Hyde Park Citizen 8-10-2022

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Week of August 10, 2022

WEEKLY

Dr. Kikelomo Belizaire Joins Pega as the Company’s First Chief Medical P4 Officer

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FREE | VOL 33 | ISSUE 38

RED CLAY DANCE COMPANY

Pretty Dope Society Launches New Collection for Kids

CELEBRATES 14 YEARS

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Going Green Made Easier In Illinois P8

Red Clay Dance Company, located at 808 E. 63rd St., was founded

by Vershawn Sanders Ward. The dance company is in its 14th year.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIONNE WILLIAMS.

Vershawn Sanders-Ward considers herself an artivist, fusing art and activism to be visible as a Black woman and an artist so that other Black young people can see her as an example. She believes the arts are the gateway to humanity. It’s the way people express themselves and connect to one another. For her, dance is a very visceral and spiritual experience.

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Cayman Kelly Shares Thoughts on Some of His Favorite Summer Interviews P10

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2 briefly CLERK IRIS Y. MARTINEZ OFFER REMOTE LANGUAGE SERVICES ON NEW WEBSITE Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Y. Martinez is launching a remote language interpretation service on the website starting today. The remote language service offers up to 200 languages. The top 50 languages spoken throughout Chicagoland are available on a drop down menu at the top of the webpage, with an additional 150 languages available upon request.

The website’s homepage will feature a tab with a translator icon on the top right corner labeled Need Language Service that users can click to access the service. Once a user selects a language, they can type their question in their native language and receive assistance in that language.

The interpretation and translation services are provided by InLingo interpreters and translator, and funded through a grant by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

For more information, visit www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.

THE MISSION CONTINUES DEPLOYS FORCE OF VETERAN-LED VOLUNTEERS FOR DAYS OF SERVICE IN CHICAGO This year’s Mass Deployment event, Operation Chi-Town Salute, will mobilize veterans and volunteers from across the nation to serve in Chicago alongside five partner orgs alongside five partner organizations. The high-impact service projects will benefit Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, Englewood Veterans Garden, Hermitage Street Community Garden, Hope Manor II, and Kennedy-King College.

The Mission Continues’ approach is intentional – with an asset-based community development mindset that allows for the community partners’ vision to be at the center of the work. To the communities in need, it’s so much more than an influx of volunteers – it’s staying power.

Project Information: Friday, Aug. 12 Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy 9 a.m. – 4p.m.; Location: 850 W 24th Blvd., Chicago, IL 60623 Saturday, Aug. 13 Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Location: 2850 W 24th Blvd., Chicago, IL 60623 Sunday, Aug. 14 Englewood Veterans Garden 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Location: 5707 S Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60636 Monday, Aug. 15 Hope Manor II 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Location: 6002 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60621 Please visit missioncontinues.org/mass-deployments/ to learn how you can report for duty at one of the service projects. Operation Chi-Town Salute is made possible by the generous support of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, A&E, and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

The Mission Continues is a national veterans organization dedicated to empowering veterans as community-based leaders. We invest in veterans and under-resourced communities, developing new skill sets and equipping a growing veteran volunteer movement with the tools to drive positive change.

We deploy veteran volunteers in more than 40 cities nationwide alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, address food insecurity, increase access to parks and green spaces, foster neighborhood identity, and more.

Through this unique model, veterans are provided opportunities for personal connection and professional growth while generating visible community impact.

This work is made possible through the generous contributions of our mission partners.

To learn more, visit www.missioncontinues.org.

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Red Clay Dance Company Celebrates 14 Years Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Dance is something she has always loved doing. In thinking about her legacy and how she wanted her art to live, she wanted to ensure it was rooted in Chicago. So, she founded Red Clay Dance Company, which is celebrating it 14th season this year.

Sanders-Ward grew up in Chicago and attended Columbia College Chicago and the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Sanders-Ward loved Chicago artists and feels like the city has some of the best artists in the world.

She is always thrilled when she gets the opportunity to represent Chicago with her art.

She created Red Clay Dance Company because she knew there was a space for her art, dance and activism.

“This city has a rich history and background in activism and definitely in artists, like Gwendolyn Brooks, there are so many artists who have come from this city,” she said.

