March 19, 2026 Edition

UNDENIABLY POISED

MAR 19- MARCH 25, 2026 . VOLUME NO. 32

TAMBERLA PERRY

E-NOTES Publisher Cheryl Mainor Norman

Editor-In-Chief

Kai EL’ Zabar

Chief Content Officer Managing Editor

Laura Miller

Editorial Assistant Creative Direction Art Director

Malachi Webster CNW Studio, LLC L.D. Hunter

Copy Editor Staff Writers

Intern & Illustrator

Max Blaisdell Malachi Webster.

Zada Johnson, PhD. Candi McCrary Mila Marshall. PhD. Cabryl Breotti C.L. Blackburn Ryan Willis Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson Elijah Lee

Cover Photography

Tamberla Perry

Columnists

Chicago News Weekly, LLC 700 N Sacramento Blvd Suite 320 Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 877-5151 Volume 3 No. 32 March 19 - March 25, 2026 Chicago News Weekly is Published on Thursday www.cnwmedia.com advertising@cnwmedia.com editorial@cnwmedia.com

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Owning Your Life and Letting Go of the Imposter Kai EL’ Zabar - Editor-In-Chief Too many of us live life aimlessly floating or stumbling through day to day without a plan and without intention. You have no real goals or aspirations you just wake up to be up and go about the day wishing or hoping that you win the lottery; watch YouTube and wish you were an Influencer; check the celebrity gossip then day dream; and finallyyou get swept up in the whirlwind of day-to-day minutiae.

It makes sense that we think that we’re living today and tomorrow for the next day or sometime in the near future. But how is that so, when we have no plan? The unfortunate truth is that most of us are reliving the past on a daily basis.

We don’t plan for a future, or set goals, but rather, we relive the next day like the last, so every day is the same routine, the same lack of focus, no desire to make an effort to change and consequently things remain the same.

This is a rut. Or more specifically --- a habit or pattern of behavior that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.

The reality is that many of us live fettered to our past. We play out old habits and thinking patterns and bring them into our relationships today. We’re chained to all of our relationship— with people, with circumstances, and even our 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 beliefs that exist in our subconscious. But there are certain types of meditation, professional therapy and self-discovery exercise available.

All of these methods are available to assist you in 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 been told, and those you created about yourself.

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 the you, you are protecting. So, let’s take a look You may lack boundaries, maybe you are shy so you have to be the loudest or most obnoxious person in the room; maybe you possess a fear of asking for help which really is the fear of rejection; you may want to be liked but are awkward around people so you have dev eloped a people pleasing personality.

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Do you seek perfectionism? All these ways of being expressed can interfere with your mental health well-being. They are classic imposters.

For example, research suggests that those who struggle with perfectionism tend to view themselves as a“ loser weak, flawed and easily rejected.” Are you? Obviously not, if you are performing as a perfect imposter. However, you can learn to identify and release the triggers — and be better off for it. “It is our responsibility to rid ourselves of the past and to allow ourselves to learn from the process of letting go.

Most likely you will do better if you work with a professional, so that you can see and identify the imposter. Only then can you confront the realization that our triggers have taken up room in our headspace and possessed us as imposters. We can only do that when we accept that the imposter is not our reality.

Once we accept that we can begin to accept that we are powerful human beings being ourselves and are capable of creating our own version of ourselves, the first step is to recognize that you are stuck reliving every day over and over. That’s when you seek professional guidance. Once you free yourself from those emotional ties to the imposter and all the baggage that caused it to come into being, you can then reclaim your power and attract the fulfilling life you want.

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ELECTION COVERAGE The Price of a Vote: What Money and Visibility Revealed in the March 17 Election LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller hugs son, Daniel, after her victory speech for the 2nd Congressional District. Her husband, Dr. David Miller, looks on as the family celebrates a hard-fought race for the seat vacated by U.S. Representative Robin Kelly. Miller, who has lived in the south suburbs for nearly 30 years, literally jumped for joy when the congressional contest was called early by the Associated Press.

A closer look at campaign spending, voter turnout and candidate visibility shows that money alone did not determine who won Illinois’ most closely watched races.

Millions of dollars moved through Illinois’ March 17 primary, flooding mailboxes, digital platforms and airwaves across the state.

Campaign ads dominated timelines. Glossy mailers arrived in stacks. Outreach was constant.

But as the votes began to take shape, a different question emerged: how much did all that spending actually deliver?

That dynamic was even more pronounced in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, where the relationship between spending and voter support diverged sharply.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford reported $355,660 in total disbursements and received 22,165 votes, or approximately $16 per vote. Comptroller Melissa Conyears-Ervin reported $462,435 in spending and secured 19,005 votes, or about $24 per vote.

A closer look at campaign finance filings and early election returns suggests that while money continues to shape modern campaigns, it does not always translate into votes and in some cases, the return on that investment varied dramatically.

