TAMBERLA TAMBERLA PERRY PERRY
UNDENIABLY UNDENIABLY POISED POISED
Publisher
CherylMainorNorman
Editor-In-Chief
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Kai EL’Zabar
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TamberlaPerry
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Volume3No 32 March19-March25,2026
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CHECK
Owning Your Life and LettingGooftheImposter
Kai EL’Zabar-Editor-In-Chief
Toomanyofuslivelifeaimlesslyfloatingor stumblingthroughdaytodaywithoutaplan andwithoutintention. Youhavenorealgoals oraspirationsyoujustwakeuptobeupandgo aboutthedaywishingorhopingthatyouwin thelottery;watchYouTubeandwishyouwere anInfluencer;checkthecelebritygossipthen daydream; andfinallyyougetsweptupinthe whirlwindofday-to-dayminutiae
Itmakessensethatwethinkthatwe’reliving today and tomorrow for the next day or sometimeinthenearfuture.Buthowisthat so,whenwe have no plan?The unfortunate truthisthatmostofusarerelivingthepaston adailybasis
We don’t plan for a future, or set goals, but rather,we relive the next daylike the last, so everydayisthesameroutine,thesamelackof focus,nodesiretomakeanefforttochange and consequently things remain the same. Thisisarut.Ormorespecifically---ahabitor patternofbehaviorthathasbecomedulland unproductivebutishardtochange.
Therealityisthatmanyofuslivefetteredtoour past. We play out old habits and thinking patternsandbringthemintoourrelationships today We’rechainedtoallofourrelationship withpeople,withcircumstances,andevenour self-image and our thoughts of who we are. Simply telling ourselves to move on doesn’t work our rut is a package of deep-seated beliefsthatexistinoursubconscious Butthere are certain types of meditation, professional therapyandself-discoveryexerciseavailable.
Allofthesemethodsareavailabletoassistyouin breaking habits They may be based in free new thoughts, old family beliefs, and notions that have imprisoned you. To restart your life you must rewire, recreate the stories you ’ ve beentold,andthoseyoucreatedaboutyourself
Those thoughts, beliefs and random notions form invisible energetic triggers that can show up in your life as many things. They present themselves as you, but it is really an imposter hiding behind theyou,you are protecting So, let’stakealookYoumaylackboundaries,maybe you are shy so you have to be the loudest or most obnoxious person in the room; maybe youpossessafearofaskingforhelpwhichreally isthefearofrejection;youmaywanttobeliked butareawkwardaroundpeoplesoyouhavedev elopedapeoplepleasingpersonality.
Do you seek perfectionism?All these ways of beingexpressedcaninterferewithyourmental health well-being They are classic imposters Forexample,researchsuggeststhatthosewho struggle with perfectionism tend to view themselvesas a“loserweak,flawedandeasily rejected” Are you? Obviously not, if you are performing as a perfect imposter. However, youcanlearntoidentifyandreleasethetriggers —andbebetteroffforit.“Itisourresponsibility to rid ourselves of the past and to allow ourselvestolearnfromtheprocessoflettinggo.
Mostlikelyyouwilldobetterifyouworkwitha professional,sothatyoucanseeandidentifythe imposter. Only then can you confront the realizationthatourtriggershavetakenuproom in our headspace and possessed us as imposters.Wecanonlydothatwhenweaccept thattheimposterisnotourreality.
Onceweacceptthatwecanbegintoacceptthat wearepowerfulhumanbeingsbeingourselves andarecapableofcreatingourownversionof ourselves,thefirststepistorecognizethatyou arestuckrelivingeverydayoverandoverThat’s when you seek professional guidance. Once youfreeyourselffromthoseemotionaltiesto theimposterandallthebaggagethatcausedit tocomeintobeing,youcanthenreclaimyour powerandattractthefulfillinglifeyouwant.
LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
CookCountyCommissionerDonnaMillerhugsson,Daniel,afterhervictoryspeechforthe2
Acloserlookatcampaignspending,voterturnoutand candidate visibility shows that money alone did not determinewhowonIllinois’mostcloselywatchedraces
Millions of dollars moved through Illinois’ March 17 primary, flooding mailboxes, digital platforms and airwaves across the state Campaign ads dominated timelines. Glossy mailersarrivedinstacks Outreachwasconstant
But as thevotes began to take shape, a different question emerged: how much did all that spendingactuallydeliver?
A closer look at campaign finance filings and earlyelectionreturnssuggeststhatwhilemoney continues to shape modern campaigns, it does notalwaystranslateintovotesandinsomecases, the return on that investment varied dramatically.
TheCostofaVote
In one of the clearest contrasts of the cycle, the Democratic US Senate primary underscored justhowwidethatgapcanbeCongressmanRaja Krishnamoorthi’scampaignreportednearly$24 million in total disbursements With 392,342 votes,thatamountstoroughly$61pervote.
Lt Gov Juliana Stratton, by contrast, reported approximately $28 million in spending and secured473,750votes,orabout$591pervote Thenearlytenfolddifferencehighlightsacentral tension in modern campaigning. Financial resources can expand reach, fund advertising and build infrastructure But they do not guaranteeproportionalvotersupport
Stratton not onlyled the field in totalvotes, but did so with one of the most cost-efficient campaigns in the race. Her performance suggests that while spending can amplify a campaign,connectionmaymattermore Asshe said in her victory speech, “ we showed what’s possiblewhenyou listen to the people and give thepeoplewhattheywant”
WhenSpendingDoesn’tDeliver
That dynamic was even more pronounced in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, where the relationship between spending and voter supportdivergedsharply
State Rep La Shawn Ford reported $355,660 in totaldisbursementsandreceived22,165votes,or approximately$16pervote.ComptrollerMelissa Conyears-Ervin reported $462,435 in spending andsecured19,005votes,orabout$24pervote
Jason Friedman, however, entered the racewith the largest financial footprint His campaign reported more than $2.1 million in total disbursements,significantlyoutpacingtherestof the field Yet he received 6,945votes, translating toroughly$305pervote,byfarthehighestcostper-votefigureamongtheleadingcandidates
The disparity offers a stark example of how campaign spending, even at significant levels, does not always convert intovotertraction In a crowded field, moneyalone proved insufficient tobreakthrough
AVisibleGroupofWinners
Beyond the numbers, another pattern began to emerge, one that cannot be measured as easily infinancialfilings.
Several of the candidates who secured victories on March 17 also maintained a consistent presence in Black media spaces throughout the election cycle Lt Gov Juliana Stratton, Cook CountyBoardPresidentToniPreckwinkle,state Rep. La Shawn Ford, Commissioner Donna Miller, and Shantell Franklin all appeared in interviews, roundtables, and long-form conversations aimed at directly engaging communityaudiences
These appearances spanned podcasts, editorial features and candidate forums, formats that allow for deeper conversation and more direct communication with voters than traditional campaignadvertising
Several candidates also participated in conversations with Chicago News Weekly as part of its expanded political coverage across digital, print, and podcast platforms, reflecting a broader shift toward more direct,community-centeredpoliticaldialogue.
TurnoutandtheUnfinishedCount
Final vote totals remain in flux, as mail-in ballots postmarkedbyElectionDaycontinuetobereceived andprocessedinthedaysfollowingMarch17
That ongoing count complicates any early conclusions about turnout Still, initial results suggest that participation may not have fully matched the scaleofspendingseenacrossmajorraces.
In Chicago, turnout reflected a limited share of registered voters, even as high-profile races drove significant financial investment Whether additional ballots significantly shift that picture remains to be seen, but the earlyreturns raise questions about how effectively campaign spending expanded the electorate
Campaign finance datacan measure howmuchwas spent. It cannot fully account for how many voters were persuaded to participate or why others stayed home
MoreThanMoney
TheMarch17electionmakesonethingclear:money stillmatters Itfuelsoutreach,expandsmessagingand shapestheoveralllandscapeofarace.
