Chatham-Southeast Citizen 5-10-2023

ENPOWERED GAMES

HELP STUDENTS SOLVE CHALLENGES WITH STEM CENTERED EXERCISES

Cheers and the sound of clapper toys and boom sticks filled Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, May 3rd, for the ENpowered Games, hosted by Project SYNCERE. During the Roll Call, the schools were shown on the Jumbotron and their schools were called out. As the students arrived on the floor, they were greeted with high fives and cheers from the volunteers. One of the students likened the experience to being in the NBA.

WASHINGTON PARK VACANT LOT TRANSFORMED BY BLOOMING OF 100,000 RED TULIPS PLANTED

CHICAGO, Ill. – Neighbors gathered at a “Blooming in Bronzeville” block party to marvel at the stunning bloom of 100,000 bright red tulips planted last fall by MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient and artist Amanda Williams as part of her ‘Redefining Redlining’ installation. Planted on a vacant lot that had once been a residential unit and was torn down due to redlining, the installation is inspiring neighbors to see the agency they have to take strengthen their community.

Williams notes that the narrative on the South Side too frequently focuses on what is lacking, but she hopes to show that, with action, neighbors can work together to highlight what’s beautiful and to be intentional about artful development.

The tulips were planted last Fall by Williams and several local volunteers in collaboration with Emerald South Development’s Terra Firma initiative. Launched in 2021, Terra Firma is a 5-year, $25 million land care initiative to beautify, maintain, and activate over 205 acres on Chicago’s mid-South Side. The initiative aims to address vacant land across disinvested communities and use it as an engine of opportunity to improve quality of life, create jobs, and grow small businesses.

This past week the tulips came into full bloom. On a nice day, throngs of neighbors can be seen walking by to admire the installation. Residents nearby note that community members have taken ownership of the lot, keeping it clean and tended to, while others note that not a single bulb has been stolen.

CHICAGO RESILIENCY FUND 2.0

DISTRIBUTES FIRST $1.2M IN RELIEF PAYMENTS

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS)

Commissioner Brandie Knazze announced that $1.2M has been distributed to more than 2,400 eligible households who applied for financial relief from the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0. The purpose of the fund is to provide $500 relief payments to populations that had difficulties accessing and qualifying for federal relief payments, including households with dependents who were excluded from federal stimulus payments, undocumented residents, and domestic workers.

The initial application, for households with qualifying dependents on their 2019 taxes, (such as college students or disabled relatives) opened October 31 and closed March 31.

The Resiliency Fund 2.0 is still accepting applications from eligible undocumented residents and domestic workers. DFSS intends to award up to 7,000 domestic workers and 10,000 undocumented residents with a one-time $500 relief payment. To be eligible, applicants must be a domestic worker or undocumented resident, live in Chicago, be 18 or older, and have household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level ($74,580 for a household of 3). The Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0 is open to all eligible Chicago residents, regardless of legal immigration status. No questions will be asked regarding citizenship or immigration status in the application or verification process. COVID-19 cash assistance is not considered under public charge analysis.

Residents should visit www.chicash.org to learn more and submit their online application. Applications and customer support are available in Spanish, Polish, Chinese, and Arabic. Up to two applications per household will be accepted and paid. Those who have not received any previous COVID-19 cash assistance from the State of Illinois’ Welcoming Center COVID-19 Recovery Fund or from the Immigrant Family Support Project will be given priority for the Resiliency Fund 2.0 payments.

ENpowered Games help students solve challenges with STEM centered exercises

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BY TIA CAROL JONES

It was the sixth time Project SYNCERE hosted the event, where students from nine schools worked to create a machine that packages a product and troubleshoot code to get the machine to operate properly. ENpowered Games is part of Project SYNCERE’s school-based programming where the organization goes into schools for 10 weeks, engage the students in an engineering discipline and at the end of the 10 weeks, the schools compete for the title of Best Engineer.

Students from Mariano Azuela Elementary School, Dunne STEM Academy, Amelia Earhart Options for Literature, Writing and STEAM School, James E. McDade Elementary Classical School, Adam Clayton Powell Paideia Community Academy, Charles Sumner Math & Science Community Academy, Henry O. Tanner Elementary School, West Park Elementary Academy, Robert L. Grimes Elementary School participated in the event.

Project SYNCERE, which stands for Supporting Youth’s Needs with Core Engineering Research Experience, was founded by Jason Coleman, George Wilson and Seun Phillips in 2008. The goal is to introduce and expose young people to careers in STEM fields early and provide pathways of opportunities to build knowledge, understanding and confidence so they can be successful in college within STEM fields.

“We started this because we wanted to create an environment that allowed students to come together to competitively

compete in engineering, but also incorporate opportunities for them to engage with mentors and volunteers and really understand what a career could look like to them,” adding that the location of an arena was chosen to energize the students when it comes to careers in STEM.

Adrianne Wheeler, Director of Programs for Project SYNCERE, said the goal of the ENpowered Games is to expose students to engineering through critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork. Prior to the ENpowered Games, each school received 20-22 hours of instruction from two teachers, who are either STEM professionals or STEM graduates with engineering or science degrees. With the challenges in the games, the students learn to think algorithmically and mechanically.

Sheena Birgans-Wright is a science teacher at McDade Classical. She said Project SYNCERE prepared the students to compete in the ENpowered Games with the weeks of instruction the organizations provided. The teacher, Birgans-Wright kept the students encouraged, letting them know they were doing a good job.

“They learned how to code, they learned how to build. STEM is our future and as educators our job is to prepare them to be competitive and being a part of programs like this gives them a leg up on the competition,” she said. For more information about Project SYNCERE, visit projectsyncere.org.

Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Future Educators

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will honor students who have chosen to pursue a career in education during a Signing Day celebration at the Chicago Cultural Center. This year, more than 60 CPS students committed to join the District’s Teach Chicago Tomorrow program, an initiative designed to help CPS graduates become CPS teachers by investing in research-based student support, including dedicated advising, career planning, financial planning, and paid work opportunities, among others.

“Teach Chicago Tomorrow empowers our students to build a strong foundation for their future career in education while expanding the District’s commitment to growing the teacher pipeline right here in Chicago,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “These students are the future of CPS and our future has never looked brighter. I can’t wait to welcome them back into our classrooms as educators in four years.”

