Hyde Park Citizen 2-22-2203

COMMISSIONER DONNA MILLER GETS APPROVAL ON TWO INTERIM POLICY RESOLUTIONS

Sixth District Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller attended the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, which brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and their residents. At the event, Commissioner Miller introduced two interim policy resolutions, which were approved by their respective committees at the conference.

Commissioner Miller’s two resolutions were national-minded adaptations of the county resolutions she previously passed here in Cook County. The NACo Health Policy Steering Committee approved Commissioner Miller’s Resolution in Support of Federal and Local Government Coordination to Advance Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training and Implementation. This initiative urges the federal government to increase funding for and work with counties and local community and government agencies to fund and coordinate more robust awareness and training campaigns in CPR/AED.

The NACo Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee approved Commissioner Miller’s Resolution in Support of the Federal Government’s Justice40 Initiative and Encouragement of Federal, State and Local Government Coordination on its Implementation, which urges the federal government to work with county governments to implement the federal Justice40 initiative by providing technical assistance and coordination to access and maximize funding for projects.

The NACo resolutions process provides members with the ability to create national policies affecting county governments. Resolutions may be introduced at NACo conferences, including the Annual Conference, Legislative Conference or, in some cases, any other conference where the NACo Board of Directors convenes. If passed out of their respective steering committees, the interim policy resolutions may be advanced to become part of the NACo American County Platform and Resolutions at the Annual Conference later this year.

DIVERSE TEAM OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO LEAD EFFORT TO DEVELOP FISCALLY, SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A strong, diverse coalition of House Democratic lawmakers will lead the Caucus’ effort to continue rebuilding Illinois’ fiscal house, make smart investments in critical services, and prioritize the needs of working families.

Following Gov. JB Pritzker’s Budget Address, chief budgeteer and Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, announced members of the House Democratic Budget Working Group. The team will be led by Gordon-Booth, and include Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston; Assistant Majority Leader and House Revenue & Finance Chair Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park; Deputy Majority Leader Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero; and Reps. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, and Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights. Appropriations committees will also lead efforts to review the governor’s proposed budget and the current Fiscal Year 2023 budget line-by-line to weigh expenses and determine future investments. Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, will lead the Appropriations-General Services Committee; Rep. Will Davis, D-East Hazel Crest, will lead the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, will lead the Appropriations-Higher Education Committee; Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, will lead the Appropriations-Health & Human Services Committee; and Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, will lead the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee.

House Democrats will also convene a Medicaid Working Group to vet the number of introduced bills impacting Medicaid spending and guide policymaking during the upcoming Medicaid redetermination process, during which time enrollees must report their household income to renew eligibility.

Course teaches young people entrepreneurship through hands-on experience

Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

One of the businesses was a fitness boot camp. He was creating t-shirts for the boot camp business and created a t-shirt company.

Brown believed it was more important to teach others how to start a business than to just start a business and that was the inception of the Tee Shirt Store. It combines the education component of starting and running a business, with actually selling t shirts as the business.

Students in grades 4-12 can participate in the 30-hour entrepreneurship course, Education with a Profit. The students can get credit, if it is taught by a Board-certified teacher. Those who participate get a custom apparel website, where they can sell their ideas and designs. The items are drop shipped to the customers, and the young people get 20% from the sells on the 1st and the 15th of the month.

“We give them an actual business to apply that reading and math and all the things they’re learning in school. They get to apply that to their own custom apparel website and business,” Brown said.

To get the course in line with Common Core Education Standards, the course was redesigned in 2022. Education with a Profit is in two School Districts, one in Illinois and the other in Georgia, and in several organizations across the country. The course is delivered in five languages.

The courses include: Defining Entrepreneurship; Running a Small Business; Store Branding; Website Setup; The Design

Process; Community Campaigning; Marketing and Social Media; Customer Service; Financial Literacy; and Law For The Entrepreneur.

Before COVID-19, Brown said there was pushback in trying to shop the idea around to schools. He adjusted the website in order for parents to sign their children up for the course. Once that happened, that is when the school districts became interested. There are four-year scholarships available for young people. The students have to sell 100 shirts for the first year to continue the four-year scholarship. “I’m opening up their eyes to what’s possible in business. If I start them in sixth grade, in six years, they will be going into college and they will have been entrepreneurs for six years, before they even get to college, with repeat customers,” he said.

Brown said the parents are excited about the possibilities that exist with their children’s participation. Brown wanted to find a way into young people’s phones, because he said, that is where they live. With this program, the young people can use their phones to start and run a business.

“We want to create the next generation of entrepreneurs, while giving them a way to apply and earn from it, in their own custom apparel website and business,” Brown said. “I want to give them a legitimate path to earning while they are learning. The Tee Shirt Store can give them a 30-year head start.”

For more information about The Tee Shirt Store, visit www. theteeshirtstore.com, email info@theteeshirtstore.com, or call 877427-0094.

The Love, Unity & Values Institute to Take 80 CPS Students on Journey through Civil Rights

CHICAGO – On Monday, Feb. 6, the Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute kicked off a six-week journey through civil rights for 80 Chicago middle school students attending Ariel Community Academy and the UChicago Charter School. Through videos, storytelling and a curriculum called “Choices in Little Rock,” students will view history through iconic stories and figures like The Little Rock Nine who famously integrated Central High School 65 years ago. The program culminates with a field trip to Little Rock, Arkansas, to tour historic sites, including Central and Little Rock National Park.

Forty students from each school will meet for four hours every week and use iPads to capture insights. They will be given assignments and read “Warriors Don’t Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock’s Central High,” written by Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine. It explores the oppressive force of racism and the ability of young people to change ideas about race and identity.

LUV Institute founder and Executive Director Cosette Nazon-Wilburn describes the curriculum as provocative and advanced. It was developed by Facing History & Ourselves, which empowers teachers and students to think critically about history and understand the impact of their choices.

“We’ve recently witnessed teachers, parents and elected

officials around the country advocate for removal of African American studies and Critical Race Theory from secondary and post-secondary education,” she said. “A program like this one is replicable and a way to supplement outdated curricula and textbooks with material that’s accurate, more interesting and interactive.”