But the results also point to something less easily measured In key contests, the candidates who emerged on top combined financial resources with sustained visibility, accessibility and direct engagement with voters In others, even significant spendingfailedtogeneratecomparablereturns.
Thetakeawayisnotthatmoneyisirrelevant,butthat it is only one part of a broader equation, one that includes trust, recognition and the ability to connect withvotersinmeaningfulways Andinatleastsome of Illinois’ most closely watched races, that combination appeared to matter more than spending alone This analysis is based on the most recent available federal campaign finance filings and electionreturnsasofMarch18,2026
CongressionalDistrict Herhusband,Dr DavidMiller,looksonasthefamilycelebratesahard-foughtrace forthe seatvacated byUS Representative Robin Kelly Miller,who has lived in the south suburbs fornearly30years, literallyjumped forjoywhen the congressional contestwas called earlybythe AssociatedPress
NATIONALNEWS
BlackStudentLoanDefaultRateFiveTimesHigherthanWhites
CHARLENE CROWELL - NNPA NEWSWIRE
Citing new research from Protect Borrowers, formerly the Student Borrower Protection Center, the coalition advised Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a January 7 letter that a new student loan default occurred every nine seconds in 2025 That escalatingrate is unprecedented, and is nearly threetimesworsethanin2019,theyearpriortothe COVID-19pandemic
On behalf of the nearly 9 million people who are nowin default on theirstudent loans, a coalition of advocates from consumer, civil rights, and education organizations is appealing to the federal Education Department to halt its plans to begin garnishing borrowers’ wages this month Default status connotes borrowers are 270 days or more behindontheirpayments
Further, according to the advocates, the Trump administration’s student loan policies are disproportionately harming Black and older borrowers. Signing the joint letter of appeal were: Protect Borrowers, American Federation of Teachers, the Debt Collective, NAACP, National Education Association, the Student Debt Crisis Center,andYoungInvincibles
“Research shows that involuntary collections only exacerbate the economic challenges faced by defaulted borrowers, who are disproportionately seniorsandBlackborrowers,”wrotethecoalition.“In fact, of the borrowers already in default, roughly a third of them are older borrowers. Black graduates are additionally five times more likely to default thantheirwhitepeers”
Additionally, and according to Protect Borrowers, nearly two-thirds of the borrowers who defaulted during the Trump Administration more than 2.6 million people live in states that PresidentTrump won in the 2024 election Among the states most severely affected were Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas, each of which saw 100,000 or more borrowersdefaultlastyear.
“The decision to resumewage garnishment against millionsofborrowersamidstagrowingaffordability crisis crushing working families is calloused and unnecessary, ”continuedthecoalition “Thedecision also comes at a time when struggling borrowers have been forced to wait amidst a nearly 1 million application backlog to enroll in an Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plan, and as mass layoffs at the Department have made it even harder for borrowers to get help with their student loans or if theyare experiencingissueswith theirstudent loan servicer.”
For Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, the Trump administration’s policies are about financialrights
“By garnishing wages for defaulted student loan borrowers, the Trump Administration will only deepen financial hardship forworkingfamilies and disproportionately harm Black borrowers,” said Johnson.“Millionsarealreadystrugglingwithrising costs and economic uncertainty, and stripping wages will only push families further into financial crisis”
Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation ofTeachers, agreedwith Johnson: “This is not about borrowers’ responsibility; it’s outright hostility to the young people trying to get ahead. The Trump Administration is choosing to squeeze teachers, nurses, and others while prices are increasing and families are struggling to stay afloat, ripping away wages and tax refunds when people needthemmost”
A fact sheet developed by the Center for Responsible Lending tracks key 2025 policy decisions that summarize the Education Department’s actions taken against student loanborrowers Theseinclude:
In March 2025, the Department cut nearly half its workforce, with the Federal Student Aid office and Office for Civil Rights among the hardest hit With Federal Student Aid’s servicing and community outreach infrastructures dismantled, systemic servicing errorsarelesslikelytobecaughtorcorrected, leavingborrowerswithfeweravenuesforhelp just as major loan policy changes are being rolledout
In May 2025, the Department reinstated the Treasury Offset Program, allowing the government to seize tax refunds from borrowersindefault.
On August 1, 2025, the Department of Education restarted interest accrual for borrowers with Department of Education loans in the SAVE forbearance Since 2023, SAVE’s unpaid interest shielded borrowers from balance growth With that protection gone, borrowers’ balances will now grow duringthisforbearanceandmaykeeprisingif monthlypaymentsdonotfullycoveraccrued interest. This shift makes repayment harder and adds long-term uncertainty for more than7millionborrowers.
Beginning July 1, 2026, parents who take out new Parent PLUS loans will no longer be eligible for any income-driven repayment plan That means no access to incomecontingent repayment (ICR) or repayment assistance plan (RAP) leaving the standard repayment plan as their only choice Borrowers with existing Parent PLUS loans can preserve access to ICRif theyconsolidate theirloansbeforetheJuly1,2026,deadline.
“As safeguards are rolled back and oversight weakens, borrowers face growingbalances and greater financial strain, making it urgent to press for stronger policies that preserve the promise of higher education as a pathway to opportunity,”concludedCRL
CharleneCrowellisaseniorfellowwiththe CenterforResponsibleLending.Shecanbe reachedat Charlenecrowell@responsiblelendingorg
THEUNDENIABLE THEUNDENIABLE THEUNDENIABLE
TamberlaPerryand herpresence is felt and easyto recognize, from the intrigue of "Death and Other Details" to NBC’s "Brilliant Minds," where she brings intelligence, restraint, beauty and unmistakable poisetoeveryframe
Chicago nativeTamberlaPerryis one of those actresseswhosework hasbeenbuildinginplainsight On"BrilliantMinds,"sheisNo 2on thecallsheet,which,inHollywoodterms,isaverybigdeal.Butwhat makes Perrycompellingis not justwhere she is in the moment It is howshegotthere,andhowclearly,sheunderstandswhatitmeansto stillbethere,stillworking,stillclimbing,inanindustrythathasnever promisedanybodyanything
The face may be familiar before the name fully lands, but that is changing Perry is not having one big moment so much as she is steppingintothekindofrecognitionthatcomesfromyearsofwork Inacting,thatmatters.Aworkingactorisasuccessfulactor,andPerry has continued to build, from theater to television, with the kind of steadinessthatlooksevenmoreimpressiveinanindustryshapedby shutdowns, strikes and constant uncertainty Perry said it plainly: “Post-COVID has just been a long pause of flux It’s tough out here” Still,shekeptgoing
Inconversation,Perryiswarm,funnyandeasy Easyontheeyestoo Thoughtful, but not guarded. She laughs easily, including when she talksaboutDr CarolPierce,thechiefofpsychiatrywhosheplayson BrilliantMinds Whenshefirstreadthepilot,sheknewimmediately this was different “I’m about to book this,” she recalled telling her husbandafterfinishingtheauditionpagesinthemiddleofthenight Then came the line that made me laughwith her: “She is me. I am her”Butbeneaththehumorwaspalpableintention Perryknewearly that the character could not be reduced to a sidekick “She wasn’t gonnah be the sidekick, and I wasn’t gonnah allow her to be the sidekick”
That clarity says a great deal about Perry She understands the difference between being presentandbeingperipheral Andshewasjustas clear about what made Carol Pierce worth fightingfor.“WhatIloveabouther(thecharcter) isthattheyallowedmetobeanauthenticBlack woman, ” Perry said More importantly, she expressed that the show’s creative team has allowed her to help shape the character’s ambit or scope of life, the kind of collaboration many actors hope for and far fewer actually get “They’ve really allowed me to have a voice aboutthischaracter’strajectory,”shesaid
That voice is part of what gives the series its texture. Perry says what sets Brilliant Minds apart fromothermedicaldramasisthatitisnotsimply about treating a condition “We’re all about the brain,” she said. “We’re really, Oliver Sacks was really about treating the human being” She also pointstothewaytheshowletsviewersexperience each case from the patient’s point ofview “Every episode, every case, you ’ re gonnah have a patient pointofview,”shesaid “Noothershowsaredoing that”And for anyone who has not yet caught up, Perryhasaverydirectask,“Whatweneedthefans to do is continue to watch the show, binge the show,andtalkabouttheshow.”...Whatshedoesn’t saybutwegetit It’scritical,it’snecessaryintoday’s competitive theatrical world There are so many choices. Sayingwhatyou like is anecessarystep if youwantyourshowtoreturnnextseason Whatalsocomesthroughishowmuchsheenjoys thepeoplearoundher Chemistry,inPerry’scase, seemstoextendwellbeyondthescript.“Zachand Ihavebecomeveryclose,”shesaysco-starZachary Quinto “We’reaclose-knitgroupofcastmembers andthenourcrew Weloveourcrew”Shecalledit oneofthebestworkingenvironmentsshehashad intelevisionsofar,andthateaseshows.Perryalso takes her role on set seriously “I do take it very seriouslybeingthenumber2onthecallsheet,”she said,explainingthatforheritmeanshelpingkeep moraleupandbeing“apleasuretoworkwith”She andQuinto,shesaid,are“agreattagteam.”
