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Thursday, May 29, 2025
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Thoughts: The Fertile Space for Creation
Throughout the day, as our imagination is at work, we can consciously monitor our thoughts to focus and be intentional about investing our energy to serve us.
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-In-Chief
Our minds are not just passive observers of life; they are powerful creators. Every thought we entertain is a potent force, actively shaping our experience of reality. It’s literally like looking through a lens—a narrow scope of a big world of trillions of people, each individual unique in how they view and experience life. So, our thinking actively shapes our view based on how we see, think, and feel about everything we see, experience, and believe.
You’ve likely felt this firsthand: a wave of frustration, born from a misunderstanding, instantly dissolves the moment your perspective shifts. This isn’t magic; it’s the direct result of your interpretation defining your experience. Our reality isn’t something that merely “happens to us”; it’s something we actively construct with our thoughts in every present moment.
Consider the simple act of choosing your focus. You can fixate on the snarl of traffic, allowing frustration to mount, or you can consciously choose to appreciate the beauty around you. You can dwell on the perceived flaws in others, or you can seek out their admirable qualities. You can choose to look at and dwell on all that’s wrong with the world or choose what you can do to change it. By intentionally directing your thoughts to interpret and define each moment, you are, quite literally, creating your reality. Seriously, I choose to be driven rather than drive for this very reason—to be better able to focus my thinking rather than getting caught up in the angst that driving can bring. Throughout the day, we have the opportunity to consciously monitor our thoughts, recognizing when our energy is being misdirected—perhaps into limiting beliefs. Instead, we can skillfully reclaim our focus and direct it towards the boundless possibilities inherent in the present. Even a simple deep breath can help us anchor our thoughts in our physical pres -
ence, bringing us back to the “now.”
Regular meditation further refines this ability, allowing us to quiet the mental chatter and attune ourselves to the pureness of being. While setting and visualizing goals is a powerful practice, we can further empower ourselves by aligning our thoughts with immediate, actionable steps to bring those goals into existence right now.
Meditation is one thing, but it really helps to take it a step further. Preparing a list of things to accomplish each day is a wonderful business tool—but it works equally well for personal goals. To establish with oneself that you want to walk 10,000 steps today puts it front and center in your mind. It’s a tangible goal rather than a fleeting thought. It’s a goal that you can achieve and check off, putting you closer to your end goal—which is your big picture that may include robust health, a svelte body, a perfect weight of 135, and a positive self-image.
Setting a goal list is just one way to help align your thoughts with your achievement desires.
So, look—turn off the endless news. Maybe check it twice a day, but not all day—life is going on, and you want to be the architect of your life. Get off the cell phone, stop playing digital games that make someone else rich, or watching those deplorable, ratchet reality housewives that add nothing to your life. If it can’t contribute to you by making a tangible, positive difference—leave it alone.
Stop! Create your own game; write your own TV show, or song, poem, manuscript; paint or draw, cook a fabulous meal—create, create, create!
Our minds are the ultimate tools for manifestation. Through them, we take the formless energy of the universe and give it shape, providing direction for our words and actions. Each thought is like a stone cast into a still lake, sending out ripples that touch and influence every aspect of our world. We possess the profound ability to choose our focus and how we invest our energy, granting us the power to design our lives to be exactly what we choose in each and every moment, every day.
Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief
photo credit: Dot Ward
Chicago’s ‘No Kings’ Protest Draws Massive Crowd, Remains Largely Peaceful
Thousands Gather in Downtown Chicago as Part of Nationwide Day of Defiance Against Authoritarianism
Chicago was the site of one of the country’s most significant demonstrations on Saturday, June 14, as thousands gathered downtown for a “No Kings” protest denouncing authoritarianism, militarized immigration enforcement, and the symbolic birthday celebration of former President Donald Trump. The protest, part of a nationwide movement, began at Daley Plaza and wound through the Loop, passing Trump Tower and the ICE field office, with chants of “No kings in America” echoing through city streets.
Estimates of the crowd size varied widely. According to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, approximately
15,000 people participated in the protest. However, organizers with Indivisible Chicago claimed the event drew closer to 75,000 attendees, citing extensive local turnout and support from surrounding suburbs. Independent crowd-science experts cited in The Wall Street Journal placed the actual number between 10,000 and 15,000, based on aerial photography and pedestrian density models. Despite the disparity in numbers, observers agreed on the event’s peaceful and determined tone. Demonstrators held handmade signs with slogans such as “No country for con men” and “No kings since 1776,” while others waved upside-down American flags in a gesture of national distress. Many marchers, including people like Lauren Hill, a 60-year-old suburban resident, described the event as energizing. “I’ve never seen a crowd so peaceful and so motivated,” Hill told local media. “This doesn’t feel like a protest—it feels like a declaration.”
National News
The protest unfolded without major incident. According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, only one person was arrested during the demonstration—for allegedly assaulting an officer while resisting orders to move out of the street. Police officials commended both demonstrators and officers for maintaining a safe environment in the face of growing national tension.
The Chicago protest was part of a broader day of action that spanned more than 2,000 cities across the United States, coordinated under the “No Kings” movement. The Associated Press reported that millions nationwide joined the demonstrations, with several large cities—including New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.—hosting similarly large rallies. While Chicago’s event remained largely nonviolent, other locations experienced serious incidents. According to The Washington Post, a protester in Salt Lake City was shot and killed by a volunteer
peacekeeper following a confrontation involving a participant with an assault-style rifle. Other demonstrations in Tennessee and Virginia saw threats from armed counterprotesters and minor clashes with law enforcement.
In contrast, Chicago’s protest stood out for its order and scale. “I see a country that decided in 1776: no kings in America,” said Senator Dick Durbin, one of several political figures who addressed the crowd. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García also spoke, linking the protest’s message to immigrant rights and the fight against ICE surveillance in schools.
As the nationwide “No Kings” movement continues to grow, Chicago’s example offers a glimpse into what a high-impact, peaceful protest can look like. Whether 15,000 or 75,000 strong, the voices that filled Daley Plaza this weekend made one message clear: the city rejects authoritarianism—and it won’t be silent about it.
Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Crypto, Golf, and Now Phones Trump Cashes in on the White House
President Donald Trump, already under scrutiny for leveraging the presidency to boost his fortune, has launched a new venture—Trump Mobile—while continuing to rake in profits from a vast web of business interests tied to his time in office.