The architects of LUV’s initiative, Dr. Linda Upshaw and Dr. Yvette Curington, are sharing the curriculum with parents to help them prepare for any emotional response their children might have to seeing and reading about our nation’s troubling history of discrimination and violence against African Americans. Eight instructors and eight high school students will serve as mentors. Sessions at Ariel are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and at U of C Charter School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Students are to travel to Little Rock on March 28 and return to Chicago on the 30th. A videographer will compile footage at the end of the program to create a short documentary of their experience.

Since 2012 the Love, Unity & Values (LUV) Institute has been working with underserved youth to inspire hope and empower them with economic opportunities while building resiliency and social-emotional competencies. Visit luvinstitute.org.

Chris Brown, CEO of the Tee Shirt Store, believes that every child has the ability to be a great entrepreneur.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DEBORAH FARMER.

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF BOUBLIL AND SCHÖNBERG’S LES MISÉRABLES NOW PLAYING!

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES is now playing at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre. The production is running for a limited engagement through March 5, 2023.

Cameron Mackintosh said, “The phenomenon of LES MISÉRABLES never fails to astound me. No show in history has been able to continually reinvent itself and remain a contemporary musical attracting new generations of brilliant new talent, many of whom go on to international stardom. No show in the world has ever demonstrated the survival of the human spirit better than LES MISÉRABLES, and it’s time to let the people sing again. We are all thrilled to be Bringing Her Home to you.”

Celebrated tour alums Nick Cartell and Preston Truman Boyd will return to the barricades to portray the fugitive ‘Jean Valjean’ and ‘Inspector Javert,’ respectively. They are joined by Matt Crowle as ‘Thénardier,’ Christina Rose Hall as ‘Madame Thénardier,’ Haley Dortch as ‘Fantine,’ Devin Archer as ‘Enjolras,’ Christine Heesun Hwang as ‘Éponine,’ Gregory Lee Rodriguez as ‘Marius’, and Addie Morales as

‘Cosette.’ Cora Jane Messer and Hazel Vogel alternate in the role of ‘Little Cosette/Young Éponine.’ Harrison Fox and Gabriel Lafazan alternate in the role of ‘Gavroche.’

The new touring ensemble includes Kyle Adams, Daniel Gerard Bittner, Ciaran Bowling, Jenna Burns, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denae, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevieve Ellis, Randy Jeter, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Olivia J. Lu, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Benjamin H. Moore, Nicole Morris, Ashley Dawn Mortensen, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Christopher Robin Sapp, Emily Somé, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle Timson, J.T. Wood, and David Young.

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

Boublil & Schönberg’s magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House,” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly still one of the world’s most popular musicals.

To date, LES MISÉRABLES remains the 6th longest-running Broadway production of all time.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary, it has taken the world by storm continuing to enjoy record-breaking runs in places including North America, Australia, Japan, Korea, France, and Spain. It is currently on tour in the UK and Ireland, and a new tour

of The Netherlands is set for early 2023 with further productions to be announced. The most recent North American production toured from 2017 to March 2020, playing 94 engagements until the production was halted due to the global pandemic.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, additional costume designs by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realized by Finn Ross, Jonathon Lyle and Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, music supervision by Stephen Brooker and James Moore, and casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

The LES MISÉRABLES tour stage management team is led by Jack McLeod with Ryan W. Gardner and Claire Farrokh. The LES MISÉRABLES associate director is Corey Agnew, musical staging associate is Jesse Robb, resident director is Richard Barth, and music direction is by Brian Eads. The company management team is Chris Danner and Elle Aghabala.

We recommend our audiences wear masks throughout the theatre. Visit www. BroadwayInChicago.com/covid19 for further details.

For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s natural gas delivery system

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 — The Peoples Gas program to modernize Chicago’s antiquated natural gas delivery system continued its steady progress in the fourth quarter of 2022. Data from the quarter, and for all of 2022, has been reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission as part of the commission’s extensive oversight of the Safety Modernization Program.

Under the Safety Modernization Program, Peoples Gas is replacing corroding iron pipes — which date back as far as the 1800s — with modern pipeline. The program is on budget, as it has been since 2015 when the current owners of Peoples Gas started managing the company. And the progress of work in the 30year program spanning every Chicago neighborhood is on schedule. Key 2022 metrics include: 95 miles of new gas main installed. 11,500 gas meters moved from inside homes to outside.

Work on the program, overall, is now 35% complete. Safety Modernization Program

An independent engineering study ordered by the State of Illinois found more than 80% of the iron natural gas pipes beneath Chicago’s streets have an average remaining life of less than 15 years. Many of the pipes are from the 1800s.

The Safety Modernization Program is a mandatory safety initiative. It also is crucial for the reliable delivery of energy to keep Chicagoans warm, to replace pipes that harm the environment by leaking methane, and to position Chicago for a clean energy future in which renewable natural gas and hydrogen may someday heat our homes and fuel the economy.

Peoples Gas plans to modernize the natural gas delivery system in every Chicago neighborhood. In 2022, work was done across 17 neighborhoods and 135 individual work sites.

HUNTER: PROPOSED BUDGET INVESTS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) released the following statement in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday:

“I am pleased to see the proposed budget recommends further funding for our state’s health and human services programs. We have done a lot of work to improve equity in the health care sector, and I remain committed as this work continues.

“We must continue to make it affordable to live, go to school and work in our state. Increased access to affordable housing and services that focus on ending and preventing homelessness should be top priorities. The communities I represent are in need of this type of support, and I am glad to see a new $350 million investment in crisis response, expanded housing assistance and increased job opportunities for people without housing.

“Working families will surely benefit from affordable and expanded child care options, providing them with flexibility and support in their day-to-day lives. No parent should have to decide between caring for their family or making a living.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to negotiate a budget that addresses these key issues while ensuring the needs of our communities are met, especially those with limited resources.”

FOSTER INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO HONOR HENRY PRATT SHOOTING VICTIMS

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to honor the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois on February 15, 2019.

Five innocent people were killed and six police officers were injured when a shooter who was illegally in possession of a firearm opened fire at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora.

