B/ACE Summer 2019
GOT GOOD CREDIT?
PARIS HILLARD
DISCOVER THE BASICS OF CREDIT
1ST YEAR CARPENTER APPRENTICE WALSH CONSTRUCTION
STERLING BAY’S RISING STAR SHELLY BURKE
www.bacemagazine.com/1
COMMUNITIES EMPOWERED THROUGH CONSTRUCTION The CEC is committed to community. We believe that every community has qualified candidates who would love to be a part of the ongoing developments in their communities. We are constantly looking for potential candidates who are currently in the construction industry or who have a desire to be in the industry. If you are looking to join our network, please complete the Online Application. www.communities4construction.com
Website: communities4construction.com Phone: 312-989-3903 Fax: 312-989-3910 Address: 2532 W. Warren Blvd Chicago, IL 60612
www.bacemagazine.com/2
www.bacemagazine.com/3
Editorial Team Angela Johnson Victor Akpan LaFrancis Ivy Johari Sherman
Photography Manny Ortiz Giles Travis
Stylist Latoya Dawson Dwight Haygood
www.bacemagazine.com/4
CONTENTS Editor’s Picks 8 A Backyard Oasis 10 B/ACE Boss 12 Project on the Horizon
14
Style Station 16 Subcontrators You Should Know
20
Completed Project 22 Motivation Corner 26
Each new season brings an opportunity to reflect, renew, and relight those passions that thrust us forward in life. The Faces of B/ ACE represent the talent, the stories, and the dreams of our community striving to succeed in the world of construction. In this issue, the Faces of B/ACE inspire us to do all three and look amazing in the process!.
40 Faces of B/ACE
Braided Beauty 56 The Basics of Credit 60 All Tied Up 62
46
Summertime in the City
Community Spotlight B/ACE Out and About
64 66
Behind the Scenes
68
28
Summer Salad 30 Perfectly Arched 32 Summer Cut 35 Senior Strong 36 Building Dreams 40 Secretary of State Jesse White Discusses the Scott’s Law
46
44
36
www.bacemagazine.com/5
B/ACE
Editorial Note
The hot weather is finally here and my excitement is through the roof! Whether I’m lounging around in my backyard with one of my cocktail creations, having an impromptu backyard movie night with the kids, or hanging out at one of the city’s outdoor music festivals, I love summer. The city seems to come alive in the summertime - including the construction industry. And although many of us are working extremely hard, we have to remember that we only have summer for a short window of time. This issue is jam-packed with ways to make the most of the summer - from hot ideas to deck out your backyard to summer sandals that will keep you cool. We’ve also got some style-worthy sunglasses to add to your summer wardrobe. Our article entitled “Senior Strong,” confirms that age ain’t nothing but a number, and working out ain’t nothing but a thang.
RACHEL IVY
The Faces of B/ACE are bringing the heat this quarter, and setting our pages on fire with their fierce determination to make it in the construction industry. And Shelly Burton, Sterling Bay’s savvy new Director of Community Engagement and this issue’s B/ACE Boss, has us jumping for joy! Sharing their success stories and promoting industry leaders like Shelly is at the core of B/ACE magazine. Every issue motivates me to work harder and dream bigger. Their stories inspire me and I hope they do the same for you - inspire you to do something different, try something different and to stretch beyond your everyday!
Editor-in-Chief
www.bacemagazine.com/6
Summer Issue www.bacemagazine.com/7
EDITOR’S PICKS
Popover Crop Sheath Dress
I love white in the summer
Floral Sandals Betsey Johnson Fluer Dress Sandals
Swimsuits
Sexy White Plunging V Neck Line One Piece Swimsuit
Adjustable Straw Fedora I can’t wait to wear this with my white knit dress!
Kill the tie in the summertime and polish off your jacket with a nice designer pocket square.
www.bacemagazine.com/8
Jonatina Floral Red Sole Sandals
Lagos
Sterling Silver Smart Caviar Apple™ Smartwatch Straps
Embroidered Flutter Sleeve Minidress
Men’s Aviators
Men’s Tortoiseshell Shield Sunglasses
www.bacemagazine.com/9
A Backyard Oasis
With so many options for outdoor furniture, you can create the perfect outdoor oasis for entertaining and your own personal enjoyment. Here are a few tips for sprucing up your backyard.
Please Have a Seat‌
Invest in some nice outdoor furniture or add some color to your existing furniture. I recommend choosing neutral colors like tan, white, or gray for fabric cushions. These colors make for easy style updates from year to year.
Now....Accent,Accent, Accent!
Refresh your outdoor furniture every year by adding some decorative pillows in all shapes and sizes. Think your home, but outdoors. Invest in accents like a fire pit, or a small outdoor cocktail table. You can find colorful outdoor rugs almost anywhere. Be sure to choose pieces that speak to your own personal style.
www.bacemagazine.com/10
Foliage is a Must…
Frame up your seating space with a few tropical plants that you can pick up at any hardware store for under $30 bucks each. My personal favorites include palm trees trimmed with an assortment of colorful annuals.
Now all you need is a glass of Sangria and a good book!
Lights Please…
Finish off your space with outdoor lighting. String a few strands of white lights in the trees and voila! It’s the secret to creating the perfect outdoor ambiance. Lighting options can also change with the occasion. If entertaining, light a pathway at night with a trail of tiki torches or solar ground lights.
Not your party…
Lastly, be sure to invest in citronella candles and treat your grass for insects. Tiki torches and fire pits can serve a dual purpose. Keep unwanted guests away and add a nice evening glow to your backyard. Now all you need is a glass of Sangria and a good book!
www.bacemagazine.com/11
BACE BOSS
B/ACE
B/ACE Boss is a celebration of Minorities, Community Leaders, and Entrepreneurs making a difference in the construction industry. This quarter’s spotlight shines brightly on Shelly Burke.
SHELLY BURKE www.bacemagazine.com/12
Please describe your role at Sterling Bay and the impact your role has on the construction community? As Senior Counsel, my responsibilities include negotiating construction contracts, cultivating relationships, and strategizing paths to bring our projects to fruition. And as Director of Community Engagement and Diversity Compliance, I ensure that our teams are diverse and inclusive of minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
What inspires you? I’m inspired by my father’s tireless work ethic, curiosity, and visionary sense of self. As a child, I watched my father develop multi-family homes – specifically duplexes and triplexes. I recall every step of the process from driving by the land and drawing plans to construction and eventual occupancy by families. Watching those projects come to fruition and observing the impact land ownership and development has on people and families propelled me into the industry.