Teach Chicago Tomorrow is the result of an ongoing partnership between CPS, City Colleges of Chicago, and several local universities including Illinois State University, Roosevelt University and Northeastern Illinois University which is designed to provide CPS students with a pathway to complete college, earn a teaching credential and begin a career with CPS. Now in its third year, the program has more than doubled in size, with 62 high school seniors joining Teach Chicago Tomorrow so far this year. More than 80 percent of this year’s students come from the South and West sides of the city.

“As a District, we are committed to investing in current and future educators to build and maintain a pipeline of diverse teachers and school leaders who reflect the students they serve,” said CPS Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton. “We are proud to partner with City Colleges of Chicago and local universities to ensure our students have access to high-quality teacher preparation programs and the supports they need to succeed when they get there.”

Teach Chicago Tomorrow creates a clear pathway for CPS students to become a teacher while providing structured supports that help students achieve their goals. Participating students first

earn an associate degree at City Colleges of Chicago by successfully completing general education coursework requirements and then earn their bachelor’s degree by completing the final two years of college at either Illinois State University, Roosevelt University, or Northeastern Illinois University. After undertaking a year-long student teaching experience within CPS schools and earning their Illinois teaching license, students will have priority for job placement at CPS schools.

Yehiri Gonzalez, a CPS graduate and current sophomore at Harry S. Truman Community College, will attend Illinois State University next year as part of Teach Chicago Tomorrow’s Illinois State University Pathways Partnership to complete her teaching degree. While a student at CPS, Gonzalez was an English language learner and attended 10 CPS schools before graduation.

“I know how important it is for our teachers and schools to create a welcoming environment for students, especially students whose first language isn’t English,” said Gonzalez. “I was lucky to have teachers like that and when I graduate I hope to be a welcoming, supportive teacher for my students. Teach Chicago Tomorrow has given me the resources and opportunities I need to grow personally and professionally to make that dream a reality.”

Teach Chicago Tomorrow is a core component of the District’s Teach Chicago program, CPS’ initiative to attract and retain highly qualified, diverse teachers for every classroom in the city. Through Teach Chicago, the District’s staffing levels have improved substantially - up nearly 1,500 teachers since the beginning of the 2017-18 school year - with an emphasis on supporting hard-tostaff schools and hard-to-staff positions, like special education. The percentage of new teachers who are Black and/or Latinx has risen from 33 percent in 2017 to 48 percent in 2023.

Amir Jarrell, a senior at Englewood STEM High School who plans to become a high school English teacher, said he would encourage other students to apply for Teach Chicago Tomorrow.

“I want to teach so I can help students who look like me,” said Jarrell. “Teach Chicago Tomorrow has helped me connect

For the ENpowered Games, students had to use engineering design to create a machine that automatically identified and packaged a product. PHOTO PROVIDED BY PROJECT SYNCERE.

Gov. Pritzker Encourages Illinois Medicaid Customers to Complete Renewals to Ensure Continued Coverage as Federal Pandemic-era Policies End

CHICAGO – As the COVID-19 pandemic policy of pausing annual Medicaid renewals for customers comes to an end, the Pritzker administration is committed to protect coverage for eligible Illinois Medicaid customers, as annual eligibility verifications, or redeterminations, resume in Illinois. The first week of May is a critical time, as the first round of customers to go through the resumed renewal process will be receiving time-sensitive redetermination notices in the mail.

In Illinois, there will not be a “coverage cliff,” where everyone loses coverage at one time. Rather, redeterminations will happen on a rolling basis through mid-2024. Everybody’s due date is different, and all Illinois Medicaid customers will have a chance to go through the redetermination process.

In the month of June, approximately 113,600 cases in Illinois are up for renewal. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and

Family Services (HFS), which administers the Illinois Medicaid program, has conducted an ex parte screening on all cases using electronic data sources and known information to determine the customer’s continued eligibility. Thanks to robust preparations and enhanced data connections, HFS was able to automatically renew 51% of Medicaid customers due in June.

Customers with June renewal dates should keep a close eye on their mailboxes starting this week to see if they were renewed automatically or if they need to take action. If they are required to complete and submit their renewal form and any additional information to determine their eligibility, they must do so by June 1. It’s critical that customers have up-to-date contact information on file with Illinois Medicaid because customers whose eligibility cannot be verified through the ex parte process will be required to complete forms with additional information and submit that to HFS.

Customers who do not respond or are no longer eligible lose their Medicaid coverage a month after their due date. Anyone who is no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage will be notified and will receive information about how to enroll in alternative coverage.

Medicaid enrollment in Illinois grew significantly in the three years the Continuous Coverage Requirement was in place, currently covering roughly 3.9 million people statewide, up from 2.9 million before the pandemic. To prepare for the end of the Continuous Coverage Requirement, HFS has been working for more than a year to raise public awareness in an effort to ensure eligible Illinois customers retain their coverage in anticipation of the Continuous Coverage Requirement ending.

Renew, which includes paid ads, print, digital and broadcast communications, and grassroots outreach to help Medicaid customers across the state ensure they’re prepared for their upcoming renewal. HFS also launched a Ready to Renew Toolkit in multiple languages so anyone who interacts with Medicaid customers can easily access and use key messages and materials to help reach Medicaid customers.

The Ready to Renew campaign built on a prior public awareness effort conducted in 2022, drawing attention to the importance of Medicaid customers updating their contact information on file with Illinois Medicaid to ensure that when their renewal date approaches, the time-sensitive redetermination materials reach them at the correct location.

Medicaid customers can be sure they’re ready to renew by visiting abe. illinois.gov and clicking “Manage My Case” to set up an online account. Once there, customers should:

Verify their mailing address is correct to make sure they get mail from HFS (addresses are listed in the ‘Contact Us’ tab). Look up their due date so they know when it is time to renew (due dates are in the ‘Benefit Details’ tab).

Complete their renewal right away when they are due.

Customers can also call 1-800-8436154 for help with their renewal. For more information, please visit HFS’ online information center at Medicaid.illinois. gov, which includes answers to frequently asked questions, links to download the Ready to Renew toolkit, a link to abe.illinois.gov, and will house the HFS operational plan for transitioning out of the public health emergency.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

CUNNINGHAM PUSHES LAW TO PROTECT FIRST RESPONDERS WITH LONG-TERM COVID-19 ILLNESS

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation that ensures Chicago police officers, firefighters and paramedics who contracted COVID-19 while on the job will receive the disability benefits they earned.