“Culturally, we as Black people, dance is just a part of how we move through the world. Even though, I feel we dance in, over and through adversity, challenges and joyous times.

It’s something that is tied to myself, personally, but I think also my community and my culture. It’s definitely a way we express, and we connect to one another.”

Seeing Alvin Ailey as a young person helped her realize that dance could be a career, as well as something she loved.

Seeing those artists on stage, she decided she could be a choreographer, and she could make the artwork that was relevant to her community and her lived experience. Dance Amplifies the rich culture that Black people bring to this country.

She sees herself and the dancers in Red Clay Dance Company as storytellers and truth tellers. She believes that embodying the culture and making the culture visible to the world is a form of activism, ensuring that the stories of Black people are told on their own terms. Black people are telling those stories, encapsulating the fullness of Black people’s lives.

She believes that it is important that dance and the art are used to show the new innovations and new ways Black people are continuing to rise up and rise above challenges.

She wants to use dance as a vehicle to galvanize people to shift and change the narrative and do something about those challenges.

During her time at Columbia College Chicago, Sanders Ward had the opportunity to train more in traditional African

Vershawn Sanders Ward founded Red Clay Dance Company 14 years ago. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIONNE WILLIAMS.

dance and other African Diasporic dance forms, like tap, Hip Hop and Capoeira.

“This is the root of all dance for me. I believe, you can’t consider yourself a dancer if you are without knowledge in those areas. The first thing for me is platforming those forms and making sure they’re seen equally as any other cultural dance forms. That our forms are just as important and foundational,” she said.

Sanders-Ward wants to see more Black and African American people in the arts industry, behind the scenes, from lighting to set design. She wants people to know the culture that she is trying to bring to the stage because they have a shared, lived experience. It is important to her that the Red Clay Dance Company’s productions resemble the culture they are trying to platform.

Sanders-Ward said the village has really rallied around the Red Clay Dance Company and have ensured they had the necessary resources to support the artists, and the young artists. They are looking forward to the future.

“Dance is community. We use the term village. Our dancers, our parents, our students, our supporters, they’re a village to me and they are the type of community I want to be around and the community I envision as a thriving community. You need art and culture,” she said.

Red Clay Dance Company is located 808 E. 63rd St. For more information about Red Clay Dance Company, visit redclaydance.com. You can follow them at @Redclaydance on Instragram, Facebook and Twitter.

Pritzker Administration Issues Second Wave of Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issued 28 additional Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses to applicants selected in three lotteries for 185 licenses. These awardees join the 149 conditional licenses issued by the Department on July 22, bringing the total number of issued licenses to 177. The Department’s Adult Use Cannabis webpage has been updated to include today’s awardees.

Of the businesses selected for licenses, 41% are majority Black-owned, 7% are majority White-owned, and 4% are majority Latino-owned, while 38% of awardees did not disclose the race of their owners. All businesses qualify as Social Equity Applicants under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. “These 177 licenses represent 177 individual but powerful steps toward addressing the decades of injustice preceding cannabis legalization, and I’m proud to help foster an industry that looks much more like the state it serves than its counterparts across the nation,”

said Governor JB Pritzker. “We can’t turn back time, but we can act with an intentional eye for accountability and diversity, and that’s exactly how we in Illinois will continue to move forward.”

At this time, only eight of the 185 conditional adult use dispensary licenses remain to be issued by IDFPR. The Department is waiting for additional or updated documents from entities that did not receive conditional licenses today. IDFPR anticipates processing the remaining conditional licenses as quickly as possible over the coming weeks once those documents are received and approved.

All businesses awarded Conditional Licenses will have 180 days to select a physical storefront location and obtain the full Adult Use Dispensing Organization. If a Conditional Licensee is unable to find a suitable physical location within the 180-day period, they may request an extension of 180 days. Once issued an Adult Use Dispensing Organization License, a business may begin purchasing and dispensing adult use cannabis.

The full list of licensees is available at tinyurl.com/4cvrk2tp.