The House resolution honors the memory of the victims – Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton “Clay” Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner – who were killed. It also recognizes the service of the Aurora Police officers – Adam Miller, Marco Gomez, John Cebulski, James Zegar, Reynaldo Rivera, and Diego Avila – who were injured responding to the shooting.

“On February 15, 2019, five members of the Aurora community were taken far too soon in a senseless act of gun violence. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly four years since this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims’ friends and families during this difficult time of remembrance,” said Foster. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution to honor the victims’ memories and the courage of the police officers who rushed into danger to protect innocent people, six of whom were injured in the shooting. We cannot forget the events of that day, and we must remain committed to putting an end to these tragedies once and for all.”

Full text of the House resolution is available here: https://foster.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/foster.house. gov/files/evo-media-document/foster_009_xml.pdf

The resolution is cosponsored by the entire Illinois Democratic House delegation: Reps. Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Robin Kelly, Brad Schneider, Mike Quigley, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús “Chuy” García, Nikki Budzinski, Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez and Eric Sorensen.

Black-Woman Owned Tech Company, Sparkee, Introduces the World’s First Two Part Charging System Portable Device

MIAMI, PRNewswire -- Sparkee, a black-woman-owned technology company, announces the launch its Sparkee puck on Kickstarter, now available for pre-order. Select event-goers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas got a sneak peak of the product and had the chance to “Sparkee up” during the show, keeping their batteries on green all day.

“Our world is becoming more reliant on our tech devices and it’s time to start innovating the charging experience,” said founder and creator Kyla Wilkinson. “I searched unsuccessfully for an aesthetically pleasing product that would charge my mobile devices without taking up too much space, so I decided to create one myself - because consumers shouldn’t have to choose between a creative design and better battery life.”

Sparkee is the world’s first mobile charging puck and base combo that enables users to charge 3 devices simultaneously using NFC and USB-C charging ports. The puck recharges itself when placed onto the base, allowing for two full charges while on the go. A cleverly located USB-C on the Sparkee charging puck allows traditional cord charging and/or multiple devices to be powered simultaneously. Perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, and daily commuters, Sparkee’s innovative design gives users double the power anywhere they go.

Sparkee is a first-of-its-kind, two-part solution for wireless charging. It includes a mag-safe battery pack that magnetically attaches to the back of a phone for wire-free charging, plus a plug-in recharging cradle to power the assembly. It

also has a USB-C port for traditional cord charging so that users can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The unique product works with IOS and Android.

The Sparkee charger is a revolutionary solution that combines the convenience of portability with bold, fashionable colors and a low profile to fit today’s modern aesthetic. Sparkee is Mag-safe compatible for Apple phones and has an additional disc for Android phone cases, making it compatible with any phone brand.

Sparkee Specs:

Puck Specifications:

Size (WxHxD) 3.32” x 2.4” x .65”

Weight 3.5 oz

Battery Capacity 3500mAh

Power DC 5V / 2A (USB C)

DC 5V / 2.1A max. (USB C)

Power Level Alerts 4 blue LED

Indicators

General Features Wireless Charging output (FAST CHARGE, Qi), Fast Wired Charging In&Out (AFC, QC2.0 max.15W)

Base Specifications:

Size (WxHxD) 4.42” x 2.24” x 1.18”

Weight 4.4 oz

Battery Capacity 5000mAh

Power DC 5V / 2A (USB C)

DC 5V / 2.1A max. (USB C)

Power Level Alerts 4 blue LED Indicators

General Features Recharges Puck while it’s placed in cradle, 20W PD&QCFast Charging for iPhone and Android Sparkee is available for preorder exclusively on Kickstarter starting at $69 for early bird pricing. Sparkee’s retail price will be $99. To secure your Sparkee go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/sparkee/ sparkee.

Created by entrepreneur Kyla Wilkinson, Sparkee is a first-of-its-kind, two-part solution for wireless charging. Sparkee is designed to make on-the-go charging convenient and fun with a sleek design, bold colors, and the ability to charge multiple devices at the same time. Sparkee is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, and is currently available on Kickstarter.

AEO and Fifth Third Bank Establish Initiative to Invest in Black Neighborhoods Through Capital Readiness Program

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire -- In partnership with Fifth Third Bank, The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is promoting economic mobility in 10 predominantly Black neighborhoods through the Empowering Black Futures Capital Readiness Program. The initiative is part of Fifth Third’s larger Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program, a $180 million commitment to deliver comprehensive support in lending, investments and philanthropy in neighborhoods across the Bank’s retail banking footprint.

Focusing on neighborhoods that have historically experienced disinvestment, AEO selected two entrepreneurs from each neighborhood. The 20 participating entrepreneurs will work closely with AEO over the next several months to stabilize and grow their businesses. Each entrepreneur will complete Business Health Assessments, access personalized learning plans through AEO’s online learning platform, RESILI™, and receive trusted guidance with AEO’s network of small business coaches in an effort to strengthen key areas of the business that will better prepare them for additional growth capital. Additionally, the selected entrepreneurs will receive $5,300 in small business grant funding from Fifth Third’s Empowering Black Futures Initiative.

“Business ownership is a key driver of wealth in communities and through generations. I could not think of a better way to advance the broader mission of racial equity than

to support wealth creation in communities that have historically experienced wealth extraction,” says Connie Evans, President and CEO of AEO. “By positioning Black-owned businesses to obtain capital and grow, we are empowering not just individual entrepreneurs, but entire communities to seize control of their own economic futures.”

“We are proud to provide capital readiness grants and technical assistance to these minority-owned small businesses to help them grow and thrive,” said Kala Gibson, executive vice president and chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third Bank. “We know that small businesses are the heart of communities, and these impact grants will provide tangible support to help strengthen key areas of their businesses and better prepare them for additional capital.”

The program is part of Fifth Third’s $2.8 billion Accelerating Racial Equity, Equality and Inclusion Initiative providing $2.2 billion in lending, $500 million in investments, $60 million in financial accessibility and $40 million in philanthropy which encompasses the Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program. The initiative is focused on four strategic pillars to create more equitable outcomes for its customers and communities through strategic investments, access to capital, financial inclusion and education, and social justice and advocacy.