Trump Mobile, introduced on the 10th anniversary of his 2015 campaign announcement, promises “top-tier connectivity” through the “T1 Plan” at $47.45 per month. The service includes unlimited data, device protection, telehealth, roadside assistance, and free international calling—particularly for military families. Marketed as a populist solution for “hard-working Americans,” the mobile service expands Trump’s brand into the wireless market under a licensing deal bearing his name. But this latest launch is just a sliver of Trump’s ongoing effort to monetize the presidency. According to a June 2025 financial
disclosure, Trump reported more than $600 million in income from ventures including cryptocurrency, golf resorts, and licensing deals. He made at least $217 million from Florida golf clubs alone, including $110 million from Trump National Doral. A meme coin called $TRUMP earned an estimated $320 million in fees, and Trump holds billions in governance tokens through his crypto venture, World Liberty Financial. While he claims his businesses are held in a trust managed by his children, Trump
continues to benefit from licensing fees— including $16 million from a Dubai project, $10 million from India, and $5 million from Vietnam. He also profited from Trump Watches, NFTs, Bibles, and other branded merchandise.
A separate analysis by Forbes reveals that Trump’s wealth more than doubled from $2.3 billion to $5.1 billion in just one year—thanks to post-election crypto mania, a surge in Truth Social stock, and product sales. His digital token project alone reportedly funneled at
least $110 million after taxes into his personal fortune. This builds on earlier reports showing that Trump earned up to $160 million from foreign governments while serving as president. His dealings spanned Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, India, and other countries, with golf courses and hotels serving as conduits for foreign interests seeking access and favor. Despite pledges to halt international deals, Trump and his sons continued to expand and promote global projects during and after his presidency. Meanwhile, Trump’s taxpayer-funded birthday and military parade reportedly cost $143 million, and his repeated golf trips have already cost taxpayers an estimated $30 million. While Trump’s team insists all disclosures have been filed and ethics briefings completed, critics argue the lines between Trump’s profit and presidential power have not only blurred—they’ve vanished.
Chicago Launches $4.11 Million Grant Program to Support Community-Owned Projects
The City of Chicago has announced a $4.11 million investment to support community wealth-building in neighborhoods that have experienced long-term disinvestment. The program, launched by Mayor Brandon Johnson and administered by Community Desk Chicago, will fund cooperative and community-led real estate projects through the new Wealth Our Way (WOW) grant initiative.
The program offers grants of up to $500,000 for qualifying projects that promote shared commercial ownership. These include Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) and worker cooperatives, which enable local residents and workers to co-own and manage businesses or properties.
“As we celebrate Juneteenth, we are recommitting to investment and opportunity,” Johnson said. “We are supporting collective ownership models in neighborhoods that have historically lacked access to these resources.”
Who Can Apply?
WOW is open to early-stage or emerging groups developing shared ownership projects in low- or moderate-income communities. Eligible applicants may include:
Cooperatives formed by workers, entrepreneurs, or community members
Nonprofits or mission-driven developers supporting community ownership
Resident-led groups developing commercial spaces
Projects must involve the acquisition,
rehabilitation, or development of commercial real estate and must demonstrate both community benefit and shared ownership.
Selected applicants may receive up to 75 percent of total project costs, with a maximum grant of $500,000. These onetime grants must be used by December 31, 2026.
What Support Is Provided?
In addition to funding, grantees will receive: One-on-one technical coaching on real estate and operations
Work planning support to structure and manage project goals
Launch assistance, including back-office services and financial literacy tools
Peer learning through a Community of Practice with national and local experts
Connections to additional funding from philanthropy and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
This 16-month support program will run from September 2025 through December 2026.
“The goal is to support local groups who are deeply connected to their communities and ready to take ownership of their future,” said Ja’Net Defell, CEO of Community Desk Chicago.
According to the Department of Planning and Development, the initiative could fund up to ten community-led ownership models citywide—particularly in neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
For eligibility details and application information, visit: communitydeskchicago. org/wealth-our-way
Disrupting the Status Quo
A Juneteenth Reflection on Legacy, Liberation, and Leadership
Juneteenth is more than a commemoration—it’s a clarion call.
A reminder that freedom wasn’t handed to us; it was declared, delayed, and ultimately disrupted.
I’ll be honest—I didn’t fully understand the weight of Juneteenth until some years ago. While I’ve always recognized the struggles of the Black community, the depth of this particular history wasn’t part of my early awareness. But the journey from Galveston in 1865 to where we are now tells the truth: the fight for equity, dignity, and recognition continues—especially for Black women, leaders, and disruptors shaping a world still struggling to make room for our brilliance.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, we honor resilience. But we must also ask: What does freedom look like in the 21st century? And more importantly, how are we
disrupting the status quo so others may truly live free?
For many, Juneteenth is seen as the “end” of slavery. But freedom was announced in 1863 and not enforced in Texas until 1865. That two-year delay created a gap between emancipation and liberation—a gap many still live in today. We navigate systems that claim we’re free, yet continue to bind us with inequity, injustice, and invisibility. This same gap exists in our institutions, workplaces, and even in our minds. We celebrate “diversity” without sharing power. We talk “equity” without changing access. We post quotes without addressing broken systems.
The status quo is comfortable, even seductive. It rewards silence, punishes difference, and convinces us that playing small is wise. I’ve seen too many women—especially women of color—dim
their light to avoid being labeled “too much.” I’ve done it myself.
But Juneteenth reminds us that comfort is not the goal—liberation is.
Disrupting the status quo means speaking when silence is easier. It means building when systems are broken. It means believing in your calling—even when the world tells you to wait your turn, when they guess about your journey, gossip about your silence, and misunderstand your strength.
My journey hasn’t been easy. I was born with a speech impediment, labeled a slow learner, and told I couldn’t comprehend. For years, systems tried to define my limits before I ever discovered my potential. But I refused to let someone else’s diagnosis become my destiny.
So, as I move closer to retirement, I don’t see it as an ending—I celebrate it
as the beginning of my next disruption. While many follow traditional career paths—which is commendable—I chose a different route. I didn’t wait for permission or position. I carved my own lane. From founding a nonprofit that has served Chicago’s unhoused community for over three decades to empowering women through authorship, coaching, and unapologetic faith—I’ve learned that disruption is not destruction. It’s construction.
It’s not about holding on when your season is over. It’s about knowing when to release, rebuild, and rise. We dismantle what no longer serves and build what our purpose demands.
Let’s view Juneteenth as a call to disrupt. It’s time to go deeper than celebration. It’s time to act.