What advice would you give career-seeking individuals in your industry? As a professional in the construction industry, I would encourage others to be willing to take on additional responsibilities – including those that are outside of your comfort zone. By doing so you will gain exposure to every facet of the business, and amplify your skill set in the process. You’ll be equipped with an army of knowledge to employ different tools when needed. In the same vein, I would encourage others to be flexible and cognizant of when to be a leader and when to be a team player.
What do you know for sure? I know that I don’t have all the answers. What makes you smile in the Summertime? Sunshine. What is one of your favorite quotes or book recommendations? Does a poem count? Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. Who is your celebrity crush past or present? Idris Elba.
www.bacemagazine.com/13
Project on the Horizon
167 N. Green
The development team of Shapack and Focus has broken ground on Fulton Market’s soon to be new home of an 18-story office building, 167 N. Green Street. Along Lake Street between Green and Halsted, Focus will also act as the general contractor erecting this new office tower. The Gensler designed office tower will total over 750,000 GSF with an unparalleled set of amenities including 17th-floor amenity rooftop patio with firepits, fitness facility, lounge, and a basketball court. These amenities will cement the offices at 167 Green Street as the first of their kind in Fulton Market. The building will rise above a pedestrian pathway, accessible from Halsted and Green streets. The “mews” will grant pedestrians access to the 30,270 SF of retail space at the foot of the building. The building will offer 595,861 SF of rentable office space and 129 parking spaces. Construction will take approximately 20 months. Construction started in March 2019 with completion slated for the 4th quarter of 2020.
www.bacemagazine.com/14
www.bacemagazine.com/15
B/AC
Double-Breasted Linen Jacket with Tie - 7th Avenue
Pair this amazing linen dress with a cute linen jacket and then take it off later for after work cocktails.
Belted button-up dress in tipped cotton poplin
TENCEL™ Cropped Wide-Leg Jumpsuit The only thing missing is a cardigan sweater that can be worn around the neck when outdoors in the heat and indoors when the office Is cranking out the AC.
Split Neck Bowknot Embellished Peplum Waist Dress
Linen-Cotton Midi Dress
STYLE STATION Smart Summer Office wear
www.bacemagazine.com/16
Lauren Ralph Lauren Men’s Classic-Fit UltraFlex Stretch Light Gray Stepweave Suit Pants
Kill the suit in the summer and go with tapered pants paired with a light-colored shirt. For a crisp look, go with peach or baby blue.
ZeroGrand Stitch-lite Wingtip Oxford COLE HAAN
ASOS DESIGN super skinny cropped smart pants in black
CE
You can never have too much white! Go with these versions to keep the look light and clean.
www.bacemagazine.com/17
Sandals
Check out these pedicure worthy sandals
Show off your Pedi and throw some shade De La Rentis Leather Sandal
KATY PERRY Geli Novelty Scented Jelly Sandals
Sorel Joanie Distressed Wedge Sandal
Fawn Studded Platform Sandal
Jeweled Flat Toe-Ring Slide Sandals
Mercanti Florentini 6571 Loop Strap Sandal
www.bacemagazine.com/18
The Boardwalk Ankle Strap Sandal
Sunglasses
Men’s Gold-Plated Aviator Sunglasses Vintage Frame Company
www.bacemagazine.com/19
SUBCONTRACTORS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Anthony Simmons II BULLS MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC
Chicago, IL 60653 / Phone: 312-877-9102 Email: 2bullsinc@gmail.com / Website: https://twobullsinc.com/
www.bacemagazine.com/20
What types of services do you provide? We provide Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning services including service installation, indoor air quality and energy efficient upgrades. How long have you been in the field? I’ve been in the HVAC industry for over 15 years and have been in business for about 5 years. What are some of the pitfalls people should look for when hiring an HVAC? Check references if intending on doing large projects. Ask questions, make sure contractor is knowledgeable.
Where are you located? We are located in the Bronzeville area on the Southside of Chicago. How can potential customers contact you? By phone: 312877-9102 or Email: 2bullsinc@gmail. com With the hot weather approaching, what are some tips that you can give to help keep the AC functioning or reduce high electrical usage? I can’t stress it enough, get routine maintenance on all of your HVAC equipment if you haven’t already
done so. Upgrade your thermostat to a smart thermostat with Geofencing technology. What are some of the current HVAC trends you see being installed in residential and commercial establishments? We are seeing a lot of Energy Efficiency upgrades in both parts or equipment. More rebates are being offered when HVAC equipment is upgraded to High Efficiency.
Andrew Clarke Partner, Photo Missing
www.bacemagazine.com/21
COMPLETED PROJECT
TAYLOR STREET LIBRARY Working with the City of Chicago, SOM designed one of the city’s first co-located Chicago Housing Authority and Public Library branches. The development is sited on the corner of West Taylor and Ada Streets, and includes a one-story public library branch and a multi-story mixed-income residential complex, with additional community spaces at street level. Designed to create a synergy between the two distinct programs, the building serves as a new hub for the neighborhood. Activating the street while reflecting the scale and texture of the neighborhood, the buildings are set back and staggered across the site, creating a new public space while preserving the Taylor Street Farm. Positioned prominently at the corner of the site, the Little Italy Branch Library welcomes the community inside, with soaring open spaces designed for kids, teenagers, and adults located adjacent to centralized work spaces for librarians and staff. Overlooking the library and Taylor Street Farms with views of downtown Chicago, residential units feature floor-to-ceiling windows that offer bright, daylit interiors. Indoor spaces were designed with a focus on communal living, providing shared amenity spaces, and rooftop greenspace.
www.bacemagazine.com/22
www.bacemagazine.com/23
Cross section of the candidates who worked on this project
www.bacemagazine.com/24
Robert W. Union Laborer, Local 4
Michael O. Union Carpenter, Local 80
Tracy C. Carpenter Apprentice, Local 13
Jeremy M. Carpenter Apprentice, Local 13
Ladarius E. Union Laborer, Local 6
www.bacemagazine.com/25
MacArthur B. Union Carpenter, Local 13
Shay M. Union Laborer, Local 6
Motivation Corner
Motivation Corner
As we enter a new season and as you build, install, and ensure that projects obey rules and stick to codes and regulations, allow me to take this opportunity to build you up and say a prayer for you. Your hard work and continuous efforts are the cornerstones of our community. And in this new season, I acknowledge how important you are to the foundation of the community. Your strength is woven through the fabric of who we strive to be. The foundation you lay today gives hope and promise to a better tomorrow. Take pride in your work, trust yourself, and remember that you matter. In every season, we celebrate you. Continue to work in purpose, strengthen your gift, and finish strong because we need you. The legacy of our community depends on it. Be encouraged and keep soaring! Dear God, In this season of new beginnings and constant growth, I pray that you exceed expectations on every project. I pray that you deliver quality products, and finish early and under budget. And as a result, I pray that you are promoted, recognized, appreciated, and always have a steady workflow. I pray that God expands your territory. I pray that you approach every work day with supernatural strength, endurance, innovative thoughts, and a clear mind as you work and come against any personal or professional distractions. And, above all, I pray that your family is always safe and supportive so that you can focus on work and provision. So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. ~Romans 14:19 14:19
www.bacemagazine.com/26
Motivation Corner
Tameka Tanner
T
ameka Tanner is a two-time graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who currently works on the Grants and Contracts Management team at the institution. Born and raised on Chicago’s West Side, Tameka has consistently given back to the community. She works with federally qualified health centers to help community members gain access to affordable healthcare, mentors first-generation college students on
college success, and mentors teens and young adults on their spiritual journey. Through her volunteer work in the church, Tameka has nearly 20 years of experience leading discussions and teaching small and large groups on empowerment, purpose, and the importance of an effective prayer life. She continues to serve in the church and in the marketplace through her lifelong commitment to encourage and inspire others.