The Empowering Black Futures Capital Readiness Program runs from January through August 2023.

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity is the leading voice of innovation for microfinance and microbusiness. Our mission is to create economic opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs throughout the United States. We engineer transformational change through research, convening, incubation, and advocacy to foster a robust and inclusive marketplace. For more information, please visit www.aeoworks.org.

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.

PRNewsFoto

KISS Colors & Care Announces Rap Sensation JT from CITY GIRLS as their NEW BRAND PARTNER and the introduction of its latest styling collection.

KISS Colors & Care is dedicated to celebrating individual empowerment and self-expression in its consumers’ hair journey by delivering high-quality, nourishing, innovative products to style confidently. As a longtime fan of the KISS brand and a trendsetter herself, JT is the perfect celebrity to align with the ethos of the brand message and belief – Your Hair, Your Style.

“I’ve always been the girl who was creative with her hair and looks. I’m not afraid to try different styles and different colors that are trendsetting. I love having options that cater to my texture and creativity, so being the face of KISS Colors and Care was the perfect collaboration. Let’s Be Bold!” says JT.

As the KISS Colors and Care brand partner, JT will champion our products through her unique content creation for editorials, press, and events. She will also give her fans and followers an exclusive sneak peek of how KISS Colors & Care is essential to her day-to-day beauty routine through her social platforms!

“JT is the epitome of confidence and self-expression. Because KISS Colors and Care celebrates creativity and style versatility, we could not think of a more iconic brand partner to represent the brand and its philosophy. We’re thrilled to have JT as our celebrity partner - she continues to be a disruptive force in the music, fashion, and beauty industries. She is bold and embraces new hair looks with confidence and authenticity, which aligns perfectly with our new styling collection,” said SVP of Global Marketing Annette DeVita-Goldstein.

JT’s love for different hairstyles has kept her a pro at switching up her look and vibe. Her passion for braids, stunning updos, and gorgeous locks make her the perfect advocate for the new KISS Colors & Care styling products. The new styling collection includes Braid, Loc and Twist stylers, Edge Fixer Wax sticks, and Reversible Premium Crepe Satin Hair Bonnet Super Jumbo and Braid Bonnet available at KISSColors.com, Amazon.com and select Walmart and CVS stores.

The KISS Colors & Care Braiding Gel Maximum Hold and Braiding Gel Extreme Hold are great for starting, maintaining, and moisturizing protective styles without buildup and flaking.

Infused with Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Olive Oil, and Biotin B7 Organic without sulfates and parabens to nourish the scalp and deliver moisture and shine. The extreme hold is ideal for coarser hair types and larger braid styles. SRP $8.99

The KISS Colors & Care Locking Gel Regular Hold and Locking Wax Maximum Hold are great to start and maintain locs without buildup and flaking. Infused with Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Olive Oil, and

to nourish the scalp and deliver moisture and shine. SRP $7.99

The KISS Colors & Care Edge Fixer Wax Stick provides an innovative spin on our award-winning Edge Fixer edge control. The new push-up or twist-up dispenser gives you the power and control for easy, mess-free styling. Infused with Biotin B7 and Shea Butter to stimulate growth and strengthen roots. Perfect for slicked-back looks, taming fly-aways, and edge styling, delivering maximum hold, guaranteed for over 24 hours. Available in 4 scents: Sweet Peach, Original, Coconut, and Watermelon. SRP $9.99

The Reversible Premium Crepe Satin Bonnet, Super Jumbo Bonnet, and Braid Bonnet are made with two different densities of silky polyester threads to help maintain healthy hair and natural curls. Designed for day or night wear to defend against dryness, friction, and split ends. Super Jumbo size provides versatility for all hair types and styles. Long braid bonnet keeps long protective styles secure and frizz-free. SRP $8.49

With KISS Colors & Care, everyone can express themselves and showcase their different sides, styles, and attitudes.

Biotin B7 Organic without sulfates and parabens to nourish the scalp and deliver moisture and shine. Locking Wax Maximum Hold is ideal for coarser hair types. SRP $8.99

The KISS Colors & Care Twist Curl Gel is a lightweight formula that provides a soft, touchable hold for defining sponge twist styles, twist-outs, flat twist styles, and more. Infused with Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Olive Oil, and Biotin B7 Organic without sulfates and parabens to nourish the scalp and deliver moisture and shine. SRP $8.99

The KISS Colors & Care Foam Mousse is a multipurpose styler that adds the finishing touch to protective styles and sets twist-outs, roller sets, wrap-styles, and more! Infused with Organic Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Olive Oil, and Biotin B7 Organic without sulfates and parabens

KISS Colors & Care features an award-winning collection of styling products infused with gold standard ingredients like organic Jamaican black castor oil, Rosemary Oil, Peppermint Oil, Honey, and Biotin B7 and hairhealthy accessories made with high-quality fabrics to safely protect hair and prevent frizz. Innovation is centered around textured hair to provide healthy solutions for a wide array of hair types and textures so that consumers can confidently express their hair and style. For more information, visit: kisscolors.com.

Our brand partner JT, also known as “Jatavia Shakara Johnson,” is a well-known artist who rose to fame as one half of the hip-hop duo City Girls. She is a Florida native turned songwriter and rapper. Her bold lyrics, unapologetic style, and iconic beauty are a source of inspiration to fans worldwide. On and off the stage, JT exudes natural confidence and authenticity and remains true to herself, her music, and her style, which makes her the perfect partner for the Kiss Colors & Care brand.

In Celebration of Black History Month, Color Street Foundation Partners with Jackson State University & Unveils Limited-Edition CULTURAL CELEBRATION Nail Strips

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- In its ongoing commitment to champion causes and organizations it believes in, the Color Street Foundation, the charitable arm of Color Street, announces its support of Black History Month via a special partnership with Jackson State University and the unveiling of uniquely beautiful, limited-edition Cultural Celebration nail strips. In conjunction with this launch, the Color Street marketing team will host a mentorship initiative with design students from the school and award a total of $20,000 in educational scholarships. As one of the largest HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) in the United States, Jackson State University was founded in 1877 in Jackson, Mississippi, and is a magnet for students from across the entire nation.