Jason Friedman, however, entered the race with the largest financial footprint. His campaign reported more than $2.1 million in total disbursements, significantly outpacing the rest of the field. Yet he received 6,945 votes, translating to roughly $305 per vote, by far the highest costper-vote figure among the leading candidates.

The Cost of a Vote In one of the clearest contrasts of the cycle, the Democratic U.S. Senate primary underscored just how wide that gap can be.Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s campaign reported nearly $24 million in total disbursements. With 392,342 votes, that amounts to roughly $61 per vote.

The disparity offers a stark example of how campaign spending, even at significant levels, does not always convert into voter traction. In a crowded field, money alone proved insufficient to break through.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, by contrast, reported approximately $2.8 million in spending and secured 473,750 votes, or about $5.91 per vote.

The nearly tenfold difference highlights a central tension in modern campaigning. Financial resources can expand reach, fund advertising and build infrastructure. But they do not guarantee proportional voter support.

Stratton not only led the field in total votes, but did so with one of the most cost-efficient campaigns in the race. Her performance suggests that while spending can amplify a campaign, connection may matter more. As she said in her victory speech, “we showed what’s possible when you listen to the people and give the people what they want.”

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When Spending Doesn’t Deliver

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A Visible Group of Winners Beyond the numbers, another pattern began to emerge, one that cannot be measured as easily in financial filings.

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 County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, Commissioner Donna Miller, and Shantell Franklin all appeared in interviews, roundtables, and long-form conversations aimed at directly engaging community audiences.

These appearances spanned podcasts, editorial features and candidate forums, formats that allow for deeper conversation and more direct communication with voters than traditional campaign advertising.

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-centered political dialogue.

Turnout and the Unfinished Count Final vote totals remain in flux, as mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day continue to be received and processed in the days following March 17.

That ongoing count complicates any early conclusions about turnout. Still, initial results suggest that participation may not have fully matched the scale of spending seen across major races.

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 early returns raise questions about how effectively campaign spending expanded the electorate.

Campaign finance data can measure how much was spent. It cannot fully account for how many voters were persuaded to participate or why others stayed home.

More Than Money The March 17 election makes one thing clear: money still matters. It fuels outreach, expands messaging and shapes the overall landscape of a race.

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 spending failed to generate comparable returns.

The takeaway is not that money is irrelevant, but that it is only one part of a broader equation, one that includes trust, recognition and the ability to connect with voters in meaningful ways. And in at least some 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 election returns as of March 18, 2026.

NATIONAL NEWS

Black Student Loan Default Rate Five Times Higher than Whites 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 escalating rate is unprecedented, and is nearly three times worse than in 2019, the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On behalf of the nearly 9 million people who are now in default on their student 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 behind on their payments.

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, and Young Invincibles.

“Research shows that involuntary collections only exacerbate the economic challenges faced by defaulted borrowers, who are disproportionately seniors and Black borrowers,” wrote the coalition. “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 than their white peers.”

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 President Trump 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 borrowers default last year.

“The decision to resume wage garnishment against millions of borrowers amidst a growing affordability crisis crushing working families is calloused and unnecessary,” continued the coalition. “The decision 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 they are experiencing issues with their student 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 financial rights.

“By garnishing wages for defaulted student loan borrowers, the Trump Administration will only deepen financial hardship for working families and disproportionately harm Black borrowers,” said Johnson. “Millions are already struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty, and stripping wages will only push families further into financial crisis.”

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, agreed with 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 need them most.”

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 loan borrowers. These include: 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 errors are less likely to be caught or corrected, leaving borrowers with fewer avenues for help just as major loan policy changes are being rolled out.

In May 2025, the Department reinstated the Treasury Offset Program, allowing the government to seize tax refunds from borrowers in default.

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 during this forbearance and may keep rising if monthly payments do not fully cover accrued interest. This shift makes repayment harder and adds long-term uncertainty for more than 7 million borrowers.

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 ICR if they consolidate their loans before the July 1, 2026, deadline.

“As safeguards are rolled back and oversight weakens, borrowers face growing balances and greater financial strain, making it urgent to press for stronger policies that preserve the promise of higher education as a pathway to opportunity,” concluded CRL. Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org

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COVER STORY

THE UNDENIABLE TAMBERLA PERRY Tamberla Perry and her presence is felt and easy to recognize, from the intrigue of "Death and Other Details" to NBC’s "Brilliant Minds," where she brings intelligence, restraint, beauty and unmistakable poise to every frame.

BY LAURA MILLER - MANAGING EDITOR

Chicago native Tamberla Perry is one of those actresses whose work has been building in plain sight. On "Brilliant Minds," she is No. 2 on the call sheet, which, in Hollywood terms, is a very big deal. But what makes Perry compelling is not just where she is in the moment. It is how she got there, and how clearly, she understands what it means to still be there, still working, still climbing, in an industry that has never promised anybody anything.

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 stepping into the kind of recognition that comes from years of work.

In acting, that matters. A working actor is a successful actor, and Perry has continued to build, from theater to television, with the kind of steadiness that looks even more impressive in an industry shaped by 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, she kept going.

