Chatham-Southeast Citizen 6-21-2023

The culinary apprentices looked on attentively as Chef Anthony Bernal demonstrated how to fabricate a whole chicken. During the demonstration, he talked about what dishes could

Apprentices in the Culinary Arts Program at Gary Comer Youth Center participated in a cooking demonstration with Chef Anthony Bernal of Truth Be Told Tavern.

PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.

REPS. ROBIN KELLY AND MIKE SIMPSON INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN REAUTHORIZATION OF ACTION FOR DENTAL HEALTH ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C – Reps. Robin Kelly and Mike Simpson introduced the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act for reauthorization. The legislation is co-authored by Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust Chair, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Congressman and dentist Mike Simpson (R-ID). The bill was overwhelmingly approved by the House and signed into law in 2018 and is due for reauthorization this year.

This legislation directs federal support to organizations that provide oral health care to underserved populations, especially seniors, children and those living in rural and urban communities. The bill strengthens the impact of existing resources that provide oral healthcare to populations that may lack sufficient access.

The legislation will continue to reduce the number of oral health emergency room visits, by increasing access to holistic, preventative dental care.

“I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Congressman Simpson for a second time to ensure that more Americans can access the oral health care that they need,” said Rep. Kelly (IL-02). “Oral health care is a critical part of our overall health, and preventative dental care can reduce costs for families and help so many people live better lives.”

“This reauthorization is an important step in addressing barriers to oral health care services. The more we can address early diagnosis, intervention, and preventative dental treatments, the better off our patients and our health care system will be. As co-chair of the Congressional Oral Health Caucus, I am pleased to reintroduce this bill and look forward to its progress in Congress,” said Simpson.

REP. KELLY CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING OF DIXMOOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

Dixmoor, Ill. -- Congresswoman Kelly was joined by Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Village of Dixmoor to break ground on a new water main project. Largely supported by federal funds secured, in-part by Rep. Kelly, Dixmoor’s new water main would preserve and protect the village’s critical water supply.

Dixmoor’s water main infrastructure project is planned to build a 3,700 ft 12-inch water main, which would stretch from Seeley Avenue, cross south under the I-57 overpass, and east onto 13th St. in Dixmoor. The project would also cap five other water mains in the area to help prevent future water main breaks.

Congresswoman Kelly celebrated the over $2M she helped secure for the project, which included funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the most significant commitment to public infrastructure the United States has made in decades.

“These investments are the very foundation of how we work, learn, and go about our daily lives,” said Rep. Kelly. “I have been fighting in Congress for the infrastructure needs of Dixmoor and all communities across Illinois’ Second Congressional District – and I’m committed to continuing this critical work.”

Gary Comer Youth Center Partners with Truth Be Told

Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Once Bernal finished, he asked the apprentices if they had any questions. They responded, “No Chef.” When Bernal asked if they could fabricate a chicken themselves, they answered, “Yes, Chef.”

The demonstration was part of a partnership between the Gary Comer Youth Center, located at 7200 S. Ingleside, and Truth Be Told Restaurant. The culinary apprentices from the center are participants from the Francie Comer Culinary Art Center. It was the first chef partnership to take place since the pandemic.

Bernal demonstrated the French way to fabricate a chicken, then went over which knives were the best to use. He told them, “Always use the right tool for the right job.” While the culinary apprentices were learning how to fabricate a chicken, in the garden participants in the Urban Agriculture Program were picking vegetables for use in the dishes. Kelly Jones is a farmer who participates in the Urban Agriculture Program. Jones first began participating last year and decided to return because she loves the program.

“It’s so holistic and so important for the community. You can really see that, in the growing of the produce and seeing the produce. When people come out, they’re so excited to be at our farmstand,” Jones said. “Seeing the progress of something you put into soil and grow become this delicious thing that feeds your body and nurtures your soul is just amazing.” The farmers brought a variety of what is grown -- daikon radishes, turnips, sugar snap peas, swiss chard, collard greens, kale, carrots and beets.

The Culinary Arts Program has been part of the programs Gary Comer Youth Center offers since the center opened in 2006. It is split into three tiers: Programming,

Catering and Meal Service. The meal service serves about 200 young people everyday, with an afternoon snack and supper during the school year and breakfast, lunch and a snack during the summer months.

According to Remington Price, Senior Director of Program Management at Gary Comer Youth Center, the enrichment programming is offered to all of the members, 6th grade to 12th grade. That programming serves about 80 young people a year and is split into Cooking as a Life Skill and Cooking as a Career. The apprentices who participated in the cooking demonstration are part of the apprenticeship program. The pre-apprenticeship program has a one-year program for high school students and a red shirt apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor and it’s a two-year program. The students in the twoyear apprenticeship program earn manager certification and learn about the hospitality industry. The goal is after that program those apprentices are placed in jobs.

“Truth Be Told is in the Study Hotel in Hyde Park, which is just down the street from us. They’re a neighbor of ours and we saw an opportunity to partner together and work with each other in multiple areas of what we do at Gary Comer Youth Center,” Price said.

Next month, Gary Comer Youth Center will participate in a pop-up shop at Truth Be Told that will feature products made in the art program. The dish the apprentices and Bernal created will be on the menu at Truth Be Told until June 23rd. For more information about the Gary Comer Youth Center, visit garycomeryouthcenter.org. For more information about Truth Be Told, visit truthbetoldtavern.com.

Black Futures Lab Encourages Participation of Black Census Project in Illinois

The Black Futures Lab is engaging Black communities in Illinois to participate in its Black Census Project as part of its efforts to collect 200,000 responses from across all 50 states and identify the issues, needs, and ideas that must be addressed for Black communities to thrive.