BY LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR
And if Perry seems especially good at fostering moments of deep connection through active listening, shared vulnerability, and playful interaction to build chemistry, that may extend beyond the script, it’s because she is Aquick scroll through her Instagram shows she is just as likely to pull castmates into a trending dance as she is into a scene, which only adds to the sensethatherfunisreal,notmanufactured.
That balance is part of her appeal She is polished, but not remote Funny,butmeasured Shecarriesherselfwell,butnot in a way that feels rehearsed You can see why audiences notice her, even before they know exactly where to place the name.It’sanodtohermom...‘Youdidgood.’
Still,Perry’sstorydoesnotstartonatelevisionset
She did not go to theater school She graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in health and society, and biology requirements because,foralongtime,becomingadoctorseemed just as plausible as becoming an actress “That girl really thought that she was going to be a doctor,” Perrysaidofheryoungerself.“AndnowIplayone on television” It is a line she delivers with humor, but it also digs at something deeper about the windinglogicofacreativelife
waspractical Shewasdisciplined Andshebelieved, perhaps a little naively and perhaps exactly rightly, thatifsheworkedhardenough,shecoulddoit.
Shealsobelievedinherselfearly Perrytoldmeshe has always felt like “ a bigger presence ” than she probably was That confidence did not come from nowhere.Shetracesitbacktoherparents, Clifford and Josephine Perry, who raised their children to believe they could do whatever they wanted to do andbewhoevertheywantedtobe “Myparentsdid not play about their kids,” she said That kind of grounding matters, especially for a Black woman movingthroughanindustrythathasneverexactly overflowed with generosity. Perry said even when she encountered racism as a child, it did not stop her in her tracks It registered, but it did not define her. “That wasn’t nice,” she remembered thinking, andthenshemovedon Chicago,though,isstillalloverthestory.
That range matters too, because Perry does not readasone-note Shecanholdauthorityonscreen, but she is not stiff. She is elegant, but not brittle. There is a looseness to her that comes through in conversationand,increasingly,inthewayshetalks aboutthelifeshehasbuilt.
Familyiscentraltothatlife
When Perry talks about her husband, writer and creative partner Kevin Douglas, the admiration is immediate Heisher“biggestcheerleader,”theman whotapesauditionsat3and4inthemorning,holds itdownathomewiththeirtwodaughters,doeshair, handles activities and somehow still finds time for hisownwriting.“HeistheMVP,”shesaid.Therewas noperformanceinthatanswer Itfeltlikegratitude, yes,butalsolikerespect.Thetwoofthemhavebuilt a real creative partnership, one that existed before kids and adapted when kids changed the equation “It’sjustwhatwegottado,”Perrysaid HerfamilyinChicagoremainsjustasimportant Her mother,sisterandbrotherarestillhere.Othersisters are in Indianapolis And her mother, who was once less than thrilled by the idea of acting, has since becomewhatPerrylaughinglydescribesasakindof de facto publicist “Now it’s all about being de facto publicist,” Perry said, recounting her mother calling with hometown press opportunities and updates “You got Chicago papers now. ” It is one of the sweetest details in the interview because it says so muchabouttime,beliefandwhatitmeanswhenthe people who love you get to witness the thing that you ’redoingfullybloom
Perry also speaks warmly about the people who supported herearly,when saying “I think Iwant to be an actor,” could have easily been met with silence or skepticism She named friend LaShay Boyce as one of the first people who not only took her seriously but helped her understand what to do next “People aren’t like that,” Perry said. “People will not return your phone call or your email” It is a small point, but an important one. Careers are built on talent, yes, but also on thepeoplewhoanswerthephone
Perrymissesherfamily,herfriendsandthetheatercommunityhere.Hermother’s house is saved in her phone as “headquarters” She is 'South Side' She went to Luther South High School She says “ grammar school” the way people from here dowithoutthinkingtwiceaboutit “Chicagowillalwaysbehome,”shesaid,andshe saiditinawaythatfeltlesslikealineandmorelikeafact
Shealsohasnotforgottenwheretheworkwasmadedurable Perryisexplicitabout that Chicago theater, she said, “is the best theater scene in the world” She named "Lookingglass," "Impact Theatre," "Steppenwolf," "Goodman," "North Light," and "Congo Square," then put it simply: “That’s what made me ” Earlier in our conversation, she talked about The Brother/Sister Plays by Tarell Alvin McCraney asherfirst"Steppenwolf"productionandsaidherfirstequityjobinChicagowasat "Lookingglass" Those details matter because they tell a fuller story than an IMDb pagecan Beforenetworktelevisionmadehermorevisible,Chicagotheatermade herdurable
If Perry’s face feels familiar, that is because her work has traveled Over the years, she has appearedalongsidenamessuchasJamieFoxxin"TheyClonedTyrone"andnowZachary Quintoon"BrilliantMinds"Hercareerhasnotbeenbuiltononerole,butonasteadybody ofworkandthekindofrangethatkeepsplacingherinstrongcompany.Perrylituptalking about"TheyClonedTyrone,"callingitoneofherfirstbig-screencomedyappearancesand saying working opposite Foxx was “ a dream I didn’t know I had” Much of it was improvised,shesaid,andtheresultremindedherofanothertruthabouthercraft:shemay begettingcalledfordramas,butcomedyisstillinherbones “Comedyismybackground,” shesaid.“Hollywoodkeepscallingmefordramas.”
And then there are moments that remind you how attentive she is to the people around her Perryspokewithrealtendernessaboutthelossof herfriendEricDane,recallingthetimeshespent withhimwhileshadowingadirectorandfilming anepisode.“Youdon’tknowthis,butyou’vebeen my boyfriend for 20 years, ” she remembered telling him after they met, laughing at her own longtime crush But what stayed with her most was his grace “He was so lovely,” she said, more than once She also spoke candidly about watching him work through pain, about his strength, and about what it meant to witness someone tell a story that had become painfully close to his own life “Stop complaining and get upanddothedamnthing,”shesaidhisexample madeeveryonefeel
Thatmaybewhatlingersmostaftertalkingwith TamberlaPerry Notjustthebeauty,thoughsheis striking. Not just the résumé, though it is substantial It is thesteadiness The humor The self-knowledge... that she exudes. The way she talks about work without fantasy and about successwithoutarrogance Shefeelslikesomeone who understands that a career is built in layers, and that the work has to be loved enough to survivethepartsthatarenotglamorous.
Maybe that is why this chapter feels less like a suddenarrivalthanalong-overduerecognition.