THE BOOK OF DAVID
The Hidden Crisis of Empty Classrooms
Why Chicago Public Schools Must Confront the Reality of Declining Enrollment
David Seaton Columnist
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is facing a crisis hiding in plain sight. According to a recent ProPublica article titled “100 Students in a School Meant for 1,000,” 47 CPS campuses are operating at less than one-third of their designed capacity. Some, like Frederick Douglass Academy High School in West Humboldt Park, enroll fewer than 30 students in facilities built for 1,000—resulting in staggering per-pupil costs nearing $93,000. These numbers should alarm any responsible policymaker. Instead, the city’s leadership continues to ignore the structural inefficiencies strangling both budgets and student potential.
The consequences of this underutilization are devastating—not just for taxpay-
ers, but more importantly, for students. Schools with fewer students offer fewer course options, limited extracurriculars, and struggle to retain quality staff. Student engagement—a known precursor to academic success and retention—deteriorates rapidly in underpopulated schools, where there’s little sense of community, diminished school spirit, and inadequate educational enrichment. These schools are not functioning as hubs of opportunity but rather as administrative ghosts, clinging to past eras of population density that no longer exist.
This is not a new problem. CPS enrollment has been in decline for over two decades. Once one of the largest school districts in the country, CPS has lost more than 100,000 students since 2000. The exodus has been driven by multiple factors: gentrification, the outmigration of Black families, declining birthrates, and deep distrust in the public school system
itself. Despite this well-documented demographic shift, CPS has been slow—if not outright defiant—when it comes to adapting its infrastructure accordingly.
In 2013, the closure of 50 schools ignited fierce protests, especially in Black communities. The wounds from those closures remain fresh and continue to fuel opposition from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and its president, Stacy Davis Gates, who frames any attempt at school consolidation as an attack on racial equity. This is a deeply misleading narrative. The real attack on equity is allowing students—predominantly low-income and minority—to languish in failing, nearly empty schools where they receive a substandard education at an unsustainable cost.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer himself, has adopted the union’s ideological resistance to consolidation. His administration refuses to even
entertain a comprehensive facilities overhaul. When asked how to resolve the district’s $500 million deficit, the answer is predictable: raise taxes—on the so-called “super rich.” But this lazy solution ignores the structural inefficiencies bleeding CPS dry.
It is painfully clear that Johnson and Gates are not leading with courage or data. Instead, they are hiding behind slogans and ideological rigidity while the system collapses beneath them. Their refusal to embrace fiscally responsible reform is not just incompetent—it is catastrophic. If they continue on this path, they will bankrupt not only the school district, but the futures of the very children they claim to champion.
commentary commentary Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson CNW Columnist
David Seaton CNW Columnist
Laura Miller Managing Editor
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Regardless of the Path They ChooseBlack Women Are Exhausted
Switching
Gears on Romantic Love
this week: fo-
cusing on love of self.
I was on the phone with a friend recently — no kids, not married, living what many would call a freer, more flexible life. Meanwhile, I was juggling dinner, a work deadline, and trying to remember if I signed the field trip form. On paper, we’re walking different paths. But you know what we both felt?
Exhausted.
The degrees, the job titles, the families, the image management, the goal-chasing — all of it was still running in the background. But in that moment, what we felt most was tired. Not for lack of purpose, but for lack of margin. And we’re not alone.
Tired on Both Sides of the Fence
We’ve all heard it:
“We don’t care how many degrees you have.”
“Black women are too independent.”
“Y’all are doing too much.”
Dismissive commentary like this — often from men who don’t fully grasp the pressures many Black women face — reduces our ambition to overcompensation, our boundaries to bitterness. But the real story is more layered, more human. Because underneath the pride, the performance, and the push for excellence is a fatigue that’s spiritual, emotional, and widespread.
Some women are single and striving — degree after degree, climbing the ladder, trying to secure the life they were told would bring freedom. Others are partnered, parenting, and
providing, running homes while working full-time. Some opted out of all of it — rejecting traditional paths to find their own rhythm — and still feel the pressure to prove they’re fulfilled. No matter where we stand, a quiet truth echoes in the background:
Tired is tired.
And no life path — not degrees, not marriage, not motherhood, not independence — guarantees rest or fulfillment.
The Hustle Was Never Meant to Heal Us
For years, Black women have been taught to achieve their way to safety. To earn enough, prepare enough, succeed enough, so that we never have to depend on anyone. And while that grit is powerful, it’s also isolating. We weren’t given many models of mutuality — of interdependence that doesn’t require self-erasure. So we end up trying to be soft, but not too soft. Strong, but not threatening. Successful, but not intimidating. Supportive, but not self-sacrificing. It’s a performance that wears down the soul, no matter how good it looks on Instagram.
It
Looks Good Online — But At What Cost?
And the feed? It lies. The soft life aesthetic, the matching pajamas, the vacation reels, the curated joy — it often hides something raw: Burnout. Loneliness. Disappointment.
A
nagging question — Is this all there is?
This isn’t a call to abandon ambition or romantic partnership or family dreams. It’s a call to stop pretending any one path is the answer. Because when we center our lives around proving we made the “right” choice, we miss the truth that matters most: everyone’s carrying something.
Redefining What Fulfillment Looks Like
The real work now is not choosing sides. It’s choosing ourselves. Not selfishly — but honestly.
Asking:
Am I being seen?
Am I being supported?
Am I running toward something, or just away from not-enoughness?
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for peace. But there is one requirement for fulfillment that applies to us all: room to feel. To rest. To be. To stop performing, and just become — in a way that doesn’t demand we explain, apologize, or outperform.
So no matter your title, your tax bracket, or your timeline, if you’re tired, you’re not failing. You’re just human.
And we need space to admit that without shame.
Image by Joey Velasquez from Pixabay
This Ain’t Texas—But When It Comes to Juneteenth...
Juneteenth Comes North
If you close your eyes, you can hear it before you see it: the cackle of uncles fighting over dominoes, grills snapping with brisket, Al Green sliding from the radio, the slap of a hand game under a sun hotter than two squirrels making love in a wool sock beside a toaster. Where I’m from, Juneteenth was our second Christmas—a day so thick with ritual and story that you could taste the history in every plate passed across the folding table.
When I landed in Chicago in November 2022, Juneteenth had already gone national. The billboards were up, the hashtags were rolling, and the country had adopted a holiday that, for generations, had belonged mostly to Black Texans. But outside of that circle, few people truly know the history—fewer still understand the weight, or why preserving the spirit of Juneteenth matters now more than ever.