“Chicago first responders are entitled to the exact same health and safety protections that were provided to other essential workers during the pandemic,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “If the Chicago police and fire pension funds are going to claim a legal technicality to refuse to protect our first responders, then the state legislature will have to step in to put protections in place. That is exactly what House Bill 3162 does — it requires the Chicago pension funds to grant the same COVID-19 presumption that all other workers receive.”

As a result of this presumption, affected police officers and firefighters would be entitled to 75% of their salary at the time of disability and duty disability benefits, instead of the current 50% under ordinary disability benefits. The legislation applies retroactively, providing relief to those who were denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while on the job.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has been leading the fight for passage of House Bill 3162. Her brother was denied full duty disability benefits after contracting COVID-19 while working 17 straight days before a vaccine was available in November 2020. Police Sergeant Joaquin Mendoza spent 72 days in the hospital, suffered kidney failure, had five strokes, and lost the use of his left arm. If he had been granted full duty disability, he would have received 75% of his salary and health insurance. His claim was denied and he was instead granted 50% of his salary for no more than four years, regardless of injury, and had his health insurance canceled.

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HFS and sister agency, the Department of Human Services (DHS), have been adding staff, including case workers. HFS has also embarked on a campaign that weaves in the Illinois Navigator program, the HFS Application Agent program, community health centers, community-based organizations, and public health partners to coordinate available resources for Illinois residents that will be most impacted by the restart of the Medicaid redetermination process.

In March, HFS launched a multi-platform outreach campaign called Ready to

Chicago Public

The Pritzker administration is committed to both protecting and expanding access to high-quality health care services available across Illinois, especially for youth. Less than two weeks ago, the Biden Administration approved the State’s request to expand the School-Based Health Services program, which is expected to bring tens of millions in new federal health care funding to Illinois. Illinois schools will be able to receive federal matching dollars to provide covered services for more Medicaid-enrolled children across the state, including critical mental health services for youth.

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with people like me who want to make a difference in our schools. I can’t wait to get started so I can come back to CPS and build a new generation of great writers.”

Teach Chicago Tomorrow is just one of the District’s efforts to build a diverse pipeline of educators and school leaders. The District’s efforts include historic investment in recruitment and retention efforts, including the CPS Residency Program which aims to expand the pipeline of teachers and ensure that the District recruits and retains more teachers of color. The District was also the only K-12 school district in the country to receive a 2022

Teacher Quality Project grant to better recruit, prepare, develop and retain a strong teacher workforce and enhance existing pathways in partnership with local colleges and universities.

High school seniors have until July 1st to sign up for next year’s Teach Chicago Tomorrow program. More information can be found at www.teach. cps.edu/teach-chicago-tomorrow. Key supporters of Teach Chicago include Crown Family Philanthropies and the Joyce Foundation. Additional support is provided by the US Department of Education.

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“There are a few dozen officers and firefighters like Sgt. Mendoza who contracted COVID-19 on the job and have been unable to return to work because of the extent of their injuries,” Cunningham said. “House Bill 3162 will ensure they will be able to pay their bills, support their families, and keep their health insuranc.”

MAYOR-ELECT BRANDON JOHNSON STATEMENT ON NEW IMMIGRANT ARRIVALS IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO – Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson released the following statement on the new arrival of asylumseekers in Chicago:

“The truth of the matter is that we have governors around the border who have demonstrated they are not open to collaborating, and that of course is a disappointment. I’m prepared to have conversations with everyone — particularly those who have used this as a weapon against cities — because asylum seekers are experiencing extremely difficult conditions, both emotionally and physically.

“What we will do day one is make sure there is a real effort to coordinate our resources at the federal, state, county and city levels. We are already in the process of developing the infrastructure for that type of coordination, but also for engaging in a real community process that allows for our response to not just meet the need, but include all stakeholders in solving what is ultimately a crisis that was engineered by outside forces.

“I’m going to work collaboratively with the people of Chicago and alderpersons who represent areas where we can be supportive for asylum seekers to make sure every community, and every person in it, is protected. Many communities have for too long been denied basic amenities and resources that could help strengthen them, but the stronger our communities are, the better position we are in to support both newcomers, and current residents and families.”

Black-Owned Edtech Company Stemuli Announces Merger of Infinity.careers and Oppti, Founders Take on New Roles

DALLAS, PRNewswire -- Stemuli—a gaming company at the intersection of AI, education, and workforce development— announced the merger of Infinity.careers and Oppti into Stemuli, with all companies focused on providing career navigation tools to empower students with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century economy.

Stemuli, led by Taylor Shead, Founder & CEO, is a Black and woman-owned company with a mission to provide a pathway to an intellectually and economically fulfilling career for all. Naomi Thomas, Founder of infinity.careers, will take on the role of Head of Digital for Stemuli, while Khiry Kemp, Co-founder of Oppti, will serve as Head of Operations. The company announced the merger was made possible because the three founders met in Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) Entrepreneur in Residence incubator, led by JFFLabs, JFF’s innovation lab, which brings together talented and driven entrepreneurs to collaborate and solve real-world problems.

“Stemuli is a shining example of what can happen when we bring together and incubate talented and driven entrepreneurs to collaborate and catalyze new ways to support people facing systemic barriers to advancement,” said Kristina Francis, executive director of JFFLabs, JFF’s innovation lab. “We are thrilled to see the success of our program in action, and we look forward to seeing the impact this merger will have on the future of learning.”

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, access to capital is a major barrier for black entrepreneurs. Despite making up over 13% of the US population, Black-owned businesses only receive less than 1% of venture capital. The merger of Infinity.careers and Oppti into Stemuli highlights the power of Black founders com -

Wells Fargo and T.D. Jakes Group Announce Ten-Year Strategic Partnership to Build Inclusive Communities

SAN FRANCISCO, PRNewswire -- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and the T.D. Jakes Group, which includes T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, LLC (TDJREV), TDJ Enterprises (TDJE) and T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), announced a strategic partnership to drive economic vitality and inclusivity in communities across America. Over the next 10 years, the partnership between these organizations could result in up to $1 billion in capital and financing from Wells Fargo, as well as grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation, with the goal of revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering economic opportunity and creating long-term change in communities most in need. The partnership marks the first of its kind in driving long-term transformational impact over the next decade.

