February 25, 2026 Edition

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 . Volume No. 29

SPECIAL EDITION

JESSE L. JACKSON THE SOMEBODY WE NEEDED

Publisher Cheryl Mainor Norman

Editor-In-Chief

Kai El Zabar

Chief Content Officer Managing Editor

Laura Miller

Editorial Assistant Creative Direction Art Director

Malachi Webster CNW Studio, LLC L.D. Hunter

Sales Manager Copy Editor Staff Writers

Michael Toliver Max Blaisdell Malachi Webster.

Zada Johnson, PhD. Candi McCrary Mila Marshall. PhD. Neffer Kerr Cabryl Breotti C.L. Blackburn Zada Johnson Malachi Webster Ryan Willis Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson David Seaton Elijah Lee

Columnists Intern & Illustrator Cover Photography

John Alexander

Chicago News Weekly, LLC 700 N Sacramento Blvd Suite 320 Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 877-5151 Volume 3 No. 21 October 15, 2025 Chicago News Weekly is Published on Thursday www.cnwmedia.com advertising@cnwmedia.com editorial@cnwmedia.com

CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S ISSUE AT WWW.CNWMEDIA.COM/E-EDITIONS

E-NOTES

Conscious Creation Kai EL’ Zabar - Editor-In-Chief The moment during the day that you arise is an opportunity to take charge of your life. When we open our eyes, wake up and face consciousness, we have an opportunity to create our day with what inspires us. I begin by thanking The Most High God, our creator, for another day to express myself. This moment is important and sacred because it sets the tone for all that comes after it.

Think of it as the opening scene in a film or novel. It establishes the difference between a bestseller or a flop. What you choose next determines your daily life.

This step is most important because it is your practice that becomes your reality. If you take that moment and thank God for all that you have and express gratitude, you are on your way to clearing your path of unnecessary hardships and increasing your receipt of gifts. Imagine expressing your appreciation to God for all that he does for you, the seen and the unseen.

God hears us and recognizes our hearts.

God knows if we are appreciative or envious. Such choices as a way of being are distinct in what they attract. If you are grateful for running water and a daily source of food, you strengthen the reality of their existence, which becomes consttant sources of your well-being because you express thanks for them, and so it is. If you express and speak fear of not having food or a lack of anything, surely it will show itself as your reality.

Your thankfulness informs life that you like the good things, and so you will receive more of all that is good. Do not hate others, no matter how horrid they may be. Do not curse others or wish them harm. Pray for their transformation instead. And your life will be transformative.

Sometimes we wake up with a bad mood already seemingly in place, so it is important to recognize that feeling and let it go. Release it.

That feeling can inform us and deepen our awareness of the random thoughts that pop into our heads. Such thoughts can keep us in a perpetual struggle mode because of the thoughts inside our heads as well as around us.

It is like being on a merry-go-round. If we are conscious, we can recognize that feeling, then establish and introduce our new affirmation or vision, our conscious offering of a positive act to our day.

So that special moment in the morning when we arise affords us the ability to create the day at its most powerful. We are able to take full advantage of the auspicious moment and offer ourselves fully to the creative process by filling that precious moment with whatever inspires us most. Perhaps you may want to be more loving or generous, or it may be that you want to be more open to beauty in your daily life and express greater appreciation by acknowledging it.

Whatever your desire, if you plant this vision in your mind at that fertile moment, you empower it to be the guiding principle of your day. You see where this is going?

Taking these actions is being intentional without being specific. You think good thoughts and express gratefulness for all that is good in your life.

ICYMI: La Shawn K. Ford’s episode on Chi Stay of Mind and his November 2024 Cover Story - Check it out Now!

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 2

NATIONAL NEWS What’s Wrong With Our Kids? Hiring Trends Raise Questions About Gen Z’s Place in the Workforce CNW STAFF REPORT A recent report by The Washington Post has sparked debate about whether a critical segment of the U.S. economy is quietly shutting younger workers out.

According to labor-market data cited in the report, the average age of new hires in 2025 rose to approximately 42, a noticeable jump from previous years. Hiring among workers 25 and younger has dropped sharply, in some cases by more than 45 percent compared with just a few years ago.

Meanwhile, hiring among older workers, including those 65 and older, has increased.

The shift suggests employers are prioritizing experience over potential in a period marked by economic uncertainty, rising labor costs and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the workplace Many employers say they now prefer candidates who can “hit the ground running” with minimal supervision or training. In tighter economic conditions, companies often reduce training budgets and shorten onboarding timelines changes that tend to disadvantage early-career applicants.

Broader economic pressures are also reshaping hiring patterns. Automation and AI tools are increasingly capable of handling tasks traditionally assigned to entry-level workers, such as drafting reports, performing data entry, generating research summaries, managing scheduling and responding to routine customer inquiries.

Instead of hiring two junior employees who require training, some firms are opting for one experienced professional supported by AI tools. The calculation, analysts say, is about efficiency and risk management.

AI does not require benefits, healthcare coverage or salary increases. It does not leave for another job after 18 months. For companies focused on cost predictability, those factors matter.

The decline in youth hiring has fueled questions about whether the issue is structural or generational.

Surveys of hiring managers reveal consistent concerns about younger applicants, particularly members of Generation Z. In one ResumeBuilder survey of roughly 1,000 hiring managers, 40 percent admitted to age bias against Gen Z candidates, while nearly 80 percent expressed concern about a perceived lack of experience.

A separate survey by Intelligent.com found that 38 percent of managers preferred older, more experienced workers over recent graduates. Nearly half said they would rather hire an overqualified older candidate than a younger applicant who required additional training.

Common criticisms cited in these surveys include unrealistic salary expectations, lack of interview preparation, weaker communication skills and concerns about job-hopping. Some managers reported high turnover among younger hires within their first year.

Other reports suggest frustration with what employers interpret as resistance to rigid schedules or traditional hierarchies. Younger workers, surveys indicate, tend to value flexibility, remote work and faster advancement.

However, labor experts caution that these findings reflect employer perceptions not necessarily objective measures of ability.

There is little evidence that younger workers are less capable overall. In fact, many employers acknowledge that Gen Z employees adapt quickly to digital systems, learn new technology efficiently and bring updated training from recent education programs. The tension, analysts say, lies less in skill and more in structure.

When companies prioritize immediate productivity over long-term workforce development, entry-level hiring declines. Younger workers, by definition, lack direct experience. Without pathways to gain it, the cycle becomes self-reinforcing.

Broader factors may also be influencing employer attitudes. Pandemic-related disruptions limited internships and in-person work exposure for many recent graduates. Remote schooling altered early professional development. Rising student debt and cost-of-living pressures have also shaped career expectations.

Global Fallout Grows After New Epstein Documents Are Unsealed CANDI MCCRARY - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The release of millions of pages of court documents tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has renewed global scrutiny of political leaders, royalty and business executives.

The documents, unsealed in late January and early February, reportedly include emails, photographs and investigative materials detailing Epstein’s network of powerful associates years after his 2008 conviction on sex-related charges. While many names had surfaced previously in flight logs and address books, the latest disclosures have intensified political pressure in several countries.

In the United Kingdom, renewed attention has focused on Prince Andrew, who stepped back from public duties in 2019 amid controversy over his association with Epstein. He was later stripped of honorary military titles and royal patronages by Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Andrew has denied wrongdoing and previously reached a civil settlement in the United States without admitting liability. British media have reported changes to his living arrangements within royal estates, though the royal family has not linked those decisions to the document release.

Peter Mandelson, a senior Labour figure and former cabinet minister, also faces scrutiny after documents reportedly referenced past communications with Epstein. Mandelson has denied misconduct. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said any credible allegations should be examined thoroughly.

In the United States, several high-profile figures have again been drawn into public discussion, including former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Inclusion in the documents does not imply wrongdoing. Those named have previously said their interactions with Epstein were limited or unrelated to criminal activity.

Political reverberations have surfaced elsewhere in Europe. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a national review after references suggested possible links involving Polish nationals.

Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák resigned from an advisory role following reports of past communications, saying he did not want the controversy to distract from government business.

In France, former Culture Minister Jack Lang denied wrongdoing. Norway’s Mette-Marit acknowledged past contact and expressed regret for maintaining the association.

In the Middle East, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has acknowledged past business ties with Epstein but denied knowledge of criminal conduct. Business leaders in the Gulf region have also faced renewed scrutiny, though no charges have been announced in connection with the latest disclosures.

Legal experts caution that investigative files, including correspondence and unverified tips, do not automatically establish criminal behavior.

Much of the material consists of communications, travel records and third-party statements gathered during years of litigation.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 03

CITY NEWS

With Davis retiring, 7th District candidates face Black press in wide-open primary CNW STAFF REPORT U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis is stepping aside after nearly three decades representing Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, setting up one of the most consequential open-seat Democratic primaries in recent memory.

“We have a 20-year life expectancy gap, the largest in the United States of America, right here in the 7th District in Garfield Park,” he said. “Seven stops on the Green Line to down town and a 20-year life expectancy gap. People in Garfield are expected to live to be about 67. People in Streeterville, it’s87. That’s unconscionable.”

With Davis not seeking reelection, members of the Black press gathered the morning of Feb. 13 at Chicago News Weekly for a Black Media Roundtable moderated by journalist Brandon Pope. The forum gave candidates the opportunity to respond directly to questions about healthcare, attributed the economic inequality, infrastructure Boykin disparity to systemic ineqand voting rights ahead of the March uities. “You got food deserts.

17 primary. Early voting is underway.

You got job deserts. You got The 7th District spans much of people who are stressed out Chicago’s West Side — including of their mind because they Austin, Garfield Park and North can’t support their families.

Lawndale — along with parts of the And then you got violence,” Near West Side and downtown, and he said. extends west into suburban Cook County communities such as Oak Ford, who has served in the Park, Forest Park, Maywood and Illinois House since 2007, Bellwood. emphasized legislative expe irience and federal tax re State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, former form as central to addressCook County Commissioner Richard ing economic inequality.

Boykin and Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins participated in the discussion.

Chicago City Treasurer Melissa “We gotta make sure that Conyears-Ervin was invited but did the wealthy pay their fair not attend, though her candidacy was share. We gotta make sure referenced during portions of the that corporations pay their forum. The Democratic primary field fair share,” Ford said. “They includes multiple candidates, under- hire a cadre of lawyers and scoring how competitive the open seat accountants to use all the has become. loopholes in the tax code to avoid paying. And so we Throughout the morning, economic have to make sure that we pressure emerged as a common close those loopholes.” theme.

Boykin framed his campaign around what he described as rising costs squeezing families across the district.

“I’m running for Congress because I want to disrupt the status quo,” he said.

“People are finding it difficult to make it in our society today. Groceries are too high, rent is too high, health insurance is too high. All of the basic necessities of life are too high. Our senior citizens are struggling to make ends meet.”

He pointed to the district’s reliance on federal health programs as evidence that congressional decisions carry immediate local consequences”Forty-. five” percent of the district are folks who live in the 7th and are actually receiving Medicaid benefits,” Boykin said, warning that reductions in federal funding would directly affect residents. He also highlighted what he called a stark life expectancy gap within the district.

He argued that voting pro tections must be permanent and not subject to shift ng political winds.

“It’s gotta be a right that if you’re an American citizen, you have the right to vote as a Black person. No question about it,” Ford said.

Ford also tied infrastructure investment to public health and workforce opportunity, pointing to Chicago’s aging lead service lines.

“We have more lead service lines in homes in the city of Chicago than any other major city,” he said. “I want to get a bill passed in Congress to provide resources so that young people and folks who don’t have jobs on the West Side can get training on how to remove those lead service lines.”

From Left to Right: Forest Park ,Mayor Rory Hoskins, Atty. Richard Boykin, and State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

Hoskins, currently servering as mayor of Forest Park, centered his remarks on economic development and the district’s suburban communities, which he said must not be overlooked.

“I’m the only suburban candidate running in this race, Hoskins said, noting that the district extends beyond Chicgo’s West Side. “In some cases, they honestly didn’t know their congressperson.” He described infrastructure spending as a pathway to employ -ment and regional growth.

He described infrastructure spending as a pathway to employment and regional growth. Investment in public infrastructure is going to take people back to work,” Hoskins said. “That’s how we stimulate the economy and bring opportunity into communities that have been left behind.”

Hoskins also proposed targeted tax incentives for businesses that hire young adults aging out of foster care.

“In better-resourced communities, teenagers get jobs because of who their parents know,” he said. “But the kids who are coming out of the foster care system don’t always have those support systems. I want to put cash into businesses that hire children coming out of the foster care system — young adults aging out — so thatwe are not leavingthem behind.”

He added that bipartisan cooperation would be necessary in Washington to advance policy proposals. “I want to work hard for restoring bipartisanship as a means to get things done,” he said.

As voters prepare for the March 17 primary, the open contest marks the first time in nearly 30 years that the 7th District will select a new representative, closing a chapter in a seat long associated with Davis and shaping the next phase of leadership in one of Chicago’s most politically influential districts.

Hoskins also proposed targeted tax incentives for businesses that hire young adults aging out of foster care.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 4

CITY NEWS

The Black Press’ Date with Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle CNW STAFF REPORT If Madame President Toni Preckwinkle has her way she will be returning to continue the work, she’s been doing and push for the change where it’s needed. As the incumbent candidate she oversees one of the biggest counties in the U.S., including the county’s jail, vast court system and large public health system that has a mission to treat patients no matter their ability to pay. The county employs more than 20,000 people and has roughly a $10 billion annual budget that must be approved by a 17member board of individually elected commissioners. Preckwinkle also oversees the Forest Preserve of Cook County. Her purview makes her one the most powerful people (man or woman) in the world.

At a roundtable discussion with Madame President and the Black press held at the Chicago News Weekly newsroom she was asked questions that required honest and factual answers. When posed the question regarding the accusation of her opponents that she has continuously raised taxes and has done nothing to change a broken tax system. She remainedpoised.

She directed her answers with precise accuracy and began with what she has accomplished explaining that the county under her leadership has not raised any taxes since 2017 when the beverage tax was repealed Turning the Tide Since then, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has implemented several property tax initiatives aimed at balancing fiscal stability with relief for homeowners and support for commercial development. Her administration has maintained a consistent policy of not raising the Cook County property tax levy during her tenure.

Her Private Home Property Tax Achievements This is where Preckwinkle has focused on direct relief and structural reforms to protect residential property owners from rising costs: Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund: In 2025, she launched a $15 million fund providing one-time $1,000 grants to homeowners who experienced substantial tax increases.

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze: She has championed the expansion of the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, which "freezes" the taxable value of properties for seniors with household incomes of $65,000 or less.

Affordable Housing Protections: As a long-term advocate, she sponsored ordinances that increased city expenditures on low-to-moderate income housing and mandated that developers reserve a percentage of units as "affordable".

Property Tax Reform Group (PTAX): Established this working group to modernize the tax system, focusing on homestead exemptions and finding ways to make assessments more predictable and equitable.

Preckwinkle has enhanced the commercial tax base and supported businesses through targeted incentives and grants, including: Small Business Support $67 million in grants since 2020 for businesses with 20 or fewer employees.

Incentive Program Modernization: A December 2024 study to overhaul property tax incentive programs for better transparency and predictability for developers.

5 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

In this photo: Left to Right: Kai El Zabar, CNW, Marhelle Sanders, Chicago Defender, Carl West, TBT News, Floyd Webb, South Side Drive Magazine, Cheryl Mainor, CNW, Toni Preckwinkle, Laura Miller, CNW, Isaac Lewis, North Lawndale Community News

Targeted Commercial Classes: Class 7c: Incentives for newly constructed commercial buildings, assessing them at 10% for the first three years (vs. the standard 25%).