The Long Road to Freedom: Galveston, Delay, and Deliverance
History books make it sound clean. January 1, 1863—Lincoln’s pen, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Black people waking up free. The reality? In Texas, the news moved slow. Planters kept working the land, enslaved folks kept picking cotton, and word of freedom died out in the mouth before it reached the fields. It took two and a half years for the truth to cross Texas. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger stepped onto Galveston’s hot sand with two thousand
troops and read General Order No. 3:
“All slaves are free.”
But those words didn’t erase chains overnight. Freedom in Texas came as rumor, suspicion, sometimes at the barrel of a gun. Many enslaved people walked off plantations that day, but many more were hunted, beaten, and even killed for daring to claim it. The joy of Juneteenth was born alongside the grief for those who never made it to the party.
That’s what we commemorate—a freedom hard-earned, delayed, and, for too many, denied. The first Juneteenth gatherings in 1866 were as much about survival as celebration: people dressing up, sharing food, reading the Emancipation aloud because they knew nobody else would do it for them. It was a declaration of existence, a way to mark time and say, “We are still here,” even as the world tried to erase them.
Texas Traditions, Resistance, and Black Genius
Growing up, you couldn’t separate Juneteenth from resistance. In Houston’s Emancipation Park, in the tight streets of Dallas’s Oak Cliff, in East Texas towns you’ll never see on a tourist map—every Juneteenth was protest and praise at once. Red drinks (Kool-Aid, Big Red, strawberry soda) nodded to West African rituals and the blood lost along the road to freedom. Barbecue smoke, old church songs, and the recitation of General Order No. 3—every ritual a shield against forgetting. Texas was stubborn. It became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holi-
day in 1980. For decades, while America debated if Martin Luther King deserved a day, Black Texans held the line—organizing, teaching, making sure their children understood exactly what had been lost and found on that June day. They built Emancipation Parks, hosted parades, and turned backyards into sanctuaries of memory. The holiday became a living archive, passed down in stories, recipes, and the rhythm of drums.
The Migration North: Juneteenth Finds Chicago
As Black Texans packed up their dreams in cardboard suitcases and followed railroad lines north—chasing jobs in Pullman car factories, seeking shelter from Southern night riders—Juneteenth came too.
In Chicago, the earliest celebrations were mostly for transplanted Texans. Maybe you’d catch the scent of smoked turkey legs at a South Side block party, or hear an elder telling the story in a back room at Quinn Chapel. Over time, though, the roots grew out, twining with the Great Migration’s other stories. Juneteenth became not just a memory of Texas but a claim for all Black Chicagoans: a day to declare, in a city still segregated by red lines and patrol cars, that our freedom was not up for negotiation. Chicago’s Juneteenth is shaped by the city’s own history of struggle. The Great Migration brought more than a million Black Southerners north, seeking not just jobs but dignity. In neighborhoods like Bronzeville and Lawndale, Juneteenth
became a way to honor both where you came from and where you landed. Each year, the celebration grew, weaving together Texas roots and Chicago reality, until Juneteenth belonged to the city as much as to the South.
Juneteenth Goes National: The Cost of the Spotlight
In June 2021, after decades of grassroots organizing—led by elders like Opal Lee—President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. By the time I arrived in Chicago, Juneteenth was officially recognized in all 50 states. Suddenly, every news anchor and mayor in America was talking about “absolute equality.”
It’s tempting to see that as a win. But here’s the thing about progress in America: it’s always served with a side of amnesia. As the ink dried, so did the authenticity. We watched the same lawmakers who wouldn’t vote for voting rights don kente cloth and kneel for the cameras. Corporations plastered Juneteenth on product labels, rolling out themed ice cream and T-shirts—but not changing a damn thing about pay equity, board seats, or who’s first to be fired.
That’s when James Baldwin’s words cut through the noise: “What is it you wanted me to reconcile myself to? I was born here almost 60 years ago, I’m not gonna live another 60 years. You always told me it takes time.
It’s taken my father’s time, my mother’s time. My uncle’s time. My brother’s and
u
my sister’s time.
My nieces’ and my nephews’ time. How much time do you want? For your progress.”
We measure the delay in generations, not just years. For every symbolic victory, there’s a ledger of what’s been lost: wages, land, health, hope. The cost of the spotlight is real. When a holiday goes mainstream, it risks losing its roots. The danger is that Juneteenth becomes just another day off, stripped of its history, its urgency, its call to action.
Juneteenth Is Not a Victory Lap
Some folks want to turn Juneteenth into Black July 4th—one big cookout, a ribbon of red, white, and blue. But to me, and to a lot of people I know, it’s not that simple.
Juneteenth is both a celebration and a challenge. It’s a line in the sand: we honor the day because it was stolen from us for so long, because emancipation never arrived all at once, because freedom has always been patchwork and conditional.
Historian Erin Stewart Mauldin put it plain: “The end of the Civil War and the ending of slavery didn’t happen overnight and was a lot more like a jagged edge than a clean cut.” Even after June 19, Black Texans faced night riders, crooked sheriffs, and a new kind of peonage called sharecropping. The war for “absolute equality” just changed uniforms.
Juneteenth is not just a party—it’s a reckoning. It’s a day to remember that freedom was not handed down; it was fought for, inch by inch, and it is still being fought for today. The holiday is a mirror, reflecting both how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
The Chicago Struggle: Where Juneteenth Meets Now
If you walk through Washington Park or Douglass Park this June, you’ll see what’s left of the old and the birth of the new: barbecue, drum circles, dance crews, organizers pushing voter registration, Black-owned businesses with tables stacked high.
But there’s tension in the air. Juneteenth has gone corporate—so have parts of Pride Month. City politicians will pose for photos at both, but Black trans women in Chicago still face the highest rates of violence. The city closes schools in Black neighborhoods, but flies the Juneteenth flag at City Hall.
In these moments, Baldwin’s question echoes again:
“How much time do you want? We are tired of waiting. We want justice to come on time—not as a consolation prize.”
Chicago’s Juneteenth is a microcosm of the national struggle. It’s a city where celebration and protest walk hand in hand, where every parade is also a march for
justice. The fight for Black lives is not just about the past; it’s about the present. Juneteenth in Chicago is a call to action, a reminder that the work isn’t done—not by a long shot.