www.bacemagazine.com/27
SUMMERTIME IN THE CITY THE SILVER ROOM BLOCK PARTY
THE SILVER ROOM BLOCK PARTY The Silver Room Sound System Block Party started in 2002 to celebrate cultural diversity through expression, music, and art. The community event is hosted by The Silver Room and owner, Eric Williams in collaboration with an organized team. A donation at the gate is suggested. Once a quaint affair for friends and family of The Silver Room, the event has grown into a vibrant and diverse, all-ages neighborhood gathering, and continues to be a platform for well-known and up-and-coming artists from the Chicagoland area.
MILLENNIUM PARK SUMMER FILM SERIES Tuesdays, June – August, 2019 Jay Pritzker Pavilion Millennium Park 201 E. Randolph St.
Summer Workouts are produced by DCASE with grant support provided by McDonald’s Active Lifestyles Endowment, managed by the Millennium Park Foundation. Kickstart your weekend with a FREE morning workout on Millennium Park’s Great Lawn. Each workout is 45 minutes, with classes beginning on the hour, every hour. May 25–August 31, 2019 • Free Admission • Saturdays, 7–11am; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:30–8:15am Millennium Park, Great Lawn
www.bacemagazine.com/28
Chicago Food Truck Festival in the South Loop food trucks powered by Chicago Food Truck Festival Location: Between 1800 & 1600 S Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616 Entrance: 1800 S. Wabash, Chicago IL 60616 Dates: June 22nd & 23rd, 2019 Time:11am to 8pm
COURTNEY BARNETT, INDIA.ARIE, DE LA SOUL, BOMBA ESTEREO AMONG TASTE OF CHICAGO HEADLINERS Wed, Jul 10, 2019 – Sun, Jul 14, 2019
SUMMER FIREWORKS AT NAVY PIER 2019
For the whole summer you have a chance to see the beautiful fireworks twice a week! AON SUMMER FIREWORKS Wednesdays at 9:30pm and Saturdays at 10:15pm June 26 to August 31, 2019
GRANT PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 12, 2019 to August 17, 2019 Wednesday & Friday evenings at 6:30pm, Saturday evenings at 7:30pm
www.bacemagazine.com/29
SUMMER SALAD Spice Up Your Summer with a Healthy New Salad Who doesn’t love a good salad? Do Tell Catering is wild about greens, and there is no better time than summer to try one of our amazing salad creations. Whether they’re served chilled or warm, as a main course or a side dish, salads are a quick and easy way to eat healthily. And with endless variations, you can be creative. We construct our salads to create a perfect combination of flavors. The only rules are to keep it simple and add lots of color with your favorite ingredients. You can make delicious salads on the spot with just a few ingredients – a healthy alternative to fast food. I think I just worked up an appetite! All of this talk about salads has made me hungry, so let’s build one together. Our incredible Grilled Chicken Strawberry Pecan Salad is sure to please. Everything about this salad is amazing! It’s simple, light, and delicious – a perfect way to welcome summer. Follow the recipe below, or add your favorite flavors to make it your own. This is a salad that you’ll want to make again and again!
www.bacemagazine.com/30
Ingredients
1 or 2 Chicken Breasts (or substitute with grilled salmon) 8 to 10 ounces of romaine or spring mix lettuce ½ small red onion, sliced thin 2 ounces of candied pecans 2-3 ounces of feta cheese (or substitute with goat cheese) 2-3 ounces of whole or sliced red seedless grapes (or substitute with cranberries) 3- 4 cut strawberries 2-3 mandarin oranges (or substitute with sliced apples or pears) 4 ounces of Marzetti Raspberry Vinaigrette (or your favorite vinaigrette) Instructions 1. Season and cook chicken on high heat in a pan, 5-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Set aside. 2. Place greens on a plate or in a bowl. 3. Top greens with strawberries, feta cheese, mandarin oranges, onion, sliced grapes, and candied pecans. 4. Drizzle 2 to 4 tablespoons of dressing over the salad. 5. Top salad with grilled chicken
Leslie and Tiffany Harris are sisters with over 15 years of corporate and retail experience. After the death of their mother in 2007, the sisters decided that rather than waste time building someone else’s dream – they wanted to fulfill their own. And with the support of family, friends, and spouses, the pair set out to fill a need in their community. Leslie and Tiffany come from a family of entrepreneurs. Their maternal grandfather owned a grocery store in the Woodlawn community of Chicago in the ’60s and sold fresh produce at the Canal Street Market. Their paternal grandparents were Mississippi farmers and grocery store owners. The sisters also have extended family members who have owned successful businesses in several industries including, hair and skin care, childcare, real estate, and food service. The sisters launched Do Tell Catering in the spring of 2017, to provide busy entrepreneurs with convenient access to healthy food options. Do Tell provides an array of fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, smoothies, and more. In just one year, the company has rapidly grown from a lunch delivery service into a multi-faceted brand. Do Tell’s marketing strategy consists mainly of social media networking and word of mouth. You can find a plethora of photos, menu options, requests, and testimonials on their personal Facebook pages, the Do Tell business page, and in private groups. They have become local favorites with their vibrant salad combinations and convenient delivery option. While meeting the daily demands of the business, they have managed to do numerous pop-up shops for fellow entrepreneurial brands, including Randolph Market Festival, MET Fest, and the Indiana County Fair. They’ve also catered a host of private events that range from small bites to elaborate buffets. The sisters’ passion for food comes from their mother Lucille Harris. While helping her prepare family meals, they learned valuable food prep skills, as well as the importance of presentation and adopted family recipes that have become a staple in their business today. Their work continues to bond them as sisters while paying homage to their late mother, who is a primary ingredient in their determination to succeed. The Harris sisters will continue to elevate the Do Tell brand with evolving ideas and delicious menu options. These ladies are capable of catering to the needs of any client. For more information contact Do Tell Catering via Facebook www. facebook.com/dotellsum1, Instagram @dotellcatering, email dotell60628@yahoo.com, or text (219 )433-7417.
www.bacemagazine.com/31
Perfectly Arched It seems like brows are all the rage now! High arch. Low arch. To pluck or not to pluck! There are salons devoted solely to creating the perfect brow, and we have snagged one of the hottest PMU Artists in Chicago to give us her tips on microshading. And for those who are not quite ready to take the plunge, she walks us step-by-step through creating the perfect eyebrow arch.