“We are truly excited to work with the design and marketing teams at Color Street to provide mentorship and professional development to our talented students,” said Mark Geil, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Art for Jackson State University’s Department of Art + Design & Theatre. “Connecting the design classroom with the design profession is one of the best ways to truly enrich a student’s education. At the same time, the exceptional generosity of the Color Street Foundation in donating $20,000 towards educational scholarships in our department will make an enormous impact

for our students.”

Chosen in Spring, 2023, the scholarship recipients will be able to apply the monies toward the 2023 academic school year starting this coming fall. This project will start now, with mentoring graduating seniors, and then continue in the fall with graphic design students. During the fall semester, Color Street will begin working with the school’s juniors and seniors, helping them to polish their portfolios and develop key skills. As part of an ongoing program, these skills will then enable the Jackson State University students to help design next year’s Black History Month themed nail strips.

This year’s Black History Month design, inspired by the traditional mudcloth of the West Africa country of Mali, blends fashion and history in one easy-to-use, high-impact look. Whether you choose to go for a complete set or mix and match with other Color Street nail strips, the results are always powerful, eye-catching and thought-provoking.

“During this very significant moment of cultural awareness for Black History, we recognize the importance of supporting future talent within the black community. Color Street and The Color Street Foundation are honored to nurture an ongoing and meaningful relationship with Jackson State University to develop and mentor future creative professionals. We are passionate about our commitment to give back

and look forward to working with Jackson State’s upcoming leaders in the creative space.” - Color Street

In July of 2018, Founder and CEO, Fa Park, established the Color Street Foundation to make a difference in our local and national communities. Limited-edition nail strips are designed in support of causes that resonate with stylists and customers, to help start the conversation and raise awareness for important causes and charitable organizations. To date, the Color Street Foundation has donated $6.4 million to 70 charity partners.

The technology behind Color Street was created in 1988 by Fa Park, who observed how much time women wasted waiting for nail polish to set and the difficulty of obtaining a perfect manicure. Determined to make this process faster and flawless, Mr. Park, after years of research and refinement, created patented Nail Strips made with real nail polish that apply in seconds, don’t require tools, and are immediately dry to the touch. Top beauty brands utilized his revolutionary patent for years, yet Mr. Park wasn’t satisfied. Desiring to share his success with women nationwide, and to inspire others to pave their own entrepreneurial path, he created Color Street in 2017 Today, over 100,000 women and men sell the salon-quality Nail Strips directly to consumers, developing teams of Stylists to distribute the product and serve as brand advocates. Each Color Street Nail Strip consists of a base coat, rich color and top coat made of high quality, genuine nail polish. They are available in hundreds of colors and designs, and new collections launch several times per year.

Color Street

KISS Colors & Care

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CAUTIONS DONORS TO BE WARY OF SCAMS TIED TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS

Raoul Urges Illinois Contributors to Research Charities Before Donating

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged Illinois residents who plan to donate to support Turkey and Syria earthquake relief efforts to be on the lookout for fundraising scams. Raoul warned donors who want to give to the earthquake relief efforts to be wary of requests for clothing, food or other in-kind donations, which may not be appropriate.

Attorney General Raoul advised donors to ask questions to determine who receives the donations and what the charity’s transportation and distribution plans are to ensure the or ganization can effectively provide aid. He also said unless the charitable organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid, the donations may be more of a burden than a help.

“The devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have sadly caused widespread destruction and loss of life. I urge Illinoisans who want to help by donating to the relief effort to take the time to look into the charitable organization before donating,” Raoul said. “Taking that extra step will help ensure your donations reach legitimate causes that directly contribute to helping the people of Turkey, Syria and other affected locations.”

Donors should give directly to charities that have a presence in the region instead of giving to an organization that supports multiple groups. Raoul also said donors should be wary of those

who are not experienced in relief assistance.

Attorney General Raoul recommended that anyone who receives a call from a solicitor asking for donations keep detailed notes with the date and time of the call, the organization’s name, the name of the solicitor, the “pitch” the organization makes, and any other pertinent information.

Attorney General Raoul encourages donors to consider the following tips to ensure donations are used for the intended purpose:

Ask how much of the donation will go to the charity and how much will be used to pay fundraising costs. Solicitors must give this information if asked.

Pay close attention to the name of the charity. Some fraudulent charities mislead donors with names that sound or look like those of legitimate organizations.

Ask questions about the charity. Donors should give only when their questions have been answered and when they are certain their money will be used according to their wishes. Donors should ask questions such as if the charity is registered with the Illinois Attorney General’s office and what percentage of the donation goes toward fundraising, administration, and charitable programming.

Exercise caution when giving online. Email solicitations that appear to be linked to relief

groups could be from scammers trying to take advantage of donors. Donors should be wary of any solicitations online from unfamiliar charities.

Be careful with personal information. Donors should be cautious before giving out credit card or personal information over the phone, by text message, or via the internet.

Do not pay in cash. For security and tax record purposes, pay by check. Be sure to write the full official name of the charity on a check and do not use abbreviations.

Request written information. A legitimate charity will provide information outlining its mission, how donations are distributed, and proof that contributions are tax deductible.

Do not donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for cash payment or insists on sending someone to pick up a donation. These are all hallmarks of a scam.

Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General’s office. To assist potential donors in making wise giving decisions, Attorney General Raoul provides important information about charitable organizations such as income, expenditures and programs. Raoul also encouraged donors to contact his office’s Charitable Trust Bureau to report suspicious solicitations by calling 312-814-2595.

Her curiosity will illuminate the future

Currently, less than 10% of the STEM workforce is Black, despite the significant impact of Black inventors and scholars in the industry.

To celebrate Black History Month, ComEd’s STEM Lab program pairs Black ComEd employees with Black high school students interested in STEM. Our goal is to help the students see the possibilities of working in STEM while building robots with their mentors.