“If you want to take a pulse on what is happening with the country at large, listen and be responsive to Black communities,” said Alicia Garza, principal and founder of Black Futures Lab. “As we head into 2024, it is critical that we engage Black communities early and often. Every day, policy is being made about us, without us. This survey will help change that.”

The Black Census is a survey-style questionnaire that can be quickly and easily completed online at blackcensus.org. Through October, Black Futures Lab is conducting outreach by phone and text, placing digital ads on social media, and doorknocking in communities across the nation.

Results from the Black Census will inform the Black agenda 2024, a legislative roadmap for how to make

Black lives matter in public policy. The data from the Black Census will be used to influence and impact all institutions and decision-makers who are or should be engaging Black people. The data will also inform the priority issues highlighted by candidates and their campaigns in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

“We are our best messengers on what we want, experience, and need,” said Garza. “The Black Census is historic and important — join us and participate so that your voice can be heard, your experience seen, and your needs counted.”

The Black Census Project, first launched in 2018 and then again in 2022, has engaged communities that are typically under-represented in traditional surveys and policy making. In 2022 and 2023, Black Futures Lab has collaborated with more than 40 Black-led grassroots organizations, over a dozen national media partners and Black influencers to survey LGB+ communities, trans communities, incarcerated Black people, Black immigrant communities, and Black people in rural areas.

Over 30,000 Black people from across the country

The dish prepared by the apprentices in the Gary Comer Youth Center’s Francie Comer Culinary Art Center and Chef Anthony Bernal of Truth Be Told Tavern will be on the menu at Truth Be Told through June 23. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.

Proposed $9.4 Billion Budget Makes Strategic Investments, including Additional $128M to Support Students with Special Needs POLITICAL AFFAIRS

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools

(CPS) posted a proposed $9.4 billion FY2024 District budget that supports the critical investments that have guided students’ academic recovery from the wide-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases investments in key areas to support the District’s Diverse Learners and students with the greatest needs, from Pre-K through high school. The CPS budget, covering the educational and operational mission of the District and its more than 600 schools, is posted on its public website and available at the District’s central office for review in advance of budget hearings next week and the Board of Education’s monthly meeting June 28.

”This proposed budget is a step toward fulfilling CPS’ commitment to providing resources for every school community so that our students are healthy, safe, engaged, and on the path to long-term success,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This investment in our children is not only an investment in a stronger future for them and their families but is essential to living up to Chicago’s promise as a world-class city.”

Since the District’s release of draft FY24 school budgets in April, the FY2024 budget now contains $4.8 billion in school-level funding, an increase of more than $480 million over the past two years. Increased allocations address school-specific concerns and the continued multi-year move away from student-based budgeting and toward funding that better considers students’ varied needs. Highlights of the revised school budgets include:

Per-pupil spending is increasing by more than $1,000 in school budgets next year.

Ninety-two (92) percent of schools will have a higher per-pupil funding level compared with last year — up from the 91 percent reported in April.

Ninety (90) percent of schools will see increased funding over last year — up from the April projections of 82 percent and up from 70 percent last year.

Thirty-nine (39) percent of funding in school budgets is allocated according to Student-Based Budgeting — down from the 43 percent reported in April and down from 46 percent in FY2023.

and school communities have shared are critical student success, including:

Reasonable class sizes

Limited split classrooms

Access to high-quality arts education

More intervention supports, including the hiring of more nurses, counselors, social workers, academic interventionists, and advocates for students in temporary living situations (STLS).

“We’re grateful to be able to fund these priorities - this foundation for what all schools should and can expect to receive,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “We will continue to work to ensure every school has the resources necessary to meet students’ instructional needs as our District moves forward, from expanding services to preschoolers to increasing our graduation rate and the dollars earned in college scholarships.”

Any schools that saw cuts to their budgets this year are schools that have seen significant enrollment declines or have seen decreases in specific student populations, such as diverse learners or preschool students. FY2024 budgets include loss mitigation strategies, including $11 million to cap local funding losses at three percent and a $5 million increase to equity grants.

HUNTER’S CHILD WELFARE MEASURE BECOMES LAW

To further reinforce the goals of the Department of Children and Family Services, State Senator Mattie Hunter’s legislation that removes obsolete language from the Children and Family Services Act was signed into law.

“DCFS services are meant to be temporary, and our focus should remain on reuniting children with their families or placing them in safe, permanent homes,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “This law makes these goals clear and ensures the language within this important act is current and compliant.”

Amending the Children and Family Services Act, the new law provides that DCFS is responsible for placing children in permanent family homes through guardianship or adoption — rather than adoptive homes — when restoration to the biological family is not safe, possible or appropriate. The measure clarifies DCFS’ responsibility for children or youth whose jurisdiction could not be clearly named as under one individual agency, or whose services may be provided by multiple agencies, and reaffirms that welfare services offered by DCFS are intended to be temporary until safe reunification or timely and permanent placement can be achieved.

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END

Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton.

Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

BloomTownship, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor,FordHeights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest,Sauk Village,South Chicago and Steger

Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the ChathamSoutheast,South End, ChicagoWeekend,South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and

Overall, schools will receive more than $240 million more in their budgets compared with last year — this figure is up more than $90 million from the $150 million increase reported in April.

The school budgets continue to support the priorities that CPS principals

The remainder of the District’s annual budget is made up of the budgets for the CPS departments that support schools, academically and operationally, along with the District’s pension obligations, debt service, and capital budget. The FY24 budget maintains a sharp equity focus on continued academic recovery, mental health service and best serving our priority students, including our Diverse Learners, English Learners, Students in Temporary Living Situations, and students who are chronically absent or truant.