Class 7d: Specific incentives for grocery stores developed in "food deserts" to encourage community investment.

Class 8: Targeted industrial and commercial development incentives for specific townships like Bloom and Thornton.

Beyond direct cash assistance, the administration has doubled down on structural protections. Preckwinkle has been a vocal proponent of the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze, ensuring that older residents on fixed incomes are not priced out of their homes as property values rise.

Maintaining a consistent policy of not raising the county’s property tax levy is a streak that has lasted over 15 years. Preckwinkle argues she has provided a rare constant in an otherwise unpredictable tax landscape.

Systemic Transparency and Management Property Tax System Tracker: Launched in July 2025, this daily tracker allows residents to monitor the progress of modernization projects and the performance of elected property tax offices.

Timely Billing Efforts: In February 2026, Preckwinkle and the County Treasurer announced that first-installment tax bills would be mailed on time, ensuring prompt distribution of funds to local taxing agencies.

Fiscal Responsibility: Her administration has passed balanced budgets for 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 without increasing county taxes or fees, contributing to four credit rating upgrades.

Cook County’s Fiscal Foundation: Preckwinkle Makes the Case for Continuity As she faces the 2026 election Madame President Toni Preckwinkle has positioned her administration as a bulwark of fiscal stability and reform in a region often defined by economic volatility. Central to her reelection platform is a record of property tax management that emphasizes immediate relief for residents and long-term modernization for the commercial sector.

Homeowner Relief: Direct Action in a Rising Market While property assessments have climbed across the county, Preckwinkle’s defends her administration’s aggressive measures to shield residents from the fallout. Most notable is the $15 million Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund, launched in 2025 to provide $1,000 one-time grants to families hit hardest by sudden tax spikes.

Revitalizing the Economy through Targeted Tax Incentives The Preckwinkle administration is revitalizing the economy by leveraging the tax code, implementing specific incentives designed to attract and retain businesses, including: Class 7c This class reduces ass- essments for new or rehabilitated commercial buildings to 10% for three years in underserved areas.

Class 8: This adjustment lowers assessments from 25% to 10% for a decade in economically challenged townships such as Bloom and Thornton.

In late 2024, a study commissioned by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) aimed to enhance these incentives.

Furthermore, in July 2025, the Property Tax System Daily Progress Tracker was introduced to boost transparency and accountability in modernization efforts. This initiative played a significant role in achieving a balanced budget of $9.94 billion, approved without imposing new taxes, leading to the county's fourth credit rating upgrade. Precwinkle highlighted the importance of fiscal discipli- ne and acknowledged the intricate nature of decision-making within a complex tax system, advocating for collaboration to tackle ongoing challenges.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 6

COVER STORY

THAT SOMEBODY

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE REV. JESSE LOUIS JACKSON KAI EL ZABAR - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, the civil rights leader, presidential candidate and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, husband, father, son and most importantly, a change agent who was and architect of change that help advance mankind died Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, 2026.

He was 84.

For more than six decades, Jackson was one of the most visible and persistent voices in American public life as a preacher who marched beside Martin Luther King Jr., a political insurgent who reshaped the Democratic Party, and an economic activist who forced corporations, media companies and sports leagues to confront their records on race and inclusion. Perhaps most importantly is his work as a change agent who transformed the lives of people through the tenacity of effort and hope gifting us all with the contributions of the advancements he made happen.

With his vision in mind and a firm foundation based on principles grounded in the humanity, that civilized people profess to value, Rev. Jackson set out to make that respect for all people a reality reminding them as often as he could with his rallying cries, “I Am Somebody” and “Keep Hope Alive,” which became more than slogans. They were affirmations aimed at people pushed to the margins of American life, reminders that dignity and opportunity were rights, not privileges.

Most people know him as one of the ‘Civil Rights’ leaders who was on the balcony in Memphis when tragedy struck... Since that pivotal moment, Rev Jackson has been, 'That Somebody’ on a mission.

From Segregated Greenville to the National Stage Jesse Louis Jackson was born Oct. 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, and raised in the rigidly segregated South. He often recalled sitting at the back of buses with his mother and attending under-resourced Black schools.

“There was no grass in the yard,” he once said of his elementary school, “I couldn’t play.”

He excelled academically and athletically, earning a football scholarship to the University of Illinois before transferring to North Carolina A&T State University, then known as Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina. There he studied sociology, became active in the burgeoning civil rights movement, and met Jacqueline Lavinia Brown. They married in 1962 and welcomed children, Jesse Jackson Jr., Santita Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson, Jacqueline "Jackie" Lavinia Jackson and Ashley Jackson.

After graduating in 1964, Jackson joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1965, working under King. In 1966 the young Jackson moved his family to Chicago where he pursued graduate work at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

On April 4, 1968, he was in Memphis on the balcony when King was assassinated at age 39.

Jackson, then 24, would later say, “We could not allow one bullet to stop the movement.”

King’s death marked a turning point, but not an end. Jackson emerged from that tragedy determined to continue the struggle. If we accept that things happen as they should, then note that Jackson’s resignation from SCLC in 1971 led him to create Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) based in Chicago. In 1984, he established the National Rainbow Coalition, whose mission was to establish equal rights for African Americans, women and all people. The two organizations merged in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

As Rev Jackson’s popularity expanded, his political engagement began to span the world, often mediating issues and disputes with leaders in foreign countries. South Africa was on his route in 1979 to speak-out against apartheid policies and that led to his visits to the Middle East influencing the creation of a Palestinian state. He also got behind democratic efforts in Haiti.

In 1984 Jackson threw his hat in the U.S. Presidential race as the second Black to do so after Shirley Chisholm. It was a historic success placing third in the Democratic primary and garnered a total of 3.5 million votes surpassing Chisholm's success.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 7

COVER STORY

It was 1988, when Jackson made his second presidential run, finishing second in the Democratic primaries Jackson delivered one of the most historically riveting speeches demonstrating his oratory skills and populist vision winning more than 7 million votes. It’s interesting to note that Donald Trump supported Jackson monetarily during Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns. Jackson noted in 1999 that Trump had attended business meetings for these campaigns out of a "will to make things better."

Jackson was honored with the Presidential Medal of His primary "monetary" support for the Wall Street Freedom awarded to him in 2000 by President Bill Project included: Clinton. That same year he received A Master of Divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Donated Office Space: In 1997, Trump provided Rainbow PUSH Coalition with free office spaces at Most of the programs and negotiations that Rev 40 Wall Street. The donation was intended to give the Jackson led and participated parlayed financial project a permanent presence in the Financial District transformation for those disproportionately disad to monitor corporate hiring practices. vantaged..

Advocacy for External Investment: Trump used his platform at the project's conferences to encourage Operation Breadbasket and Economic Boycotts outside investments into minority neighborhoods and entrepreneurship.

In the late 1960s, Jackson led Operation Jackson praised Trump in the 1990s for supporting minority Ten years later in keeping with his international Breadbasket in Chicago, using the "selective entrepreneurs, but became a sharp critic during Trump’s political influence, Jackson negotiated the release of buying" power of Black consumers to force whiterise, warning that his rhetoric “seeded these clouds” of division and three U.S. service members, citizens, U.S. Army owned businesses to open private sector jobs to fear. soldiers who were held for 32 days while on a Black workers; to utilize Black vendors and peacekeeping mission while in Yugoslavia.

PUSH Excel and Talent Pipelines professional services. He secured thousands of jobs through high-profile boycotts of companies The proportional representation system that PUSH Excel founded in 1975, focused on preparing Jackson fought forth became the bedrock of like Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola.

African American students for corporate success. By Obama’s primary strategy 20 years later.

The Wall Street Project emphasizing academic excellence and job readiness, Reverend Jesse Jackson's two presidential Jackson worked to ensure that the "doors of opportunity" campaigns fundamentally restructured the Launched in 1996, the Wall Street Project shifted he forced open would be filled.