Perry understands the math of the business better than most “Auditioning is the job,”shesaid “Thejobisn’tthejob,auditioningisthejob Thejobisthecherryon top.” It is one of the clearest things anyone has said to me about what it actually meanstobeaworkingactor Theyesesarerare Theno’sareconstant Theworkis to keep going anyway. “Keep going,” she said, when asked what she tells young people who want to do this “If it’s something that you really wanna do, if you ’ re passionateaboutit,keepmovingtowardyourgoal”Shehas
Andthatisexactlywhythenamemattersnow
Not because Tamberla Perry appeared out of nowhere, but because she did not. Because every stage, every set, every audition, every risk, every family sacrifice, everybitofChicagothatstilllivesinhervoiceandmemoryhasledto'here.'People may have recognized ‘the face’ first But if this moment does what it should, they willrememberthenametoo Sayhername TamberlaPerry!Andremember
TamberlaPerry,BrilliantMinds(NBC)
TamberlaPerryandZacharyQuinto BrilliantMinds(NBC)
WomeninSports:ThreeStorylinesWorthWatching
From a tentative WNBA labor agreement to March Madness and HBCU standout Kaila Walker, women ’ s sportsarecommandingattentionthisweek.
WNBANearsNewLaborDeal
Women’s sports are commanding attention this week not just because of what is happening on the court,butbecauseofwhatisshiftingaroundit The biggest development belongs to theWNBA, where the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association reached an agreement in principle on anewcollective bargainingagreement early Wednesday According to ESPNcom and AssociatedPressreporting,theproposeddealwould bring dramatic increases in player compensation, including a salary cap projected at $7 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025, a supermax projected at $14 million, and average salaries around or above the half-million-dollar mark. The agreement still must be finalized and ratified, but it marks amajor turningpointforaleagueenteringits30thseason
MayorBrandonJohnson
The tone from both sides made clear that this was about more than accounting According to the Associated Press, commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, “We still need to finalize a formal term sheet, buttheprogressmadeinthesediscussionsmarksa transformative step forward for players and the league” Union president Nneka Ogwumike underscored the scale of the moment, saying, “For the first time player salaries are tied to a truly meaningfulshareofleaguerevenue”Thatlanguage matters. Foryears,WNBAplayers have argued that the league’s growth in visibility and commercial strength was not being reflected in compensation Now, at least on paper, that gap appears to be narrowinginaseriousway
There is also a larger symbolic weight here AssociatedPressreportingnotedthatthesidescame to terms after more than 100 hours of bargaining across eight days Executive committee member Alysha Clark summed up the player position this way: “You could feel the growth everywhere, but it wasn't showing up forthe players thewayit should So we stayed with it until it did.”That quote gets to the heart of why this story lands beyond sports business.Itisaboutlabor,valueandwomenathletes refusingtoletculturalrelevanceoutpaceinstitutional respect With trainingcamp still set to openApril 19 andtheregularseasonscheduledtobeginMay8,the league now heads into its milestone season with momentuminsteadofuncertainty.
DawnStaleyandSouthCarolinaResetfor March
In college basketball, Dawn Staley and South Carolina are once again at the center of March Madness The Gamecocks entered the NCAA tournament as aNo 1 seed despite a17-point loss to TexasintheSECTournamentchampionshipgame, and according to AP reporting published Wednesday, Staley is treating that loss less as a warning sign and more as a needed reset That perspective is part of why South Carolina remains one of the defining programs in the sport The Gamecocksarenotenteringthetournamentfroma place of panic. They are entering it with one of the steadiest coaches in the game, a 31-3 record and a standardthathasmadechampionshipconversations feelroutine
Staley’s significance also stretches well beyond the bracket. She remains one of the most visible Black women in American sports, and each March she becomes a reference point for what leadership, consistency and excellence can look like at the highest level South Carolina’s place in the tournament picture is not surprising anymore, and that may be the most impressive part Sustained dominance in women ’ s college basketball is hard to maintain, yet Staley has made South Carolina feel permanent in the national title conversation For Blackaudiencesinparticular,thatvisibilitymatters.It matters to see a Black woman coach not framed as anexception,butasafixture.
The third story belongs to HBCU women ’ s basketball,whereAlabamaA&M guard KailaWalker continues to build the kind of season that deserves wider attention According to Alabama A&M Athletics, Walker was named HBCU GO Women’s Basketball National Player of the Year on March 10 after also being selected SWAC Player of the Year. The school said Walker is averaging 140 points per game,shooting404%fromthefloorand846%from the foul line, while posting 20 double-digit scoring performances this season HBCU Gameday also highlighted her leadership and impact on Alabama A&M’srunthroughtheSWACregularseason
Walker’s story deserves room in this conversation because it reflects a truth that often gets overlooked: elitewomen’sbasketballtalentisnotconfinedtothe biggest conferences orthe most televised programs It is also thrivingat HBCUs,where athletes continue to produce at a high level without always receiving the same national attention Recognition like this doesmorethanhonoroneplayer.Ithelpsaffirmthe visibility of HBCU women ’ s programs and the ecosystems that continue to develop Black talent, BlackleadershipandBlacksportsculture Inamedia environmentthatstilldistributesattentionunevenly, thatmatters
Taken together, these three stories show women ’ s sports from three important angles: power at the bargaining table, power on the national stage and power in spaces that deserve more coverage than they typically receive The WNBA’s proposed deal reflectsafightovervalue DawnStaley’slatestMarch run reflects sustained excellence. Kaila Walker’s seasonreflectsthedepthoftalentstillrisingthrough HBCU athletics. Different lanes, same message: women in sports are not waiting to be recognized Theyaremakingitimpossibletolookaway
KeeanaBarber
KeeanaBarber
WOMENONTHEMOVE
It’sWomen’sHistoryMonth,andatCNW,wecontinueourcelebrationofwomenwhoareshapingculture,communityandlegacyinrealtime
Thisweek,we’re honoringwomenintheir50s seasoned,self-assuredandstillverymuchonthepulseofchange.Thesearewomenwhoseimpactdidn’tjustarriveovernight;itwasbuiltthroughyearsofintention,resilienceandanunwaveringcommitmenttogrowth
They’vemasteredtheartofevolution carryingwisdomfromthepastwhileactivelybuildingthefuture.Leadersinboardrooms,voicesonstages,architectsofbusiness,cultureandcommunity,theycontinuetoredefinewhatitmeanstothriveineveryspacetheyenter Andyes,theymakeitlookgood
Simone Green is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, actress and businesswoman whose voice and vision are equally unforgettable. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and a graduate of the University of Iowa, Simone began her music career as a member of the acclaimed Iowa-based band Shade of Blue, opening for legends such as Koko Taylor, George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars, Raheem DeVaughn, Joe Lovano, Maceo Parker and Roy Haynes. As a solo artist, she has taken the stage ahead of acts like Ledisi, Dru Hill, Stokley, Carl Thomas, K’Jon and Deniece Williams, and later expanded her artistic range with her theatrical stage debut at Teatro ZinZanni.
Her live performances have graced high-profile events including the Illinois Speaker of the House Inauguration Reception, the Chicago Urban League’s 64th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner, ABC 7’s “Windy City Weekend,” the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Regional Conference, The Cara Gala and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Policy Summit. In 2025, she released the vibrant house single “One More Time,” following her 2023 remix of fan favorite “Don’t Say Nothing ” Her 2022 EP, “East of Ordinary,” blends R&B, house and contemporary adult sounds, while her breakout single “We Could Be” reached No. 1 on the Global Top 150 Independent Airplay Charts.