In conversation, Perry is warm, funny and easy. Easy on the eyes too.

Thoughtful, but not guarded. She laughs easily, including when she talks about Dr. Carol Pierce, the chief of psychiatry who she plays on Brilliant Minds. When she first read the pilot, she knew immediately this was different. “I’m about to book this,” she recalled telling her husband after finishing the audition pages in the middle of the night.

Then came the line that made me laugh with her: “She is me. I am her.” But beneath the humor was palpable intention. Perry knew early 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 present and being peripheral. And she was just as clear about what made Carol Pierce worth fighting for. “What I love about her(the charcter) is that they allowed me to be an authentic Black 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 about this character’s trajectory,” she said.

That voice is part of what gives the series its texture. Perry says what sets Brilliant Minds apart from other medical dramas is that it is not simply 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 points to the way the show lets viewers experience each case from the patient’s point of view. “Every episode, every case, you’re gonnah have a patient point of view,” she said. “No other shows are doing that.” And for anyone who has not yet caught up, Perry has a very direct ask, “What we need the fans to do is continue to watch the show, binge the show, and talk about the show.” ... What she doesn’t say but we get it. It’s critical, it’s necessary in today’s competitive theatrical world. There are so many choices. Saying what you like is a necessary step if you want your show to return next season.

What also comes through is how much she enjoys the people around her. Chemistry, in Perry’s case, seems to extend well beyond the script. “Zach and I have become very close,” she says co-star Zachary Quinto. “We’re a close-knit group of cast members and then our crew. We love our crew.” She called it one of the best working environments she has had in television so far, and that ease shows. Perry also takes her role on set seriously. “I do take it very seriously being the number 2 on the call sheet,” she said, explaining that for her it means helping keep morale up and being “a pleasure to work with.” She and Quinto, she said, are “a great tag team.”

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COVER STORY 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. A quick 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 sense that her fun is real, not manufactured.

That balance is part of her appeal. She is polished, but not remote. Funny, but measured. She carries herself well, but not in a way that feels rehearsed. You can see why audiences notice her, even before they know exactly where to place the name. It’s a nod to her mom... ‘You did good.’

Still, Perry’s story does not start on a television set.

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, for a long time, becoming a doctor seemed just as plausible as becoming an actress. “That girl really thought that she was going to be a doctor,” Perry said of her younger self. “And now I play one on television.” It is a line she delivers with humor, but it also digs at something deeper about the winding logic of a creative life.

What is striking is that she never romanticized hardship. There is no starving-artist mythology in the way Perry talks about her career. “I never subscribed to that,” she said. “I never thought that I had to be broke in order to be an actress.” Even when she was doing non-equity theater work for little to no money, she said she never accepted struggle as some required badge of authenticity. She was practical. She was disciplined. And she believed, perhaps a little naively and perhaps exactly rightly, that if she worked hard enough, she could do it.

She also believed in herself early. Perry told me she has always felt like “a bigger presence” than she probably was. That confidence did not come from nowhere. She traces it back to her parents, Clifford and Josephine Perry, who raised their children to believe they could do whatever they wanted to do and be whoever they wanted to be. “My parents did not play about their kids,” she said. That kind of grounding matters, especially for a Black woman moving through an industry that has never exactly 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, and then she moved on.

Chicago, though, is still all over the story.

Perry misses her family, her friends and the theater community here. Her mother’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 do without thinking twice about it. “Chicago will always be home,” she said, and she said it in a way that felt less like a line and more like a fact.

She also has not forgotten where the work was made durable. Perry is explicit about 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 as her first "Steppenwolf" production and said her first equity job in Chicago was at "Lookingglass." Those details matter because they tell a fuller story than an IMDb page can. Before network television made her more visible, Chicago theater made her durable.

If Perry’s face feels familiar, that is because her work has traveled. Over the years, she has appeared alongside names such as Jamie Foxx in "They Cloned Tyrone" and now Zachary Quinto on "Brilliant Minds." Her career has not been built on one role, but on a steady body of work and the kind of range that keeps placing her in strong company. Perry lit up talking about "They Cloned Tyrone," calling it one of her first big-screen comedy appearances and saying working opposite Foxx was “a dream I didn’t know I had.” Much of it was improvised, she said, and the result reminded her of another truth about her craft: she may be getting called for dramas, but comedy is still in her bones. “Comedy is my background,” she said. “Hollywood keeps calling me for dramas.”

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That range matters too, because Perry does not read as one-note. She can hold authority on screen, but she is not stiff. She is elegant, but not brittle.

There is a looseness to her that comes through in conversation and, increasingly, in the way she talks about the life she has built.

Family is central to that life.

When Perry talks about her husband, writer and creative partner Kevin Douglas, the admiration is immediate. He is her “biggest cheerleader,” the man who tapes auditions at 3 and 4 in the morning, holds it down at home with their two daughters, does hair, handles activities and somehow still finds time for his own writing. “He is the MVP,” she said. There was no performance in that answer. It felt like gratitude, yes, but also like respect. The two of them have built a real creative partnership, one that existed before kids and adapted when kids changed the equation.