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NEWS

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Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot Awards $6.5m In DCASE Grants to Chicago Nonprofit Arts Organizations CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced 280 financial grants were awarded to Chicago nonprofit arts organizations as part of the City of Chicago’s 2022 CityArts Program. Owing to the City’s significant new investments in arts and culture, funding for this program has increased by 280%, climbing from $1.7 million in 2021 to $6.5 million.

The longstanding CityArts Program provides general operating support and project grants to local arts organizations of all sizes and across all artistic disciplines.

In 2022, grant amounts have also increased for greater impact — from one-time grants of $2,000 – $25,000 previously to mostly $10,000 –

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$50,000 grants renewable for one year. The number of grants jumped from 200 in 2021 to 280 this year, including 15 project grants aligned with the #YearofChicagoDance.

For the list of grantees and to learn about upcoming grant opportunities, arts nonprofits and individual artists should please visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.

“The continued, equitable revitalization of our arts and culture scene remains essential to our ability to recover from this pandemic on a socioeconomic level,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I’m proud to increase our grant funding in support of local artists and arts organizations to advance our recovery and bring beauty and life back to our neighborhoods.”

As previously announced, the 2022 City budget provided $26 million in new arts and culture investments — including $10 million for a dedicated revenue stream from the City’s corporate budget to guarantee a baseline of funding for Cultural Grants, which will no longer be subject to the vagaries of the hotel tax.

“In 2022, with additional funds — including a transformational increase in our Cultural Grants budget from $2.7 million to $20.7 million — and our operating budget being largely restored to pre-pandemic levels, DCASE is now poised to serve the needs of Chicago’s vital arts community this year and well into the future,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey.

The goal of DCASE’s annual CityArts Program is to encourage the attainment of artistic excellence and financial stability, and to incentivize innovation related to citywide

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SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, 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, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send press release information to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 7831251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

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priorities. The program continually strives toward an equitable distribution of funds across the city. In 2021, Cultural Grants were awarded to artists and arts organizations in 50 wards as compared to 35 in 2016.

This year, CityArts grants awarded to organizations located on the South and West sides jumped from just 35% in 2021 to 45%.

“We’re excited to be recognized

by Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE, and grateful for their support,” said new grantee Karla Galvan, Artistic Director of Teatro Tariakuri, a theater and cultural center on the Southwest Side of Chicago. “This CityArts grant will allow us to continue staging productions in Spanish — and providing the community with arts education and programming rooted in our Latino culture.”

Earlier this year, DCASE partnered with Arts Alliance Illinois and the Chicago Cultural Alliance on a series of input sessions to gather perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by Chicago creatives. The series included two DCASE informational sessions, four deep-dive focus groups and a digital survey. These sessions and survey results alongside recent research conducted by SMU DataArts, supported by Bloomberg Associates, have informed DCASE’s increased investment in general operating support and will inform additional updates and new strategies to be implemented as part of the Cultural Grants Program over the next two years. Changes made to the 2022 program are in direct response to needs raised by the local community for larger, more flexible grants.

Jesse White Reminds Motorists to Avoid Displaying Disability Placards from the Rearview Mirror While Driving Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding motorists to help improve road safety statewide, including not driving with disability placards or other items hanging from the rearview mirror.

“Disability placards must be displayed when the vehicle is parked in an accessible parking space,” said White. “Once the vehicle is moving, the placard should not be displayed. It is illegal to drive on roads with a parking placard hanging from the rearview mirror as stated on each placard issued by the Secretary of

State.”

People should not drive a motor vehicle with any objects obstructing the driver’s view, placed, suspended, or hanging from the rearview mirror or between the driver and the front windshield, rear window, or side windows.

Violators of this law can face up to a $500 fine.

“One of my top priorities is road safety and driving with a placard or any other item displayed impairs the driver’s view. Let’s keep one another safe by making sure our windshields are unobstructed.”

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POLITICAL AFFAIRS

LIGHTFORD CONTINUES TO PROMOTE EQUITY FOR WORKING FAMILIES THROUGH PROMOTION OF SALES TAX HOLIDAY

BROADVIEW – As a champion of education and equity, Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood), Illinois Senate Majority Leader, joined Governor JB Pritzker Thursday to promote the state’s sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing that will take place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14.