“We are excited to collaborate with the T.D. Jakes Group as they play a key role in the transformation of communities that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” said Charlie Scharf, CEO of Wells Fargo. “This strategic partnership goes beyond a one-off capital investment and underscores our continued commitment to diverse and inclusive communities. We look forward to seeing the meaningful difference we’ll make together in communities across the country.”

“This alliance with our organization allows us to further our four decades-long work to provide economic justice, eradicate food deserts, construct desirable workplaces and affordable housing, closing the digital divide and ultimately help families leave a rich and lasting legacy for the next generation,” remarked T.D. Jakes, Chairman & CEO of the T.D. Jakes Group. “We recognize the need for CEOs like Charlie Scharf bending the arc and aim of Wells Fargo toward correcting systemic inequalities. We are committed to ensuring additional opportunities actually reach as many areas of need that we can influence. Disruptive partnerships like this create a paradigm shift in how we can collectively bring long overdue transformation, particularly to Black and Brown communities and other marginalized groups around our nation.”

ing together in a way that hasn’t been done before, and demonstrates their commitment to creating new opportunities in the edtech space.

“This merger marks an important milestone for both black entrepreneurs and the edtech industry as a whole,” said Taylor Shead, Founder and CEO of Stemuli. “We are excited to join forces and bring our collective expertise to create a company that truly empowers students and addresses the needs of the education system. We believe that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and driving social and economic mobility, and we are committed to making that a reality for students across the country.”

Stemuli is a Black and woman-owned gaming company at the intersection of AI, education, and workforce development. For more information, visit www.stemuli.net.

In 2022, TDJREV began purchasing nearly 100 acres of Fort McPherson, the historic former army base situated in enviable proximity to downtown Atlanta with plans to create an innovative community of commercial and residential space. The plans for this land include mixed-income housing with an array of living choices such as single-family homes, townhomes and apartments positioned in well-designed neighborhoods with ample amenities aimed at enhancing the quality of life through healthy food choices, healthcare options and other wraparound services. One of the first prominent projects that Wells Fargo intends to support as a financial partner is the revitalization of the Fort McPherson property, with the vision of aiding TDJREV in developing the area into an inclusive neighborhood equipped with ample green space, a bike path, recreation centers, impacting the Historic Business and Cultural districts at Fort McPherson.

The Wells Fargo Foundation and T.D. Jakes Foundation also expect to provide financial empowerment education and revitalize neighborhoods in underserved low-and moderate-income communities by increasing homeownership and fostering business creation in several cities including Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas.

(from left: Naomi Thomas, Taylor Shead, Khiry Kemp) IMAGE CREDIT: KATHY TRAN

Offering the community more ways to go

We’re always looking for ways to support people’s choices in the communities we serve. That’s why Bank of America is adding charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) to over 90 financial centers nationwide. We’re also supporting the choices our teammates make with employee rebates on EVs.

I am proud of the steps we’re taking in the Chicago community to help people pursue what matters to them. The same goes for my teammates, as many have chosen to participate in My Environment,® one of our employee engagement initiatives.

Rita Sola Cook President, Bank of America Chicago

HOKA® Debuts First-Ever Youth Collection for the Next Generation of Athletes

GOLETA, Calif., PRNewswire/-- HOKA®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), announces the launch of its first ever collection of footwear for kids. Designed specifically with the young athlete in mind, the Youth collection was made with Kid-centric features, a focus on fit and all the signature HOKA technology found in HOKA adult products. The collection will launch with three HOKA icons: the Speedgoat 5 Youth, Clifton 9 Youth, and Ora Slide 3 Youth.

“You’ll find 100% HOKA DNA woven throughout our new Youth collection, including sustainably minded materials that help our next generation of athletes tread lighter,” said Hy Rosario, Director Outdoor and Kids. “The Youth collection was inspired by our three most popular HOKA styles, built with performance first and designed to empower every child to choose their own adventure – whether it be on the road, trail or every day wear.”

Speedgoat 5 Youth

A Trailblazer for the Next Generation

The Speedgoat 5 Youth is built off the blueprint of the HOKA original trail icon. Thoughtfully de-

signed with sustainability in mind, this trailblazer enlists a woven mesh upper with 21% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) yarns, a 30% sugarcane midsole, and durable lugs to enhance grip and control for even the most rugged explorers. The youth model also features a quick-toggle lace system, for easy on-and-off usage. The Speedgoat 5 Youth is available in sizes 3.5Y-7Y and has an MSRP of $110.

Introducing Julia Hair Wig Brand

XUCHANG and HENAN, China, PRNewswire -- Julia Hair as a brand combines beauty, fashion, and quality with all kinds of women’s hair. Hence, grabbing human hair from the platform offers a unique opportunity to experience the latest in fashion and bold living.

While embracing fashion, Julia Hair focuses on women and is based on products on the main platform. They uniquely design to provide warmth and enhance self-esteem through quality products and services. Looking at the brand name, it is easy to guess their business line.

Pros of Julia Hair:

Factory direct sales, the price is cheaper than trading companies; Strict quality control, 100% Brazilian human hair, free of animal and synthetic hair; Good origin, imported perfect hair from Brazil, Peru, and India;

Accepts customized orders.

Three Features of Julia Hair:

Love at first sight

Julia Hair integrates style, fashion, and noble quality with each bundle of hair, so

when you get a bundle of hair, you also get an understanding of fashion and an attitude toward life. Julia Hair’s belief is - to bring beauty to the world, women-oriented customers, with a special design to convey to you warmth, romance, free and easy, elegant, and delicate.

Create your unique beauty

Julia Hair has a wide range of hair products for 100% human virgin hair, such as body waves, straight hair, curly hair, loose wave, deep waves, and different hairstyles for you to choose from. In addition, there are pre-cut lace wigs, colored wigs, and lace front wigs for human hair. All of these are most popular with modern girls. Customized service to create your unique beauty.

Strong team

Julia Hair has a strong sales team, cares about every link, and treats every customer with high-quality service. Customer service personnel are online 24 hours a day, and free logistics allow you to buy high-quality products.

For more information, visit www.juliahair.com.