Black Futures... Continued From Page 2

participated in the first Black Census Project in 2018. The Black Futures Lab used the results to identify pressing legislative and policy priorities, turning the survey into a national, state, and municipal policy platform to guide 2020 Presidential candidates as they devised strategies to earn the support of Black voters.

Personally identifiable information will not be collected, and all participants can opt into becoming a part of the Black Futures Lab supporter community. Some participants who complete the survey will be eligible to receive a $20 gift card.

The Black Futures Lab works to make Black communities powerful in

politics, so that we can be powerful in the rest of our lives. The challenges facing Black communities are complex -- and the solutions require innovation, experimentation, and Black political power. We build the capacity of our communities to govern, we include Black people in the decisions that impact our lives, and we combine technology and traditional organizing methods to reach Black people anywhere and everywhere we are, ensuring that none of us get left out or left behind. For more information: www.blackfutureslab.org

Chicago Public Schools Increases Classroom Spending to Better Serve Students

Additionally, the measure removes outdated language, including a provision requiring DCFS to establish the Governor’s Youth Services Initiative, which was disbanded in 2019. The elimination of this language brings the Children and Family Services Act in compliance with changes implemented by the Reproductive Health Act.

“While this may seem like a minor change, this legislation is vital in enabling DCFS to effectively provide children the care and support they need and deserve,” Hunter added.

House Bill 3705 was signed into law June 9 and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

FOSTER LEADS CALL TO ALLOW DREAMERS TO SERVE IN MILITARY

Recently, Congressman Bill Foster (DIL) led eight of his Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution that calls on the Secretary of Defense to authorize Dreamers to serve in the armed services.

“For many Dreamers, the United States is the only home they have ever known. Every American deserves the right to serve their country through military service, and Dreamers should be no exception,” said Foster. “Allowing our Dreamers to enlist and serve in the military would make sure our armed forces have some of the best and brightest young minds in their ranks. I strongly encourage the Secretary of Defense to review the current policy and authorize these patriotic individuals to serve their country.”

Original cosponsors of the resolution include Mark Takano (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Adriano Espaillat (DNY), and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY).

Smithfield’s Evans Recognized as one of Black Business Ink’s Power 100

SMITHFIELD, Va., PRNewswire -- Steve Evans, vice president of community development for Smithfield Foods, was honored with a Black Business Ink Power 100 Award as one of the 100 most influential leaders in North Carolina.

Evans leads Smithfield’s community development team, enacting proactive and coordinated community engagement efforts for Smithfield’s U.S. operations through partnerships with its employees, local officials, business leaders and community organizations.

“Steve is a remarkable leader who has shown tremendous capacity for serving and supporting our communities in North Carolina and across the country,” said Shane Smith, chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods. “This well-deserved recognition demonstrates the impact Steve has in guiding Smithfield’s outreach programs and strengthening our longstanding partnerships with minority and underserved communities.”

The Black Business Ink Power 100 Awards recognize 100 of the most influen tial leaders from across North Carolina in a variety of sectors, including educators, healthcare professionals, politicians, clergy, and other professions and organizations. The awards were presented on June 8 at the annual State of Black North Carolina Confer ence, which brings together leaders statewide to address disparities in Black and Brown communities.

Evans was also recent ly named to Business North Carolina’s Power List 2023: Agriculture, recognizing North Carolina’s most influential private-sector leaders. Ac cording to Business NC, the power list is a sampling of the thousands of talented leaders in North Carolina who make things happen at their enterprises and in their communities.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs nearly 60,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of Amer ican farmers. As one of the world’s leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing

“Good food. Responsibly.®” to feed a growing world population. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Gwaltney® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Group Black and Nielsen Uncover That Black Creators Deliver More Media Value Than Their Non-Black Counterparts in Key Categories

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Group Black, a modern media company with the largest collective of Black-owned media, and Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, announced that they will be unveiling a first of its kind Black Creator Impact Report. Comparing Black creators to their non-black counterparts, this report takes a deep dive into the economic and cultural impact of Black creators based on their influence on social media platforms including Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube and Twitter.

Using Nielsen InfluenceScope, the report analyzed creators based on three metrics: follower growth, follower interaction and media value. Media value is a proprietary Nielsen metric to determine a monetary value for digital and social content, based on the audience’s exposure and engagement. The study focuses on creators in three categories: fashion, lifestyle and gaming.

Steve Evans. PRNewsfoto/ Smithfield Foods, Inc.

The study found that Black creators generate a higher media value compared to non-Black creators in fashion, lifestyle and gaming. Black creators in the lifestyle category performed 10.5 times better than their non-Black counterparts, 6.7 times better in gaming and eSports, and 1.6 times better in fashion..

In addition to generating a higher media value, Black creators also saw higher levels of follower growth and interaction rates between 2020 to 2022. In the lifestyle category, which make up 40% of paid advertising opportunities, they outperform non-Black creators by 10.5 times. Even though diverse Black creators possess immense cultural influence and credibility, the influencer pay gap between Black creators and their white counterparts is nearly 35%.

“For too long Black creators haven’t had access to the same opportunities as their non-Black counterparts due to the myth that they were unable to deliver the same ROI as other creators in the industry, “ says Kerel Cooper, President of Advertising at Group Black. “With our Black Creator Impact Report, we are delivering concrete proof of the opposite. Black creators have the ability to deliver exponential growth for brands—now brands must provide the opportunities.”

“Black America influences both content and brand engagement as consumers of media and creators of trends,” says Charlene Polite Corley, VP, Diverse Insights and Partnerships at Nielsen. “By investing in Black influencers, brands can amplify their authentic voices—driving deeper engagement with Black communities and other consumers who follow their lead.”