Two Struggles, Shared Liberation
It’s no coincidence that Juneteenth and Pride share the same month. Black queer people have always stood on freedom’s front lines—Bayard Rustin strategizing the March on Washington, Marsha P. Johnson throwing the first brick at Stonewall, and so many unnamed others holding it down at every intersection of identity.
True liberation has never been singular. In Chicago, Juneteenth and Pride aren’t just anniversaries on a calendar—they’re twin testaments to unfinished business, a reminder that none of us are free until all of us are. This city’s celebration should never be reduced to rainbow flags and hashtags, but recognized for what it is: a call to action that demands equity, safety, and dignity from every corner where Blackness and queerness meet.
The intersection of Juneteenth and Pride is more than symbolic. It is a living, breathing example of what solidarity looks like. It’s about recognizing that the struggle for Black freedom and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights are deeply connected. Both are about demanding to be seen, to be valued, to be free. In Chicago, these movements overlap, support each other, and remind us that justice is not a zero-sum game. The liberation of one is tied to the liberation of all.
How We Keep Juneteenth Ours
So how do we keep the meaning from slipping away?
- We center Black voices—those who hold our history, those pushing for change, and those just beginning to write their own stories.
- We teach the unvarnished history—not just the parades, but the lynchings, the labor, the red lining.
- We fight for the living, tying Juneteenth to the fights that matter: policing, housing, health, schools.
- We buy Black, build Black, back each other—all year.
- We honor the rituals: the food, the music, and the undeniable beauty of our ongoing existence.
We create new traditions, ones that speak to today’s struggles. We make space for joy, for healing, for remembering— and for dreaming of a better future.
A Place for Doubt, and for Hope
Sometimes, in the quiet after the music fades and the last plate is cleared, I find myself wondering if true freedom is even possible. The weight of history presses down—centuries of promises broken, rights delayed, and justice rationed out in small, hard-won increments. Some days, it’s hard not to feel that liberation is always just out of reach, a horizon that keeps moving no matter how far we walk. Maybe that’s too heavy a thought to bring to a celebration. But Juneteenth itself is heavy—it was born from a freedom delayed, a promise that arrived late and incomplete. To pretend otherwise would be to miss the point. The power of Juneteenth isn’t just in the joy, but in the honesty: the courage to celebrate while still acknowledging how much remains undone.
And yet, maybe that’s why we keep gathering, year after year. The act of coming together—telling the truth, remembering, refusing to let the story end—becomes its own form of freedom. Maybe hope isn’t believing that liberation is inevitable, but choosing to carry on, even when the road is long. In that tension— between what’s promised and what’s possible—we find the strength to keep moving forward.
The Work Isn’t Done—Not in Texas, Not in Chicago
Juneteenth is a bridge stretching from the unfinished business of emancipation to the struggles still shaping Black life today. In Chicago, it carries all its original weight and more: a measure of what has and hasn’t changed, and a reminder that history isn’t just behind us, but beneath our feet.
As celebrations move from block parties to city halls, Juneteenth’s meaning risks being blurred—folded into the calendar as if freedom’s promise were fulfilled. But across this city, the legacy endures in our gatherings, stories, organizing, and the call to hold the nation accountable. This bridge doesn’t belong to performative politics or corporate branding. It belongs to those who know the story isn’t over until justice is lived, not just promised, for everyone.
Chicago’s Summer Dance Month Is Here
Summertime Chi is moving in full throttle as the sunburst has heated up the spirit of hot fun in the summertime. Chicago dance in summer presents its own unique rhythm— known only to Chicago—so here’s a rare summer dance guide listing selections that are, to our delight, indoors!
We love Chicago in the summer, but kid yourself not—it’s not only hot, but unfortunately humid, which at times can feel smothering. But back to the dance message of this notice: be clear, there are a lot of opportunities to see dance if you choose to during Chicago Dance Month—not to mention the ever-popular SummerDance lessons in Grant Park (chicago.gov) and the stalwart Dance in the Parks series (danceintheparks.org) at Chicago Park District locations all over the city.
Fortunately for lovers of dance, more companies have chosen to extend their seasons into the warm months this year, including the Joffrey Ballet in a much-anticipated new ballet. Thank God that’s just one of many air-conditioned options. Copy this information for your reference
and footnote it as one of the best ways to educate yourself—a crash course on Dance Chicago: June is Chicago Dance Month, with multiple chances to see pop-up performances in all sorts of styles and learn a few moves. On Wednesday evenings, pre-fireworks dance lessons on Navy Pier include instruction in Bollywood, swing, footwork, and hip hop. The Pier also has mini-performances on Saturdays from 4–5 p.m. And there are two chances to see a progressive dinner-styled outdoor dance show with companies tucked in nooks and crannies of Palmisano Park in Bridgeport. Different line-ups appear on June 17 and 24, so you may as well see both. All events throughout June are free; details at seechicagodance.com.
For lovers of tap: New York scooped up tap dancer Sterling Harris, who returns home often to continue working with M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre. The latter’s final show of the year, For All We Know, devised by Harris with original music by trombonist Emma Blau, is based on bell hooks’ All About Love, with tap dance as the vehicle for love and understanding. June 5–8 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway; tickets $35–$65 at chicagotaptheatre.com.
Joffrey moves outside its beloved comfort zone: Familiar with Joffrey’s performance favorites? Be prepared to be dazzled. Joffrey could very likely be tackling its most ambitious production yet. As the first American company to do so, Joffrey
is taking on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (who also made Joffrey’s Nutcracker). All of Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters are there: the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, and a tap-dancing Mad Hatter among them. June 5–22 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; tickets $45–$217 at 312-386-8905 and joffrey.org.
Daring and eccentric is Cerqua Rivera’s greatest hits: The ever-evolving contemporary troupe amazes us with its commitment to presenting dance with live, original music. Fortunately, artistic director Wilfredo Rivera revisits parts of his best work, American Catracho, tapping into his personal story as a Honduran immigrant. A newer piece celebrating the Latin diaspora will complete the evening. June 6–7 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.; tickets $37–$79 at cerquarivera.org.
Launched in 2017 as a reimagination of the long-running LinkUP program, the low-stakes residency grants artists space and time to let their imaginations run wild. For its final performance series, Links Hall fittingly presents one last showcase highlighting artists from the Co-MISSION program. For its final installment, those imaginations include several works exploring memory, ancestry, and personal identities. On June 28, they’ll host a send-off inviting Links lovers to celebrate its sunset. June 15–29 at Links Hall,
3111 N. Western Ave.; tickets $16–$42 at 773-281-0824 and linkshall.org.
Since 1983, Chicago’s off-contract and freelance dancers have come together to create new dances (that’s what it’s called: New Dances)—and they are reliably good. More recently, it has become a joint project of Thodos Dance Chicago and DanceWorks Chicago. It’s sure to be good! June 18, 20, and 21 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.; tickets $20–$80 at danceworkschicago.org.