Steps to the Perfect Arch Step One: Lighting is key. Find a well lit area before attempting to perfect your brow. Step Two: You will then need to identify the shape of your face (oval, round, square, rectangular, heart, or diamond) and natural brow (rounded, hard angle, soft angle, straight, or s- shaped).Your eyebrows need to complement your face. If your face is round, a sharp arch typically looks great. Step Three: We can then begin to prep. Make sure your skin is properly cleansed. Then lubricate to prepare the skin for plucking.
Step Four: Find your starting point, arch and tail. Your starting point should align with your nostril. Then fill with a pigmentor pencil which will allow you to pluck the right hairs. Step Five: Pull out your spoolie brush and trim individual hairs. Using a shaping razor, clean up any hairs which are too small to be plucked. Step Six: Do not forget to apply a cooling cream. Fill in the brows with pigment and set it in with a clear coat of mascara. Add some highlight to make the brows really pop. Now you have the PERFECT BROW!!!!
www.bacemagazine.com/32
Do not over pluck your brows.
Brow BEAUTY
Nicole Mins is a Permanent Makeup (PMU) Artist with over 3 years of industry experience. She is the owner of Savvy Creations Inc., which is headquartered in the heart of Chicago, with a new location scheduled to open in Atlanta in Q3. Nicole decided to become a PMU artist after a terrible eyebrow tattoo experience, which resulted in an extremely painful tattoo removal. Nicole holds several PMU certificates and prides herself on continuing her education and refining her skills. Nicole deferred her dreams of attending cosmetology school after high school because her family didn’t believe she would earn sufficient income. But after years of hard work, perseverance, and self-determination, Nicole’s dream of a career in beauty blossomed into Savvy Creations. The company was formed to save other women from Nicole’s traumatic brow experience, and to enhance each individual’s natural beauty, one brow at a time. Nicole has served over 1,500 clients and has instructed over 250 students in the art of ombré micro-shading.
www.bacemagazine.com/33
Micro Shading
Here are a few tips to consider when researching microshading: When you are looking to define the perfect ombré eyebrow, it is truly dependent on the person’s face, as it needs to enhance one’s natural beauty and frame the face. Aim for an “I woke up like this” natural look. Brows should be like a supporting actress for your makeup, not the star of the show.
www.bacemagazine.com/34
SUMMER CUTZ
The city is heating up on the barber scene. Catch up on the latest hot summer haircuts and get connected with a barber near you.
Madison Street Barbers
2429 W. Madison Chicago, IL 60612 Email: ynasee@yahoo.com 312-631-3835
HD Visions
5350 W. Division Chicago, IL 60651
www.bacemagazine.com/35
SENIOR STRONG
A
nyone who’s lived through a Chicago winter knows how hard it can be to find the motivation to exercise. Those subzero temperatures can make even the most diehard fitness fanatic want to skip the gym and stay parked in front of the television instead. But now that summer is here, and the city is defrosting, it’s a great time to shed those layers, get off the couch, and find a fitness program that works for you.
interest in bodybuilding. I used to go the store, scoop up all of the fitness magazines I could get my hands on, and read them over and over again. Arnold Schwarzenegger was my childhood idol.
I got into fitness as a career by accident. I wanted to be a bodybuilder, so being a trainer was the furthest thing from my mind. But during a time that I was between jobs, a friend of mine, who managed a health club, encouraged me to come on board. And to my surprise, it felt like what I was meant to do. I started on the ground Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. But level at the Chicago Health Club in 1986. And by 1989, I for senior citizens, working out is less about looking was the head of service in the Chicago region. It didn’t good, and more about their overall quality of life – seem like work to me, because I had so much love for it. maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle mass, and maintaining strong bones. How did you begin working with senior citizens? I really didn’t target my program specifically for seniors. We spoke with Maurice Durr, a fitness trainer who I have a large following of about 70 - 100 members. My works out with a group of seriously strong seniors in 9 AM class has a number of seniors in it, and they have Forest Park, IL about how he fell in love with fitness been very successful. For example, one of my seniors and the importance of remaining active as we age. was referred to me by her doctor back in 2006. She arrived in my class weighing over 300 pounds. And in a How did you first become interested in fitness? couple of years, she got as low as 185, so she lost over I’ve been interested in fitness for as long as I can 100 pounds. My oldest client is 82 years old and has remember. When I was 10 years old, I had a real been with me for about a year and a half.
www.bacemagazine.com/36
I think what motivates these seniors is being part of a group, being held accountable, and following a program that produces results. And the camaraderie they share is really special. They have fun and enjoy working together. How are the training sessions structured? We do a mixture of cardiovascular exercises and weight training. Weight training is particularly important for seniors because as we age, we lose a percentage of muscle mass. And although you can’t completely stop it, weight training is key to slowing down the process. We only have an hour to work out, so we try to make it fun. And we change the routine every 6 - 8 weeks to prevent boredom. What would you say to a senior who is looking to start their own fitness regimen? I would challenge them to find an experienced trainer who can create a customized program
that works with their goals. A trainer can also factor in their circumstances. If you’re under a lot of stress, they’ll look for ways to make your workout more fun. If weight loss is your goal, they’ll put a plan in place that helps
One thing I’ve noticed is that most of my successful clients are very active and are constantly moving. you do that. Having someone who is waiting for you at the gym makes you accountable. And when you start to see results, it will encourage you to continue. Most experienced trainers know how to get those results. The seniors I work with are amazing. They basically do
www.bacemagazine.com/37
everything the younger guys are doing with lighter weights. But their results come with long-term training. You have to be committed in order to get the results. Do your members see the camaraderie as another benefit of working out? Definitely. To show you how close they have become, I had a member who got married, and all of the bridesmaids were from the training studio. Can exercise help seniors with Injuries from slips and falls? Absolutely. We lose a percentage of muscle mass each year. And if you’re not working out, your balance and core strength will be reduced. A lack of weightbearing exercises can also make your bones brittle, meaning that a simple fall can have a massive impact on your body. It’s almost more important to work out as you age than when you’re young.