A proud SAG-AFTRA member, Simone has also lent her voice to award-winning commercials for brands including Walmart, Charmin, Toyota and the Illinois Lottery, with her music also appearing on “Dance Dance Revolution” and “Ugly Betty ” Beyond entertainment, she is the founder and director of CLS Legal Staffing, one of Illinois’ premier staffing agencies, and has served on advisory boards for Northwestern College and Wright College while speaking at major university paralegal programs, including Loyola University Chicago A two-time breast cancer survivor, Simone credits her success to unwavering positivity, faith and a fearless commitment to living and singing with purpose
Catrice Armstrong Simone Green
Catrice Armstrong is an expert public relations strategist with more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business development A member of the National Sales Network, she has built a reputation for driving revenue through district and regional market expansion Armstrong has held leadership roles with The Quaker Oats Co , where she helped launch Gatorade’s Energy Bar brand; The Michael and Juanita Jordan Endowment Fund; and Merck Pharmaceuticals, where she ranked among the company ’ s top 5% nationally and top 2% regionally in pharmaceutical sales
Recognizing her strength as a communicator, connector and deal-closer, Armstrong launched PR Werks Public Relations in January 2015 Through its four-pillar business model leadership, development, collaboration and innovation the firm supports both established and emerging businesses Her client roster includes Hill Harper, National Geographic, OWN Network, Lionsgate, “Black Ink Crew Chicago,” the Chicago Elite Basketball Classic, AJ “Akua” Johnson, Barbara Bates and director Nzingha Stewart She has also partnered with top public relations firms on major campaigns and events for brands and organizations including the Steve Harvey Foundation, National Geographic, Disney, Google, Amazon, Paramount Pictures and more
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc , Armstrong is deeply committed to empowering women and girls through her partnership with Reel Beauty Inc , where she helps lead selfesteem workshops centered on confidence and self-worth She holds a Master of Science in marketing from Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Arts in history education from the University of Illinois Chicago. Armstrong is widely recognized as a thought leader with the expertise to build brand awareness, develop strategic partnerships, secure media placements and execute local and national press campaigns
Pamela Robinson
Pamela Robinson is the Founder and CEO of the 40+ Double Dutch Club, a global 501(c)(3) movement that was divinely inspired in 2016 during a season when she was seeking joy and relief from the stresses of everyday life What began as a simple invitation to “ come outside and play” with her “bonus” sister and CoFounder, Catrina Dyer-Taylor, has grown into a worldwide sisterhood of women ages 40 to over 90 who are redefining aging and embracing wellness at every stage of life
Through their obedience and willingness to say “ yes, ” God created a movement that extends far beyond the ropes - bringing the joy of movement into communities across the country through outreach in correctional facilities, shelters, senior homes and youth programs. Through its signature Playground Experience, the 40+ Double Dutch Club also works to preserve the cultural legacy of Double Dutch while reconnecting both youth and adults to the power of outdoor play and intergenerational connection.
Pamela is also deeply rooted in family. She is supported by her amazing husband, who stands behind everything she does, and is the proud mother of three incredible adult children who have each used their unique gifts and talents to help propel the movement forward She is also a grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren who continue to inspire her commitment to legacy and generational impact Her 80-year-old mother and two sisters are also actively involved in the movement, reflecting the very essence of the intergenerational sisterhood the 40+ Double Dutch Club represents
Grounded in faith, the 40+ Double Dutch Club is more than an organization - it is a God-led sisterhood rooted in friendship, fitness, fun and fellowship that empowers women, strengthens communities and proves that joy, movement and connection have no age limit
Ericka Porter, MBA
ErickaPorter,MBA,knownasMediaMavenWorldwide,isamediaproducer,businessconsultant,author,and communityleaderwithnearly30yearsofexperienceusingmedia,storytelling,andstrategytoupliftpeopleand communities AsthefounderofMediaMavenWorldwideLLCandChicksThatPitch,andcoownerofMMSNetworks LLC,sheleadsproductionandconsultingworkacrosstelevision,film,liveevents,andbranddevelopment. Athercore,Erickaisdeeplycommittedtopeople Sheworkscloselywithentrepreneurs,creatives,andorganizations, helpingthemfindclarity,strengthentheirvoice,andbuildsomethingthattrulyreflectswhotheyareandwheretheyare going
HerpassionforserviceisevidentthroughMavensMoveNFP,a501c3organizationwhereshecreatesopportunitiesfor youthandunderservedcommunitiestobeseen,heard,andsupported Throughmentorship,programming,and experiencesliketheMAVYAwards,shecelebratesthosedoingtheworkandopensdoorsforthenextgeneration Whethersheisproducing,consulting,orserving,Erickaleadswithintention,heart,andagenuinedesiretoseeothers grow,win,andthrive
ErickaPorterisaconnector,abuilder,andaforceforimpactwhocontinuestopourintopeople,shiftculture,andcreate spaceswherepurposeandopportunitymeet
Dr. Valerie C. Johnson
DrValerieC JohnsonisAssociateProvostforDiversity,Equity,andInclusion(DEI),andProfessorofPoliticalScienceat DePaulUniversity.
Dr Johnson’sresearchandteachingexploretheintersectionsofraceandclass HerpublicationsincludeBlackPowerin theSuburbs:TheMythorRealityofAfricanAmericanSuburbanPoliticalIncorporationandPowerintheCity.Her latestbook,co-editedwithEllenSchreckerandJenniferRuth,TheRighttoLearn:ResistingtheRight-WingAttackon AcademicFreedom,wonthe2025FredericWNessBookAward,whichrecognizesoutstandingcontributionstothe understandingandimprovementofliberaleducation.
Dr JohnsonistheformernationaleducationspokespersonforReverendJesseL Jackson,Sr,andtheRainbow/PUSH Coalitionandhasservedasaconsultantfornumerouselectedofficialsandcommunityorganizations
Continuedonpage14.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITS AT THE AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM CONTINUES
BlackHistoryMonthhascomeandgonebuthistoryremains Itused toupsetmethattheshortestmonthintheyearwasrelegatedtoBlack Americans to acknowledge our contributions to the country and the worldcommunityatlarge...
During AWM’s Monthly Museum Free Day Sunday, February 15, specialactivitieswereofferedfrom10am to4pm tiedtotheworks ofrenownedHarlemRenaissancewriterLangstonHughes Hands-on programsincludedapathwherevisitorscantracetheirfootprintsand write about a “hard path” they walked and how they persevered, inspired by Hughes’ story"Feet Live Their Own Life" from The Best of Simple, and a thematic watercolor painting activity AWM offers freeadmissiononthethirdSundayofeachmonth,withreservations recommendedatamericanwritersmuseumorg/visit/tickets-hours
While no one can deny the greatness of Langston Hughes my excitement around our Chicago home grown genius held a very specialtributeduringthemonthpresentedasOscarBrownJr’sPoetry asTheatre,aspecialeveningwithAfricaBrownandMaggieBrown daughters of the late singer, composer, playwright and activist are quitegiftedwiththetalentofartandsongfromChicago’sSouthSide Ifyou missed the evenings special giftyou are in luck Although the OscarBrownJrspecialeveningisnotpackagedaspartoftheongoing exhibit which will continue to be on available through November of 2026
The programs presented in conjunction with AWM’s the special exhibitAmericanProphets:Writers,Religion,andCulture,apowerful new exhibit takes visitors on the ultimate exploration through spirituality and storytelling Oscar Brown, Jr was added to AWM’s Chicago Gallery as part of American Prophets to highlight the spiritual aspects of his work and honor his legacy in Chicago and beyond.
Other Black writers whose works across genres are featured in the American Prophets exhibit include Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Octavia E Butler, John Coltrane, Chance the Rapper, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Frederick Douglass, N K Jemisin, James Weldon Johnson, BookerT Jones,Keegan-MichaelKeyandJordanPeele,PauliMurray, MalcolmX,RZAandRichardWright
In addition to its newspecial exhibit,AWM offers ongoing resources for teachers, students and lifelong learners via its online exhibitions, which are free to the public year-round Current online exhibits featuring Black writers include Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice and Frederick Douglass: Agitator These exhibits were previously on display at the American Writers Museum For more information and to access the exhibits and additional educationalresources,visitexhibits.americanwritersmuseum.org.