PRNewsfoto/Group Black

Ariana Debose covers Marie Claire’s Ambition Issue

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Future Publishing announces that Ariana DeBose covers Marie Claire’s Ambition Issue, which just went live across Marie Claire’s digital platforms. This digital issue’s theme explores ambition and the intricacies that women have to navigate when they are labeled as such.

“Marie Claire has long been the magazine brand for ambitious women,” says Danielle McNally, acting Editor in Chief. “Ambition has not always served women well, at times branding them ‘try-hards’ or leading them to burnout. That’s why we’re reclaiming the word with our Ambition Issue, and creating a celebration of success in whatever’s most important to you, whether that’s your current career, a completely new one, your home life, or even your well-being. And who better to demonstrate that than our cover star, Ariana DeBose, who has quickly risen from musical theater ensemble player to marquee movie star and weathered the internet storms that come with that.”

The Ambition Issue, powered by PayPal, will also feature the magazine’s inaugural Hollywood’s Next A-List portfolio, a collection of the performers Marie Claire’s culture editors believe have what it takes to command film and television screens for years to come. The list, headlined by Ariana DeBose also features Maude Apatow, Jennie Kim, Bella Ramsey, Ayo Edebiri, Halle Bailey and more. Look for deep dive stories into aging ambitiously, showcasing how

bio-hacking, metabolic aesthetics, and a niche sect of functional medicine are making it possible to anti-age our insides. An excerpt from Alisha Fernandez Miranda’s recently published book, “My What If Year,” in which she details quitting her job as PR exec at 40 to be an intern, showing readers that it’s never too late to go do what will fulfill you. Along with interviews with experts and anecdotes from real women discussing all of the ways people can be ambitious in their life and career that aren’t obvious. Visit marieclaire.com for additional information.

Future is a global multi-platform media company and leading digital publisher, with scalable brands and diversified revenue streams. Every month, it connects over 500 million people worldwide with their passions, through expert content, world-class events, and cutting-edge proprietary technology. Every year, Future attracts millions of consumers to its brands’ websites, magazines, events, and social spaces. Its market-leading portfolio of over 250 brands spans technology, games, entertainment, women’s lifestyle, wealth, knowledge, music, photography, sports, home interest, and B2B sectors. Brands include: Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, Gamesradar+, CinemaBlend, Marie Claire, Who What Wear, Homes & Gardens, Kiplinger, The Week, Guitar World, Digital Camera World, Space.com, Smartbrief, and more. Discover more at: www.futureplc.com.

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF NIKKI GREEN BY DOMINIQUE SIDE

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -Sustainability Expert, Luxury Vegan Lifestyle Influencer and Serial Entrepreneur Dominique Side is announcing the launch of her latest venture, Nikki Green. Nikki Green is a luxury, 100% vegan ready-to-wear apparel line for individuals seeking chic yet sustainable pieces. The collection is black-owned, opulent, and aims to work towards higher levels of sustainability with each collection. Collection previews and showroom appointments can be made at shopnikkigreen.com.

Dominique developed Nikki Green after being frustrated by the lack of variety in higher-end options that are truly 100% vegan. In collaboration with her longtime stylist Christian Allen, they’ve created a line that is sustainably sourced, and expertly combines compassionate living with high fashion.

“I love luxury, I love designer, but I’m constantly searching for quality 100% vegan pieces. I know I’m not alone in this search. I reached out to my longtime stylist Christian Allen, and we created a line that is chic, vegan and luxurious and I’m excited to share it with the world,” Dominique Side, Founder.

The fully vegan line features ready-towear, gowns, tops, pants, denim, and accessories, bringing luxury earth-friendly materials, custom hardware, and figure-enhancing cuts to a new generation of chic, environmentally conscious shoppers.

Dominique is a serial entrepreneur that operates from a compassionate mindset and has developed several successful companies

that are eco-friendly with fully sustainable practices. Dominique successfully launched Houston’s first vegan supermarket, VegSide Mkt, and is the Co-Founder of VgnBae Studios, a full-service vegan recording and production studio. Dominique is also the Founder of The Luxury Vegan, the world’s leading concierge transition service to an eco-friendlier lifestyle.

The Nikki Green collection retails between $350-$7250 and is currently showing at The Nikki Green Showroom within the Fashion District in Los Angeles, CA, located at 1250 S Los Angeles St. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.shopnikkigreen.com/.

Dominique is a serial entrepreneur that operates from a compassionate mindset and has developed several successful companies that are eco-friendly with fully sustainable practices. Dominique successfully launched Houston’s first vegan supermarket, VegSide Mkt, and is the Co-Founder of VgnBae Studios, a full-service vegan recording and production studio. Dominique is also the Founder of The Luxury Vegan, the world’s leading concierge transition service to an eco-friendlier lifestyle. She documents her luxury vegan lifestyle for her 80 thousand-plus followers on her VgnBae handle.

To learn more about Nikki Green and Dominique Side, visit https://www.shopnikkigreen.com/.

Ariana DeBose Cover Star of Marie Claire. PRNewsfoto/Future Publishing.

Founder Dominique Side. Nikki Green

Engaged Media Studios announces slate of new partnerships, projects and progress as the company looks ahead to a successful 2023

(HOUSTON, Texas) – As the tech industry nationwide scrambles to navigate challenges and recalibrate amid the latest headlines, one company, Engaged Media Studios, Inc. (EMS) is trending upward. EMS is on the rise and continuing to progress toward its goal of leading in its space, and making modern Black history and Women’s history an everyday occurrence.

A respected African American and female-owned enterprise, EMS has made several measured and noteworthy power moves to position itself for prominence, service and accomplishment—this year and beyond. Helmed by tech and gaming pioneer, veteran storyteller and international businesswoman Jacqueline Shorter-Beauchamp, co-founder, chairman and CEO, EMS has recently completed relocation from the city of its birth, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to expansive new headquarters offices in Houston, Texas, one of the nation’s fastest growing tech hubs.