“Superbloom” at the garden: As a onenight-only performance at the Harris Theater in 2023, Superbloom premiered. Back this summer, The Seldoms bring to life their high-definition, full-color ode to rare wildflower events—this time in a poetic locale. On July 13, a group of 30 dancers will give pop-up performances on the Botanic Garden’s Esplanade— free with garden admission. July 25–27 in Nichols Hall at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe; tickets $10–$27 (includes admission) at chicagobotanic.org/superbloom.
One of my favorites is the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s landmark tap dance festival Rhythm World. Now 35 years strong, it showcases the badasses of dance from around the world to enlighten the interested through workshops and a choice few public performances—gracing us with a moment Dancing with the Stars. Opening night at the Jazz Show-
Candi McCrary Contributing Writer
case is a personal favorite, and this year includes a full 30-minute set from artistic director Jumaane Taylor in a rangy improvisation of swing and hard bop. Additional shows at the DuSable Museum and Studebaker Theater feature solos from legends Jimmy Payne Jr., Mr. Taps, Reggio the Hoofer, and Dianne Walker, as well as second-generation festival favorites: Jason Janas, Christina Carminucci, and Cartier Williams among them. A must-see is also a treat: a new choreographed work from frequent flyer Sarah Savelli celebrating what would have been Canadian jazz master Oscar Peterson’s 100th birthday. July 9–25 at various venues; tickets free (except July 16 gala) at chicagotap.org.
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project presents 2024’s Rhythm World at the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago. (Photo: Kristie Kahns)
Biographies in motion: Perhaps one of the most avant-garde dance performances will be BIOS Project. Four Chicago dancers draw from their personal his-
Not just a fundraiser: Sure, the primary objective of the annual Dance for Life gala is to raise funds for Chicago dancers with critical health needs. It’s also an opportunity to catch a terrific all-Chicago line-up, including the Joffrey Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Chicago Tap All-Stars, Trinity Irish Dance Company, and others like Aerial Dance Chicago—and a great finale created by Hubbard Street’s rehearsal director, Jonathan Alsberry. Aug. 16 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $45–$500 at auditoriumtheatre.org.
The Watchlist
tories, telling danced stories of strength and resilience—composed by the women who dance: Silvita Diaz Brown, Jasmine Getz, Rachel Hutsell, and Jenni Richards. If you’re open to change, my money is on these women. Aug. 22 at the Logan
Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.; Aug. 23 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.; and Aug. 31 at Ballet 5:8’s Blackbox, 11545 W. 183rd Place, Orland Park; tickets $16–$58 at ballet58.org.
5 Essential Black Documentaries for Juneteenth and Beyond
You may remember the top five music documentaries story we ran a few issues ago—well, this week, in honor of Juneteenth, we’re back with another.
This one trades concert footage for inspiration and knowledge you didn’t know you needed. These documentaries may not come with a beat drop, but they deliver something just as vital: stories and insight that are perfect for your day off—and might even change the way you see the world.
1. Number One on the Call Sheet
Platform: Apple TV+
Year: 2025
A two-part docu-event executive produced by Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart, this one puts
Black Hollywood front and center—literally. Candid interviews with Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Regina King, and more show what it really means to be top-billed in a system that wasn’t built for us. It’s honest, celebratory, and overdue.
2. Stamped from the Beginning Platform: Netflix Year: 2023
Based on Ibram X. Kendi’s bestselling book, this documentary is a powerful visual essay that explores the deep roots of anti-Black racism in the U.S. It uses animation, archival footage, and spoken word to challenge historical myths and offer a clearer lens on how racism was constructed—and how it’s still maintained.
3. Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Platform: Netflix
Year: 2022 (Still essential) Elvis Mitchell takes us through Black cinema of the 1970s—not as nostalgia, but as foundation. It’s stylish, layered, and lets the archival footage speak. Even if you think you
know the Blaxploitation era, this will open new doors.
4. The Space Race
Platform: Hulu / National Geographic Year: 2023
This one’s about Black astronauts. Period. It’s not just about
space—it’s about access, visibility, and being the first in a place that was never meant for us. Beautifully shot and rooted in legacy.
5. Let the World See Platform: Hulu / ABC Year: 2022–23
Focused on Mamie Till-Mobley and her decision to show the world what happened to her son. It’s a doc that centers her voice and strategy—not just her grief. It’s about agency, storytelling, and history made public.
If you’re building a playlist of Black documentaries that speak truth, hold power, and make culture—not just react to it— this list is a strong place to start. And no, there’s no music docs here. You’re welcome. Next up? Maybe something international. Stay tuned.
The Hidden Cost of Dieting
Could Cutting Calories Be Hurting Your Mental Health?
For decades, calorie restriction has been the go-to solution for people hoping to lose weight or improve their health. But a new study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health—an open-access journal from BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal), one of the world’s most respected medical publishers—suggests that cutting calories might come with unintended emotional consequences. According to the research, people who follow calorie-restricted diets may be more likely to experience symptoms of depression.
What the Research Says
According to researchers at the University of Toronto (Menniti et al., 2025), adults who follow calorie-restricted or nutrient-restricted diets reported higher levels of depression, compared to those who did not diet. The study, which analyzed responses from 28,525 U.S. adults using data from the National Health and Nu-
trition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2007 and 2018, found that people who restricted calories scored about 0.29 points higher on the widely used Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). For overweight individuals, the difference was even greater: 0.46 points higher for calorie-restricted diets, and 0.61 points higher for nutrient-restricted diets.
Interestingly, the effects were most pro-
nounced in men and individuals with elevated BMI, groups that are often underrepresented in nutritional psychology research. These findings held steady even after controlling for variables like income, physical activity, and BMI.
Why This Matters
Dieting is often framed as a strictly physical health behavior—but this study shows the mental toll may be just as important. Nutrient restriction can lead to deficiencies in mood-regulating nutrients like omega-3s, B vitamins, and magnesium. But there’s also the emotional side: constantly counting calories, denying cravings, and feeling shame over food can wear people down over time. It’s not just about what you’re eating—it’s also about how it makes you feel.