American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture is now open at AWMthroughNovember2026,takingvisitorsonajourneythrough spirituality and storytelling. Featuring interactive displays incorporating more than 100 different creative works and writers spanning genres and mediums, American Prophets explores the stories, songs, and spirits that have shaped American culture Visitors can discover faith-inspired songs including Chance the Rapper’s “Blessings,” RZA’s “Fate of the World,” John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” and Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “You've Got a Friend.” They can compare the imagined worlds and faiths explored in N K Jemisin’s The Fifth Season, Black Panther, and Octavia Butler’s ParableoftheSower,andlaughthroughanexplorationofholinessin humorwithRobinThede,Keegan-MichaelKeyandJordanPeele
American Prophets events with authors spanning genres will be presented at AWM throughout this year. Upcoming programs include:
WatertoWater:GazaRengawithMarilynHacker&Deema Shehabi(April20)
FreeonlineexhibitsincludeDarkTestament:ACenturyofBlack WritersonJusticeandFrederickDouglass:Agitator
CNW STAFF REPORT
For more information on American Prophets and related programming at the American Writers Museum (180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor), visit awmamericanprophets.org. AWM is open Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 5 pm Tickets are $16, with discounts available for seniors, students, and teachers Visit AmericanWritersMuseumorg/visit/groups or call 312-374-8765 MuseumhoursareMonday,Thursday–Sunday,10am–5pm ClosedTuesday and Wednesday Tickets to the museum are $16 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and teachers.Admission is free formembers and children ages 12 and under. To inquire about discounted rates for groups of 10 or more, including adults,studenttravelgroups,anduniversitystudents,
OscarBoboBrownIII,OscarBrownJr andMaggieBrown
Zada Johnson, PhD.
MeetZadaJohnson Asananthropologist,Zadaconfidesthatmostpeoplehavenoideawhat anthropologyis,notreally,andmostaretooembarrassedtosayso;therefore,theycontinuetonot know.Butforthesakeofclarity,shesays,"Letmedothehonors asananthropologist,Istudyhuman beings,societies,andculturesacrossspace,investigatingtheirorigins,behaviors,anddevelopment That meansthatourparticularinterestcantakeustosomanyplacesandintosomanyfieldsofstudyWeuse techniqueslikefieldwork,interviews,andinmanycases,archaeologicalexcavationtoanalyzebiological evolution,culturalbeliefs,language,andsocialstructures,workinginsettingsrangingfromacademia andmuseumstocorporationsandgovernmentagencies Ichosetheacademicroute
MyparticularfieldofinterestistheartsandcultureofBlackpeopleinAmerica IfindBlackAmericans fascinatingandintriguing Theyaremany-faceted,likeadiamond BlackAmericanshavemanysides, havingorinvolvingmanydifferentaspectsandfeatures andrightfullyso,givenourpast Sheisa documenterorrecorder
Herarticleshaveappearedinacademicjournalsaswellaslocalnewspublicationsandpopcultureblogs SheiscurrentlyanartsandculturecontributorforChicagoNewsWeekly,ofwhichshesays,"Writingfor CNWhasbeenaveryexcitingandinterestingportionoftheworkthatIdo.Theopportunitytoindulge andengagewiththeartistsandthecreatorsisveryintriguingandexciting"Hermostrecentwork includesaco-editedbookentitledJeromeSmith,ManofthePeople,abouticonicNewOrleansCivil RightsactivistJeromeSmith.
Knowanamazingladythatdeservesamention?EmailusatCNWNewsNow@gmail.com!
EMPOWERMENT WomenonTheMove
WhenDorothyVaughanSawTechnologyChangingtheFuture
DR SANJA STINSON - COLUMNIST
Thelessonwomenstillneedtoday Aswecelebrate Women’s History Month, many stories rise to the surface storiesofcourage,perseverance,andquiet determination One of the stories that continues to inspire me is the story of Dorothy Vaughan, portrayedsopowerfullyinHiddenFigures.
WhatwouldweknowaboutDorothyVaughan She worked as a “human computer” at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which later became NACA. Her job was to perform complex mathematical calculations by hand long before moderncomputersexisted
But something began to change Technology was arriving,andwithitcamelargeIBMmachinesthat began replacing the work once done by hand For many, the machines represented uncertainty and fear Would there still be a place for them? Sound familiar? Today we are asking many of the same questionsaboutArtificialIntelligence
Dorothy Vaughan did something different lesson wecanstilldrawfromtoday.Shepaused. She observed what was happening around her. Thenshepivoted
Instead of resisting the new machines, she began quietlyteachingherselftheprogramminglanguage FORTRAN,oneoftheearliestcomputerlanguages. She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait for someonetoinviteher
She recognized something powerful and that the future was arriving DorothyVaughan decided she would arrive with it and she shifted And the remarkable thing it that she didn’t just learn technology,shehelpedherentireteamtolearnitas well Dorothy ensured that the women working beside her would not be left behind when the workplacechanged
Our lesson from Dorothy is that she turned uncertainty into leadership and that decision securedherplaceinhistory.
Today, we find ourselves in a similar moment Artificial Intelligence is not just another tool it is reshapinghowwework,communicate,create,how weserveandsolveproblems Consequentially, for many people, especially those of us with decades of experience, the question becomes Wheredowefitinthisnewtechnological world?
But perhaps the better question is the one Dorothy Vaughan silently answered years ago. How will we respond when the world begins to change? Will we pause long enough to understand what is happening, will we pivot by learning something new even when it feels unfamiliar. Or, will we shift into a new level of leadershipandpossibilities
We are in an era where call us to recognize that our experience still matters, our wisdom still mattersandourvoicestillmattersandneeded.
Technologydoesnoteraseexperience itamplifies it when we choose to engage with it Dorothy Vaughan recognized this truth At around 50 years old, she saw the future approaching through emerging computer technology and made a decision that would not only change her own career,butalsoopendoorsforthewomenworking besideher
But history reminds us that moments of technological change have appeared before, and those who leaned in, learned, and adapted often foundnewopportunitiesontheotherside
Dorothy Vaughan recognized the moment in front of her and chose to move forward And perhaps the question for us today is just as important. How will we respond to the technologyemergingaroundus?
No doubt history is filled with women who refused to be left behind The next chapter may verywellincludeus. She chose to learn what was coming rather than fear it Herwillingness to embrace newtechnology ensured that she and her team would not be left behind.Todaywearestandinginanothermoment oftransformation ArtificialIntelligenceisemerging in ways that are reshaping how we work, communicate, serve, and create For some, it feels unfamiliar,evenuncertain
Bills, Balance, and Bruised Ego
Laura Miller
There’s nothing quite like unemployment to turn a healthy relationship into a quiet little board meeting nobody agreed toattend
Suddenly, every Target run needs approval Every dinner out comes with a pause And somehow, tone becomes managerial “Doweneedthat?” “Weshouldprobablyholdoff” “I’mjusttryingtoberesponsible.”
By the end of 2025, the labor market had already started applying pressure inside people’s homes According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. saw 1.891 million layoffs and discharges in October, 1660 million in November and 1666 million in December That is more than 52 million across the fourth quarter alone In the most recent national jobs report, the unemployment rate was 44 percent in February, with 7.6 million people unemployed. Nearly 1.9 millionofthemhadbeenoutofworkfor27weeksormore So if your partner is applying, following up, updating the résumé and still not getting traction, it may not be a lack of ambition Itmaybethemarket (BureauofLaborStatistics)
That distinction matters, because relationships get in trouble whenpeoplestarttreatingstructuralproblemslikecharacter flaws One partner sees the bills stacking up and panics The otherseesrejectionemailsandstartsshrinking.Beforeeither sayswhattheyareactuallyafraidof,theystartarguingabout groceries, takeout and who forgot to cancel a subscription nobodyneeds
Andlet’sbeclear Yoursolemnperiodcannotconsistofyour partnercominghomeeverydaytofindyouwatchingSteve Wilkos reruns like despair just got renewed for another season Discouragementisreal Shameisreal Buteventually the TV has to go off, the laptop has to come open and your lifestillhastolooklikeyoubelievesomethingcanhappenfor you.