The new home base is just steps away from the company’s largest strategic technology partner, Microsoft, a burgeoning ten-year relationship that she carefully engineered, and that both entities are proud of. EMS’ headquarters will house a sprawling studio SaaS, Web3.0,Video Games and VR/MR/AR Immersive integrated products and solutions servicing the Museum, Entertainment, Education, Industrial and Government market segments.

An inspiring feather in her cap, Ms. Shorter-Beauchamp is a valued partner of Microsoft’s Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI),an influential organization conceived to provide support and empower African American tech entrepreneurs and their businesses by leveraging the connections and resources within the Microsoft Partner Network to develop, innovate and publish software solutions. She is additionally a Microsoft One Commercial Partner (OCP), a group that assembles partner-focused teams from across the company to blend their expertise and knowledge in the technical, marketing, business development and programs arenas.

Jacqui-beauchamp

“In the unique work that we do at Engaged Media Studios, I see endless possibility and growth, and it’s exciting. There is promise in telling diverse stories that need to be told, we bring a diverse voice to the table that bridges digital media intersection of technology, storytelling and culture,” Ms. Beauchamp states. “Worlds can be imagined, created and then re-imagined without limitations and boundaries. Utilizing our platform, people are able to envision a new future—a future of open doors and endless opportunity.”

Ms. Shorter-Beauchamp and EMS just recently debuted the new Black History Utah immersive experience in partnership with the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce and Microsoft, during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities, while also participating as a panel speaker on Women in Gaming hosted by Microsoft and HBCU | D9 Black Excellence, hosted by the University of Utah. Ms. Shorter-Beauchamp was a panel speaker at the SXSW 2023 Conference in Austin, TX on the topic of The Biz of Being Human: Volumetric Humans at Scale.

Engaged Media Studios, Inc. (EMS) is a digital media technology and entertainment production company producing SaaS, Web3.0,Video Games and VR/MR/AR Immersive integrated products and solutions servicing the Museum, Entertainment, Education, Industrial and Government market segments.

With a specialty in, and passion for reaching and respecting diverse audiences with transformational solutions, products and experiences that transcend boundaries, EMS’ leadership team is the first African American Microsoft licensed XBOX game developer to ship on the XBOX 360 console, and stands driven and prepared to be a key leader of the world’s digital future. For more information, please connect with us at www.engagedmedia.net.

Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO & President of Chicago Sinfonietta, a recipient of the 2023 Harvard Business School Club of Chicago’s Fellowship to attend Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management (SPNM) course

CHICAGO, IL - The Harvard Business School Club of Chicago (HBSCC) today announced “a record eight Chicago leaders will attend Harvard Business School’s Executive Education course, Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management (SPNM) July 9-15, 2023.

“SPNM provides case study and team learning for 160 nonprofit leaders from around the world. With eight 2023 attendees, Chicago expects to have the highest cohort of any American city.”

Chicago Sinfonietta Lifetime Board Trustee Michelle L. Collins, Principal of Cambium LLC, who joined the CS Board in 1995 and served as chair from 2001 until 2007 is also a corporate board director, civic leader and past HBSCC President. One of Chicago Sinfonietta’s most creative thought leaders and consistent and generous supporters, she recruited Mr. Johnson. She is quoted in HBSCC’s release, saying “I am so proud of HBSCC to have selected not only the most talented non-profit leaders in Chicago, but also the most diverse, to have the opportunity to experience Harvard’s SPNM Exec Ed Program. I can’t wait to see how these leaders will impact Chicago’s non-profit community when they return!”

HGSCC announced the following nonprofit leaders attending the course this July at Harvard Business School:

Inhe Choi, Executive Director of the HANA Center, an immigrant resource center advocating for and providing aid to Korean and Latino families in Chicago;

Jason Coleman, Co-founder and Executive Director of Project SYNCERE, which provides opportunities for students who have been traditionally under-represented in STEM;

Christa Hamilton, President and CEO of UCAN, which offers programs focused on healing trauma, building strong families, educating youth and preventing violence;

Alaina Harkness, Executive Director of Current Innovation, which works to grow the blue economy, accelerate innovation and solve pressing water challenges;

Cara Hendrickson, Executive Director of Impact for Equity, formerly known as BPI, which combats systemic barriers to equity and to fight for racial, economic, and social justice;

Blake-Anthony Johnson, President and CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, which creates community through dynamic, innovative symphonic experiences, dynamic education and outreach programs, and advocates for inclusivity in all aspects of its work;

Imran Khan, CEO and Cofounder Embarc, an experiential learning program which changes how teachers teach, students learn, and schools become communities and

Carole Wood, CEO of Northwestern University Settlement Association, which disrupts generational poverty by supporting and empowering young people at distinct stages of life.