Clifton 9 Youth Big Performance, Small Size

Designed for future milers, the brand-new Clifton 9 Youth delivers the same performance features as the HOKA Clifton in a slightly smaller package. Like the Speedgoat 5 Youth, it has a 30% sugarcane midsole as well as 31% rPET yarns woven throughout the lightweight, breathable upper. The gusseted tongue mitigates any tongue migration during high movement while sustaining all-day foot-hugging comfort. This lightweight runner is a future-friendly option for the next generation, and is available in sizes 3.5Y-7Y with an MSRP of $110.

Ora Slide 3 Youth

TLC for Kids Feet

The Ora Slide 3 delivers big on recovery in a small size. Loved for its cushy, post-run relief, this slip-on silhouette enlists sustainably minded materials, including 20% sugarcane across the midsole and topsole. The softer foam directly underfoot is complimented by a rubberized EVA underneath, supplying the durable traction that active kids require. The Ora Slide 3 Youth is available in whole sizes 4-7Y for an MSRP of $50.

The Speedgoat 5 Youth, Clifton 9 Youth, and Ora Slide Youth are available for purchase today at HOKA. com and at HOKA authorized HOKA dealers worldwide.

The new collection includes youth sizes of iconic HOKA franchises: the Clifton 9, Speedgoat 5, and Ora 3 Slide. PRNEWSFOTO/HOKA ONE ONE.

Julia Hair

COOK COUNTY, Ill.

– The 6th District Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, and Cook County Department of Public Health COO Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck announced a new ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in Cook County. Commissioner Miller, Sheriff Dart, and Dr. Hasbrouck were joined by Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore, Derrick Cabrera from the American Heart Association, and Dr. Nicole Williams with the Cook County Physicians Association, to speak about why banning the sale of flavored liquid nicotine can help improve health outcomes for youth in Cook County and beyond.

“Tobacco companies are aware that adding flavors to their products increases their appeal to consumers, especially our young people. We have known for many years that smoking in any form is dangerous to the health of users, and these flavored products are worsening health outcomes,” said Commissioner Donna Miller. “That’s why I’m proud to join together with Cook County Sheriff Dart and his office as well as Dr. Hasbrouck and the Department of Public Health to introduce an ordinance to prohibit the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in Cook County, which will help protect the health and safety of our youth and communities as a whole.”

Commissioner Miller will introduce the ordinance at Thursday’s meeting of the Cook County Board. The ordinance prohibits the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in Cook County, which studies find are hooking a new generation

NICOTINE PRODUCTS IN COOK COUNTY

on nicotine, putting children at risk and threatening decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use. Flavored products, especially e-cigarettes, are driving youth use and also increasing instances of severe respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations amongst youth and adults.

“As a parent, I am deeply concerned about efforts to market dangerous tobacco products to young people, which we know is directly linked to a rise in hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues,” said Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “The time has come for Cook County to take proactive measures to combat this very serious public health issue. That is why I am proud to stand alongside Commissioner Donna Miller and I am grateful for her partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. I urge the Board of Commissioners to take immediate action on this ordinance.”

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Revenue will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance. Businesses found to be in noncompliance with the ordinance are subject to fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, as well as the possible suspension or revocation of their tobacco license. This ordinance follows in the footsteps of similar measures in several states and counties across the country.

“This is an important step that we can take to help protect and improve the health of residents –especially our youth – of suburban Cook County,” said Cook County Department of Public Health COO LaMar Hasbrouck, MD. “Prohibiting the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products will save lives.”

Derrick Cabrera from

the American Heart Association also spoke at the press conference about the detrimental health effects of the chemicals found in flavored nicotine products, and about the dangers of smoking overall. According to the CDC, tobacco and nicotine use are associated with higher instances of respiratory illness in youth and adults, have detrimental impacts on mental health, and can impact brain development in children and teens.

“In the US, more than 3.6 million kids are vaping. E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco products among children, and our kids are attracted to flavored tobacco: fruit, mint and menthol are the most popular flavors,” said Derrick Cabrera, community advocacy director for

the American Heart Association. “We stand with Commissioner Miller in her efforts to stop the sale of flavored liquid nicotine here in Cook County and hope this marks a new beginning in the fight against tobacco products in our community.”

According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), over 2.5 million U.S. kids used e-cigarettes in 2022 and almost 85% of youth users report using flavored e-cigarettes. From 2017 to 2019, e-cigarette use among high school students more than doubled to 27.5%, which led the U.S. Surgeon General and other public health authorities to declare the problem an “epidemic.” 81% of youth who had never used a tobacco product started with a flavored product.

“This is an important step that we can take to help protect and improve the health of residents – especially our youth – of suburban Cook County,” said Cook County Department of Public Health COO LaMar Hasbrouck, MD.

Rep. Robin Kelly Meets with Everytown for Gun Safety Leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C – Congresswoman Robin Kelly, along with fellow members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC), met with leaders from Everytown for Gun Safety, including Senior Legal Director Rob Wilcox, Director of Implementation Chelsea Parsons, and Federal Counsel Jack Budish, to discuss the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). Enhancing background checks for buyers under the age of twenty-one, disarming domestic abusers, investing in mental-health services, and empowering law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others, the BSCA will touch every community impacted by gun violence. The RLC – along with key partners like Everytown – will continue supporting the effort to identify funds and programs, implement these measures, and inform Americans about how these changes will help address our gun-violence epidemic.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has been a champion for gun violence prevention efforts since she entered Congress over ten years ago. The Congresswoman has led multiple legislative efforts to strengthen background checks, prevent illegal gun trafficking, modernize licensing, and more. Congresswoman Kelly recently spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to call for action to reduce gun violence.

Democratic

Leader Hakeem Jeffries

created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023. The council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States’ twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic polices that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others.

“I’m proud of everything we were able to accomplish last Congress under Democratic leadership, but there is still so much more to do to make sure that these resources reach our constituents. The Regional Leadership Council has been meeting with administration officials and other key stakeholders to ensure that we distribute these resources equitably,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, representative for Region 4 on the RLC. “I’ve been committed to reducing gun violence and keeping our communities safe since my first day in Congress. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was a necessary first step toward creating safe neighborhoods for all. I’m grateful that resources are becoming available to districts like mine to stop the cycle of violence and give families an opportunity to live happy, healthy lives.”