“As the cost-of-living rises, the School Sales Tax Holiday will give students the opportunity they deserve to be well-prepared for a successful school year,” Lightford said. “Back to school time can be stressful enough for disadvantaged families, and this year Illinois is assisting all residents with some financial relief for the betterment of our students’ educational careers.”

Senate Bill 157 lowers the state tax rate on clothes and school supplies by 5% for 10 days. The 10-day for the tax relief will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Aug. 14. Qualifying purchases include certain school supplies, clothing, and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $125 per item.

“Illinois cares about their families, and we want to provide our students with equal opportunities on clothes and supplies to ensure a quality educational experience and to be able to challenge their potential progressively with no distractions, so they become successful individuals,” Lightford said.

For a full list of eligible items, visit here<https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/ research/publications/bulletins/Documents/2022/FY%202022-24_N0522.pdf>.

FOSTER VOTES TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS

Illinois Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) recently released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban: “Today, I was proud to vote for legislation to prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity magazines. This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.

“The original Assault Weapons Ban was passed in 1994 and was the law of the land until a Republican-controlled Congress allowed it to expire in 2004. In the 18 years since, mass shootings using assault weapons have happened more and more frequently in the United States, causing carnage and shattering communities.

“Assault weapons are the weapon of choice for mass shooters – from Uvalde, Texas to Highland Park, Illinois – because they are designed to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.

These weapons of war have no place in our communities.

“A majority of Americans support banning these weapons, and I am proud that the House took action to do so. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to put partisanship aside to get this done.”

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Dr. Kikelomo Belizaire Joins Pega as the Company’s First Chief Medical Officer CAMBRIDGE, Mass., PRNewswire -- Pegasystems Inc. (NASDAQ: PEGA), the low-code platform provider that builds agility into the world’s leading organizations, announced the appointment of Dr. Kikelomo (Dayo) Belizaire as its first chief medical officer. With a strong clinical background and a passion for improving care outcomes, Dr. Belizaire will bring a clinical lens to Pega’s strategy for serving its healthcare clients.

With the recent convergence of healthcare payers and providers, these organizations are putting an increased focus on managing overall care and improving outcomes to reduce longterm healthcare costs. Dr. Belizaire will leverage her experience as a practicing physician working closely with both payers and providers to help accelerate and inform the development of Pega’s healthcare solutions, ensuring they are clinically relevant and help drive better collaboration between all stakeholders. A Board-certified internal medicine physician with a Master of Public Health, Dr. Belizaire’s practitioner background will provide a unique perspective to help Pega clients identify opportunities to leverage Pega’s low code, AI-powered decisioning and workflow automation capabilities and understand the value it can provide across their organizations. She PRNewsfoto/Pegasystems Inc. brings a wealth of experience in

healthcare consulting and hospitalist medicine with a focus on high quality, cost-efficient care delivery models.

Dr. Belizaire most recently served as a medical director in the commercial business unit at Anthem, where she focused on medical management services for company health plans and clinical integrity of programs. At Anthem, she developed close relationships with independent physician practice groups and was selected to oversee a special COVID-19 initiative, leading a multidisciplinary team in the implementation of a new patient outreach program. She also has held a variety of positions at Atrium Health and other health systems in the United States including CaroMont Health, MUSC Health-Florence, McLeod Medical Center, and AnMed Health. In a consulting capacity, Dr. Belizaire has led the development of benchmark utilization tools and analyzed spending trends to help collaborative hospitals become successful in population health.

Dr. Belizaire holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in biology from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) from St. George’s University. She is currently an MBA candidate at Wake Forest University and resides in North Carolina with her family.

Pega’s healthcare solutions are focused on improving efficiencies and outcomes – from connecting people to the right care and offering personalized and proactive experiences, to im-

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Commits $1 Million to Support Economic Opportunity for Underserved Youth and Single Mothers as Part of Empowering Change Program NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- J.P. Morgan Asset Management has announced a $1 million dollar commitment to support underserved students through commitments made by the Empower and Community Development Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund established

by J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (and administered by the Chicago Community Trust), to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Youth Guidance, as well as to support single mothers through Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, New York and Lee College in Houston, Texas.