“It’s just what we gotta do,” Perry said.

Her family in Chicago remains just as important. Her mother, sister and brother are still here. Other sisters are in Indianapolis. And her mother, who was once less than thrilled by the idea of acting, has since become what Perry laughingly describes as a kind of 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 much about time, belief and what it means when the people who love you get to witness the thing that you’re doing fully bloom.

Perry also speaks warmly about the people who supported her early, when saying “I think I want 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 the people who answer the phone.

And then there are moments that remind you how attentive she is to the people around her.

Perry spoke with real tenderness about the loss of her friend Eric Dane, recalling the time she spent with him while shadowing a director and filming an episode. “You don’t know this, but you’ve been 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 up and do the damn thing,” she said his example made everyone feel.

That may be what lingers most after talking with Tamberla Perry. Not just the beauty, though she is 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 success without arrogance. She feels like someone who understands that a career is built in layers, and that the work has to be loved enough to survive the parts that are not glamorous.

Maybe that is why this chapter feels less like a sudden arrival than a long-overdue recognition.

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros Television

COVER STORY

Tamberla Perry , Brilliant Minds (NBC)

Tamberla Perry and Zachary Quinto. Brilliant Minds (NBC)

Perry understands the math of the business better than most. “Auditioning is the job,” she said. “The job isn’t the job, auditioning is the job. The job is the cherry on top.” It is one of the clearest things anyone has said to me about what it actually means to be a working actor. The yeses are rare. The no’s are constant. The work is 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 passionate about it, keep moving toward your goal.” She has.

And that is exactly why the name matters now.

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, every bit of Chicago that still lives in her voice and memory has led to 'here.' People may have recognized ‘the face’ first. But if this moment does what it should, they will remember the name too. Say her name ... Tamberla Perry! And remember.

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SPORTS Women in Sports: Three Storylines Worth Watching From a tentative WNBA labor agreement to March Madness and HBCU standout Kaila Walker, women’s sports are commanding attention this week. CNW STAFF REPORT

The third story belongs to HBCU women’s basketball, where Alabama A&M guard Kaila Walker 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 14.0 points per game, shooting 40.4% from the floor and 84.6% 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’s run through the SWAC regular season.

WNBA Nears New Labor Deal Women’s sports are commanding attention this week not just because of what is happening on the court, but because of what is shifting around it. The biggest development belongs to the WNBA, where the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association reached an agreement in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement early Wednesday. According to ESPN.com and Associated Press reporting, the proposed deal would 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 $1.4 million, and average salaries around or above the half-million-dollar mark. The agreement still must be finalized and ratified, but it marks a major turning point for a league entering its 30th season.

Mayor Brandon Johnson 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, but the progress made in these discussions marks a 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 meaningful share of league revenue.” That language matters. For years, WNBA players 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 narrowing in a serious way.

There is also a larger symbolic weight here.

Associated Press reporting noted that the sides came 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 for the players the way it should.

So we stayed with it until it did.” That quote gets to the heart of why this story lands beyond sports business. It is about labor, value and women athletes refusing to let cultural relevance outpace institutional respect. With training camp still set to open April 19 and the regular season scheduled to begin May 8, the league now heads into its milestone season with momentum instead of uncertainty.

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Dawn Staley and South Carolina Reset for March In college basketball, Dawn Staley and South Carolina are once again at the center Barber of March Keeana Madness. The Gamecocks entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed despite a 17-point loss to Texas in the SEC Tournament championship game, 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 Gamecocks are not entering the tournament from a place of panic. They are entering it with one of the steadiest coaches in the game, a 31-3 record and a standard that has made championship conversations feel routine.

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 Keeana Barber 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 Black audiences in particular, that visibility matters. It matters to see a Black woman coach not framed as an exception, but as a fixture.

Walker’s story deserves room in this conversation because it reflects a truth that often gets overlooked: elite women’s basketball talent is not confined to the biggest conferences or the most televised programs.

It is also thriving at HBCUs, where athletes continue to produce at a high level without always receiving the same national attention. Recognition like this does more than honor one player. It helps affirm the visibility of HBCU women’s programs and the ecosystems that continue to develop Black talent, Black leadership and Black sports culture. In a media environment that still distributes attention unevenly, that matters.

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 reflects a fight over value. Dawn Staley’s latest March run reflects sustained excellence. Kaila Walker’s season reflects the depth of talent still rising through HBCU athletics. Different lanes, same message: women in sports are not waiting to be recognized.

They are making it impossible to look away.

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CNWSTAFF STAFFREPORT REPORT WOMEN ON THE MOVE CNW

WOMEN ON THE MOVE

It’s Women’s History Month, and at CNW, we continue our celebration of women who are shaping culture, community and legacy in real time. This week, we’re honoring women in their 50s — seasoned, self-assured and still very much on the pulse of change. These are women whose impact didn’t just arrive overnight; it was built through years of intention, resilience and an unwavering commitment to growth.