ComEd’s STEM Labs is a program specially made to encourage students of color and young women to pursue careers in STEM. Get notified about this program and other free STEM programs for students of color and young women at STEMSignUp.com/COMED

© Commonwealth Edison Company, 2023

LISC and Uber Eats announce Black Restaurant Fund to expand access to growth capital, fuel underserved businesses and communities

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Uber Eats [NYSE:UBER] are teaming up to launch a new investment program that will provide growth capital to Black restaurant owners and help break down some of the systemic financial barriers that often limit their opportunities.

The Black Restaurant Fund, announced at Uber and Eat Okra’s Black Business Resource Launch Party in Atlanta, will provide financing with a unique twist: unlike traditional loan products, the investments do not have fixed repayment terms. Instead, they are patient, flexible investments that only require repayment after owners achieve targeted revenue growth.

“Black-owned restaurants have historically been locked out of economic opportunity, which limits their ability to grow and thrive,” said Julia Paige, Uber’s director of social impact. “Uber and LISC created the Black Restaurant Fund to help close the resource gap by connecting Black food entrepreneurs to flexible capital to fuel growth and expansion while seeding wealth creation in Black communities.”

According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry has a higher rate of minority business ownership than the overall private sector in every state. But, at the same time, minority-owned businesses are more likely to have been denied credit, less likely to receive the full credit amount requested, and more likely to be discour-

aged from applying for credit, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

As a result, they tend to grow more slowly, generate lower profits, hire fewer employees, and create less wealth than otherwise might be the case.

The Black Restaurant Fund, which will be administered by LISC, directly addresses this capital gap by focusing on restaurants in economically disadvantaged communities that have employees, are partners of Uber Eats, and generate revenues from $250,000 to $3 million—meaning they are in a position to effectively deploy growth capital. LISC and Uber expect the initiative will help fuel 35 businesses over the next three years.

“This program is making an investment in a healthy, equitable future for Black restaurant owners and their employees as well as the communities where they operate,” said George Ashton, managing director of LISC Strategic Investments, which is overseeing the initiative.

“We take a different approach to underwriting than many investors do because we can look beyond traditional metrics to consider the real-world potential of these enterprises,” he explained. “It means we can build collaborations and investment products that support their plans for sustainable growth—like this new program with Uber—while at the same time helping owners build a financial track record that can help open doors to conventional investors in the future.”

Uber has been a valuable LISC partner in recent

years, collaborating on programs that provided vital financial and technical assistance to more than 1,000 restaurants during the pandemic—mostly owned by entrepreneurs of color. Uber also worked with LISC to advance health aims in underserved communities, ensuring residents had better access to accurate medical information and vaccines.

For more information on the Black Restaurant Fund or to request a conversation about your restaurant, visit https://www.liscstrategicinvestments.org/ uber-black-restaurant-fund.

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $26.7 billion to create more than 463,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 78.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For more, visit www.lisc.org.

Uber Eats is an on-demand app and website that helps bring millions of people around the world the things they want, at the tap of a button. We partner with over 870,000 restaurants and merchants in more than 11,000 cities across six continents. From specialty local favorites to national brand names, groceries to household essentials and more, Uber Eats has what you want when you want it.

the making.

Gigs for your grind

Real influencers stay connected to their followers using ultra-fast WiFi. They stream, game, and create content for their online fanbases. With Xfinity supersonic WiFi, there's space to power every device in your home. Now, everyone can stay one step ahead of the game anytime, anywhere.

BEYONCÉ HIRES POWERHOUSE TO RUN PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT

LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire

-- Parkwood Entertainment announced today that Beyoncé has tapped Justina Omokhua, as Senior Vice President of Parkwood Entertainment, running day to day operations.

Omokhua joined the company a little more than six months ago, diving right into the global monumental release of the Grammy-winning RENAISSANCE album. She leads a successful team at Parkwood including departments in creative, editorial, public relations and technology.

“Justina brings a wealth of marketing knowledge and experience to Parkwood Entertainment,” said Beyoncé, Founder and Chairwoman. “I am pleased to officially welcome her to the team and excited to have her expertise as we continue to grow.”

Before her move to Parkwood Entertainment, Omokhua held impressive leadership and marketing positions at major companies, including Endeavor as SVP, Brand Marketing, working with WME and IMG, and Apple as Global Head of Content and Lifestyle Strategy, where she was responsible for all marketing efforts to acquire and retain users and build the brand across the Apple Services suite of businesses, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, and Apple News.

Before positions in tech and entertainment, Omokhua was part of marketing teams at Pepsi, Nokia, L’Oréal, and Verizon.

“Parkwood is the epitome of excellence and to serve in this role is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Said Omokhua. “We will continue to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.”

Omokhua is a Toronto native, born to Nigerian parents. She brings a global perspective to her work that matches brand Parkwood effortlessly. She is based in Los Angeles and reports directly to the Chairwoman.

Parkwood Entertainment is a film and production company, record label and management firm founded by entertainer and entrepreneur, Beyoncé in 2010. With offices in Los Angeles and New York City, the company houses departments in music, film, video, live performances and concert production, management, business development, marketing, digital, creative, philanthropy, and publicity. Under its original name,

Parkwood Pictures, the company released the film Cadillac Records (2008), in which Beyoncé starred and co-produced. The company has also released the films Obsessed (2009), with Beyoncé as star and executive producer, the winner of the Peabody Award for Entertainment, Lemonade (2017), the Emmy®-nominated Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé (2019), which documents Beyoncé’s history-making performance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in 2018, and the Emmy®-winning Black Is King (2020). Parkwood Entertainment produced The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013-2014), The Formation World Tour (2016), and the aforementioned “Homecoming” performances at Coachella (2018) and co-produced the ON THE RUN Tour (2014) and ON THE RUN II (2018).

SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BUSINESS PORTFOLIO WITH REBRANDING OF COMBS ENTERPRISES TO ‘COMBS GLOBAL’

LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- After three decades of entrepreneurial success across his renowned brands and a historic last year including a landmark acquisition of becoming the largest minority-owned, vertically integrated multi-state operator in the Cannabis industry, Sean “Diddy” Combs announces the rebranding of his parent company from Combs Enterprises to Combs Global.