This announcement, part of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s February 2021 commitment to make a donation of 12.5% of its annual gross revenue received from the management fees on the Empower money market share class assets to the Empower Community Development Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund that is committed to supporting community development, aligns with the firm’s broader commitment to preparing people for the future of work and closing the racial wealth gap.

UNCFs mission is to help minority students attend college, thrive, graduate and become leaders by offering scholarships and

financial support. The firm has worked closely with UNCF to help build capacity for HBCUs and increase student success through increased access to critical resources like career pathways programming and skills development.

Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and succeed in school and in life, and partners with the firm’s The Fellowship Initiative in Washington D.C. to provide hands-on academic, social and emotional support to young men of color in high school.

In addition, as part of the Firm’s broader Racial Equity Commitment, JPMorgan Chase has invested more than $100 million in 16 diverse-owned and led financial institutions that collectively serve more than 90 communities across 19 states and the District of Columbia. The firm has also waived Chase ATM fees for MDI customers and is providing ongoing training and support from the firm’s Advancing Black Pathways Fellows and Service Corps programs. To learn more about how JPMorgan Chase is working to bridge the racial wealth gap, visit www.jpmorganchase. com/racialequity.

proving processes across the whole health journey to optimize a variety of services, including preauthorizations, claims, appeals, and grievances. To learn more about how healthcare organizations can leverage Pega, visit: https://www.pega.com/ industries/healthcare.

“Digital transformation is crucial in healthcare, and Dr. Belizaire is uniquely qualified to recognize the needs of our clients and ensure Pega solutions meet those needs,” said Kelli Bravo, vice president, healthcare and life sciences, Pega.

“As chief medical officer, she will provide guidance and leadership to our healthcare clients as they work to improve patient outcomes. Consumerism is driving healthcare to be more like other industries and our clients need tools to adapt, build stronger engagement, and meet their patients where they are.

Dr. Belizaire understands the realities of being a healthcare practitioner and will help Pega address our clients’ specific pain points and their need to deliver whole-person care.”

“I am committed to unlocking the full potential of technology to improve quality and access to care,” said Dr. Kikelomo (Dayo) Belizaire, chief medical officer, Pega. “We have the power to transform every step of the healthcare journey.

Pega’s solutions help navigate the many complexities faced by patients, payers, and providers. With technology, we can ultimately deliver better experiences for all parties involved, and I will be able to help our healthcare clients understand the full scope of what Pega can do for them.”

Pega provides a powerful low-code platform that builds agility into the world’s leading organizations so they can adapt to change. Clients use our AI-powered decisioning and workflow automation to solve their most pressing business challenges – from personalizing engagement to automating service to streamlining operations. Since 1983, we’ve built our scalable and flexible architecture so people can meet today’s customer demands while continuously transforming for tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.pega.com.

Foot Locker, Inc. Invests Nearly $54 Million Towards Educational and Economic Opportunities in the Black Community NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New Yorkbased specialty athletic retailer, commemorated the start of National Black Business Month with the release of its second annual progress report detailing its efforts to equip and empower the Black community globally.

Launched in June 2020, the Leading Education & Economic Development (LEED) Initiative is the Company’s $200 million commitment to the Black community.

Through FY21 year-end, the Company has funded nearly $54 million in investments and partnerships geared towards economic and educational opportunities in the Black community. This includes expanding programming to uplift Black students and employees and operationalizing the Company’s approach to elevating and working with Black vendors, community non-profits, creators, and professional service partners.

“Our commitment to the Black community goes beyond words and is part of how we do business,” said Richard Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Foot Locker, Inc. “Through strategic investments, community partnerships, and opportunities that empower, we are

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taking actionable steps to drive meaningful and lasting change both within our organization and in the communities we serve.”