They’ve mastered the art of evolution — carrying wisdom from the past while actively building the future. Leaders in boardrooms, voices on stages, architects of business, culture and community, they continue to redefine what it means to thrive in every space they enter. And yes, they make it look good.

Simone Green 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 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.

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11

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 Ericka Porter, MBA, known as Media Maven Worldwide, is a media producer, business consultant, author, and community leader with nearly 30 years of experience using media, storytelling, and strategy to uplift people and communities. As the founder of Media Maven Worldwide LLC and Chicks That Pitch, and co owner of MMS Networks LLC, she leads production and consulting work across television, film, live events, and brand development.

At her core, Ericka is deeply committed to people. She works closely with entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations, helping them find clarity, strengthen their voice, and build something that truly reflects who they are and where they are going.

Her passion for service is evident through Mavens Move NFP, a 501c3 organization where she creates opportunities for youth and underserved communities to be seen, heard, and supported. Through mentorship, programming, and experiences like the MAVY Awards, she celebrates those doing the work and opens doors for the next generation.

Whether she is producing, consulting, or serving, Ericka leads with intention, heart, and a genuine desire to see others grow, win, and thrive.

Ericka Porter is a connector, a builder, and a force for impact who continues to pour into people, shift culture, and create spaces where purpose and opportunity meet.

Dr. Valerie C. Johnson

Dr. Valerie C. Johnson is Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Professor of Political Science at DePaul University.

Dr. Johnson’s research and teaching explore the intersections of race and class. Her publications include Black Power in the Suburbs: The Myth or Reality of African American Suburban Political Incorporation and Power in the City. Her latest book, co-edited with Ellen Schrecker and Jennifer Ruth, The Right to Learn: Resisting the Right-Wing Attack on Academic Freedom, won the 2025 Frederic W. Ness Book Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding and improvement of liberal education.

Dr. Johnson is the former national education spokesperson for Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and has served as a consultant for numerous elected officials and community organizations.

Continued on page 14.

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ARTS & CULTURE BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITS AT THE AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM CONTINUES CNW STAFF REPORT Black History Month has come and gone but history remains. It used to upset me that the shortest month in the year was relegated to Black Americans to acknowledge our contributions to the country and the world community at large...

During AWM’s Monthly Museum Free Day Sunday, February 15, special activities were offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tied to the works of renowned Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes. Hands-on programs included a path where visitors can trace their footprints and 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 free admission on the third Sunday of each month, with reservations recommended at americanwritersmuseum.org/visit/tickets-hours.

While no one can deny the greatness of Langston Hughes my excitement around our Chicago home grown genius held a very special tribute during the month presented as Oscar Brown Jr.’s Poetry as Theatre, a special evening with Africa Brown and Maggie Brown— daughters of the late singer, composer, playwright and activist are quite gifted with the talent of art and song from Chicago’s South Side.

If you missed the evenings special gift you are in luck. Although the Oscar Brown Jr.special evening is not packaged as part of the ongoing exhibit which will continue to be on available through November of 2026.

Oscar Bobo Brown III, Oscar Brown Jr. and Maggie Brown

The programs presented in conjunction with AWM’s the special exhibit American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture, a powerful 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, Booker T. Jones, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, Pauli Murray, Malcolm X, RZA and Richard Wright.

In addition to its new special 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 educational resources, visit exhibits.americanwritersmuseum.org.

American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture is now open at AWM through November 2026, taking visitors on a journey through 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 Parable of the Sower, and laugh through an exploration of holiness in humor with Robin Thede, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.

American Prophets events with authors spanning genres will be presented at AWM throughout this year. Upcoming programs include: Water to Water: Gaza Renga with Marilyn Hacker & Deema Shehabi (April 20) Free online exhibits include Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice and Frederick Douglass: Agitator

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 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $16, with discounts available for seniors, students, and teachers. Visit AmericanWritersMuseum.org/visit/groups or call 312-374-8765.

Museum hours are Monday, Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets to the museum are $16 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and teachers. Admission is free for members and children ages 12 and under. To inquire about discounted rates for groups of 10 or more, including adults, student travel groups, and university students,

MAR 19 - MARCH 25, 2026 13

Women on The Move

Zada Johnson, PhD.

Meet Zada Johnson. As an anthropologist, Zada confides that most people have no idea what anthropology is, not really, and most are too embarrassed to say so; therefore, they continue to not know. But for the sake of clarity, she says, "Let me do the honors—as an anthropologist, I study human beings, societies, and cultures across space, investigating their origins, behaviors, and development. That means that our particular interest can take us to so many places and into so many fields of study. We use techniques like fieldwork, interviews, and in many cases, archaeological excavation to analyze biological evolution, cultural beliefs, language, and social structures, working in settings ranging from academia and museums to corporations and government agencies. I chose the academic route.