On a biological level, calorie restriction activates stress hormones like cortisol, which can trigger anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings (Menniti et al., 2025). And when dieting becomes a lifestyle rather than a short-term intervention, the cumulative emotional impact can’t be ignored.
What About Other U.S. Studies?
This isn’t the first time calorie restriction has been linked to emotional changes. In the U.S.-based CALERIE trial, a randomized clinical study on healthy adults, moderate calorie reduction showed mixed results: while some participants saw mood improvements, others experienced no change or even declines in emotional well-being (Ravussin et al., 2015).
The difference? CALERIE involved structured medical supervision and nutrient balance—conditions rarely found in real-life dieting.
And then there’s the classic Minnesota Starvation Experiment (Keys et al., 1950), which found that even healthy men subjected to semi-starvation began
showing serious psychological symptoms: depression, anxiety, obsessions with food, and even suicidal thoughts. While extreme, that study laid the groundwork for understanding how deeply nutrition affects our minds.
A more recent large-scale study published in JAMA Network Open (Adjibade et al., 2023) found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 49% higher risk of depression in U.S. women. Again, this shows how it’s not just about calorie quantity—but also food quality—that matters when it comes to mood and mental health.
A Call for Balance
The takeaway here isn’t to abandon all dietary goals, but rather to reframe the conversation around food and health. Calorie-cutting without attention to nutritional balance, mental health, and social context can do more harm than good. Sustainable approaches—like Intuitive Eating or Health at Every Size (HAES)— prioritize self-awareness, flexibility, and emotional resilience alongside physical wellness.
Dr. Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian unaffiliated with the BMJ study, put it simply: “Food is not just fuel—it’s identity, culture, and connection. Dieting that strips away those things can hurt us more than we think.”
So What Should You Do?
If you’re experiencing mood changes, fatigue, or anxiety while dieting, you’re not failing—you’re responding to stress that may be rooted in biology and psychology. Here’s what might help: Focus on what to add, not just what to cut.
Choose nutrient-dense foods that support brain function. Be mindful of emotional signals like irritability, sleep problems, or social withdrawal.
Consider working with a registered dietitian or therapist to develop a holistic, sustainable approach to eating. This latest research reminds us that mental health and nutrition are inseparable. Weight loss may be part of the wellness puzzle, but it’s not the whole picture. We need to stop viewing dieting as just a discipline test and start treating it as a full-body, full-mind experience. If a diet makes you feel emotionally worse—even if you’re losing weight—it’s worth asking: is this truly making me healthier?
We’re hearing—and witnessing in real time— many of the words often tossed around to describe the unrest in America today. Protests, strikes, and sit-ins have long been part of our nation’s history, but they appear to be on the rise.
CNW pulled together a selection of terms you may be hearing in the news or in personal discussions. Even if you choose not to participate, understanding the language can help you stay informed.
Below are clear definitions and the interconnections among the terms insurrection, rebellion, riot, revolt, protest, sit-in, and strike:
Definitions
Insurrection: A violent uprising against an authority or government, often involving armed conflict and aimed at overthrowing or seriously challenging state power.
Rebellion: Broad resistance to authority or control. It may involve organized opposition or armed conflict, but can also be nonviolent. Rebellions challenge the legitimacy or policies of a governing body.
Riot: A sudden, unorganized outbreak of violence by a crowd, typically reacting to a perceived injustice or crisis. Riots
may include looting, arson, and chaos, but generally lack clear leadership.
Revolt: A general term for rising up against authority. It can be violent or nonviolent, and is often less organized or ideologically focused than an insurrection.
Protest: A public expression of objection, disapproval, or dissent toward an idea, law, policy, or institution. Usually nonviolent but can escalate under pressure.
Sit-in: A form of peaceful protest where participants occupy a space— often a business, institution, or public area—and refuse to leave, disrupting normal operations to make a political or social point.
Strike: A work stoppage initiated by workers to demand better wages, conditions, or policies. It’s a collective action, typically nonviolent, used to pressure employers or governing bodies.
Comparisons
The terms sit-in, strike, and protest represent the lower end of the intensity spectrum, generally characterized by nonviolence and high levels of organization. Sit-ins are typically peaceful and targeted actions that disrupt institutions by occupying a space—often used in civil rights and social justice movements. Strikes are collective actions
where workers stop working to demand better conditions or pay, also highly organized and often supported by unions or advocacy groups.
Protests vary widely in intensity. While most are nonviolent, they can range from peaceful marches to large-scale demonstrations with disruptive elements, depending on the issue and response from authorities. As the intensity rises, the actions become less predictable and potentially more volatile.
Revolts, riots, rebellions, and insurrections occupy the higher-intensity end of the spectrum. Revolts may be violent or nonviolent and are usually less structured, representing a general uprising against authority or unjust policy. Riots tend to be sudden, emotional, and unorganized outbursts triggered by perceived injustice or crisis. They are marked by violence and destruction but lack strategic planning or leadership.
Rebellions involve more deliberate, often organized opposition to governing bodies, sometimes including armed conflict. They challenge a regime’s legitimacy and policies and may be long-term or wide-reaching. Insurrections are the most extreme form—highly organized, overtly violent attempts to overthrow or seriously destabilize a government or state authority.
Each of these actions targets a different level of power: sit-ins and strikes challenge institutions and employers; protests aim to shift societal norms or influence policy; revolts and riots confront authority or systemic grievances; while rebellions and insurrections go further, targeting entire structures of governance.
Analysis of Relationships
Sit-ins, strikes, and protests are typically peaceful and rooted in civil disobedience. However, they can escalate into more disruptive forms like riots or revolts if demands go unmet or are suppressed.
Riots often arise from spontaneous outrage, while revolts, rebellions, and insurrections tend to be more deliberate, organized, and ideologically driven. Rebellion and insurrection are legal and political terms often used to describe threats to state power, whereas protests and strikes are widely regarded as protected democratic expressions— unless they escalate.
Despite their differences, all these terms share a common thread: challenging authority or perceived injustice. What sets them apart is their method, tone, organization, and legal consequences.
Celebrating 25 Years of Impact at the UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala
The 2025 UNCF “A Mind Is...” Gala brought elegance and purpose to The Geraghty as Chicago celebrated 25 years of impact and investment in education.
Guests donned their best black and white attire in honor of the gala’s roots, and the evening was filled with powerful moments, heartfelt speeches, and well-deserved recognition.