Since June 2020, the Company made an impact in the following areas: Empowering Black entrepreneurs and designers and investing in Black-led venture capital firms More than $17 million invested in Blackowned brands, as we diversify our assortment mix and offer consumers more options. In the two years since we announced LEED, we have invited and empowered Black-owned brands including Pro Standard, Don C, Abeille Creations, Grady Baby Company & Apparel, and Clan de Banlieue, among others to join the Foot Locker, Inc. ecosystem. From hyperlocal brands designing curated drops in our community stores to emerging brands in the global market across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, we continue to seek out and celebrate Black brands and creators. $21 million committed to seven Blackled VC firms. Funding to Black-owned startups and businesses is disproportionally small.

For additional information, please visit footlocker-inc.com.

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What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/chicago Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Pretty Dope Society Launches New Collection for Kids CHARLOTTE, N.C., PRNewswire -- Summer’s not quite over, but the back-to-school season is certainly almost here. There’s nothing more stressful than last-minute shopping, so when it comes to the essentials, shopping early is a must! Starting with the most important school essentials, backpacks are usually an annual purchase for students. Get a head start on your shopping list with Pretty Dope Society and enhance your child’s backpack with a whole lot of Black representation.

In her continued effort to breathe life into Black art, Pretty Dope Society Founder, Chrishonda Benson, rebranded her company and launched a new backto-school collection on July 1st. Far too often, Black families are left out of the narrative in the designs geared toward children. When you walk into many big department stores during the back-toschool season, it’s rare for Black children to see themselves portrayed in any of the product designs. Pretty Dope Society’s new collection was created to give Black children an opportunity that many of their parents didn’t have growing up. As part of their rebrand, Pretty Dope Society is now geared 100% for the kids to ensure that families with Black children can always find amazing products for the back-to-school season and all year round.

As a Black mother herself, Chrishonda knew the perfect person to collaborate with on this launch, her 9-year-old daughter, Mariah. With direct insight into what children want to see, Pretty Dope Society expands on the Black narrative by showcasing the sun-kissed hue of black and Brown children on their educational paths.

Each backpack was designed by the mother-daughter duo to present a fun, creative, and melanin-filled experience. The new Pretty Dope Society collection celebrates the back-to-school season with a necessary emphasis on Black representation in all forms, especially in education. From backpacks,

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lunch boxes, pencil pouches, and more, there was always a lack of diversity when it came to school essential products, but not anymore with Pretty Dope Society. It’s undeniable that when Black and Brown children are able to view themselves as the main character in their book of life, there’s a boost of confidence and self-love. Get your child ready for school this year by purchasing a backpack and matching accessories that they can feel great about on that first day back.

For more information on Pretty Dope Society’s Back-to-School Collection, visit their website at https://www.prettydopesociety.com/ and follow them on social media @prettydopesociety.

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GOAT and Paris Saint-Germain Announce ‘People of Paris’ Visual Campaign and New Digital Experience PARIS, PRNewswire -- GOAT, the global platform for the past, present and future, and Paris Saint-Germain, the fastest growing world sports franchise, today announce the launch of People of Paris, a joint visual campaign that captures the style and history of PSG with unique contributions from the Paris community. The campaign is also a celebration of the new Paris Saint-Germain experience that will go live on the GOAT platform in early August.

People of Paris celebrates people of all walks of life — from decades-long PSG fans, to legends and the players themselves. Styled in iconic PSG jerseys from the past and present, as well as archival PSG apparel and accessories and fashion from GOAT’s wider offering, the campaign highlights the unique identities and styles that make up the greater Parisian community.

“As we continue to invest in our global community, we’re pleased to introduce our People of Paris campaign,” said Sen Sugano, Chief Brand Officer of GOAT Group. “We’ll showcase the Parisian community by bringing together cultural figures, players, fans and everyday people. Through this campaign, we aim to highlight the common bond that brings this diverse group together: their love for the city and PSG.” “This first GOAT x PSG campaign, featuring players and fans marks the arrival of GOAT into the PSG family,” said Marc Armstrong, Chief Malick, 53, Lifelong PSG fan and his son Lamine: Partnerships Officer “To me it’s the feeling of belonging in a group, it’s of Paris Saint-Ger- a family spirit because football is something that main. “GOAT gathers people together and erases inequalities. is an iconic next When players go together on the pitch, they forget generation brand about belonging to a political party, they forget and we are proud to about race or religion. And that, only sport, can do show our fusion of that.” Photographer: Thibaut Grevet style on the streets of Paris and all over the world. Together we celebrate the uniqueness of all those who represent Paris and PSG.” The first official billboard for ‘People of Paris’ will be revealed at the Louvre Rivoli on August 1. To coincide with the campaign, a curated collection of new and vintage apparel will be available on GOAT’s dedicated Paris Saint-Germain in-app and web experience on GOAT.com/PSG from early August. Throughout the season, new experiences and limited edition products will be released through the platform and provide a destination for customers to be inspired through content and unique products.