Since 2005, the HBSCC has advanced 60 Chicago area non-profit leaders to attend the SPNM Exec Ed Program. To learn about the 2024 HBSCC SPNM Scholarship, contact cbarnett@mba1990.hbs.edu To support future SPNM scholars from Chicagoland, donate at https://www.hbsclubchicago.org/

A tenured orchestra and acclaimed cultural leader that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through curated symphonic experiences, Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) is a source of community through music, as well as ensuring and inspiring a continued investment in diversity and inclusivity in the genre of classical music to promote fairness and equity. Celebrating its 36th season this 2023-24, the orchestra is recognized as groundbreaking, dynamic and daring, with core values built around being culturally responsive and advocates of inclusivity in all aspects of its work. Chicago Sinfonietta’s unrelenting commitment to being at the forefront of innovation drives its high standard of symphonic experiences. CS takes pride in leading by example with immersive audience engagement activities, impactful

career development, education, and extensive community outreach programs. Learn more about RESONATE, Chicago Sinfonietta’s 36th season, at www.chicagosinfonietta.org

Noted as a “business heavyweight” by Crain’s Chicago Business, arts executive Blake-Anthony Johnson has, throughout his career, extended the artistic, commercial, and technological boundaries of what an orchestra can be in the 21st century through creative leadership, commitment to innovation, and progressive vision. The first African American executive to guide a nationally renowned orchestra, he is President and Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta, and has led the acclaimed cultural leader in the field and powerful champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion since May 2020. An active member of numerous organizational boards and committees, Johnson was appointed Co-Chair of the City of Chicago’s DCASE Cultural Advisory Council in January 2023 and serves on the Cultural Arts Council for the City of Chicago, The Sir Georg Solti Foundation U.S., and the League of American Orchestras’ EDI Orchestra Management Committee, amongst others. Recent honors include a 2023 Black Men in Excellence Award by the Black Professionals Network, Chicago Tribune’s 2022 Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music, being named one of 2022’s Top 30 Professionals of the Year by MusicalAmerica. com, and one of Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s Class of 2022 40 Under 40. An accomplished musician, and a former professional cellist and protégé of Michael Tilson Thomas at New World Symphony, Johnson is the recipient of the 2022 Chicago Community Trust Daniel Burnham Fellowship. Former posts include two terms on the National Endowment for the Arts Music Panel.

38TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS WITH STELLAR+ FAN EXPERIENCE

LAS VEGAS -- The Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Gospel music’s biggest night, is set to return to Las Vegas for its 38th annual celebration. This year, the event is taking its renowned festivities to new heights with the introduction of the ultimate fan experience, the Stellar+ Experience (Stellar+EXP). Co-founders Rhonda Jackson-Sams and Michele Murphy have curated an unparalleled lineup of activities that will showcase the talents, vision, creativity, and innovation of the Gospel music industry.

The Stellar+EXP provides attendees and participants with a completely personalized experience, featuring concerts, discussions, master classes, and much more. As a multi-generational family weekend event, the addition of Stellar+EXP will heighten the festivities and create a unique atmosphere of faith, fellowship, music and fun. Now, fans can enjoy three full days of brand new interactive activities, offering engagement opportunities with their favorite artists, and immersion into the world of Gospel music.

The Stellar+ Experience events will take place at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Wednesday to Friday, July 12-14. Limited edition passes are now available for purchase, ranging from $60 to $250, at www.eventbrite.com. For the full event schedule and more information, visit stellarplusexperience.com.

“We’re ecstatic to present Stellar+ Experience week, an incredible extension of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Through valuable input from our viewers and industry peers, we’ve curated diverse experiences that embrace community, fashion, comedy, and societal matters,” said Stellar Awards Founder and Executive Producer Don Jackson. “This expansion, alongside our historic flagship show, amplifies gospel music’s influence, culminating in two phenomenal pre-show days. Prepare for an inspiring showcase of talent, uniting gospel music with all facets of entertainment in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.”

The new Stellar+EXP includes several exciting events designed to entertain and inspire. Stellar and the Community, an event partnership with the City of Las Vegas focused on the Arts, will promote the importance of art and

its impact on communities. The Spotify Artist Experience will bring music industry experts to share valuable information with aspiring artists. Stellar Talks will feature intimate conversations with high-profile couples, fostering discussions on love, life, and faith. Additionally, Fireside Chats with special celebrity guests, Stellar Unplugged, Who’s Got Next? Showcase, and the Celebrity Basketball Game will provide thrilling entertainment throughout the weekend. The Legendary Game Changers Lunch, hosted by celebrity fashion influencers J. Bolin and Joyce Sheffield, will recognize trail blazers in fashion and beauty. Sanctioned events that are familiar to Stellar attendees will still be offered, such as Aaron Arrington’s Midnight Gospel Bowling and various Post-Event receptions. Full schedule of sanctioned events is available at www.thestellarawards.com.

Confirmed artists for the Stellar+EXP include Mali Music, Brian Courtney Wilson, Jokia Williams, Jason Clayborn, Titus Showers, Jabari Johnson, Jermaine Dolly, and many more. Each day will bring new announcements, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the event.

Co-Founder Rhonda Jackson-Sams expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Akin to Gospel music, Stellar & Central City Production’s goal is to ensure that people feel encouraged and elevated while also educating our community. We are so excited to bring this special experience to all the loyal fans who have been coming to see their favorite artists at the Stellars for 38 years, as well as those learning about Stellars for the first time.”

Stay tuned for future announcements and follow @ thestellar+exp on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Stellar+EXP week.

The Stellar+EXP merges art, innovation, and music while spreading awareness about pressing issues in today’s society. With over 15,000 participants every year, the Stellar Awards continue to attract a diverse audience. The Stellar+EXP offers additional activities and experiences for guests during their time at the Stellar Awards. For the full event schedule, visit stellarplusexperience. com.

The Stellar Awards is the first and only Gospel Music Awards show in the country, honoring Gospel Music artists, writers, and industry professionals for their contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. The Stellar Awards ranks high in status as the only Gospel Music television awards program syndicated in over 140 markets nationwide. For more information, please visit www.thestellarawards.com.

Central City Productions, Inc. is Chicago’s premier TV Production Company. With 46 years of successful and innovative television production and marketing experience, Central City Productions (CCP) is a leader in minority-targeted television. CCP is a full-service television production company that produces, syndicates, and manages advertising sales for all of its programs.