Becausewhensomebodylosesajob,theyarenotjustlosing income They are often losing routine, confidence and the version of themselves that felt most useful. The person who oncesaid,“Igotit,”nowhastositwiththediscomfortofnot havingit
And the other partner feels that shift too. The one still working is often carrying more than money They are carrying the stress of trying not to panic out loud They are calculating what can wait, what still has to be paid and how thin the margin has become That is how power shifts in a relationship. Not always in obvious ways, but in subtle ones. Whogetstosayno Whofeelsguiltyspending Whosounds practicalandwhosoundsdefensive
We like to pretend love lives somewhere above money. It doesnot Rentisdueonthefirst Lightbillsdonotcareabout chemistry Groceries do not accept potential So yes, when themoneyshifts,themoodoftendoestoo Thatdoesnotmaketherelationshipshallow Itmakesitreal, and it is part of why money problems can hit even strong couplessohard
What gets dangerous is the story people start telling themselves. The employed partner starts thinking, “I cannot keep carrying this forever” The unemployed partner starts thinking, “They do not respect me anymore. ” Neither thought is always true, but both can become destructive if nobodysaysthemoutloud
Thatiswhereresentmentmovesin,andusuallynottheloud kind Moreoften,itisquietresentment,thekindthathidesin practical questions like, “How many jobs did you apply to today?” “Did you follow up?” or “Have you thought about taking something in the meantime?” On one side, those questions may come from fear. On the other, they land like surveillance Andtheunemployedpartnerisalreadydealing withtheprivatehumiliationofneedinghelp Itisonethingto be broke It is another thing to feel watched while you are broke Itisonethingtoneedyourpartner Itisanothertofeel liketheyarebecomingyoursupervisor.
Thatkindofshiftcanaffectattractiontoo,andpeopledo not like saying that part out loud Security is attractive Confidence is attractive. Stability matters. So when unemploymentturnssomebodypassive,checkedoutor emotionally absent, the loss is not only financial. It changestheenergyinthehouse
That does not mean unemployed people become undesirable It means stagnation is hard to live with A partner can survive a hard season with you. What wears people down is the feeling that the hardship has swallowedyourinitiativewhole
Thatiswhyvalueinarelationshipcannotbereducedtoa paycheck, but it also cannot be reduced to good intentions If you are out of work, your contribution still needs to be visible. That may mean taking care of things at home, staying disciplined in your search, picking up temporary work while the bigger thing comes together and being honest without becoming emotionally unavailable If your income is paused, your presence shouldnotbe.
And if you are the employed partner, this is your work too Providing does not give you the right to become condescending Stress may explain a sharp tone, but it doesnotexcusecontempt.Thereisadifferencebetween wantingaccountabilityandwantingcontrol
Esther Perel wrote in a 2018 essay that couples are often notreallyfightingaboutthesurfaceissueatall,butabout “alackofaffection,respect,power…orsomecombination of the three” That lands here because unemployment rarely stays about unemployment. It becomes a referendum on worth, contribution, and who still feels seen
The Gottman Institute has made a similar point from another angle Its research emphasizes that healthy couples stay connected through stress by turning toward each other’s bids for connection When one partner is unemployed and the other is stretched thin, every sigh, question, and joke can land harder than intended If couples do not make space to treat the stress as the enemy, they start treating each other like it is (The Gottman Institute) A rough season does not have to become a disrespectful one, but it does take work from bothsides
The person out of work has to resist collapsing into helplessness. Get up. Get dressed Apply Followup Cleansomething Cooksomething Stayengagedinyourown life Nobody is asking for fake positivity Theyareaskingforeffort
And the person still earning has to resist turningprovision into punishment.Yes, the pressureisreal Yes,themarginmaybethin But your partner is more likely to recover besideyouiftheystillfeelseenbyyou.
Whatpeopleneedinseasonslikethisisnot performance.Itisdignity:theabilitytosay, “This is hard, but I am still me, ” and, “I do not want us to become ugly with each other while we figure this out” Because roles do change Money does fluctuate Careersdostall,pivot,andrestart.
The January Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, which tracks job openings, hiring, and separations, showed 69 million openings and 53 millionhires Thathelpsexplainwhyeven aggressivejobseekerscanfeelstuck.Sono, yourpartnermaynotbelazy Theymaybe living through a job market that is requiring more from people and giving backless (BureauofLaborStatistics)
Still, love cannot survive on pity, and it cannot thrive on scorekeeping either It survives when both people protect each other’s dignity One partner cannot disappear into shame, and the other cannot let stress harden into contempt Both have to remember that the real problemisoutsidetherelationship,evenif thepressurekeepsshowingupathome
Becausetherealflexinarelationshipisnot who had the bigger check when things were easy It is who kept their character whenthingsgottight
COMMENTARY
BlackAmerica’s2026UrbanChallenges:- Mayor Mamdani Case
Study BY DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. - CEO, NNPA
TodayacrosstheUnitedStatesofAmericainsome of the largest urban cities, Black Americans are havingrenewed nightmares about beingtaken for granted,ignoredandbeingerasedinhistoryandin thepublicsquare
Ethniccleansingisaninsidiousformofsystematic racism Inresponsetotheincreasing“Browningof America,” concerns are raised about the unfulfillment of prior commitments that were supposed to ensure racial equality in municipal politics,economics,andurbanrevitalization
New York City is the nation’s largest city The presence and contributions of African Americans to the centuries-long development and evolution of the city are rarely highlighted and saluted The electionofZohranMamdaniwouldnothavebeen possible without the huge turnout of African American and Latino voters. Yet the interests of Black America in the nation’s largest metropolis appear to be triaged routinely by the Mamdani Administration.
WearetheBlackPressofAmerica Forthepast199 years, since the first publication of Freedom’s Journal in New York City in 1827, we have had to call out those who pretended to be our political allies.Accountabilityfrom thosewe help to elect is Afairandjustdemand
Voters of color – both Black and Latino New Yorkers – backed Andrew Cuomo heavily in the primary, but then ultimately decided to give Zohran Mamdani a chance: NewYork City is the nation’slargestcity
ThepresenceandcontributionsofAfricanAmericans to the centuries-long development and evolution of the city are rarely highlighted and saluted. The election of Zohran Mamdani would not have been possible without the huge turnout of African AmericanandLatinovoters.YettheinterestsofBlack America in the nation’s largest metropolis appear to be triaged routinelybythe MamdaniAdministration overcoming their skepticism on housing, transit, and public safety, and reportedly moved by his affordabilityagenda.
This trust, on the part of Black voters in particular, may have been misplaced Why? Several troubling early signs that the new mayor is disregarding New Yorkersofcolor,andtreatingthemlikeRalphEllison’s iconicInvisibleMan
Thus far Mayor Mamdani has appointed no Black deputy mayors This is a glaring signal to Black voters who voted for Mamdani on the promise of racial equity in the city’s administration Does Mamdani value our insights, lived experiences, or our voices in craftingcriticalpoliciesinCityHall?