Congratulations to Ariel Investments, recipient of the “A Mind Is...” Corporate Award, and to trailblazer Nadia Rawlinson, Co-owner and Operating Chair of the Chicago Sky, who received the “A Mind Is...” Trailblazer Award.
Led by Gala Chair Sherina Maye Edwards, the night honored the past while continuing to shape the future — one mind at a time and After 7 kept the party going to cap yet another wonderful celebration.
UNCF Nine Youth served as hosts
Maurice Jenkins, UNCF Executive Vice President-Development; emcee Anita Blanton, FOX-TV; Mayor Johnson; Sherina Maye Edwards, gala chair and Lisa M. Rollins, UNCF Regional Development Director.
(L-R) Maurice Jenkins, UNCF Executive Vice President-Development; and Lisa M. Rollins, UNCF Regional Development Director; with Brandon Johnson, Mayor, city of Chicago.
(L-R) Gala chair Sherina Maye Edwards, and Lisa M. Rollins. As a thank you, Edwards is presented with an original painting by artist Kudzai Mutasa.
R & B group After 7 sings some of their platinum hits.
A custom-made “A Mind Is a Trailblazer” Award for Nadia Rawlinson. (L-R) Shown are Maurice Jenkins, UNCF Executive Vice President-Development; and Lisa M. Rollins, UNCF Regional Development Director; Rawlinson and Gala Chair Sherina Maye Edwards.
Julianna Stratton is on the Move, this time for US Senate
CNW Staff was on the scene at Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s campaign brunch, held at the historic Parkway Ballroom in Bronzeville.
With keynote remarks from Former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, the event brought together a passionate crowd in full support of Stratton’s campaign and continued leadership. Also, our team attended the Father’s Day Brunch at Josephine’s Southern Cooking in Chatham this Sunday.
Listen to Me Now, Believe Me Later On Behind the Cover Live Discussion
CNW and Culture Collab packed the renowned Hebru Brantley art studio on Chicago’s Southwest Side with past cover story feature, Drew, for the final day of his Listen to Me Now, Believe Me Later On exhibit.
Art lovers and hip-hop enthusiasts alike came for the visuals but stayed for the conversation, as we explored the 200+ piece collection, the curatorial process behind it, and more.
Photo Credit : He Shoots Lyfe
Black Men’s Wellness Day
Washington Park served as the powerful backdrop for Black Men’s Wellness Day on Saturday, June 14th.
The day kicked off with a 5K Run/Walk, followed by a variety of activities including a Kid’s Zone, local vendors, free health screenings, and more — all centered on celebrating wellness, community, and empowerment.
When the Queens Come to Town
Since Beyoncé sparked the summer with Cowboy Carter, Chicago’s been in full swing—but the real magic happened when the legends took the stage.
Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan lit up the United Center with powerhouse vocals, soul-stirring moments, and pure nostalgia. A night to remember, captured in every frame.
CNW Staff Report
Summer Grilled Cheese
Freshbasil, tomato, and dill give the classic, comforting grilled cheese a fresh summer makeover!
As summer kicks into high gear and activities soar, the inevitable question arises: What do I make for lunch—or dinner? I’m always looking for a quick and easy meal solution. But more often than not, I’ve found that meal planning comes together with surprising ease—especially when I embrace the vibrant array of summer produce.
May and June mark a delightful shift in my culinary rhythm. I don’t know about you, but my meal plans start to revolve almost entirely around what’s in season at the farmers’ markets. And honestly, I love it. Fragrant herbs and juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes? Simply irresistible.
Speaking of tomatoes, there’s nothing quite like transforming them into the freshest tomato soup imaginable. Don’t even think about those canned versions from the grocery store—homemade tomato soup, simmered in a rich broth, is an entirely different experience. And let’s be honest: is there any better pairing in the culinary world than a bowl of vibrant, comforting tomato soup alongside a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich? Talk about heavenly.
Using fresh, seasonal ingredients isn’t just about flavor—it’s also a great opportunity to engage the whole family in the joy of good, healthy food. That’s what makes a dish truly delicious: quality ingredients and a little know-how in the kitchen. Once you’ve gathered everything you need, the fun begins.
Here’s my favorite trick: before I start assembling the sandwiches, I step out to the garden—or even just the herb pot on the patio—and take in the scent of fresh basil.
This small ritual turns a simple meal into something meaningful. It’s a reminder that when we embrace seasonal produce and bring loved ones into the process, preparing food becomes a joyful, memorable experience. It’s about more than eating—it’s about creating moments and nurturing a deeper connection to what nourishes us.
Summer Grilled Cheese Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients ¼ cup softened butter
½ tsp dried dill
½ tsp dried basil
8 slices of bread (your choice)
8 oz cheese (your choice), sliced
1 medium tomato, sliced
Handful of fresh basil (about 3 large leaves per sandwich)
Instructions
1. Preheat your griddle or skillet while you prepare the sandwiches.
2. In a small dish, mix the butter, dried dill, and dried basil. Spread a thin layer on one side of each slice of bread.
3. On the non-buttered side of four slices, stack the cheese, tomato slices, and fresh basil.
4. Top each sandwich with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
5. Place the sandwiches on the hot griddle. Cook over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, then flip and toast the other side until golden brown.
6. Serve immediately—ideally with a bowl of homemade tomato soup!
C.L. Blackburn Contributing Writer
Wedding Wear
You’re on the RSVP List!
The guest list is done! You’re excited because this is the wedding to attend. The groom’s crew? All great catches. So, game on. Your end game is to be ready. You must show up as your most fabulous self!
Whether you’re shopping for your nature-loving best friend’s garden nuptials, your bestie’s destination wedding, or your homegirl’s traditional church ceremony, the choice of dress should be inspired by the wedding itself—but you must arrive as the one who got it right. From head to toe, perfection is the goal. Even your undergarments should be pristine and as fabulous as your outerwear.
Make sure your shoes are beautiful and comfortable. Do not be the girl who swaps stilettos for house shoes. That said, a chic pair of ballet flats can elegantly take you from pomp and circumstance to relaxed and radiant.
No matter what, be ready to cast spells and bewitch the room: dance the night away in sexy sequins, stun in slinky silk, or bedazzle with golden-hour sparkle. We’ve curated three select dresses—plus some worthy alternatives—to help you shine on the spectrum from ethereal to iconic.
Once you choose your dress, all that’s left is to make your entrance—and raise a glass to the happy couple!
FASHION
JACQUEMUS Black Dress The Drapeado one-sleeve jersey midi dress $751/Net-A-Porter