Jhené Aiko & Sleep Soul Return with Sleep Soul: Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music Vol. 3 Out Now

Los Angeles – Sleep Soul, a fresh R&B-inspired take on the traditional baby sleep music genre presented by Jhené Aiko, reveals its latest installment Sleep Soul: Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music (Vol. 3).

Curated by Jhené, Sleep Soul: Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music (Vol. 3) encompasses 20 soothing tunes crafted to inspire and maintain a good night’s sleep. Vibrant R&B melodies melt into downtempo rhythms encased in warm synths tailored to receptive young ears. “Sleepy Bear Soothing Serenade” opens the album with mesmerizing echoes and ambient rain sounds across a soft soundscape. “R&B Lullaby Dreams” and “Counting Sheep With Brown Noise” pacify and precipitate rest. Finally, “Sweet Dreams With Sleepy” provides a delicate conclusion to the evening with a gentle twinkling piano melody.

About this iteration of Sleep Soul, Jhené commented, “Partnering with Sleep Soul has been an amazing experience and I’m beyond excited to present our latest project Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music Vol. 3. It’s been wonderful to see the music resonating and all the positive feedback and support from parents on how much the music has helped them and their babies get much needed rest as premium sleep is essential to wellness for parents and their little ones. Sleep Soul is an

ever-evolving project where we strive to continue finding new ways to help diversify the baby sleep music genre for parents, and I look forward to continuing the journey with you all.”

Expanding the vision yet again, Sleep Soul has introduced a merchandise store with premium infant clothing. The release consists of a baby beanie, onesie, and Sleepy The Bear plushie that gently plays Sleep Soul Vol. 3 album from a hidden speaker inside.

Meanwhile, Sleep Soul recently released physical CD copies of Sleep Soul Volume 2 at Target Retailers across the nation.

Sleep Soul Volume 2 has achieved widespread success since being released in December 2022. It has amassed 30 million global streams and counting, while also inciting applause from That Grape Juice, Vibe, and ThisIsRnB, among others. The latter noted, “The melodies, beat, and instrumentation of the songs have the Jhené Aiko sound and feel from the instrumentation, rhythm, and beats. You’ll almost forget these are lullabies.”

Stay tuned for more to come from Sleep Soul.

Sleep Soul is a fresh R&B-inspired take on the traditional baby sleep music genre. Sleep Soul combines calming R&B melodies alongside white, pink, and brown noise soundscapes sonically engineered to help you and your baby fall and

stay asleep. Our goal is to create more variety and diversity in the baby sleep music space. We aim to help the next generation of parents find the best and most effective methods for putting and keeping their babies to sleep.

Jhené Aiko - Los Angeles-born, six-time Grammy-nominated author, poet, and mother of 2- has been at the forefront of a new wave of contemporary music for over a decade. She is known for experimenting with a range of styles –incorporating sound healing and the use of crystal alchemy sound bowls in her music. Jhené Aiko crowned a breakthrough year in 2020 with over three billion streams worldwide and three Grammy nominations for her album, Chilombo, including the prestigious ‘Album Of The Year.’ Chilombo, now certified platinum with seven gold and platinum singles, topped the charts twice and was nominated for four Billboard Music Awards, an American Music Award for Best Soul/R&B female, two Soul Train Awards, won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album, and was a 2021 BET Award nominee for Best Female R&B Artist. In 2022, Aiko performed “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LVI in February, and the City of Los Angeles, with Didi Hirsch, named her one of their mental health ambassadors in April. Currently, she is building an ARK.

Photo Courtesy of Central City Productions

African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Announces $3.8M in 2023 Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In recognition of Juneteenth, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, announced $3.8 million in grant funding to protect and preserve 40 sites representing African American history. With more than $95 million raised, the Action Fund is the largest resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places.

“The Action Fund’s investment in and celebration of 40 historic African American places illustrates our belief that historic preservation plays an important role in American society,” said Brent Leggs, executive director, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and senior vice president, National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The history embodied in these places is emblematic of generational aspirations for freedom, the pursuit of education, a need for beauty and architecture, and joys of social life and community bonds. That’s why the Action Fund believes all Americans must see themselves and our shared history in this year’s grantee list if we are to create a culturally conscious nation.”

Since 2017, the Action Fund has received an unprecedented total of 5,638 funding proposals requesting $655 million. The program has supported 242 grantee projects through its investment of $20M.

“The Action Fund and the local preservationists it supports across the nation are leading crucial work to protect and promote undervalued places and stories that are an essential part of our shared American history,” said Justin Garrett Moore, program officer for the Humanities in Place program at the Mellon Foundation. “Grants supporting projects

designed by Black architects and at HBCUs will better acknowledge the power and creativity of those who have shaped and stewarded spaces and experiences that build more just communities. By elevating these places through much-needed organizational capacity, technical assistance, capital funding, and programming, these projects will help tell a fuller American story.”

New to this year’s list is a targeted focus on conserving modernist structures designed by Black architects. In its first grant round, eight historic structures will receive $1.2M to help advance long-term preservation planning. This funding is part of the Conserving Black Modernism partnership led by the Action Fund with support from the Getty Foundation.

“Our understanding of modernism in the United States will remain incomplete until we recognize the extraordinary contributions of Black architects and designers, whose buildings speak to the experience of Black communities in this era,” said Joan Weinstein, director of the Getty Foundation. “These grants will preserve important sites, deliver training to the people who care for them, and reveal new stories for all of us about the talents and resiliency of Black architects in twentieth century America.”

The preservation of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) across the country is also a focus of this year’s grant announcement. Through the Action Fund’s HBCU Cultural Heritage Stewardship Initiative , six HBCUs will receive nearly $700,000 funding to ensure the protection of their cultural assets.