I always tell my younger members that vanity can be a great motivator to work out. But as people age, it’s no longer about the cosmetic appeal – it’s about your overall health. How should a senior start a workout program if they’ve been inactive for a long period of time? First, they should decide on the most desirable days to work out. I would want them to do no more than 2 or 3 days per week. Resist the desire to do more right away, because you can get discouraged. Rotate your program on an 8-week basis, and monitor your progress bi-weekly. Check your weight and measurements to see the results of what you’re doing. What’s most important is being disciplined. One thing I’ve noticed is that most of my successful clients are very active and are constantly moving. One of my seniors has a 9 AM appointment, but she shows up 30 minutes early on a regular basis. If you can’t get to the gym, what equipment should you have in your home to implement your workout plan? Home isn’t always the best place to start a workout program. It’s too easy to get distracted by television and other things. Getting out of the house is best,
even if it’s for a short walk. But if you have to start at home, I would recommend having a bench and a pair of dumbbells between 5 and 15 lbs – depending on your level of strength. Focus on one basic exercise per body part, and don’t overwhelm yourself trying to do too many things at once. Set manageable but incremental goals for yourself. Start by getting used to exercising on a schedule, and add days as you get stronger. Once you get started, you’ll be surprised that you want to do more.
Maurice Durr Fitness • • • • •
Participants do the same routines as many other fitness classes, including muscle endurance and weight lifting. Some participants have preexisting conditions, but they fight through them. Participants are motivated and draw energy from one another. Each person has a different personality. Rob is very disciplined and Lynda arrives 30 minutes early every time. Proud Moments: Lynda had a mammogram and her doctor was the first person that notice that she had lost 103+ pounds.
www.bacemagazine.com/38
Maurice Durr
Gloria Franklin: 60+ years old Start weight: 240lbs Current weight: 194lbs
Lynda Powe: 72 years old Start weight: 308lbs Current weight: 191lbs
Cora Williams: 80+ years old Start Weight: 260lbs Lowest Weight: 190lbs
Jearlean Willingham: 74 years old Start Weight: 173lbs Current Weight: 133lbs
Mark Burger: 67 years old Start weight: 209lbs Current weight: 175lbs
Robert Delaney: 72 years old Start weight: 297lbs Current weight: 280lbs
Juline McClinton: 78 years old Start weight: 185lbs Current weight: 165lbs
www.bacemagazine.com/39
Jim Prah: 82 years old Start weight: 154-158lbs Fitness goals: Weight trains 2x a week, runs 2 miles 4x a week
Dionte Riggs 1st Year Carpenter Apprentice
Raymond Whearley
Building Dreams Cook County Renovation Project Pre-Apprenticeship Program www.bacemagazine.com/40
Tishawna Williams 1st Year Cement Finisher
Paris Hillard 1st Year Carpenter Apprentice
www.bacemagazine.com/41
Ray Whearley In 2005, while a sophomore at Saint Ignatius College Prep, Ray Whearley was offered an internship at Walsh Construction. During that time, he developed relationships and acquired valuable construction industry experience. 13 years later, Whearley is still with Walsh as an Assistant Project Manager on the renovation of the old Cook County Hospital. “My dad and his siblings were born in the Old Cook County Hospital, so I am thrilled to be a part of this new project,� Whearley says.
www.bacemagazine.com/42
When he is not working, Whearley enjoys traveling, exercising, and hanging out with his family. “Being a firstgeneration college graduate, I value being the best role model I can possibly be for my family,” he says. He also prides himself on being a mentor in various scholarship/school programs. In addition to his work on the Cook County Hospital project, Whearley leads the project’s Pre-Apprentice program, which allows participants to shadow jobs in various trades, and gives them hands-on construction industry experience. B/ACE spoke with Whearley about how he got his start in construction, and how he is introducing a new generation to opportunities in the industry. B/ACE: Tell us about yourself and the Apprenticeship program Whearley: I am an Assistant Project Manager with Walsh Construction currently working on the renovation of the Old Cook County Hospital. My role on the project includes the management of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection systems, terrazzo and tile flooring. I am also the lead on the project’s PreApprentice program. The Pre-Apprentice program is a community-minded exposure program designed to assist individuals interested in the construction industry. The program’s main focus is exposing participants to the various construction trades at the job site level, to develop propitious knowledge of each
trade, and ultimately decide the career path that best suits them. B/ACE: How long have you been working with Walsh Construction? Whearley: It’s been 14 years this month. Dan Walsh always jokes that I was Walsh’s longest intern ever. I have worked with Walsh throughout high school, undergrad, and part of my graduate program. I was hired full-time while acquiring my master’s degree in 2014. B/ACE: How did you decide on a career in construction? Whearley: During my sophomore year of college, I was able to visit a variety of job sites with Walsh and get the full experience of building infrastructure. This piqued my interest in the industry, and ultimately lead to me switching my major to Construction Engineering Management. B/ACE: What advice were you given early in your career that sticks with you today? Whearley: I spent five years at Michigan State University because I changed my major. There was a point in time during my fourth year when I felt ashamed because of it. I remember attending the Walsh cookout with a few friends, and [the extra year] came up in a conversation with Dan Walsh. He said, “Always remember, college is like a marathon, not a race. It’s not about who finishes first, it’s about who finishes.” After that day, I embraced that extra year and called it my “victory lap.”
www.bacemagazine.com/43
B/ACE: What advice would you give someone looking to do what you do? Whearley: Network, network, network. As cliché as it sounds, who you know goes a long way in the construction industry. When opportunities arise, be a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can. Keep the connections you make and ask questions. Once you are in the industry, one of the key components to staying is having a positive attitude. The construction industry can be intense so having a positive attitude will go a long way to a successful career. B/ACE: What have you always wanted to try? Whearley: I have always wanted to try taking a year off from work to travel around the world. It’s possible but very difficult to do in this industry. B/ACE: What Is the weirdest thing you ever believed? Whearley: That I would one day win the lottery. B/ACE: What is the first thing you would buy if you won a million dollars? Whearley: First I would pay off my student loans, and with the $200 leftover, I would treat my family to a nice dinner. All jokes aside, the first thing I would buy is a new home for my parents. I feel like they have sacrificed so much for me throughout the years that they should be the first to benefit from me winning a million dollars.
SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE DISCUSSES THE MOVE OVER LAW At the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, my staff does everything we can to ensure our roads are the safest ever and that everything runs smoothly. We are committed to making sure those who have driving privileges are properly licensed at all times. To bolster this effort, my office is launching a public education campaign to remind motorists to slow down, drive cautiously in work zones, and to adhere to the Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law. The campaign includes adding a reminder about the Move Over Law to driver’s license and vehicle registration
A
renewal notices, as well as providing a pamphlet on the law for statewide distribution at all Driver Services facilities. Additionally, I have instructed the Secretary of State Police to conduct periodic stings throughout the state to enforce the Move Over Law.