Gap’s Back-to-School Campaign, “EVERYONE BELONGS,” Spotlights Real Kids with Unique Abilities NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Inspiring, inclusive and packed with joy, GapKids Fall campaign reminds us that life is brighter when everyone belongs, and everyone has a chance to shine. Just ahead of the back-to-school season, Gap celebrates belonging with newly released creative inspired by the children’s book of the same name, Everyone Belongs, by Heather Avis. The campaign features a wide range of real kids of all abilities and special talents, including those of Avis’s own children with Down syndrome.

Avis, a mother, founder of The Lucky Few Foundation, a national Down syndrome advocacy organization, New York Times bestselling author, and unyielding narrative shifter, has dedicated herself to creating a more inclusive world. With this release of her second book, Everyone Belongs, Avis creates the perfect backdrop for Gap’s latest GapKids campaign, taking inspiration from the book and showcasing a diverse group of kids who make the world brighter by sharing their individuality.

Concepted by Gap Creative Director, Len Peltier, shot by

Jack O’Connor and directed by Lauren Sick, the cast of kids showcase their individual styles and the joy they feel from being who they are and doing what they love. Styled in organic loose denim, khaki, pocket tees, dresses, varsity jackets, and more, modern prep shines in GapKids Fall Icons.

“Celebrating individuality has always been iconic to Gap brand,” says Mary Alderete, global head of Gap marketing.

“Back-to-school is the right time to bring this message of belonging to the forefront and reinforce that there is no greater joy than being your true self. ‘EVERYONE BELONGS’ shares an important message for kids and adults alike, and we are excited to continue to encourage individuality, acceptance, and the joy we feel when we embrace our unique selves.”

The “EVERYONE BELONGS” GapKids campaign cast includes 13-year-old Adrina Castro who can be found playing basketball, making silly videos with her sister, staying fit and spreading positivity—all from her wheelchair; Four-year-old Beauden Baumkirchner–a septic shock survivor–who, with two prosthetic legs, enjoys biking, quad riding, swimming

and knee boarding; Six-year-old Brody Schaffer gained a big following on social media for his loveable personality and many talents. Brody can sing, dance, play piano, and more.

Everyone Belongs author Avis’s three children, Macy, Truly, and August, are her inspiration for social awareness and acceptance. This is the third time the Avis children are featured in a GapKids campaign, amplifying their incredible journeys.

Beyond the campaign, GapKids is hosting its first-ever digital talent show, encouraging kids across the country to participate and show off their very own talents and skills.

There will be a call-to-action for families to upload videos of kids performing their talents to social media, using the hashtag #GapKidsBelong, with a range of participants highlighted on future GapKids channels and campaigns.

Gap’s “EVERYONE BELONGS” campaign debuted on Wednesday, July 27, across GapKids channels, television, and digital. Follow along on @gapkids to see #GapKidsBelong content go live throughout the coming months.

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MORE THAN 600 CHILDREN, PROFESSIONALS & VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN SGA ROCKET DAY NEW ORLEANS - In extraordinary display of science and engineering, more than 600 children, parents, and volunteers assembled solid fuel, stomp, and compression rockets that took flight during the STEM Global Action (SGA) Rocket Day hosted by SGA affiliate STEM NOLA in late July.

The U.S. Department of Defense and The Boeing Company sponsored the annual event, which advances science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

Working with 150 Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and NASA volunteers, the K-12 students also assembled pop rockets, straw rockets, paper cup rockets, and rolled rockets as they learned about rocket proposition, trajectory, and thrust from the professionals and college interns participating in the event.