My particular field of interest is the arts and culture of Black people in America. I find Black Americans fascinating and intriguing. They are many-faceted, like a diamond. Black Americans have many sides, having or involving many different aspects and features... and rightfully so, given our past. She is a documenter or recorder.

Her articles have appeared in academic journals as well as local news publications and pop culture blogs.

She is currently an arts and culture contributor for Chicago News Weekly, of which she says, "Writing for CNW has been a very exciting and interesting portion of the work that I do. The opportunity to indulge and engage with the artists and the creators is very intriguing and exciting." Her most recent work includes a co-edited book entitled Jerome Smith, Man of the People, about iconic New Orleans Civil Rights activist Jerome Smith.

Know an amazing lady that deserves a mention? Email us at CNWNewsNow@gmail.com!

EMPOWERMENT When Dorothy Vaughan Saw Technology Changing the Future DR. SANJA STINSON - COLUMNIST The lesson women still need today. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, many stories rise to the surface—stories of courage, perseverance, and quiet determination. One of the stories that continues to inspire me is the story of Dorothy Vaughan, portrayed so powerfully in Hidden Figures.

Our lesson from Dorothy is that she turned uncertainty into leadership and that decision secured her place in history.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar moment.

Artificial Intelligence is not just another tool—it is reshaping how we work, communicate, create, how we serve and solve problems.

Consequentially, for many people, especially those of us with decades of experience, the question becomes. Where do we fit in this new technological world?

What would we know about Dorothy Vaughan. 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 modern computers existed.

But perhaps the better question is the one Dorothy Vaughan silently answered years ago.

But something began to change. Technology was How will we respond when the world begins to arriving, and with it came large IBM machines that change? Will we pause long enough to began replacing the work once done by hand. For understand what is happening, will we pivot by many, the machines represented uncertainty and learning something new even when it feels fear. Would there still be a place for them? Sound familiar? Today we are asking many of the same unfamiliar. Or, will we shift into a new level of leadership and possibilities. questions about Artificial Intelligence.

Dorothy Vaughan did something different lesson We are in an era where call us to recognize that our experience still matters, our wisdom still we can still draw from today. She paused.

She observed what was happening around her. matters and our voice still matters and needed.

Then she pivoted.

Technology does not erase experience—it amplifies Instead of resisting the new machines, she began it when we choose to engage with it. Dorothy quietly teaching herself the programming language Vaughan recognized this truth. At around 50 years FORTRAN, one of the earliest computer languages. old, she saw the future approaching through She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait for emerging computer technology and made a decision that would not only change her own someone to invite her. career, but also open doors for the women working She recognized something powerful and that the beside her. future was arriving. Dorothy Vaughan decided she She chose to learn what was coming rather than would arrive with it and she shifted. And the fear it. Her willingness to embrace new technology remarkable thing it that she didn’t just learn ensured that she and her team would not be left technology, she helped her entire team to learn it as behind. Today we are standing in another moment well. Dorothy ensured that the women working of transformation. Artificial Intelligence is emerging beside her would not be left behind when the in ways that are reshaping how we work, workplace changed. communicate, serve, and create. For some, it feels

14 MAR 19 - MARCH 25, 2026

unfamiliar, even uncertain.

But history reminds us that moments of technological change have appeared before, and those who leaned in, learned, and adapted often found new opportunities on the other side.

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 technology emerging around us?

No doubt history is filled with women who refused to be left behind. The next chapter may very well include us.

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS 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 to attend.

Suddenly, every Target run needs approval. Every dinner out comes with a pause. And somehow, tone becomes managerial.

“Do we need that?”

“We should probably hold off.”

“I’m just trying to be responsible.”

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, 1.660 million in November and 1.666 million in December. That is more than 5.2 million across the fourth quarter alone. In the most recent national jobs report, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in February, with 7.6 million people unemployed. Nearly 1.9 million of them had been out of work for 27 weeks or more.

So if your partner is applying, following up, updating the résumé and still not getting traction, it may not be a lack of ambition. It may be the market. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) That distinction matters, because relationships get in trouble when people start treating structural problems like character flaws. One partner sees the bills stacking up and panics. The other sees rejection emails and starts shrinking. Before either says what they are actually afraid of, they start arguing about groceries, takeout and who forgot to cancel a subscription nobody needs.

And let’s be clear. Your solemn period cannot consist of your partner coming home every day to find you watching Steve Wilkos reruns like despair just got renewed for another season. Discouragement is real. Shame is real. But eventually the TV has to go off, the laptop has to come open and your life still has to look like you believe something can happen for you.

Because when somebody loses a job, they are not just losing income. They are often losing routine, confidence and the version of themselves that felt most useful. The person who once said, “I got it,” now has to sit with the discomfort of not having it.

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.

Who gets to say no. Who feels guilty spending. Who sounds practical and who sounds defensive.

We like to pretend love lives somewhere above money. It does not. Rent is due on the first. Light bills do not care about chemistry. Groceries do not accept potential. So yes, when the money shifts, the mood often does too.