Jesse White
s c o n s t r u c t i o n professionals, you are more than familiar with the danger of working on the side of the road when there is traffic. I have issued a call to action to all motorists in an effort to better protect you and first responders on highways: Stop driving while distracted. Stop texting while driving. Stop driving while impaired. We have a responsibility to drive safely and to protect those who protect us.
Motorists convicted of violating the Move Over Law face a minimum fine of $100 (and up to $10,000), and the offense goes on the motorist’s driving record. A violator’s driver’s license is suspended for 24 months in the event of a fatality and six months in the event of personal injury. Effective July 1, a new law will classify first-time offenses of texting while driving as moving violations. Currently, second and subsequent texting while driving offenses are treated as moving violations, while first offenses are treated as nonmoving violations.
www.bacemagazine.com/44
“Stop driving while distracted. Stop texting while driving. Stop driving while impaired. We have a responsibility to drive safely.�
www.bacemagazine.com/45
FACES OF BACE Each new season brings an opportunity to reflect, renew, and relight those passions that thrust us forward in life. The Faces of B/ACE represent the talent, the stories, and the dreams of our community striving to succeed in the world of construction. In this issue, the Faces of B/ACE inspire us to do all three and look amazing in the process!
www.bacemagazine.com/46
Renew
“Renew thyself completely each day” Henry David Thoreau
www.bacemagazine.com/47
My name is Paris Hilliard. I’m 24 years old, and I’ve lived in Chicago my entire life. Growing up, my family taught me the importance of responsibility, integrity, and hard work. I first learned about CEC from a great friend of mine, Cornelius Turnipseed, who completed the program successfully. I’m very grateful that CEC has given me the opportunity to better myself and my career. CEC was able to connect me with an outstanding program with Walsh construction, which has given me lots of tools to succeed in my career. My construction journey has been awesome! Through the program, I’ve learned a lot about both the office and field aspects of construction. And after shadowing workers in different trades, I was able to narrow my interest down to carpentry. Carpentry caught my attention because carpenters have multiple jobs. They do everything – framing, drywall, window installation, and much more! I knew this area would improve my skills as a person and keep me working hard. When I completed the program at Walsh, I was hired as a carpenter with IDI (International Decorators Inc.). I’m currently working at the old Cook County Hospital as a framer and drywall hanger, and I love it! It’s definitely keeping me busy, and I’m learning so much! Thank you, CEC for the amazing opportunity. When I’m not working, I like to work out. I take my health very seriously. The thing I enjoy most about the summer is being outdoors – hiking, exploring, taking trips, and more.
www.bacemagazine.com/48
Paris Hilliard
1st Year Carpenter Apprentice
www.bacemagazine.com/49
Reflection
“May your choices reflect your Hopes, not your fears� Nelson Mandela
www.bacemagazine.com/50
M
y name is Tishawna Williams. I first learned about CEC through Alderman Walter Burnett. I visited his office every Monday for about a month in hopes of any leads on the start of a new career. At the time, I was a single parent of a 15-year-old and had been working full-time at Walmart for 12 years. I was eager and ready for something new. I prayed many nights for a job that paid well and finally I got a call from LaFrancis about a pre-apprenticeship program. I interviewed for the position and weeks later I got a call saying that I got the job. January 19 was the beginning for me of a long eight weeks of shadowing different tradesmen to get an idea of what it was I wanted to do. About five weeks into the program, I had the pleasure of meeting Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and many others. Finally, I decided to become a concrete finisher. I thanked the Almighty God because I never thought construction would be a career path for me. Fun facts about myself: I enjoy life itself, especially with a teenage girl. I’m open to all things. Things I love about summer: getting dolled up, backyard BBQs, beach fun, and traveling. www.bacemagazine.com/51
Tishawna Williams 1st Year Cement Finisher Walsh Construction Local 502
www.bacemagazine.com/52
Relight “We have all known dark places, but the courage to relight our spirit is what guides us out.� R. Ivy
www.bacemagazine.com/53
M
y name is Reginald Dykes, and I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. I’m 42 years old and the father of a 4-year-old son. In 2003, I started to see myself go down the wrong road and decided that I needed a change in my life. That change began with construction. I started my construction journey as a laborer. I was a laborer for five years and was able to work under an Electrical Journeyman, where I gained a lot of knowledge and experience. But in 2008, the construction industry took a big hit, and I was out of a job. With no current work and singular skills, I asked myself, “What will I do now?”
I relocated back to Chicago and figured I would step back into the construction industry. I found CEC and Rachel Ivy and had an inspiring conversation with her. Ms. Ivy suggested that I try getting into a skilled trade to broaden my opportunities within construction. I told her that I was interested in being an Electrician, and she pointed me in the right direction. With every obstacle and successful milestone, I am proud to share that as of December 14, 2018, I became a first-year apprentice for Local 134 IBEW. Thank you so much CEC for all of your hard work and guidance on my journey.
At that point, I decided to move out of state to pursue other job opportunities. In 2016
www.bacemagazine.com/54
Reginald Dykes Electrician Apprentice Local 134
Fun Fact:
In my spare time, I teach hip hop dance to the youth in my community. www.bacemagazine.com/55
Braided Beauty Chicago-based braider, Tiona Russell first discovered her talent for braiding in her childhood. At the age of 9, she began practicing styles on her sisters, classmates, and herself. As she developed her talent, Russell’s client base continued to expand until she got her first salon job at age 15. Today, Russell can be found creating innovative braided looks on her clients at Salon Lokei (2158 W. 18th Pl.) in Pilsen. “It’s such a blessing to work with people who are among the best in the city at what they do. Everyone encourages your creativity. We learn from each other, and our clients love it,” Russell says. B/ACE sat down with Russell to find out why she thinks braids are a good summer style investment and what you can do to keep your braids looking great all season long. B/ACE: When did you start braiding? Russell: I grew up with two sisters and a very young mom. We started getting perms at a very young age, which made our hair fall out. Our mom was determined to grow our hair back, so she started braiding it. I would always go first, and I was the most tenderheaded – or maybe she was heavy-handed [laughs]. One day, when I was about 9-yearsold, I was moving and complaining so much that my mom finally said, “just do it yourself,” and I was like, “ok!” I did my own hair and I was proud of it. I went to school looking a crazy, hot mess many times, but I just kept at it, and eventually, I got better. I started braiding hair for girls at day camp in exchange for nachos. That’s how I knew I could make money doing people’s hair – or at least barter.
www.bacemagazine.com/56
Tiona Russell
I feel like braiding is different than other areas of cosmetology because the natural hair care industry is more like a sisterhood. It’s almost like a birthright that we’ve established as a profession. It’s cool to be a part of an industry which dates back to our ancestry. Now, I look at things differently and want to do more than just braiding hair in a salon. I want to teach people to care for their scalp with natural oils and herbs. I also want to teach people how diet corresponds to hair growth and hair care.