Democratic Party’s nominating process shifting the focus to the financial heart of corporate it from a "winner-take-all" system to one based The "Fairness in Media" Strategy America. Its key achievements include: on ‘proportional representation.’ These reforms In 1994, Jackson formed the Rainbow Coalition Diversifying Corporate Governance: were designed to ensure that the impact of Commission on Fairness in the Media. He argued that the Pressuring major firms to appoint African outsider and minority candidates was not lack of minorities in decision-making roles led to Americans to corporate boards and minimized, ultimately fostering a more diverse "institutional racism" and skewed depictions of African executive leadership (C-suites). and inclusive party base. This was a huge win for Americans in news and entertainment.

Increasing Minority Procurement: all future candidates.

The "Sweeps" Lever: Jackson strategically timed his Challenging corporations to end "trade boycott threats for "sweeps months" when networks deficits" with minority-owned businesses, In 1990 Rev Jackson secured his first election for are most sensitive to ratings because they set resulting in billions of dollars spent with one of two special unpaid, “statehood senator” advertising rates for the following season. minority firms. posts created by the Washington city Council in order to lobby the U.S. Congress for statehood Pension Fund Advocacy: Urging pension Jackson released Management Surveys of detailed studies for the District of Columbia and closed out his funds and university endowments to use showing "serious deficiencies" in hiring. For example, a potential political career. Years later he’d witness minority -owned asset managers and 1994 report on NBC revealed that out of 386 East Coast his sons Jesse Jr and Jonathan both become brokers. entertainment employees, only 16 were minorities.

Illinois State Congressmen.

High-Profile Network Confrontations The Trump Factor Politics Outside the Political Arena Rev. Jesse Jackson has profoundly shaped the corporate world by transforming civil rights advocacy into a movement for economic empowerment and structural diversity. His impact is characterized by moving beyond simple hiring to demanding institutional equity in boardrooms and supply chains.

He impacted the non-profit sector as well as the corporate world to expand the inclusion of Blacks in top job levels.

9 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

While there is no public record of a direct cash investment into the Wall Street Project from Donald Trump, he provided significant financial support through in-kind contributions and historical donations to Jesse Jackson’s related political efforts.

Jackson targeted individual networks and their local affiliates to create "covenants" or pledges for reform: CBS (1985-1986): Following the demotion of Black anchor Harry Porterfield at WBBM-TV in Chicago, Jackson launched a boycott that eventually expanded to CBS-owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. He demanded more Blacks in supervisory and policymaking levels.

Fox (1994): After private negotiations, Fox reversed a decision to cancel the Black superhero series M.A.N.T.I.S. and agreed to broader discussions on diversity in its executive pipeline.

The 1999-2000 Industry Pacts

COVER STORY

The peak of his impact came during a joint effort with the NAACP when Jackson pressured the "Big Four" (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) to sign unprecedented diversity agreements. These pacts included: Vice President Positions Management Training Supplier Diversity Modern Broadcast Advocacy In more recent years, Jackson used the regulatory process to influence management diversity. For instance, in 2022, his Rainbow PUSH Coalition intervened in the proposed purchase of Tegna to ensure the new ownership would maintain rigorous diversity and inclusion standards.

Jackson’s ‘diversity pacts’ changed the makeup of corporate boards outside of the media industry.

He did not mince words when confronting television networks and their executives. In 1994 he accused the networks of racism specifically pointing to NBC’s hiring bias and insisted that what ‘the three networks must do, is hire more Blacks for management and on-air positions and the services of Black professionals and talent.’

Though, the officials denied that racism influenced their decisions they acknowledged that more could be done to increase cultural diversity in television representation across the board.

In the context of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s negotiations and the broader movement for diversity in Chicago media, he achieved the Landmark Appointment of Jonathan Rodgers.

In 1986, following a high-profile boycott sparked by the demotion of Black CBS anchor, Harry Porterfield, and need up moving to WLS-TV. NBC hired Jonathan Rodgers as the first African American Vice President and General Manager of WBBM-TV Channel 2 rather than CBS. The hire elevated him to the highest executive at a station, for a network-owned station in Chicago.

Consequently, his hiring and subsequentmiddlemanagement roles were the direct result of the intense pressure and boycott led by Jackson's Operation PUSH.

8 DEC 4 ---DEC 10, 2025

NBC (WMAQ-TV) Context

Analysts say the combination of media influence, economic advocacy and high-profile diplomacy helped While Rodgers broke the barrier at NBC, Jackson’s cement Chicago’s reputation as a hub of Black excellence influence at NBC (WMAQ-TV) also led to historic and civic power. "firsts" in newsroom leadership and investigative roles: In the Sports Arena Renee Ferguson: In 1987 became the first African American woman to work as an investigative Rev. Jesse Jackson’s impact on sports was built on the reporter in Chicago television at WMAQ-TV. philosophy that "equality on the field should parallel Executive Leadership: the industry-wide equality in management and ownership." Jackson felt "diversity pacts" in 1999–2000, NBC strongly that ‘With a 70 percent Black NFL team, it is only implemented structured management pipelines. fair for African Americans to be given top level Today, leadership at NBCUniversal Local management jobs, legal contracts, and scholarships “for Chicago includes executives like Kevin Cross. our children.” He used his advocacy to challenge leagues to treat the "business of sports" with the Rooney Rule.

Reverend Jackson Galvanized Black power

Influencing the NFL "Rooney Rule"

By harnessing the Chicago Trio, Jackson shaped Rev. Jackson is credited with "igniting" the Rooney family Media, Money and Diplomacy as a network of (Pittsburgh Steelers ) to implement the Rooney Rule in relationships. The union of Rev. Jesse Jackson, media 2003. figure Oprah Winfrey and athlete Michael Jordan The Mandate: This rule requires NFL teams to helped elevate Chicago as a national center of Black interview at least one minority candidate for head influence, observers and contemporary accounts say. coaching and senior football operation jobs.

Expansion: Jackson has continued to push for the rule Locally, the “Chicago nexus” combined Jackson’s to have "more teeth," advocating for it to cover activism, Winfrey’s rise through WLS-TV and General Manager and front-office positions, which Jordan’s global stardom to boost the city’s profile and historically lacked diversity even as player rosters were economic clout for Black residents. Jackson’s majority-Black. campaigns — including boycotts and calls for Rainbow PUSH Sports & Industry Diversity “fairness in media” — pressured networks and advertisers to expand opportunities for Black talent, In 1999, Jackson formally founded Rainbow PUSH shifting the media landscape in ways that benefited Sports to move the focus from the "playing field" to the Black journalists and broadcasters. "front office."

MLB Diversity Initiative: He partnered with former It would be blasphemous to fail to mention the Black MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to launch a ‘diversity’ Press, specifically members of the NNPA, which initiative that pressured Major League Baseball to played a central role in reporting Jackson’s work, increase minority hiring in its executive ranks. consistently covering his initiatives and informing Black Sports Agents Association: Jackson helped Black communities. The silent partnership between launch the BSAA to ensure that Black athletes were the two allowed Jackson to control his narrative and represented by Black professionals in contract help put him in the room where Jackson also urged negotiations, further diversifying the financial side of corporations to allocate advertising dollars to Black the industry. newspapers, supplying audience figures to justify the investment — a deliberate strategy to strengthen the financial base of Black journalism.

Jesse Jackson surrounded by marchers carrying signs advocating support for the Hawkins-Humphrey Bill for full employment, near

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 9

COVER STORY Front Office "Report Cards" This captures his genius at its best. Jackson applied his "Wall Street Project" tactics to sports, conducting studies that exposed the "serious deficiencies" in front-office hiring. They never saw him coming the way he did. The facts were there the reality spoke its truth.

Statistical Pressure: In 1993, he released a study showing that while nearly 75% of players on some Super Bowl teams were minorities, less than 10% of their front-office staff were.

Supplier Diversity: He negotiated for sports teams to use minority-owned vendors for services like legal representation, accounting, and stadium concessions, ensuring the economic impact of sports reached Blackowned businesses.