MamdaniwasforcedtoapologizetoBlackNewYorkers foroverlookingthehistoricalcontributionsofenslaved and indigenous people to building the city when he talked about a city “built by immigrants” in his inaugurationspeech
The Mamdani administration is holding a series of “Rental Ripoff” hearings, spearheaded by CeaWeaver, thedirectorofhisOfficetoProtectTenants,whocalled homeownership a form of white supremacy The mayorisreachingouttohelpprivatelandlordsinstead of prioritizing fixing public housing (NYCHA) which hasadismaltrackrecordofterribleconditions(noheat, year-pluswaitsforrepairs,rampantpestsandmold)
90 percent of the more than 511,000 NYCHAresidents are Black and Latino, which is part of a larger trend in which95percentofBlackhouseholdsinNewYorkState live in highly segregated buildings and/or neighborhoods. NYCHAis the largest landlord in NYC, so the Mamdani administration telling residents towait even longer for a solution to their long-standing substandardlivingconditionshastobechallenged.
The unfolding case study of Mayor Mamdani in New YorkCityrevealsthatwehavetokeepvotingwithrecord voter turnouts But after the elections, we must hold mayorsandotherelectedofficialsaccountable.Mamdani stillhastimetoensuregreaterequityinNYC Butwillhe dotherightthingattherighttime?
Rev Dr Benjamin F Chavis, Jr is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) andcanbereachedatdr.bchavis@nnpa.org
FOOD&WINE
Cajun,Lobster,Crab,andSalmonAlfredoOhMy!
MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER
This is what I like to call "The High-Roller's Weeknight Dinner" It’s rich, a littlespicy,andunapologeticallydecadent Sincewe’redealingwiththree different types of seafood, the trick is timing, so nothing ends up rubbery Alsoselectthebestfreshseafood
Here is how to craft a Cajun Seafood Alfredo that would make a Louisianachefweepwithjoy
Prep&Servings
Preptime:15minutes
Cooktime:20minutes
Servings:4hungrypeople
Ingredients
TheSeafoodTrio
Salmon:1lb fillet,skinremovedandcutinto1-inchcubes
Lobster: 2 medium tails, meat removed and chopped into bitesizedchunks
Crab:8oz lumpcrabmeat(drainedandpickedforshells)
CajunSeasoning:2–3tbsp(adjustbasedonyourheattolerance)
TheSauce&Pasta
Pasta:1lb FettuccineorLinguine
Butter:4tbsp(halfastick),unsalted.
Garlic:4cloves,minced
HeavyCream:2cups
ParmesanCheese:1.5cups,freshlygrated(avoidthecannedstuff; itwon'tmeltright)
CreamCheese:2tbsp(thisisthe"secret"forastable,velvetysauce)
Vegetables:1redbellpepper(diced)and3greenonions(sliced).
Directions
1 PreptheSeafood
In a large bowl, toss your salmon cubes and lobster chunks with 1.5 tbsp of the Cajun seasoning
Inalargeskilletovermedium-highheat,melt1tbspofbutter
Sear the salmon and lobster for about 3–4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and the lobsterisfirm/white
Pro Tip: Add the crab meat in the last 30 seconds just to warm it through Remove all seafoodfromthepanandsetasideonaplate.
2 BoilthePasta
Whileyouworkonthesauce,boilyourpastainheavilysaltedwateruntilaldente.Save1/2cup ofthepastawaterbeforedraining
3.BuildtheCajunCream
Inthesameskilletyouusedfortheseafood(don'twashit!thosebrownbitsareflavorgold): Melttheremaining3tbspofbutter
Sauté the red bell pepper for 2 minutes, then add the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant
Pour in the heavy cream and add the cream cheese Whisk over medium heat until the creamcheeseismeltedandthesaucebeginstosimmergently StirintheremainingCajunseasoning
4 TheMeltdown
Lowertheheattomedium-low GraduallywhiskintheParmesancheeseahandfulatatime Keep stirring until the sauce is thick and smooth. If it feels too thick, splash in a little of that reservedpastawater
5.TheMarriage
Tossthecookedpastaintothesauceuntileverystrandiscoated
Gently fold in your salmon, lobster, and crab You want to be careful here so you don't breakupthedelicatecrablumps.
TopwithgreenonionsandalittleextrapinchofsmokedpaprikaorCajunspiceforcolor
Note: If the sauce feels a bit "salty," it's likely the Cajun seasoning. Balance it out with a squeeze of fresh lemonjuicerightattheendtobrightentheflavors
When pairingwine with rich dishes featuring heavy cream, butter, and complex flavors like spicyCajun seasoningand seafood, it's crucial to choosewiselyto balance fat and spice Here arethreeidealoptionsthatcanenhanceyourdiningexperience:
1OakedChardonnay:
Why it works: The buttery and vanilla notes from oak aging complement the creaminessofthedishbeautifully.Thismakesitanexcellentchoiceformealswithrich sauces
Tip:LookforaChardonnaywithbrightacidity Thisensuresthewinedoesn'tfeeltoo heavyandcanstanduptotherichnessofthedishwithoutbeingoverpoweredbythe Cajunspices
2Off-DryRiesling:
Whyitworks:Ahintofsweetnessinanoff-dryRieslingcancounteractthespicefrom Cajunseasoning,actinglikeasoothingbalmforyourpalate
Result:Thehighacidityrefreshesthepalate,cuttingthroughtherichnessofthecream andenhancingthenaturalsweetnessofseafoodlikelobsterandcrab
3DrySparkling(Brut):
Why it works: The effervescence of a dry sparkling wine acts as an effective palate cleanser Each sip resets your taste buds, ensuring that each bite of seafood feels as delightfulasthefirst
Benefit:Thebubbleseffectivelylifttherichnessofthedishoffyourpalate,makingitan excellentchoiceforspecialoccasionsorcelebrations
QuickTip: Avoid high-tannin reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, as they can clash with the cream and spices, leading to undesirable aftertastes Instead, opt for wines that enhance the flavorswithoutoverpoweringthem
FASHION DressingMenandWomenAlike
TheUnisexMaster
C L BLACKBURN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ThisisthethirdinstallmentofProfilesonBlackDesigners.Thisweekwe’retakinga look inside the mind of Telfar Clemens’ brand Telfar has experienced popularity amongsttheyouthandHip-Hopgeneration
The Liberian-bornAmerican designerTelfar Clemens says that he was inspired to design clothes that basically didn’t exist for him. “When I was a child, I was always attracted towomen’swear, but Iwas neverallowed towearit, so I made sure there were no gender assignments in my fashion wares That wayyou can choose what youwanttowearbecauseitdoesn’tsay'men’s'or'women’s.'"
Alotofhisdesignsappearplayful,athleticandcomfortableandappropriateformen or women including the designs that look more like dresses than not. He sees his workasunisex
LastyearClemenscelebrated20yearsoffashionashisTelfarlabel,hastransformed theAmerican fashion eco system to become one of the most important brands of this generation His ethos, “Not for you, for everyone, ” has shifted the way that fashionanditsconsumersthinkaboutstatusanddesire
Clemens, along with his creative director Babak Radboy, started on the premise that clothing and accessories can have accessible price points and still be desirable, that real desire doesn’tcome from a price tag or a heritage brand or a made-up story it starts withpeople.
A lot of his designs appear playful, athletic andcomfortableandappropriateformenor womenincludingthedesignsthatlookmore like dresses than not. He sees his work as unisex
Hishighlysoughtafterpursedesignswiththe signature logo have been dubbed the "Bushwick Birkin" Telfar's designs are championed gender-neutral clothing. His success and popularity of his Telfar bag has become a must have item as has the recent addition of the ‘plastic bag’ purse as another hugesuccess
Acknowledgedforhisuniquegenderfreeapproachtodesigning,Telfar Clemens’fashionissummarizedfrom2018collection’stagline:“Notfor you foreveryone”Inclusivityhasbeentheorganizingprincipleofhis runway collections since he began in 2006. However, through not meant to be political the social and political landscape is a catalyst to helpingmakehisdefianceofgender,race,andclassresonatewidely To his credit, Clemens won the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. That sameyearhewas awarded the opportunityto design the uniforms for WhiteCastle’s15,000employees