“From Uvalde to Newtown, Colorado Springs to Buffalo, El Paso to Las Vegas, communities in every part of America have been forced to contend with the tragedy of gun violence.” Chairman Hoyer said after the meeting. “The enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last summer was a crucial first step in breaking the cycle of inaction perpetuated by Republicans in Congress. Just as Democrats were united in our effort to enact that legislation, our steadfast cooperation continues as we push for its swift implementation. The Regional Leadership Council is playing a leading role in that mission, which is why we were pleased to meet with the leadership team at Everytown for Gun Safety earlier today to discuss how we can maximize the BSCA’s positive impact on communities across the country.”

“The billions of dollars in funding from last summer’s landmark gun safety law to support state crisis intervention programs like Red Flag laws, community violence prevention programs, and other school safety programs and mental health services, will save lives,” said Rob Wilcox, Federal Legal Director at Everytown for Gun Safety. “The Regional Leadership Council plays a key role in continuing to work with the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that these programs are implemented in the most effective ways possible to end gun violence.”

Congresswoman Kelly represents Region 4 on the twelvemember Regional Leadership Council.

Young ballers are more connected at home than ever. Unlike last season’s crew, this generation has it easy thanks to the X nity 10G Network. Now, today’s players are scoring reliable connections from every yard line, running at faster speeds, and using the most cutting-edge WiFi to soar their imagination. Introducing the X nity 10G Network. The future starts now.

National Battle of the Bands Documentary at 2023 American Black Film Festival

HOUSTON, PRNewswire -- Webber

Marketing is proud to announce that its film, “National Battle of the Bands: A Salute to HBCU Marching Bands,” has been chosen as an official selection for the prestigious 2023 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in the Documentary Features section. The renowned festival, which showcases the finest in independent Black cinema, will take place in Miami Beach, Florida, from June 14-18.

The compelling National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) documentary delves into the vibrant world of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) marching bands and their annual Battle of the Bands event. Captivating audiences with an inside look at the rigorous preparation, showmanship, and storied history of HBCU marching bands, the film offers a unique perspective on this cherished cultural institution. The documentary will be an ABFF premiere.

“We are honored and delighted that our film has been selected for the 2023 American Black Film Festival,” stated executive producer, Derek Webber. “The festival has a distinguished legacy of showcasing the best in Black cinema, and we are proud to contribute to that tradition and provide audiences with a glimpse into the captivating world of HBCU marching bands.”

Featuring insightful interviews with band members, directors, and other notable figures in the

world of HBCU marching bands, the documentary also includes exhilarating footage from the National Battle of the Bands event, held annually at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The 2023 American Black Film Festival will

encompass diverse films, panels, and events dedicated to celebrating Black cinema and promoting cultural understanding.

For more information about the NBOTB visit www.nationalbattleofthebands.com and stay updated on social media at @NationalBattleOfTheBands (Facebook/Instagram/ TikTok/YouTube) / @NationalBOTB (Twitter).

Enhancing the exposure of Historically Black Colleges & Universities marching bands, while developing students through music and education, the NBOTB is an annual musical showcase. The National Battle of the Bands’ mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and their roles in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. Event organizers have generated close to $1 million in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities. The 2023 event is in Houston, Texas, and features HBCU bands from across the country.

Webber Marketing & Consulting (WMC), LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the largest marketing agency of record for HBCUs specializing in strategic outreach program development, on-site event execution, experiential marketing, and media. WMC provides their clients with focused programs that deliver measurable results, improve market position, and build for future successes. www.webbermarketing.net.

Bounce renews ‘Johnson’ for season three, debuts Aug. 5

ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- Bounce TV, the popular broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network serving African Americans, announced a jam-packed slate of new original programming, including the renewal of the hit series “Johnson” for a third season, the return of the new smash comedy “Act Your Age” and the premiere of a Juneteenth original documentary special celebrating a civil rights leader, “Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White.”

“From the continued momentum of our latest hit in ‘Act Your Age,’ to the return of one of our staples with ‘Johnson’ and an extremely moving documentary telling the largely untold story of a cultural treasure Xernona Clayton, Bounce viewers have a lot to be excited about this summer,” said David Hudson, head of original programming at Scripps Networks. “We are looking forward to telling these incredible stories in the months to come.”

Bounce announced the renewal of “Johnson” – the popular dramedy that focuses on four lifelong best friends, all of whom share the same last name – set to premiere Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT with two all-new episodes back-to-back. Shot on location in Atlanta, the series is a journey of love, self-discovery and brotherhood told from the Black male perspective but is inclusive of all men. The second season saw the series touch on hot-button topics including fatherhood, classism and the ever-evolving relationship dynamics between Black men and women.

“Johnson” is produced in partnership with Eric C. Rhone and Cedric The Entertainer’s

A Bird & A Bear Entertainment, Deji LaRay (the show’s creator) and Thomas Q. Jones’ Midnight Train Productions. The ensemble cast is led by Jones (“P. Valley,” “Luke Cage”), LaRay (“Bosch,” “Greenleaf”), Philip Smithey (“Murderville,” “The Rookie”) and Derrex Brady (“NCIS,” “First”) with D.L. Hughley. LaRay and Jones serve as showrunners and executive producers; Rhone, Cedric The Entertainer and Reesha L. Archibald serve as executive producers.

‘Act Your Age’ summer season

Bounce’s newest hit series “Act Your Age” returns on Saturday, June 3 with two new episodes back-to-back starting at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. The premieres kick off the second half of the 16-episode first season of “Act

Your Age,” running weekly on Saturday nights through the summer. Leading up to the summer run, Bounce will air the first seven spring episodes in double-features every Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT starting April 29. A spring season marathon is set for Saturday, May 27 starting at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT.

The series premiere of “Act Your Age,” produced in partnership with MGM, was seen by 2.14 million viewers in its debut telecasts in March, making it the most-watched half-hour series launch in Bounce history. The multiple-camera, half-hour comedy tells the story of three vibrant, successful Washington D.C./Northern Virginia-area women in their 50s who are each at a personal crossroads and who decide the best way forward in life is together. “Act Your Age” stars Kym Whitley (“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Next Friday,” “Young and Hungry”) and Tisha Campbell (“Uncoupled,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Dr. Ken”) with special guest star Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community,” “The Mayor,” “Big Shot”).