Media & Broadcaster Management Jackson’s broader "Fairness in Media" negotiations directly impacted sports television: Executive Producers: He pushed networks like NBC and CBS to include Blacks in production and management roles for sports broadcasts, not just as on-air talent.

Challenging Stereotypes: In 1983, he testified before Congress that media portrayals (including sports) often unfairly characterized Black professionals as "less intelligent" and "less hard working," a narrative he fought to dismantle through executive-level hiring.

By pressuring icons like Ozzie Newsome (NFL's first Black GM) and Frank Robinson (MLB's first Black manager), Jackson helped create the "proof of concept" that African Americans could lead sports organizations at the highest levels.

Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rainbow PUSH Sports advocate for increased diversity in sports leadership, focusing on placing more Black individuals in executive and ownership positions. They emphasize the "Business of Sports," "SportsTech," and "Social Justice," supporting athletes in achieving success beyond their playing careers.

The Wall Street Project, extended its advocacy into professional sports by treating leagues as major corporations that must be held accountable for economic inclusion at the highest levels of ownership by utilizing Jackson’s primary strategy focused on closing the "trade deficit" between billion-dollar sports franchises and the minority communities that provide their primary labor and fanbase.

His targeting of sports ownership is defined by key actions “Challenging the "Elite Club" of Ownership

*Jackson consistently criticized the exclusion of Black owners as a legacy of systemic discrimination, noting that when teams were affordable, Black individuals were banned from ownership. Jackson always broke it down so that the money boys understood the stakes.

Strategic Partnerships with League Commissioners Jackson leveraged the Wall Street Project's "research and negotiation" model to engage directly with league leaders to institutionalize diversity.

MLB Diversity Initiative: He partnered with Commissioner Bud Selig to launch the Diversity in Sports initiative, which applied corporate "report cards" to MLB's hiring and procurement practices.

Expanding the "Contractual Pie" Jackson argued that ownership is not just about the name on the door, but about who controls the ancillary business opportunities generated by the team.

8 DEC 4 ---DEC 10, 2025

So, he worked with the sports club owners to help ready Blacks to move into the circle of sports club ownership.

Recent Developments (2025–2026) As of February 2026, the legacy of Jackson’s advocacy continues to influence modern ownership structures: Private Equity Inclusion: New league rules (such as the NFL's 2024 Private Equity Policy) allowing firms to buy minority stakes are being scrutinized under the diversity frameworks Jackson pioneered to ensure these new investment vehicles do not further dilute minority representation.

Ongoing Advocacy: In recent months before his passing, Jackson's organizations remained active in challenging major corporations and sports entities to maintain their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.

Silicon Valley and Tech Accountability In the 2010s, Jackson extended his influence to the technology sector, using his status as shareholder to attend annual meetings and demand change.

Transparency Initiatives: Forced tech giants like Google and Facebook to release their first-ever workforce diversity reports.

Philanthropic and Training Investments: Inspired Intel to pledge $300 million for diversity and Apple to donate $40 million to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to support HBCU students.

Legacy and Continued Influence Rev. Jesse Jackson viewed the crashing of ceilings in rooms where it mattered as a way "to lift the ceiling on Black possibility". That is his legacy.

“Keep Hope Alive.”

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 10

COVER STORY Chicago Candidates Weigh in ... The Man The Preacher, the Leader CNW STAFF REPORT As Chicago reflects on the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, political and faith leaders across the city are sharing memories of a man whose influence stretched from neighborhood streets to the national stage. A civil rights architect, presidential candidate and founder of Operation PUSH and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Jackson shaped generations of activism rooted in faith, unity and unapologetic advocacy for justice.

Candidates representing Illinois’ 7th Congressional District and the 8th House District weigh in on the preacher, the movement builder and the leader they knew.

Alderman LaShawn Ford Illinois’ 7th Congressional District “Rev Jackson was more than a leader. He was a builder of movements and a sanctuary for freedom fighters. Through Operation PUSH, he provided activists, organizers, and everyday people with a home, a headquarters where we could gather, strategize, and plan how to fight injustice and break down barriers facing our communities. He created a place where hope was turned into action. He also understood the power of communication. He amplified the stories of those who were ignored and oppressed and marginalized ensuring that the world heard their truth...Through his leadership at Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he demonstrated that diversity is strength and that justice requires unity across communities. And as a human being he expressed the best that a man can be. He possessed a keen sense of awareness, a heightened sensitivity, an insightful second sense of the manner of man or woman one was. His recognition of another always elevated their sense of self as acknowledging their value which he personified. May we all embrace his humanity and love of our fellowman. “

11

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

Rev. John F. Harrell, Proviso M.B.C., Senior Pastor, for 8th Illinois House District “As we reflect on the remarkable legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, a titan in the fight for civil rights whose impact will resonate for generations. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights serves as a beacon of hope for us all. In his tireless work, he walked alongside legends like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., challenging us to rise above adversity and embrace our inherent worth. Reverend Jackson's devotion to God and his steadfast belief in the power of love and justice remind us that we are all deserving of dignity and respect. He dismantled barriers with the fervor of faith, echoing the lessons of scripture and pushing us forward in our shared journey toward a more just world.

Like the walls of Jericho that fell, his spirit and resolve continue to inspire us to confront injustice fearlessly. As we honor his legacy, let us carry his message forward, "I am Somebody."

This resonates deeply, encouraging us to recognize our own value and the significance of our collective voices. His trailblazing path as the second Black American to run for president not once, but twice, opened doors for future leaders, proving that dreams can be realized. Let us advocate for a state holiday in his honor, commemorating his profound contributions to society and the fight for righteousness. In the spirit of John 11:25-26, we celebrate the life that Reverend Jackson lived, knowing that through faith, we are all called to be agents of change, hope, and love. May we strive to embody his legacy as we continue to seek justice for all. “

Richard Boykin Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.

“I had the privilege of working with Rev. Jesse Jackson on many initiatives to help people. His annual visit to the Cook County Department of Corrections, feeding the hungry, fighting for policies to end homelessness and registering people to vote.

He was a passionate and fierce fighter for justice. I am proud to have known him. He was a leader and trailblazer. I will never forget the marches for justice and his desire to improve lives.

May God comfort his family at this difficult time.

The memory of Rev. Jackson will live forever. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, and I have kept the faith. Rest my brother in the hands of the almighty!

A lunta continua! “

LIVING CHICAGO What’s behind your eye-popping power bill? We broke it down, region by region.

The culprit depends on where you live — but it’s probably not data centers (yet).

NAVEENA SADASIVAM & CLAYTON ALDERN

This story was originally published by Grist.

It’s no secret that U.S. electricity prices have been rising over the last few years: The average residential energy bill in 2025 was roughly 30 percent higher than in 2021. This jump is largely in line with the overall inflation Americans have experienced during this period. As the cost of groceries, gas, and housing has increased, so too has the cost of electricity.

But there are big differences from state to state and region to region. Some places — like California and the Northeast — have seen mammoth price increases that outpaced inflation, while costs have held steady in other parts of the country, or even fallen in relative terms. Nearly everywhere, though, rising electricity costs have strained the budgets of lowincome households in particular, since they spend a much larger share of their earnings on energy compared to wealthier Americans Higher energy bills have also become a political flashpoint.

Over the past year, rising electricity prices have helped push voters to the polls, and politicians have taken note. In Virginia and New Jersey, newly elected governors campaigned heavily on reining in utility bills. In Georgia, incumbent utility regulators were booted out by voters, who elected two Democrats to the positions for the first time in two decades.

A wide range of culprits have been blamed for the surge in electricity prices, with energy-hungry data centers shouldering much of the criticism. Tariffs, aging power plants, and renewable energy mandates have also come under fire.

