed by a Merit Scholarship to Ox-Bow School of Art & Residencies for Summer 2016 in Saugatuck, MI. More recently, she was awarded a Teaching Residency at the Hyde Park Art Center in 2018. Currently, Mary is the recipient of four commissions with the Hyde Park Art Center’s “Not Just Another Pretty Face” Program culminating with a Group Exhibition during the Fall/Winter 2019-20 with a catalog.

The works in the exhibition at Lys Arts are those of Mary Young’s Indigo collection ranging in price from $2000 to

$400 so go check out the Gallery and become a collector. Lys Arts management will work with to assist you with making a purchase so, don’t shy away.

I spoke briefly with the owner who said, “It seemed the perfect way to kick off the summer,” and indeed it was bringing out, Artists, Faith, Candace Hunter, and Gallery owner Ameera Lys says that Lys Official Summer hours are set! She says, “We are planning lots of events and we are growing our creative community! Updates on hours will be posted throughout the summer months. Check our socials to stay connected or sign up for our newsletter at www.lysarts.org to stay informed!”

The current exhibition runs through July 2023. Don’t delay, go now.

Rosemary-Garlic Pork Chops with Chickpeas

Mare’ Evans CNW Contributing Writer

When you think of food that makes your mouth water ‘comfort food comes to mind . . . Fried chicken greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes and a nice garden salad. You may even think of smothered chops , mashed potatoes and gravy. But if you want to mix it up and still feel the satisfaction that comfort food delivers try some of your mothers favorite with a little sumthin, sumthin different.

Choosing Rosemary -garlic pork chops with chickpeas can fill you up and stick to your ribs, keeping your hunger in check for a while. This is a dish that’s sure to put smiles on the faces of our entire family and will become a family favorite. The meat and side dishes, cook together for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Broil pork chops to achieve a crispy texture on the outside, but maintain moisture inside.

• 1 Level: Easy

• Total: 30 min

• Active: 25 min

• Yield: 4 servings

• Nutrition Info:

668 Calories per serving

Total fat: 36 grams

Saturated fat: 8 grams

Carbohydrates: 35 grams

Dietary Fiber: 10 grams

Sugar: 6 grams

Protein: 52 grams

Cholesterol: 137 mg

Sodium: 923. mg

Ingredients:

4 center-cut bone-in pork rib chops

(3/4 to 1 inch thick; 10 ounces each)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus 2 sprigs

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 19-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

6 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 cup sliced jarred roasted red peppers

1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Chopped fresh parsley, for topping

Add to Shopping List

Preheat the broiler. Toss the pork chops with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the chopped rosemary and grated lemon zest on a rimmed baking sheet; season generously with salt and pepper.

1. Toss the chickpeas, garlic, roasted red peppers and rosemary sprigs with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter around the pork chops. Pour the chicken broth over the chickpea mixture.

2. Broil, stirring the chickpea mixture once and rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until a thermometer inserted into the pork registers 145 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.

3. Toss the chickpeas, garlic, roasted red peppers and rosemary sprigs with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Scatter around the pork chops. Pour the chicken broth over the chickpea mixture.

50 Years of Hip Hop’s Impact on Fashion

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50 years since hip Hop hit the music scene. A new exhibition at the Museum at FIT in New York explores the evolution of hip-hop fashion from the streets of New York to designer runways. The exhibition that captures the “Fresh, Fly and Fabulous; 50 years of hip-hop style was curated by Elizabeth Way and Elena Romero.”

“I think even 50 years later, this particular fashion category has not fully been understood, respected,” says Romaero, and she has a point.

On display will be over 100 garments and accessories featured each documenting a key moment in hip-hop history, from the oversized jewelry and tracksuits of the 1980s to hip-hop becoming fully mainstream in the 2000s with brands like FUBU and Sean Black people especially Black celebrities have always influenced and inspired street fashion so Hip Hop just took it to another level because of the emergence of a generation of Black wealth and with it--privilege.

And that’s the real story here. As Hip Hop grew in affluence and money, the Hip Hop/ Rap fashion culture originated from Urban Black America and began to dominate the youths’ wardrobe. Mirroring The Rap/Hip Hop style the youth who listened and grew up on the music increased the demand and fashion labels strictly designing for the Hip Hop/Rap generations were popping up and making money. It was established as a real fashion category when designers like Karl Lagerfeld incorporated the influence at the House of Chanel. Another trend in hip-hop clothing, pioneered by Dapper Dan of New York in the early 1980s, was the adaptation and brandishing of high-net-worth fashion house brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci and logos on custom-designed tracksuits, jackets, and mink coats.

So here we are in 2023 and Hip Hop Fashion is recognized worldwide and can be considered the first in a long time that a culture emerged to shake up and create a whole new concept and approach to how people dressed. I mean this is the generation that made it cool to wear athletic/sportswear, especially the Jordan Nikes, Puma, Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Addidas, Pro Keds athletic shoes to awards shows, onstage and with tuxes.

Of course, there is so much to note like tracksuits, sheepskin, and leather bomber jackets and so on. Note that I’m just going to touch upon the tip of the iceberg here. The real story as stated is the Hip Hop Fashion design opportunity that created itself out of

the demand. Black youth had created a look a style influenced by hip Hop idols. As the celebrities’ ‘bank’ money grew, the rappers, producers knew the next step was to create their own fashion designs and fashion houses . . . they had the money and influence to be taken seriously and so it is that they did two things. They leaned towards top of the line luxury brands and took to the factories to design create and manufacture their own.

Gwendolyn O’Neal, author of African American Aesthetics of Dress (1997), “The African American aesthetic of dress is not exclusively African or American, but rather is influenced by distinct ‘cultural’ experiences that stem from being of African heritage and living in America. In an interview with Black Book Magazine, rapper Jay-Z supported this view and defended the preference for luxury fashion brands in hip-hop culture as a way of “living on our own terms, rather than trying to imitate an elite lifestyle.” The use of high-end fashion products in the hip-hop lifestyle is not necessarily driven by conspicuous consumption.

Accents like Men’s jewelry typically focused on heavy gold chains, while women’s jewelry consisted of large-oversized gold earrings. The idea of heavy jewelry was seen as a symbol of prestige and wealth, and some even connected the style to Africanism. But the truth is that all cultures recognized gold in that way.

Next the movement took on the preppy look in the 80’s. This fraction of young, upwardly mobile Blacks known as “buppies,” embraced the 80’s hip-hop music and wore clothing items from brands like Polo, Timberland, and Tommy Hilfiger that spoke to the exclusivity and aspirational appeal of Hilfiger. The brand’s

immense popularity among the hip-hop subculture community eventually led to its global expansion, and yet controversy arose

around Hilfiger’s racist comments about Blacks.