This announcement marks the global expansion of his distinguished portfolio of businesses that have represented dominance across music, entertainment, fashion, spirits, and media/television. At its founding in 2013, Combs Global started with Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Spirits (Cîroc Vodka, DeLeón Tequila), AQUAhydrate, REVOLT MEDIA, Sean John, Capital Preparatory Charter Schools, and The Sean Combs Foundation. Since then, it has expanded to include new business units and ventures such as Empower Global formally Shop Circulate, Our Fair Share, Love Records, and into Cannabis. Combs Global is entering a new chapter with a distinct vision and shows no signs of slowing down.

“Combs Global represents the next chapter in my journey as a business leader and a bigger vision to build the largest portfolio of leading Blackowned brands in the world,” said Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“I’ve enlisted world-class teams of top executives, specialists and strategic partners to bring this new dream to life and put us in the best position to keep making history while leading another 30 years of dominance across industries.”

This past year, Combs’ acquisition of The Nile List, his $2M investment in creator platform REC Philly, and the historic $185M acquisition of key markets and assets from leading Cannabis company CRESCO Labs added to the Combs Global portfolio. Combs also expanded his prestigious Capital Preparatory charter schools to now include campuses in the Bronx, New York and Hartford, Connecticut. Making an anticipated return to Music, Combs announced the launch of Love Records, an all-R&B record label, adding a new music imprint to his portfolio that builds on the legendary legacy of Bad Boy Entertainment.

With the launch of Combs Global, there has been a complete rebranding of the website, social channels, and brand communications, ushering in an exciting new era for the company. The announcement of the new visual identity coincides with plans to take the company and its business units international. 2023 will mark a year of incredible milestones for Combs Global. With the 30th anniversary of Bad Boy Entertainment, 15th anniversary of Combs’ partnership with Diageo, the 10th anniversary of REVOLT, Combs will continue setting the standard as one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of all-time.

The new logo was unveiled in the highly successful Uber One Super Bowl commercial starring Combs where he dreams up a hit song for Uber One, a reminder of Combs unrivaled success as a hitmaker. Combs is the consummate marketer using the moment to not only introduce the new company name and logo but also integrate his spirits brands, Cîroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila, into the spot. The commercial was teased at Grammys Pro Bowl, and NCAA men’s basketball and the full commercial debuted last week.

The Funeral Procession Of John H. Johnson

Gladys Knight And Chicago's First Black Mayor Harold Washington Stepping In The Name of Love during Washington Inguratiion Celebration.

Merri Dee, Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson and

Marilyn McCoo, Don Cornelius,Alfonso Rivero

The Photos appearing in this tribute are the works of Jerome Simmons Photography.

Chaka khan

A Salute To Famed Photographer Jerome Simmons

Dr. Kim Dulaney, Vice President of Education and Programs and Jerome Simmons at The DuSable. This Photo was provided by DuSable Museum.

HealthyWomen Launches Initiative to Find Solutions to Address Unique Challenges and Needs Facing Midlife Women’s Health

RED BANK, N.J., PRNewswire -- HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading independent nonprofit health resource for women, recently released a new report, “Aging Smart. Aging Well. A National Action Plan,’’ which sheds light on the unique needs, challenges and opportunities women face, particularly as they age. The report will serve as the basis for a multiyear initiative leveraging HealthyWomen’s 30-plus years of experience and research to foster systemic change that meets the critical needs of women today and our daughters tomorrow, while also shifting the dialogue to one of positive aging.

The health of women in midlife, ages 35-64, has long gone under-researched and under-resourced. To better understand the barriers women face when it comes to receiving the quality of healthcare they deserve, HealthyWomen convened a working group composed of national trailblazers, women’s health experts and advocacy organizations representing the priority health areas for midlife women.

With input and recommendations from the working group, HealthyWomen created a national survey that sought to understand women’s perceptions of their health and identify barriers and challenges to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of key conditions and focus areas of women’s midlife health. Nearly 6,200 women

from diverse backgrounds between the ages of 35 and 64 participated.

The overwhelming response and the outcome from the data highlighted that there is much work to be done. Despite the fact that virtually all women surveyed reported trying to stay healthy, whether through proper nutrition, sleep or physical activity, as well as staying

be OK.”

Overall Findings From the Survey:

Nearly two-thirds (62%) reported at least one barrier to taking care of their overall health and prevention.

Just a little over half (51%) said they’re fully up to date on all recommended health screenings, and one out of five had no preventive exams in 2021.

The rising costs of deductibles and copayments are making it increasingly difficult for the average person to get the healthcare they need.

The high cost of healthy foods is a barrier to staying or becoming healthy, especially with the recent rise in inflation.

up to date with recommended vaccines, almost half of those surveyed (42%) rated their overall health as just OK or worse (poor or extremely poor). Nearly twothirds (62%) of women reported at least one barrier to taking care of their overall health and prevention.

“Women’s healthcare needs are often downplayed, ignored or simply misunderstood, which has led to these gaps and barriers when it comes to aging,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C,CEO of HealthyWomen. “In addition, many women don’t make their own health a priority, putting the needs of loved ones ahead of their own, and simply accepting aging as a negative fact of life. We will change the narrative — it is no longer OK to simply

One in 10 said they feel like no one understands what they’re going through and their HCPs have minimized or dismissed their concerns in the past. A few went so far as to say they are afraid of, or do not trust, HCPs.

Nearly one in four said they had difficulty identifying their health issues. Many women often feel their concerns are dismissed, minimized and even judged.

This initiative was made possible with the generous support of Amgen; AstraZeneca; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb; Exelixis, Inc.; Novocure, Inc.; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For more information visit HealthyWomen.org.

My Cardiologist Launches The Women’s Heart Health Program

MIAMI, PRNewswire -- Novocardia, a value-based cardiovascular disease care platform, and My Cardiologist, a trusted provider of cardiovascular services in South Florida for more than 60 years, are pleased to announce the launch of The Women’s Heart Health Program in South Florida. The new cardiac clinical center will focus on preventing, diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease, 70% of which is preventable.

Recognizing that women face unique risk factors for heart disease, the Women’s Heart Health Program is designed to ensure that women receive expert specialty care for all their cardiovascular needs.