In my family, we were definitely about taking care of our baby hairs before it was a thing. B/ACE: Why do you think braids are a good summer hairstyle? Russell: Braids are a great style for the summer because they allow you to put your hair away. It’s a protective style. You have the flexibility to change your style for work and evening. And you can get a little extra time back in the morning because you don’t have to worry about doing your hair.
Braids are also a great style for summer vacations because you can get in the water without having to worry about maintenance. I don’t want people to think that braids don’t require maintenance. They’re just very low-maintenance. Most of my styles take about four to five hours, depending on the person. I think spending four to five hours in a salon to have a style that can last six to eight weeks is absolutely worth it. B/ACE: Is there anything special people should do to maintain their braids in summer? Russell: I always advise my clients to rinse their hair out in the shower after they go swimming in a pool or the ocean while they’re on vacation. Chlorine and salt can dry out the scalp and reverse the results of what you want your protective style to do. You want your scalp to be healthy during this time. Sewins and blowouts make it difficult to keep your scalp oiled because the oil can weigh your hairstyle down. But braids and protective styles give you the opportunity to tend to your scalp. Keeping your scalp oiled is important all year round, but it’s especially important to keep it from getting dry during the
www.bacemagazine.com/57
summer. B/ACE: Braids can be expensive. What can you do to make your braids last longer? Russell: Wrap your hair at night. I do my own hair, and personally, I only wrap my hair for the first week. I like the natural look of my braids when they age better than when they are fresh. B/ACE: How can you protect against hair loss when you’re wearing braids? Russell: It absolutely depends on the reason the person is experiencing hair loss. I feel like braids get a bad rep because you do experience hair loss. But it’s something that happens to everyone. The average person loses up to 100 strands of hair a day just from shedding. And when you put your hair in a protective style, you’re still shedding, it’s just locked into your braids or twists. So six to eight weeks after you take your braids or twists down, you’re left with a big ball of hair. I have some new clients who say, “my hair grew a lot, but I lost so much,” after braids. And I have to explain to them that they would have lost hair in their pillow or in the air if it was unprotected. When braids lock the hair in, you see the
accumulation of your shedding. There could also be medical reasons, like stress, that cause you to lose hair, and you just happen to have braids in. But I’m not going to lie, I’ve experienced getting my hair done by other braiders, and have lost hair due to the tension of the braids. At one point in my career, most of my clients were under 6 years old, so I had to learn how to be gentle but firm so that the braid style lasts. But there are braiders who believe that in order for braids to last, you have to apply tension. That is very false. I feel like we’re conditioned to think that braids hurt because our moms instilled in us that beauty is painful. But if you sit down in someone’s chair [to have your hair braided] and it’s not a relaxing service, that’s probably a sign that the person is too heavy-handed. B/ACE: What would you say is the one product you must have if you wear a braided style? Russell: If you wear braids, you must have some kind of edge control. It gives you a more finished look as your braids age, in my opinion. In my family, we were definitely about taking care of our baby hairs before it was a thing. I mean, I got mine from my mom. She got hers from Michael Jackson [laughs]. I don’t think there’s a specific [brand] of edge control that you must have. There are so many out there. You just have to learn what works for you. If you’re a new naturalista, you’ll have to train your edges to lay down until they do it on their own. But when you find a product that works best for you, use that. And if you’re going to use a product on your edges every day, you should compress a hot towel against your edges before you go to bed. That will dissolve the product, so you aren’t left with build-up in the front of your hair. It also helps to train your edges to lay down.
www.bacemagazine.com/58
“TAKE A SIMPLE IDEA AND TAKE IT SERIOUSLY” Charlie Munger
www.bacemagazine.com/59
The Basics of Credit By LaToya Idleburg
Ahhhh credit. This bad boy has a HUGE impact on your adult life and yet it’s not a course taught in high school nor college. To me, that’s foolish because it’s so important when it comes to making big financial steps in your future. Living with bad credit in America today is possible, but it’s tough. Bad credit makes many things difficult, impossible, or more expensive. Having good credit is absolutely essential for financial success. But figuring out how to improve your credit can be confusing and frustrating. One of the best ways to improve your score is to simply have good behavior reported every single month. Your credit score defines who you are to businesses and you want your score high as it can be.
Credit Score
Your credit score is a “three-digit numeric expression of your credit worthiness.” And in every case, the higher the better. According to credit reporting agency Experian, your credit score will usually fall between 300 and 850. The most common type of credit score is the FICO score. FICO scores are calculated based on your rating in five general categories: The majority of your credit score is based
on your payment history and how much money you owe, while the rest is made up of details like the length of your credit history, how much new credit you have, and your mix of loans. While some of this may seem out of your control, especially at first, the biggest components of your score — your payment history and how much you owe — are well within your scope of responsibility.
www.bacemagazine.com/60
The Foundations of Building Credit Credit History Before you get started building your credit, it’s crucial to understand what your credit history is. Simply put, your credit history is a summary of all of the places you have borrowed money over the past seven to 10 years. Another term you have probably heard is your credit report. A credit report is just a detailed listing of your credit history. There are three companies (credit bureaus) that are in the business of collecting the information for credit reports – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. While each of these companies collects as much information as they can, they don’t always offer the exact same reporting. For example, one credit card might report your information to Experian only, while another reports your credit movements to TransUnion. Why a Good Credit History Is Important? Building credit is about more than just buying stuff. It’s actually about risk. Whether it’s true or not, a bad credit history and low score make you appear less responsible and more likely to miss payments or default on a loan. And it’s not just about loans. Landlords, employers, and insurance companies can all take your credit into consideration when making a decision about you.
score can either help you or stand in your way. Borrowers with good credit receive the lowest interest rates, while those with poor credit scores may have to pay a steep premium — or be shut out entirely. Likewise, if you want to rent an apartment and have no credit history, or worse, bad credit, you may have to get a cosigner or find a different place to live. Employment opportunities: And as if that wasn’t reason enough, certain employment opportunities may not be available to you if you have bad credit. According to Experian, federal law allows potential employers to view a modified version of your credit report in order to determine eligibility for employment. Any negative marks — long-overdue bills, loans in default — may lead a potential employer to believe that you’re less than reliable, which can surely impact whether or not you get the job. Insurance rates: Many insurance companies also use your credit score to determine the premiums you’ll pay, because they assume a creditworthy customer is also a less reckless one. So, if you’re stuck with a bad score, you’ll also be stuck paying more than your friends for the same coverage. That’s never fun. No matter how you cut it, a good credit score and a positive credit history is your ticket to everything most people want in life. And that’s why it’s so important.