Viewers can catch up on all Bounce originals anytime exclusively on Brown Sugar, Bounce TV’s subscription video-on-demand service. Brown Sugar is available on Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Comcast Xfinity X1, Cox Contour, VIZIO TVs, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. Visit www. BrownSugar.com for more information.

Source: Nielsen, Live+SD. 03/04/2023. Average delivery across the six episodes (Bounce 8p, 8:30p, 11p, 11:30p and ION 11p, 11:30p).

Webber Marketing

U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid Awards New Contracts

The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced it has signed contracts with five companies to modernize and enhance loan servicing for more than 37 million borrowers with federally managed loans. Central Research, Inc.; EdFinancial Services; Maximus Education, LLC; Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA); and Nelnet Diversified Solutions received contracts today through the Unified Servicing and Data Solution (USDS) solicitation and will implement much-needed improvements to better serve borrowers. This new loan servicing environment is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s sweeping efforts to improve the student loan repayment system and help all borrowers successfully manage their debt.

These awards are the first step toward implementing the Department’s new servicing environment next year, which will be FSA’s long-term loan servicing solution. The new environment is designed to provide federal student loan borrowers with a high-quality customer experience and to deliver support for at-risk borrowers so that all borrowers can take advantage of the most affordable ways to repay their loans, avoid default, and claim loan forgiveness, if they are eligible for it. Vendor accountability is a central goal of the new servicing contracts, which provide rewards for better customer outcomes and impose consequences for failing to meet expectations. For example, servicers that keep vulnerable borrowers current on their payments will receive a financial performance incentive, and FSA will allocate new accounts to servicers that have proven they are able to keep borrowers current. Likewise, servicers that provide unsatisfactory or untimely service will face financial disincentives.

Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken a comprehensive approach to fixing the broken student loan system and increasing college affordability for every student. Under President Biden and Vice President Harris, the Department has completely revitalized targeted debt relief programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Borrower Defense, and Total and Permanent Disability Discharge, approving $55 billion in discharges for more than two million borrowers to date. Additionally, the Department continues to implement and enforce strong consumer protections for higher education in America to ensure bad actors are held accountable for cheating students and leaving them with unaffordable debts, and it continues to propose new investments in Pell Grants and other scholarships to reduce borrowing before students step foot on a college campus.

Ultimately, the new loan servicing environment will provide all federally managed student loan borrowers with complete account management capabilities on StudentAid.gov; reduce disruptions from account transfers; and increase servicer accountability through clear, service-level metrics. Because of the scope of this work, FSA will take a phased approach to implementing the new environment. The long-term contracts awarded today will make major improvements when they go live in 2024. These include updated cybersecurity provisions and compliance with consumer protection rules as well as improved customer experience through a single sign-on using a borrower’s FSA ID, which will make it easy to navigate between servicer websites and StudentAid.gov. Over the five years of the base contract, FSA will continue to expand functionality on StudentAid.gov with the goal of transitioning full account management, branding, and repayment away from servicer websites.

The contracts awarded under the USDS solicitation will replace the legacy servicing contracts for Direct Loans and federally managed Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans to drive improved borrower outcomes, especially for vulnerable borrowers. To maintain stability as the new loan servicing environment gets underway, FSA will extend the legacy servicer contracts through December 2024, as Congress has authorized, which will help facilitate a smooth transition for borrowers.

Awarding the contracts for the new loan servicing environment is the culmination of nearly a decade of work to overhaul federal student loan servicing. Through the new servicing environment, FSA is leveraging these investments to deliver the next generation of loan servicing.

The President’s Budget seeks $2.7 billion for Student Aid Administration, including to FSA, a $620 million increase over the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. This addition-

al funding is essential to support students and student loan borrowers. The increase would allow FSA to continue to operate the student aid programs, implement critical improvements to student loan servicing, continue to modernize its digital infrastructure, and ensure successful administration of the financial aid programs through a simplified and streamlined application process for students and

borrowers.

More information about how the new loan servicing environment will provide federal student loan borrowers with a 21st-century customer experience, hold servicers to a high level of performance, and enable the Department to focus on impactful objectives like reducing delinquency and default can be found here.

Photos by L.M. Warbington Photography

Spelman College Announces 136th Commencement Speaker, Valedictorians and Honorary Degree Recipients

ATLANTA, PRNewswire

-- Spelman College announced, Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project and a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, will deliver the keynote address to graduates during Spelman College’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 21, at 3:00 p.m. She will also receive a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. The ceremony will be held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, GA.

Hannah-Jones has spent her career investigating racial inequality and injustice, and her reporting has earned her the MacArthur Fellowship, known as the Genius grant, a Peabody Award, two George Polk Awards and the National Magazine Award three times.

She also serves as the Knight Chair of Race and Journalism at Howard University, where she founded the Center for Journalism & Democracy. Hannah-Jones is also the co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, which seeks to increase the number of investigative reporters and editors of color, and in 2022 she opened the 1619 Freedom School, a free, afterschool literacy program in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa. Hannah-Jones holds

a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and African American studies from the University of Notre Dame.

This year’s graduating class of 468 students, receiving 294 Bachelor of Arts and 174 Bachelor of Science degrees, will include four valedictorians, a salutatorian and many high-achieving graduates from across the country.

Class of 2023 Co-Valedictorians and Salutatorian and Majors

Maya Blasingame, Co-Valedictorian, Biology

Amaia Calhoun, Co-Valedictorian, Economics

Sydney DuPree, Co-Valedictorian, Theatre and Performance

Chandler Nutall, Co-Valedictorian, English

Maya Phillips, Salutatorian, Sociology

Class of 2023 Top Ten Scholars

Maya Blasingame, Co-Valedictorian, Biology

Amaia Calhoun, Co-Valedictorian, Economics

Sydney DuPree, Co-Valedictorian, Theatre and Performance

Chandler Nutall, Co-Valedictorian, English

Maya Phillips, Salutatorian, Sociology

Annaya Baynes, English

Kayla Bowman, Psychology

Alexandra Jenkins, Economics

Jesseca Lindsey, Spanish

Adrianna Richardson, Biology

2023 Honorary Degree

Tracee Ellis Ross, award-winning actress and producer, and CEO and Founder of PATTERN Beauty will receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Fine Arts. Ross is an award-winning actress and producer best known for her roles in ABC’s award-winning comedy series BLACK-ISH and GIRLFRIENDS. For her role as Rainbow Johnson in BLACK-ISH, as a comedic leading actress, Ross won the Golden Globe Award in 2017 as well as nine NAACP Image Awards.