But the reality is far more nuanced, according to recent research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the latest price data from the federal government’s Energy Information Administration. Electricity prices are shaped by a complex mix of factors, including how utilities are structured, how regulators oversee them, regional divergences in fuel prices, and how often the grid is stressed by heat waves or cold snaps. In many states, the biggest driver is the rising cost of maintaining and upgrading grids to survive more extreme weather — the unglamorous work of replacing old poles and wires.

(The regions below are organized alphabetically, with individual entries for Alaska, California, Hawaiʻi, the Midwest, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, the Southeast/MidAtlantic, the Southwest/Mountain West, and Texas.) While the dynamics of every utility bill are different — including those within the same state — recent data demonstrates the many challenges ahead as public officials promise a laser focus on energy affordability.

But the forces driving high bills in California aren’t the same as those affecting households in Connecticut or Arizona. In this piece, we highlight one key driver of recent price trends in each region of the country.

This stability is largely a renewable energy success story: Many Midwestern states are now deeply reliant on wind power. Wind supplies more than 40 percent of electricity in Iowa and South Dakota, and more than 35 percent in Kansas.

Investments in utility-scale wind and solar have helped shield consumers from price shocks tied to natural gas volatility, since renewables have no fuel costs and can reduce exposure to sudden spikes in gas prices.

12 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

Research also shows that these investments can lower wholesale electricity prices by displacing higher-cost generation during periods of high wind and solar output.

Anita Hofschneider contributed reporting to this piece.

Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.)

Key factor: Wind energy The Midwest and Great Plains states saw only modest changes — and sometimes even declines — in inflation-adjusted retail electricity prices per kilowatt-hour between 2019 and 2024. Average monthly electricity bills typically fall between $110 and $130.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bernadette, The Musical’ Brings Story of French Teen Visionary to Chicago Stage KAI EL ZABAR

Bernadette, The Musical, a sweeping stage production about 19thcentury French visionary Bernadette Soubirous, arrives in Chicago this winter, bringing the story of faith, skepticism and resilience to the Historic Main Stage at the Athenaeum Center.

The production runs Feb. 12 through March 15, 2026, at the theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., in Lakeview.

The musical recounts the life of Soubirous, a 14-year-old peasant girl from Lourdes, France, whose reported visions in 1858 transformed her rural village into one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

Born in 1844 into extreme poverty, Soubirous was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and received little formal education. Her life changed on Feb. 11, 1858, while gathering firewood near the grotto of Massabielle. She later said she saw a “small young lady” dressed in white. Between February and July of that year, she reported 18 apparitions.

According to church records, the figure eventually identified herself as the “Immaculate Conception,” a declaration that carried theological significance in a France still grappling with political and religious upheaval. News of the visions spread quickly, drawing curiosity, crowds and controversy.

Civil authorities and church officials subjected Soubirous to repeated interrogations, at times suggesting she was lying or mentally ill. Local officials threatened her family with legal consequences. Doctors considered institutionalizing her. Even her parents, struggling with crushing poverty, urged her to stop speaking about the visions.

Lourdes has since become one of Catholicism’s most significant pilgrimage destinations, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Producers say the script draws from official church accounts, historical documentation and contemporary testimonies to create a portrait of 19th-century Lourdes marked by disbelief, interrogation and wonder. The staging aims to immerse audiences in the tension of a community divided between skepticism and faith.

Whether viewed as a religious narrative or a coming-of-age story about courage under pressure, the musical emphasizes the humanity of its young protagonist. At its core, the production asks audiences to consider the cost — and power — of telling one’s truth.

Preview performances run Feb. 12–18, prior to opening night. The show runs approximately 120 minutes. Special weekday morning performances on Feb. 26 and March 5 are scheduled for student audiences, youth groups and seniors, with discounted group pricing available.

Tickets and additional information are available through the Athenaeum Center box office at (312) 820-6250 or online at athenaeumcenter.org.

Yet Soubirous remained consistent in her testimony. One of her oftquoted statements — “I was asked to tell you, not to convince you” — anchors the musical’s narrative and underscores its central theme: the quiet strength of personal conviction.

Eventually, Soubirous joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, living a cloistered life until her death in 1879 at age 35. She was canonized in 1933, recognized not only for the reported visions but for what the Catholic Church described as her “heroic virtue” and humility in the face of fame and suffering.

The Chicago production features music composed by Grégoire and orchestrated by Scott Price, with Michael Price serving as musical director. Price, a composer, arranger and director, said the story resonates beyond religious audiences.

“Youth will see a timeless story about a young girl faced with doubt and adversity who does not compromise her account of what she has witnessed just to assuage authorities,” Price said in an interview.

“When Bernadette says, ‘I was asked to tell you, not to convince you,’ it speaks to what’s happening in the world today. She shares her experience honestly without imposing it on others.”

Price acknowledged the challenge of drawing younger audiences away from digital screens but said live theater offers a different kind of engagement.

“A good story well presented is always interesting to see live,” he said.

“For young people who may not have much experience with theater, seeing performers their own age sing and act can be inspiring.”

The musical also situates Soubirous’ story within its historical context.

Key figures portrayed onstage include Commissaire Jacomet, the local police chief; Abbé Peyramale, the parish priest; and Vital Dutour, the district attorney. Each plays a role in the intense scrutiny surrounding the teenager’s claims.

The production dramatizes the emergence of the spring at Lourdes — now associated by believers with healing — as well as the broader social and religious ripple effects of the apparitions.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 13

SPECIAL FEATURE

SUITED FOR POWER

How Stylesbydave Is Redefining Black Men’s Presence, Confidence, and Authority in Chicago RYAN WILLIS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

14 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

SPECIAL FEATURE In Chicago, style has never just been about fashion — it’s been about presence. About posture. About how you walk into a room before you ever say a word.

For more than a decade, Stylesbydave — designer David, known across the city simply as “Dave” — has been quietly reshaping what power looks like for Black men. From prom nights to weddings, galas to boardrooms, his suits aren’t just garments.

They’re transformations.

That balance — honoring tradition while embracing cultural expression — is what keeps Stylesbydave relevant across generations.

Building a Brand in Chicago’s Blue-Collar Culture Chicago has always shaped Dave’s aesthetic. He credits the city’s grit and authenticity for molding his approach to business and fashion.

“I always wanted to be dapper,” he said during a recent conversation for Life, Arts & Culture. “I was the guy in the suit. Friends would ask, ‘Hey Dave, what do I wear? Can you help me tie this tie?’ And one day I realized — this is bigger than clothes.”

What began as helping friends dress for special occasions evolved into a movement rooted in confidence, discipline, and cultural pride.

“This is a blue-collar city,” he said. “You got designers like Don C, Virgil, Dave Jeff — people who came from here and made an impact. That inspired me to stay in my lane and build something for my community.”

Entrepreneurship hasn’t been without sacrifice. The COVID-19 pandemic halted prom season overnight, forcing Dave to absorb significant losses. Instead of pulling back, he leaned into compassion — sometimes gifting suits to families struggling during uncertain times.

“Sometimes you just listen to God and do what’s right,” he said quietly.

Dressing How You Want to Be Addressed

Power Without Money

Ask Dave what separates a suit from everyday fashion, and he doesn’t talk about fabrics first — he talks about psychology.

The title of this piece — Suited for Power — came directly from Dave’s perspective on influence.

For him, power isn’t about wealth or status.

“When you put on a suit, your posture changes,” he explained. “Your stride changes. People look at you differently. They address you differently. It’s a feeling of accomplishment.”

“Power is the ability to influence people and culture,” he said. “I’ve had clients fly in from Vegas or Ohio just to work with me. That’s power — when people trust your gift.”

That philosophy — dress how you want to be addressed — has become a mantra for the brand and for many of the young men who pass through his doors.

In an era obsessed with followers and viral moments, Dave’s definition feels refreshingly grounded. His success is measured less by metrics and more by impact — the confidence he helps cultivate in others.

And for Dave, it all started long before the brand had a name.

In a city where Black men are often taught to shrink themselves in professional spaces, Dave’s work offers a counter-narrative: authority doesn’t have to be loud — it can be tailored.