“Over 70 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable, and 90 percent of women have at least one cardiac disease risk factor. Yet heart disease in women is often overlooked and under-diagnosed,” says Dr. Abbe Rosenbaum, a cardiologist and nuclear cardiologist at My Cardiologist who is leading the new women’s heart program.

“By ensuring that women receive optimal cardiovascular care, we can prevent heart attacks and strokes, and help women’s hearts stay healthy and strong throughout their lives.”

My Cardiologist is a comprehensive cardiology practice with six locations in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. The program targets women over age 40 with a focus on screening for traditional and gender-specific risk factors; women of childbearing age at risk for hypertensive diseases of pregnancy; and oncology patients/breast cancer survivors.

“While strides have been made in decreasing heart disease, awareness of risk factors remains low among Hispanic, Black, and South Asian women,” Rosenbaum says. “The women’s heart program will seek to reach women from diverse communities through partnerships and outreach with churches and other community groups.”

Women’s Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms Differ from Men’s Men and women face many similar risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking. But women may also face gender-specific risks.

These include past pregnancy complications, early menopause, breast cancer treatments, and autoimmune diseases, which affect women more often than men. Yet Rosenbaum notes that these risk factors are often not included in tools to estimate cardiovascular risk.

Women may also experience heart disease differently. Heart attack symptoms in both men and women often include chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, and arm, neck, jaw or back pain.

Women, however, are less likely to have some of those classic signs. Instead, they may experience extreme fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, heart palpitations and sudden confusion. Women are also more likely to dismiss their symptoms or delay seeking care, and when they do, they are 50 percent more likely to be misdiagnosed.

The women’s heart program will include prevention services and screenings, a personalized assessment of heart disease risk and care from specialists in interventional cardiology, structural cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure and peripheral venous and arterial disease.

“The launch of the Women’s Heart Health Program continues My Cardiologist’s longstanding commitment to bringing the highest quality cardiology care to all South Florida residents,” says Dr. Dan Blumenthal, Novocardia CEO. “This program will both help to raise awareness among women about cardiovascular disease risks and ways to prevent heart disease, and provide women with a wide range of heart conditions expert care that is specifically geared toward their needs.”

To support women in lowering their heart disease

risk, the program takes a multidisciplinary, holistic approach. Services will include assistance with blood pressure control, smoking cessation, diabetes management, weight loss and exercise programs.

The clinical team will also collaborate with ob-gyns and primary care physicians to ensure the full spectrum of women’s health needs are met.

Online Women’s Heart Risk Screening Tool Now Available

To support awareness of the unique risk factors that affect women, My Cardiologist is also launching a new online cardiovascular disease assessment tool. The free virtual heart risk screening tool provides an interactive quiz that covers a wide range of questions related to their lifestyle and overall health. At the end of the short quiz, users receive a risk assessment score relative to their likelihood of developing or having heart disease. To take the free online heart risk assessment, please visit www.mycardiologist.com/heart-risk.

Founded in 2020, Novocardia is on a mission to transform the delivery of cardiovascular care for all by building the national cardiovascular network of choice for high-quality, high-value care. Novocardia is committed to putting cardiologists, and their patients, at the center of care by investing in our partner practices, deploying purpose-built data and analytics tools to improve patient outcomes, and enabling our partners to transition more successfully to value-based care. To learn more about Novocardia, please visit www.novocardiahealth.com.

Founded in 1960 by Dr. Bernard Silverstein, My Cardiologist is dedicated to providing excellence in cardiac care to all patients, striving to make state-of-the-art technology accessible. Additionally, our doctors and staff pride themselves on delivering respectful and individualized care to each person, continuing the tradition of superior and personalized patient care. To learn more about My Cardiologist, please visit www.mycardiologist.com.

(StatePoint) More and more people are turning to heat pumps to heat and cool their homes. It is estimated that 18 million American households already use them. With new energy incentives being offered, and more homeowners choosing greener technologies, that number is expected to rise dramatically.

What is a heat pump? Heat pumps are powered by electricity and transfer heat using refrigerant. Heat pump technology moves heat outside your home in warmer months and is able to pull heat into your home during cooler months. Here are three reasons to consider one for your home:

1. Sustainability. Heat pumps are electric and don’t burn fossil fuels like furnaces do, making them more environmentally friendly. In fact, heat pumps are becoming the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry go-to for reducing consumers’carbon footprints.

2. Control. Newer two-stage and variable speed heat pumps offer high- and low-stage heating to warm your space when outdoor weather changes; they operate more efficiently for longer periods of time at lower speeds and use less energy. They provide more precise temperature controls and more consistent comfort. Both options contribute to managing humidity levels too.

3. Technology. Heat pumps today are more advanced than ever and handle both heating and cooling by redistributing air. Carrier’s Infinity 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed Intelligence operates at temperatures down to -15 degrees Fahrenheit, making heat pumps an advanced solution for mild and colder climates. Does your region get colder

than that? Heat pumps can be combined with a gas furnace for a dual fuel system that is energy efficient and cost effective. Looking ahead, heat pumps that work in colder temperature are in development and will be available soon.

Get the Right Size

There are several factors that go into picking your ideal heat pump. The size of your home, climate,

sun exposure, desired features and ductwork all play into the size of heat pump. An undersized unit will work overtime to hit target temperatures. Aunit that is too large will achieve the desired temperature before its cycle is complete and waste energy. It is best to work with a professional dealer in choosing the heat pump that is best for your home.

Money-Saving Tips

Heat pumps, including installation, can range anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. Thankfully, there are many cost-saving options for homeowners.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes federal tax credits that reward homeowners for purchasing certain high-efficiency HVAC equipment, including many of Carrier’s line of heat pumps. Up to $8,000 in tax credits are available for all-electric heat pumps.

Lower energy consumption means energy bill savings, up to $500 on energy bills every year in some cases. Look for Energy Star certification and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings. The SEER rating is like your car’s mileage per gallon – the higher the number, the greater the potential for savings.

Many manufacturers and utility companies also offer rebates and low-rate financing. For example, Carrier’s heat pump rebate offerings are listed on their website. At the time of this publication, up to $1,300 in

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Westend61 / Getty Images