She was nominated for five Emmys and two Critics Choice Awards. Ross is the CEO and Founder of PATTERN Beauty, a award-winning haircare brand she launched in 2019 for the curly, coily and tight textured masses.

Ross is executive producer and narrator of THE HAIR TALES, a docuseries about Black women, beauty and identity through the distinctive lens of Black hair. It debuted on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s cable channel and on Hulu in October 2022. Ross recently produced a ten-episode podcast, I Am America, which aims to break through the noise during this divided time in our country in an effort to create space and to heal. Ross will star in and executive produce the animated MTV Entertainment Studios film JODIE, a spinoff of MTV’s iconic DARIA franchise.

Young changemakers awarded $15,000 each from Prudential Financial at Emerging Visionaries Summit

NEWARK, N.J., PRNewswire -- For initiatives that range from promoting financial literacy to combating mental health stigmas, five young people were named Grand Prize winners by Prudential Financial’s Emerging Visionaries program at a fourday summit held this week at Prudential’s Newark headquarters.

The Emerging Visionaries program is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the social entrepreneurship network Ashoka, with advisory support from the Financial Health Network. It honors remarkable young people between 14 and 18 years old from across the United States for leading initiatives that produce fresh, innovative solutions to current financial and societal challenges.

“The goals of our Emerging Visionaries program reflect Prudential’s overarching purpose: to make lives better by solving the financial challenges of our changing world,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey. “We applaud all of our honorees for their commitment to improving the lives of others and creating inclusive and thriving communities.”

The 25 winners, named in February, each earned a $5,000 award and an all-expenses-paid trip to this week’s Emerging Visionaries Summit, plus a chance to win an additional $10,000. The summit included an awards ceremony, where winners were celebrat-

ed by special guests including actress, activist and author America Ferrera. The students also consulted with Prudential senior leaders on topics of strategy and impact, and worked with Prudential employee coaches who helped them refine and advance their projects.

The students join a community of like-minded changemakers that includes 2022 Emerging Visionary Sriya Tallapragada of New Providence, New Jersey. She was honored for her efforts to encourage girls to participate in STEAM programs — science, technology, engineering, art and math. She describes her Emerging Visionaries experience as “life-changing.”

“The prize money I received completely changed the scope and accessibility of our programs,” Tallapragada explains. “And suddenly, I had 24 new friends, all of whom were leading inspiring initiatives and changing their community. We all support each other, sharing opportunities and celebrating each other’s wins.”

During the summit, the five young people whose solutions are focused on financial challenges were selected to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win an additional $10,000 in funding for their initiative. Pitch-off judges included Lowrey, leaders from Ashoka and

the Financial Health Network, and two program alumni.

The judges were tasked with selecting one Grand Prize winner from the five who pitched their projects. However, after hearing the pitches, judges decided to award $10,000 to each of the five presenters, in recognition of the societal impact of their initiatives.

In addition to the Grand Prize winners, Prudential employees voted on an Employees’ Choice Award winner, who received an additional $5,000 to support their work.

Read on to learn about the five Grand Prize winners and the Prudential Employees’ Choice Award winner. Grand Prize Winner: Nikita Agrawal, 17, of Chicago

Grand Prize Winner: Okezue Bell, 17, of Easton, Pennsylvania

Grand Prize Winner: Aaryan Doshi, 16, of Cupertino, California

Grand Prize Winner: Catherine Mellett Felix, 17, of New York

Grand Prize Winner: Jordyn Wright, 15, of Rosharon, Texas Employees’ Choice Award Winner: Kean Dao, 17, of Winterville, North Carolina

To learn more about Prudential Emerging Visionaries and all 25 winners, visit prudential.com/emergingvisionaries.

Pulitzer Prize-winning creator and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones. PRNEWSFOTO/SPELMAN COLLEGE.

OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, June 12, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 2036-403-024-0000. Commonly known as 8312 South Luella Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff's Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 7034-187958 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3219402

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY

DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCI-

ETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORT-

GAGE LOAN TRUST M, Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN

HEIRS OF CARMEN WHEELER, UNKNOWN

HEIRS OF BERNARD HATCHER, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CITY OF CHICAGO, DAMON RITTENHOUSE AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE, KELVIN WHEELER, LISA WHEELER POSSIBLE HEIR, KIMBERLY WHEELER

POSSIBLE HEIR, VIRGINIA JOINTER, MARQUITA HATCHER POSSIBLE HEIR, BRIAN HATCHER POSSIBLE HEIR, CONCHATA HATCHER, BERNARD HATCHER, BERNARD HATCHER, ANTONIO DAWKINS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants, 21 CH 6039 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the fol-

lowing described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 2027-425-020-0000. Commonly known as 7806 S. EBERHART AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60619. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff's Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 21-02127 XOME INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3219416

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.- BRANDY BARRY, STEPHON BARRY, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LARRY D BARRY, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, PROVIDENCE BANK & TRUST COTTAGE GROVE BRANCH S/I/I TO URBAN PARTNER-

SHIP BANK S/I/I TO SHOREBANK, JULIE FOX, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DECEASED MORTGAGOR, LARRY D BARRY

Defendants 2019 CH 03926 7619 SOUTH VERNON AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60619 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 27, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7619 SOUTH VERNON AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60619

Property Index No. 20-27-409-007-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence with a detached two car garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied

against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-

1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff's Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-3469088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 20-03572IL Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 2019 CH 03926 TJSC#: 43-1739 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019 CH 03926 I3219478

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY

DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR NRZ PASS-THROUGH

TRUST XI Plaintiff, -v.- CITY OF CHICAGO, CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, THOMAS P. QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR DERITA MARSHALL (DECEASED), UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DERITA MARSHALL Defendants 2021 CH 02537 8919 S EXCHANGE CHICAGO, IL 60617 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 3, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 8, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8919 S EXCHANGE, CHICAGO, IL 60617 Property Index No. 26-06216-008-0000 The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium

Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-21-01461 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2021 CH 02537 TJSC#: 43-1760