More Than Tailoring — A Transformation’ One of the most powerful aspects of Stylesbydave’s work happens during prom season.

Teenagers walk into his studio unsure of themselves — shoulders low, voices quiet. By the time they leave for their final fitting, the energy shifts.

“They come in shy,” Dave said. “But when they see themselves in that suit, they stand taller. They smile more. That transformation lets me know I’m doing something right.”

For many young clients, it’s their first formal experience. Dave treats that moment as sacred — a chance to introduce not just style, but self-belief.

And in a culture that often overlooks the emotional impact of presentation, those moments become rites of passage.

Bridging Tradition and Modern Black Identity While classic tailoring remains the foundation of his work, Dave understands that fashion evolves — especially for younger generations.

Today’s prom suits might include European sneakers, bold textures, or modern silhouettes — elements that weren’t part of earlier eras. Instead of rejecting those ideas, he refines them.

Rewriting the Narrative of Black Masculinity Fashion, Dave believes, has the potential to reshape how Black men are seen — and how they see themselves.

Rather than forcing change, he models it through consistency.

“I just show up as my authentic self,” he said. “And when I see another brother in a suit, I make sure to compliment him.

That encouragement matters.”

For younger clients especially, the experience of stepping into a tailored suit often reveals a version of themselves they didn’t know existed.

“They look around and realize — this could be me.”

Legacy, Transition, and What Comes Next After more than a decade in the industry, Dave is already thinking about legacy. He envisions transitioning into real estate in the coming years, allowing the brand to evolve quietly while the impact continues through the community he’s built.

Finding someone to carry the torch hasn’t been easy.

“I haven’t found anyone as hungry yet,” he admitted.

Still, his advice to young designers remains simple

Keep going. Don’t quit. Everyone has a gift — you just have to nourish it.”

More Than Suits Before closing our conversation, I asked Dave to finish one sentence: “Stylesbydave isn’t just about suits — it’s about…”

He didn’t hesitate.

“Community.” And maybe that’s the real story here.

In a city that often measures success by noise and visibility, Stylesbydave represents something quieter — a movement stitched together by intention, mentorship, and belief in what Black men can look like when they stand fully in their power.

“I try to bridge the gap,” he said. “Give them what they want, but keep it Because sometimes, transformation doesn’t start with a speech. classy.”

Sometimes, it starts with a suit.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

15

The Stay The Stay Ready Ready Playbook Playbook is is BACK BACK If you haven't subscribed to the Stay Ready Playbook, now's the time! Our next 6-week series just began and is essential for staying updated on trends and tips to remain recession-proof, healthy, and prepared for the next level.

16 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

CANNABIS CORNER

They Took the Culture, Not the Commitment Black Ownership in Illinois Cannabis MILA K. MARSHALL , PHD. - STAFF WRITER

“Damn, that’s f---ed up,” Eddie Moore says when she sees people buying gas-station weed instead of walking into her state-licensed dispensary, Sway.

Moore, who describes herself as one of the early participants in Illinois’ legal cannabis market, speaks bluntly about what she sees as a disconnect between how Black culture is embraced in cannabis marketing and how Black ownership is supported in practice.

When Illinois legalized recreational cannabis in 2019, lawmakers framed it as an opportunity not only to create a new industry but to address harm caused by decades of enforcement under the War on Drugs. The state’s socialequity licensing program was designed to give people from communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition a pathway to ownership. On paper, the program was widely described as historic. For many applicants and operators, however, the rollout proved far more complicated.

Several industry participants argue that the gap between policy goals and market outcomes has been significant.

Mykel Selph, former Vice President of Social Equity and Educational Development at Cresco Labs, says he saw that tension firsthand.

“The legal cannabis industry takes Black culture — our music, style, and language — to sell products, but falls short on ownership,” Selph said. “I led Cresco Labs’ equity efforts.

We built incubators and gave Black and Brown entrepreneurs tools. Once the optics were there, the programs and the people behind them were removed. The industry used the culture and left the promise of equity behind, putting our communities back on the sidelines.”

Illinois’’ cannabis market has expanded rapidly, but Black-owned dispensaries and brands continue to report structural challenges, ncluding limited access-to startup capital, restrictive zoning, high licensing costs, and competition from multistate operators with significantly larger marketing budgets and political influence. In that environment, some operators say consumer choice carries added weight.

“Buying Black isn’t symbolic,” Moore said. “It’s economic survival.”

But even consumers who want to support licensed dispensaries can face confusion — particularly around the differences between Delta-9 THC, which is regulated under Illinois’ cannabis program, and Delta-8 products, which are often derived from hemp and sold outside the state’s licensed cannabis system.

Delta-9 THC products sold in licensed dispensaries are lab-tested, taxed, and tracked under state regulations. Delta-8, by contrast, occupies a legal gray area and is frequently available at gas stations, smoke shops, and online retailers.

Some licensed operators argue that this distinction has economic consequences.

“When you buy Delta-8 from a corner store, you’re not supporting licensed cannabis workers or contributing to the tax revenue that funds community reinvestment,” Moore said.

“You’re buying from a marketplace that doesn’t have to meet the same standards.”

Anderson adds that price and accessibility often drive purchasing decisions.

“People buy based on price and access,” she said. “Delta-8 fills a gap created by high taxes, limited access, and uneven enforcement.

Licensed dispensaries — especially Blackowned ones — have to meet strict compliance, testing, and tax rules, which makes it harder to compete with unregulated products on price.”

Moore says she sees that dynamic reflected in day-to-day business realities. While major cannabis brands often draw from the aesthetics and language of Black culture in their marketing, she says Black-owned dispensaries frequently struggle for capital, customers, and For Victoria Williams, founder of ACC of visibility — even in neighborhoods heavily Illinois and Wake N Vape, the issue also centers on consumer education and trust. impacted by prohibition.

Crystal Anderson, CFO of Excelleaf Dispensary, describes a similar imbalance.

“Our aesthetics and culture are embraced, but ownership requires capital, licenses, shelf space, and policy access — things many Black operators still struggle to secure,” Anderson said. “If the commitment were real, socialequity businesses wouldn’t be so undercapitalized while multistate companies continue to scale.”

“When people buy a gas-station Delta-8 instead of visiting a dispensary, what’s missing is access, education, and trust,” Williams said.

“As a Responsible Vendor since 2019, I know compliance matters because people deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies. That’s the difference between convenience and safety.”

Another challenge cited by Illinois operators is competition from neighboring states.

Michigan’s cannabis market, for example, is known for lower prices and broader retail access.

While it is legal for Illinois residents to possess cannabis purchased in Michigan, operators note that cross-border spending means fewer dollars circulating within Illinois communities.

For some Black-owned businesses on Chicago’s South and West Sides, they say, price competition across state lines compounds existing financial pressures.

Several advocates argue that Chicago’s Black media ecosystem plays an important role in shaping how these issues are understood.

From the Chicago Defender to WVON, hiphop radio, and newer digital platforms, Black media outlets have historically helped build and sustain Black-owned brands. In cannabis where mainstream advertising remains restricted that t role can be amplified.

Toussaint Werner of Intellectual Thuggery says broader context is often missing from public discussions.

“Black media exists in such a minimalist state that the issues shaping our lives rarely get real context,” Werner said. “Take cannabis: before legalization it demonized Black men and destroyed our communities. After legalization, the conversation shrinks to whether convictions were overturned.

Meanwhile, billion-dollar industries grow from the same soil that buried our opportunities.”

Platforms such as Smoked Out Saturdaze aim to create space for discussion, culture, and business visibility. Arielle J. Harris, founder of The Culture Cellar, describes the effort as both cultural and economic.

“Smoked Out Saturdaze blends comedy, culture, and conversation to create a space where the Black cannabis community can laugh, learn, and feel seen,” Harris said. “We use humor as an entry point to highlight opportunity, elevate Black voices, and spark real dialogue around ownership and equity.”