Home and Auto:For example, when you go to buy a new house or your first car, your credit
www.bacemagazine.com/61
Tie Tying with Dwight Haygood Retail Clothing Manager at Men’s Warehouse
ALL TIED UP
Ties are a personal preference that can speak directly to your personal style. The type of knot, the pattern and/or the color should reflect how you feel that day. Whether you decide to dress up and wear a suit or dress down with a pair of chinos, your tie is the accent to polish off your outfit.
www.bacemagazine.com/62
Tie Tying 101
1
4
2 3
5
Step one: Looking into a mirror, start with wide end of tie on your right and extend a foot below the narrow end.
Step two: Cross wide end over narrow end and back underneath.
Step three: Bring up and turn down through loop.
Step four: Pass wide end around front from left to right.
Step five: Then, up through loop and finally‌.
6
Step six: Down through knot in front. Tighten carefully and draw up to collar.
www.bacemagazine.com/63
ALDERMAN SOPHIA KING
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
A
lderman Sophia King represents Chicago’s 4th Ward, which includes Hyde Park, Grand Boulevard, Douglas, The Gap, Bronzeville, South Loop, Printer’s Row, Oakland, Kenwood, and North Kenwood. King works tirelessly on behalf of her constituents to ensure they have access to the city’s resources and the opportunity to benefit from all that Chicago has to offer.
foremost that [the job] is a vehicle that a greater power is using to work through me. It allows me to empower people and communities, and that’s important to me. On a very basic level, it also allows me to help facilitate the needs and wants of some of the most under-resourced residents in our community, and that’s what inspires me. B/ACE: When you think about the things that you’ve done either in your career or for the residents of the 4th Ward, what memory makes you smile? King: Recently, I’d say the Ida B. Wells [street renaming]. That was an accomplishment. It raised a woman like Ida B. Wells to a stature that she should have.
B/ACE: What does being an Alderman mean to you?
What most people don’t recognize is that this is the first green street since Martin Luther King Jr. had a street named after him, almost 50 years ago. It’s the first downtown street named after an African American and after a woman. So even though it may seem like a small thing to have a street named after you, it’s really a big thing – especially in a city like Chicago. It’s long overdue.
King: That’s a great question. Being an alderman means different things to me. I think first and
Most people know of Ida B. Wells for the housing projects, but she did so much for our city. After they tore [the housing
B/ACE spoke with Alderman King about the things she enjoys most about her work and what has her most excited about summer.
www.bacemagazine.com/64
projects] down, there was really no name recognition. I think people know how she helped with civil rights, but they don’t know everything she did. The street naming will hopefully inspire people to Google her and bring more awareness. Now on [Interstate] 290, there’s a big road that says her name. I got a text 2 days ago from the son of one of my girlfriends with a picture of the sign. He’s in college and probably wouldn’t know who Ida B. Wells was otherwise. That brings a smile to my face. Another thing that makes me smile has to do with a 90-year-old woman who lives in this building. Early on in my tenure as alderman, she would say, “if I could just get help cleaning my place.” This woman is 90 years old. If nothing else, she deserves to have someone help her out with her cleaning. So, we connected her with the department of aging to help facilitate her quality of life. When I see her, it always puts a smile on my face. I’m happy knowing that I’m in a position to help people like her. She’s from the same hometown in the Mississippi Delta that my mother came from, so there’s a connection there as well. It makes me feel good to know that we can help people like that. That’s what we do. B/ACE: What other resources do alderman’s offices have that most people don’t know about? King: I think the main resource we have is knowledge. We have a better understanding of the city. And we have the influence to connect people who may not have the knowledge (or unfortunately, the power) to connect to services. When people call us about a pothole, or getting help for seniors or youth, we use the power of our office. We put people in touch with people who can get things done. That’s our role, besides being policymakers – which is huge. I don’t want to underestimate that. B/ACE: When was the last time you laughed until you cried? King: I was really trying to remember that. Most people’s taste in terms of humor is different. I think my husband is funny – which is part of the reason why I married him – but we like different things. He’ll watch something, and I’ll be like, “that’s not really funny.”
As far as comedians go, I don’t know really who there’s been since Robin Harris. He was funny like Chris Tucker was in movies. I’m sure he adlibbed a lot. I know the kind of laughter you’re talking about, and it’s sad that I can’t remember when [I last laughed like that]. I’ve been working really hard for the last few years. B/ACE: What are you most looking forward to about summer? King: I try to spend time with my entire immediate family. Since I’ve taken this job, it’s been hard. I don’t think a lot of people realize how time-consuming it is. It’s a 24/7 position, even though it’s technically parttime. You could probably divide what I do into at least 3 jobs. B/ACE: Is it really considered a part-time job? King: Technically yes, which is why aldermen can have other positions. But for most aldermen, it really is a full-time position. For the ones I really know and respect, it’s a full-time job and a half, at least. [My family] usually spends a week together, just the four of us. This year is actually my 30th wedding anniversary, so I’m looking forward to that. We haven’t figured out how we’re going to celebrate, but 30 years is not a small thing - especially in this day and age. One of our daughters was actually born on our anniversary, two years after we got married. She was teasing that she was going to take a trip with us. We’re also planning a Back-to-School Community Fair for the beginning of August. We’re rebranding it, and looking to have a robust youth component. I think Vic Mensa is going to help us with that. We haven’t figured out all of the details, but we’re trying to get the whole community involved. We want to have fun stuff, but also have things you can utilize
www.bacemagazine.com/65
like health information. I’ve been an alderman for just about 3 years. Most people think it’s my second term, but I really haven’t had a full term yet. I was appointed, then I had to run right away in a special election, then I had to turn around and run again. So I’ve just been running. I’m looking forward to doing more planning and thinking about our priorities. We can’t do everything, so what are we going to do well? What are the few things we’re going to prioritize? I’m looking forward to finalizing those plans B/ACE: What do you know for sure? King: That I’m black and have to pay taxes [laughs]. How’s that for humor? I know that I’m blessed to be able to serve people and that it is definitely for me a higher order that I’m serving. I’m a vehicle for that higher order to do things, and that’s been shown to me in so many ways. It gives me comfort to know that I’m here to empower people in so many ways.
B/ACE OUT & ABOUT
BLACK WOMEN EXPO www.bacemagazine.com/66
Department of Procurement Vendor Fair 2019
Lendlease Subcontractors Meet and Greet
CTA Green Line Ground Breaking Damen Station
www.bacemagazine.com/67
B/ACE BEHIND THE SCENE Here is a sneak peak of all the fun we had shooting this issus’ Faces of Bace.
www.bacemagazine.com/68
www.bacemagazine.com/69
www.bacemagazine.com/70