The Action Fund’s 2023 list of grantees’

expand the American story by including sites like: Idlewild’s Hotel Casa Blanca (MI), Calfee Training School (VA), Watts Happening Cultural Center (CA), McAfee Swimming Pool (KS), Dew Drop Inn (LA) and more.

As our nation honors Emancipation and Juneteenth, the Action Fund asks the public to learn more about these sites, consider donating to their specific fundraising needs and make certain the full American story is told.

Together, we can honor the contributions of those who came before us while ensuring that future generations can connect with their roots, draw inspiration and lessons from the past, and appreciate the cultural, architectural, and social legacies of the world they will inhabit.

With amounts ranging from $50K to $150K, Action Fund grants support preservation efforts across four categories:

Building Capital: Supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of cultural assets important to Black history

Increasing Organizational Capacity: Providing leadership staff positions within nonprofits stewarding Black heritage sites

Project Planning and Development: Funding planning activities tied to the development of preservation plans, feasibility studies, and fundraising

Programming and Education: Advancing storytelling through public education and creative interpretation

Learn more about the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at www.savingplaces. org/actionfund.

Jackie Jackson Kilwins Chicago

GREEN LIVING

It’s BBQ Season. Do You Know Where Your Beef Came From?

(StatePoint) As barbecue season heats up, you may be wondering how to square your love for T-bone steaks and spareribs with your concern for the environment. The good news? Science is delivering new, gamechanging solutions to tackle the environmental footprint of the beef and livestock industries.

The Problem

Approximately 9 million dairy cows, 90 million beef cattle, 60 million swine and billions of poultry in the United States produce more than 100 times more organic waste than humans; but where human waste makes its way to a septic tank or sewage treatment plant, livestock waste is usually spread untreated on the ground as fertilizer. While this practice has short-term agricultural benefits, it’s ultimately a major contributor to a number of environmental and health issues. Phosphorous, nitrogen (mostly as ammonia), pathogens and bacteria from manure run off the soil and pollute waterways. This nutrient runoff fuels increasingly toxic algae blooms in fresh, estuary and coastal salt waters, creating areas where

How to Protect Your Favorite Outdoor Gear

replacing their outdoor products.

“It’s no surprise that the outdoor products we use so much this time of year, that make life so great during the warmer months, can be especially vulnerable to damage,” says Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at Allstate Protection Plans. “What some people may not realize is that the same protection plans that are available for indoor furniture, electronics and major appliances are also available for outdoor products. They can be a great way to protect your investments in the great outdoors.”

grill and cover it when it’s not in use, and apply protectant to furniture to guard against rust and sun damage. For specialty items like fire pits and patio heaters, be sure to read the instruction manuals and follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance recommendations. Finally, at the end of the summer, store seasonal items in your garage or shed.

most aquatic species can’t survive. What’s more, the highly mobile and volatile nitrogen from ammonia in animal waste can become airborne, a difficult and expensive to control problem that poses significant health risks to humans.

Finally, the 1.5 billion tons of manure generated in the United States annually also plays a major role in climate change. Manure emits carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, all of which are potent greenhouse gases.

New Solutions

An advanced livestock waste collection, treatment and recycling system from Bion Environmental Technologies Inc. is transforming manure from a liability to an asset. It starts with an innovative barn design that houses the livestock, collects waste, and feeds the treatment system on a continual basis. This patented technology not only provides comprehensive waste treatment that neutralizes pathogens, bacteria and ammonia and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, but also produces superior organic, and climate- and water-smart, fertilizers with a low

carbon footprint, as well as generates clean water and renewable natural gas.

Typical beef production uses an extraordinary amount of water, particularly from crops for feed. With Bion, 30% of the waste stream is processed into recycled, clean water. And, thanks to precise application of organic and climate-smart fertilizers produced by the system, the resulting soil is healthier with a better balance of nutrients. In short, more abundant crops are produced, less water is used and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

Along with environmental stewardship and resource efficiency at the forefront of the technology’s design, experts have been retained to ensure that animal accommodations, hygiene, care and feeding are all optimized for animal health and welfare. To learn more, visit bionenviro.com.

“Today’s consumers want sustainable, transparent and ‘better for you’ food,” says Bill O’Neill, Bion’s CEO. “Through innovation, we are bringing real beef to tables that is both sustainable and ethical.”

(StatePoint) With warmer weather here, more and more people are spending time on their decks, patios, and in their gardens and yards using outdoor products. From grills to furniture to mowers, 88% of Americans have invested in products dedicated for outdoor use and 65% of those that have use them at least several times a week, according to an Allstate Protection Plans survey.

Unfortunately, 83% of those surveyed who own outdoor products have experienced damage to one or more of them. That damage has been more than a little expensive:

Americans have spent over $44 billion repairing or

The survey found that 65% of Americans do not have a protection plan for any of their outdoor products, and 56% were not even sure they could purchase one. With American households spending hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of dollars a year on outdoor equipment, furniture and supplies, adding protection can be a smart idea.

Beyond purchasing protection plans, Siciliano also recommends taking steps to extend the life of your outdoor products. For example, use the proper fuel in lawn care equipment, clean your

For more information about product protection, look for Allstate Protection Plans at your favorite retailers. You can also visit www.allstateprotectionplans.com, which features tips and resources for making the most of your outdoor products, as well as tips and advice on maintaining your home electronics and appliances.

“When we take care of the outdoor items that make summer enjoyable and relaxing, we’re also protecting ourselves against the expensive repairs that can pop up every spring if we don’t,” says Siciliano. “That means more in our budgets for popsicles and lemonade.”

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) MagicBones / iStock via Getty Images Plus

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) RossHelen / iStock via Getty Images