Supporters argue that media platforms connect consumers to Black-owned businesses in the cannabis industry, where visibility is crucial for survival. Advocating for Black ownership involves intentional consumer actions, such as visiting licensed dispensaries and seeking Black-owned brands. Understanding Illinois’ regulated market is essential, as purchasing decisions impact business survival. For many operators, cannabis symbolizes a policy shift and a chance to reshape benefits from legalization.

To promote awareness, a social media campaign highlighting Black-owned dispensaries and brands is featured on SWAY's Instagram account, @everybodysway, for Black History Month.

FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026 17

FOOD & WINE ‘A Couple That Cooks’ Celebrates Soul Food and Heritage During Black History Month Black Historical Recipes MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER Three years ago, husband-and-wife team Marrekus and Krysten Wilkes launched “A Couple That Cooks,” a culinary platform rooted in Southern soul food and barbecue traditions. The duo are the creators behind Cooks with Soul, where they share recipes, food stories and photography that honor Black culinary history while inviting home cooks to add their own personal touch.

Marrekus, a Memphis native and retired U.S. Airman, develops the recipes. Krysten, a writer and food photographer, documents and tells the stories behind them. Together, they blend lived experience with historical context, framing soul food as both nourishment and narrative.

As Black History Month invites reflection, the Wilkeses encourage families to embrace the full scope of their history — “the good, the bad and the ugly,” as they describe it — as a testament to resilience.

“Both of us grew up with a parent who worked in the food industry as cooks and caterers,” they write. “However, our connection, experiences, relationships and cultural ties with food have roots that reach much further back in time.”

They point to the Great Migration as a defining period in shaping modern Black foodways. Beginning in the early 20th century, millions of Black Americans left the South to escape racial violence and segregation, resettling in cities such as Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. The movement, championed in part by Chicago Defender publisher Robert S. Abbott, reshaped not only demographics but also American cuisine.

During that era, Krysten’s ancestors operated a boarding house that provided Black travelers with meals and lodging as they journeyed north. Homemade dishes were often packed for the road — sustenance that carried both physical and emotional comfort.

Marrekus’ culinary foundation was laid in the South. Raised in Memphis, he spent summers in Mississippi tending chickens and hogs and harvesting vegetables in his grandfather’s garden.

“Those hot days picking butter beans, purple hull peas and collard greens shaped not only his connection to the land but also his approach to food,” the couple explains. “It’s where the journey from farm to table began for him — a concept rooted in Black American culture long before it became a trendy buzzword.”

18 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

These early experiences, they say, shaped their understanding of the importance of family meals and the cultural weight carried by traditional dishes.

For Marrekus, soul food is not simply a list of recipes.

“Soul food is more than just a menu,” he says.

“It’s a sense of familiarity that we share with our ancestors.”He describes it as culinary ingenuity — transforming once-overlooked ingredients such as oxtails into rich, celebrated dishes, and preserving cooking techniques and spice blends with roots in Africa, Europe and Native America.

“In our kitchen, soul food is just as much fried chicken as it is collard greens and black-eyed peas,” he says. “It’s also macaroni and cheese, cornbread and red beans and rice. Each recipe tells a story — of survival, of joy and of a rich cultural heritage.”

Among their most popular dishes is Southern baked macaroni and cheese, a decadent blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack and mozzarella that skips the roux in favor of a creamy, layered texture. Their Louisiana-style red beans and rice combines kidney beans, smoked ham hock and andouille sausage with the Creole “holy trinity” of onion, celery and bell pepper.

Their slow-simmered collard greens, seasoned with smoked ham hocks and red pepper flakes, evoke the comfort of a Sunday dinner table. A brined Southern fried chicken recipe delivers a crisp, golden crust without the traditional buttermilk soak, while their cornbread balances buttermilk tang with a tender crumb.

Other staples include black-eyed peas with smoked neck bones, fried catfish coated in seasoned cornmeal, smothered oxtails in brown gravy, Southern cabbage cooked in a smoky broth, and sweet potato pie scented with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Through each recipe, the Wilkeses aim to connect readers to the deeper meaning behind the food. “As we continue through Black History Month,” Marrekus says, “let’s not just cook; let’s create, celebrate and remember.”

Cooks with Soul shares recipes and food stories online, where the couple continues to document the enduring legacy of Southern soul food — one dish at a time.

FASHION

Black Designers Shape the Fashion Conversation in 2025 C.L. BLACKBURN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In 2025, Black fashion designers have taken a commanding role in defining modern luxury and high fashion, with a visible presence at major cultural events including the Met Gala, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), the Grammy Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.

Designers such as Christopher John Rogers, Sergio Hudson, Grace Wales Bonner, Rachel Scott of Diotima, and LaQuan Smith have helped shape the year’s defining silhouettes — from sharp tailoring to bold, culturally layered statement pieces.

Tailoring Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Met Gala This year’s Met Gala spotlighted the power of tailoring. The official dress code, “Tailored For You,” encouraged designers to interpret suiting and menswear through a personalized lens. The exhibition’s emphasis on menswear led to red carpet looks that ranged from classic, structured suiting to theatrical, avant-garde reinterpretations.

Black designers were among those who embraced the theme most effectively, blending heritage references with contemporary design. The result was a red carpet that highlighted both craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.

Designers Defining 2025 Several Black designers have distinguished themselves this year through innovation and visibility: Grace Wales Bonner (Wales Bonner): Known for refined tailoring rooted in Afro-Atlantic cultural references, Wales Bonner continues to influence global luxury fashion through her collections and collaborations.

Christopher John Rogers: Celebrated for vibrant color, dramatic volume and sculptural silhouettes, Rogers remains a leading force in modern American fashion.

Diotima (Rachel Scott): Scott has gained recognition for intricate, Caribbean-inspired crochet and a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship.

Sergio Hudson: Hudson’s sharply tailored, powerful designs have become synonymous with modern femininity and red carpet confidence.

LaQuan Smith: Known for sleek, bodyconscious eveningwear, Smith continues to define contemporary New York glamour.

Other influential names include Telfar Clemens of Telfar, whose widely recognized “Bushwick Birkin” shopping bag remains a cultural staple; Aurora James of Brother Vellies, known for sustainable handcrafted accessories; Raul Lopez of Luar, whose structural, gender-fluid designs are reshaping runway aesthetics; Adebayo OkeLawal of Orange Culture, who challenges traditional concepts of masculinity; and Brandon Blackwood, whose luxury handbags continue to gain market momentum.

19 FEB 25 - MAR 04, 2026

Fashion highlights from NYFW Fall/Spring 2025 feature significant contributions from Black designers, including notable collections by Aaron Potts, Tia Adeola, Edvin Thompson, and Frederick Anderson, who are influencing the future of American fashion.

At the 2025 BET Awards, designers including Rey Jaiteh highlighted the intersection of culture and couture on the red carpet, further reinforcing Black designers’ influence across entertainment and fashion spaces.

Wales Bonner’s Standout Night Among the year’s defining moments was Wales Bonner’s presence at the Met Gala. The designer dressed multiple high-profile attendees, including co-chair Lewis Hamilton, who wore an ivory suit adorned with cowrie shells, as well as FKA Twigs, Jeff Goldblum, Omar Apollo and Tyler Mitchell.

Her designs aligned seamlessly with the evening’s broader exhibition theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” offering garments that blended European craftsmanship with AfroAtlantic references. The pieces felt deeply personal — tailored not only to fit but to reflect identity and heritage.

Wales Bonner also debuted her brand’s first fine jewelry collection in partnership with SNOW Diamonds on the Met carpet, expanding her design portfolio into new luxury territory.

The evening delivered other headline moments as well. Rihanna revealed her third pregnancy in a custom look by Marc Jacobs, adding another memorable chapter to a night defined by fashion spectacle.

As 2025 progresses, Black designers are merging traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, influencing discussions on culture, identity, and luxury. Their participation in major global events signifies not just visibility but also leadership in shaping the future of fashion.