That does not make the relationship shallow. It makes it real, and it is part of why money problems can hit even strong couples so hard.

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 nobody says them out loud.

That is where resentment moves in, and usually not the loud kind. More often, it is quiet resentment, the kind that hides in 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. And the unemployed partner is already dealing with the private humiliation of needing help. It is one thing to be broke. It is another thing to feel watched while you are broke. It is one thing to need your partner. It is another to feel like they are becoming your supervisor.

That kind of shift can affect attraction too, and people do not like saying that part out loud. Security is attractive.

Confidence is attractive. Stability matters. So when unemployment turns somebody passive, checked out or emotionally absent, the loss is not only financial. It changes the energy in the house.

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 swallowed your initiative whole.

That is why value in a relationship cannot be reduced to a 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 should not be.

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 does not excuse contempt. There is a difference between wanting accountability and wanting control.

Esther Perel wrote in a 2018 essay that couples are often not really fighting about the surface issue at all, but about “a lack of affection, respect, power … or some combination 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 both sides.

The person out of work has to resist collapsing into helplessness. Get up. Get dressed. Apply. Follow up. Clean something.

Cook something. Stay engaged in your own life. Nobody is asking for fake positivity.

They are asking for effort.

And the person still earning has to resist turning provision into punishment. Yes, the pressure is real. Yes, the margin may be thin.

But your partner is more likely to recover beside you if they still feel seen by you.

What people need in seasons like this is not performance. It is dignity: the ability to say, “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.

Careers do stall, pivot, and restart.

The January Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, which tracks job openings, hiring, and separations, showed 6.9 million openings and 5.3 million hires. That helps explain why even aggressive job seekers can feel stuck. So no, your partner may not be lazy. They may be living through a job market that is requiring more from people and giving back less. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) 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 problem is outside the relationship, even if the pressure keeps showing up at home.

Because the real flex in a relationship is not who had the bigger check when things were easy. It is who kept their character when things got tight.

MAR 19 - MARCH 25, 2026 15

16 MAR 19 - MARCH 25, 2026

COMMENTARY

Black America’s 2026 Urban Challenges: - Mayor Mamdani Case Study BY DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. - CEO, NNPA Today across the United States of America in some of the largest urban cities, Black Americans are having renewed nightmares about being taken for granted, ignored and being erased in history and in the public square.

The presence and contributions of African Americans 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 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 overcoming their skepticism on housing, transit, and public safety, and reportedly moved by his affordability agenda.

Ethnic cleansing is an insidious form of systematic racism. In response to the increasing “Browning of America,” concerns are raised about the unfulfillment of prior commitments that were supposed to ensure racial equality in municipal politics, economics, and urban revitalization.

This trust, on the part of Black voters in particular, may have been misplaced. Why? Several troubling New York City is the nation’s largest city. The early signs that the new mayor is disregarding New presence and contributions of African Americans Yorkers of color, and treating them like Ralph Ellison’s to the centuries-long development and evolution iconic Invisible Man. of the city are rarely highlighted and saluted. The election of Zohran Mamdani would not have been Thus far Mayor Mamdani has appointed no Black possible without the huge turnout of African deputy mayors. This is a glaring signal to Black voters American and Latino voters. Yet the interests of who voted for Mamdani on the promise of racial Black America in the nation’s largest metropolis equity in the city’s administration. Does Mamdani appear to be triaged routinely by the Mamdani value our insights, lived experiences, or our voices in crafting critical policies in City Hall?

Administration.

We are the Black Press of America. For the past 199 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. Accountability from those we help to elect is A fair and just demand.

Mamdani was forced to apologize to Black New Yorkers for overlooking the historical contributions of enslaved and indigenous people to building the city when he talked about a city “built by immigrants” in his inauguration speech.

The Mamdani administration is holding a series of “Rental Ripoff” hearings, spearheaded by Cea Weaver, Voters of color – both Black and Latino New the director of his Office to Protect Tenants, who called Yorkers – backed Andrew Cuomo heavily in the homeownership a form of white supremacy. The primary, but then ultimately decided to give mayor is reaching out to help private landlords instead Zohran Mamdani a chance: New York City is the of prioritizing fixing public housing (NYCHA) which nation’s largest city. has a dismal track record of terrible conditions (no heat, year-plus waits for repairs, rampant pests and mold).

90 percent of the more than 511,000 NYCHA residents are Black and Latino, which is part of a larger trend in which 95 percent of Black households in New York State live in highly segregated buildings and/or neighborhoods. NYCHA is the largest landlord in NYC, so the Mamdani administration telling residents to wait even longer for a solution to their long-standing substandard living conditions has to be challenged.

The unfolding case study of Mayor Mamdani in New York City reveals that we have to keep voting with record voter turnouts. But after the elections, we must hold mayors and other elected officials accountable. Mamdani still has time to ensure greater equity in NYC. But will he do the right thing at the right time?

Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

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FOOD & WINE

Cajun, Lobster, Crab, and Salmon Alfredo Oh My! MARE EVANS - STAFF WRITER

Directions 1. Prep the Seafood In a large bowl, toss your salmon cubes and lobster chunks with 1.5 tbsp of the Cajun seasoning.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp of butter.

Sear the salmon and lobster for about 3–4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and the lobster is firm/white.

Pro Tip: Add the crab meat in the last 30 seconds just to warm it through. Remove all seafood from the pan and set aside on a plate.

2. Boil the Pasta While you work on the sauce, boil your pasta in heavily salted water until al dente. Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.

3. Build the Cajun Cream In the same skillet you used for the seafood (don't wash it! those brown bits are flavor gold): Melt the remaining 3 tbsp of butter.

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 cream cheese is melted and the sauce begins to simmer gently.

Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning.

This is what I like to call "The High-Roller's Weeknight Dinner." It’s rich, a little spicy, and unapologetically decadent. Since we’re dealing with three different types of seafood, the trick is timing, so nothing ends up rubbery. Also select the best fresh seafood.

Here is how to craft a Cajun Seafood Alfredo that would make a Louisiana chef weep with joy.

Prep & Servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 hungry people

Ingredients The Seafood Trio Salmon: 1 lb. fillet, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes.

Lobster: 2 medium tails, meat removed and chopped into bitesized chunks.

Crab: 8 oz. lump crab meat (drained and picked for shells).

Cajun Seasoning: 2–3 tbsp (adjust based on your heat tolerance).

The Sauce & Pasta Pasta: 1 lb. Fettuccine or Linguine.

Butter: 4 tbsp (half a stick), unsalted.

Garlic: 4 cloves, minced.

Heavy Cream: 2 cups.

Parmesan Cheese: 1.5 cups, freshly grated (avoid the canned stuff; it won't melt right).

Cream Cheese: 2 tbsp (this is the "secret" for a stable, velvety sauce).

Vegetables: 1 red bell pepper (diced) and 3 green onions (sliced).

4. The Meltdown Lower the heat to medium-low. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese a handful at a time.

Keep stirring until the sauce is thick and smooth. If it feels too thick, splash in a little of that reserved pasta water.

5. The Marriage Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until every strand is coated.

Gently fold in your salmon, lobster, and crab. You want to be careful here so you don't break up the delicate crab lumps.

Top with green onions and a little extra pinch of smoked paprika or Cajun spice for color.

Note: If the sauce feels a bit "salty," it's likely the Cajun seasoning. Balance it out with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end to brighten the flavors.

When pairing wine with rich dishes featuring heavy cream, butter, and complex flavors like spicy Cajun seasoning and seafood, it's crucial to choose wisely to balance fat and spice. Here are three ideal options that can enhance your dining experience: 1.Oaked Chardonnay: Why it works: The buttery and vanilla notes from oak aging complement the creaminess of the dish beautifully. This makes it an excellent choice for meals with rich sauces.

Tip: Look for a Chardonnay with bright acidity. This ensures the wine doesn't feel too heavy and can stand up to the richness of the dish without being overpowered by the Cajun spices.

2.Off-Dry Riesling: Why it works: A hint of sweetness in an off-dry Riesling can counteract the spice from Cajun seasoning, acting like a soothing balm for your palate.

Result: The high acidity refreshes the palate, cutting through the richness of the cream and enhancing the natural sweetness of seafood like lobster and crab.

3.Dry Sparkling (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 delightful as the first.

Benefit: The bubbles effectively lift the richness of the dish off your palate, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or celebrations.

Quick Tip: 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 flavors without overpowering them.

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Dressing Men and Women Alike The Unisex Master

FASHION

C.L. BLACKBURN CONTRIBUTING WRITER 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 with people.

A lot of his designs appear playful, athletic and comfortable and appropriate for men or women including the designs that look more like dresses than not. He sees his work as unisex.

His highly sought after purse designs with the 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 huge success.

This is the third installment of Profiles on Black Designers. This week we’re taking a look inside the mind of Telfar Clemens’ brand Telfar has experienced popularity amongst the youth and Hip-Hop generation.

The Liberian-born American designer Telfar 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 to women’s wear, but I was never allowed to wear it, so I made sure there were no gender assignments in my fashion wares. That way you can choose what you want to wear because it doesn’t say 'men’s' or 'women’s.'"

Acknowledged for his unique gender free approach to designing, Telfar Clemens’ fashion is summarized from 2018 collection’s tagline: “Not for you—for everyone.” Inclusivity has been the organizing principle of his runway collections since he began in 2006. However, through not meant to be political the social and political landscape is a catalyst to helping make his defiance of gender, race, and class resonate widely. To his credit, Clemens won the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. That same year he was awarded the opportunity to design the uniforms for White Castle’s 15,000 employees.

A lot of his designs appear playful, athletic and comfortable and appropriate for men or women including the designs that look more like dresses than not. He sees his work as unisex.

Last year Clemens celebrated 20 years of fashion as his Telfar label, has transformed the American 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 fashion and its consumers think about status and desire.

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