“Rocket day is about building the next generation of rocket scientists,” declared Jennifer Boland- Masterson, director of Boeing’s MAF Production Operations in New Orleans, who manages the team working on the world’s most powerful heavy-lift rocket. NASA will deploy it to take crews and cargo to the moon and Mars.

Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder and CEO of SGA and STEM NOLA, has developed initiatives that bring STEM education to Black & Brown K-12 students in under-resourced communities. His initiatives have impacted more than 100,000 students, 20,000 families and 5,100 schools across the U.S., and in five countries.

STEM Global Action Today, a newsletter with comprehensive articles on some of the most important issues related to STEM, and takes readers into the lives of STEM educators and their extraordinary students, who will be the STEM leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit https:// stemglobalaction.com/.

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Going Green Made Easier In Illinois

BY DERRELL GREEN Citizen Intern

In recent years Illinois has been one of the most progressive states in terms of going green. One focus of the state has been the push for the use of electric vehicles (EV), in order to reduce carbon emissions. The State of Illinois has passed the reimaging Electric Vehicles act, hired an electric vehicle coordinator, and created a host of incentives for communities that want to build charging stations.

Even with the state showing so much progression in moving to cleaner fuel, many people are still skeptical about buying an EV. The number one worry is price.

When more people think of electric vehicles, they think of super high-tech luxurious vehicles like the Tesla Model X. A car with butterfly doors that drives itself.

Along with this stigma, people think they are expensive, with the base price for the 2022 Tesla Model X being $120,990.

However, there are several options that are a lot more affordable. Even better, Chevy, one of the largest producers of affordable electric cars is making it cheaper to maintain electric vehicles as well as purchase them. Buying a vehicle can be an expensive although maintaining a cars expense can become just as expensive of a bill. In general, maintaining an electric vehicle is a lot cheaper than a gas-powered car.

“Inherently when you buy an EV there is much less maintenance required. For example, there is no engine, so you don’t have to do oil changes. In an electric car when you hit the brake pedal you are not using regular friction brakes instead you are using the electric motor to slow down the car and that technology actually recharges your car. You don’t have the wear and tear on your brakes.

No brake maintenance, also there is no fan belts because you don’t have “coolers” like you’d have in a gas powered car.” said Shad Balch director of global Chevy communications.

One major concern with the EVs is charging the vehicle. In a time where gas prices are through the roof fueling is a big concern. However, with EVs most people’s concerns are with the lack of charging stations.

The State of Illinois along with the community are trying to do their parts in making charging stations more available. Just recently there was a mulit -family dwelling Unit (MFD) built in the Bronzeville community.

Chevy is making it even easier to be able to charge your car. “Eighty percent of all charging is done at home. When you buy or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV we will come out to your house and install an outlet in your garage or wherever you park your car for you to plug in and charge at a level 2 charging. Level one charging is a regular outlet like what you plug your iPhone charger or TV into. Level 2 charging is much faster and that will give your car a full overnight charge when you plug it in overnight.” said Shad Balch director of Global Chevy Communications.

Chevy also offers a virtual option for touring and asking questions about the Bolt EUV and some of their other cars. Chevy has introduced Chevy My Way, in simple terms a virtual show room of Chevy vehicles with a real-life product specialist to answer all your questions.

You can have a one-on-one tour of cars or participate in a group tour. With the combined efforts of the state of Illinois and Chevy’s amazing auto features the choice to go green and get an EV has never been easier!

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CHEVROLET & THE NNPA ARE CHARGING FORWARD WITH YOUNG TALENT! This HBCU Talent Is Bringing That Energy To Discover The Unexpected 2022

MENRA MAPFUMO Clark Atlanta University — NNPA FELLOW

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LEALER SIMS Southern University —

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FOLLOW THE DTU FELLOWSHIP STUDENTS ON THEIR JOURNEY! chevydtuverse.com #ChevroletDTU

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Russell Westbrook Enters Digital Media Game to Bring Focus to Multicultural Audiences LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- NBA veteran point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Russell Westbrook, has formally entered the digital media sector by launching Russell Westbrook Enterprises, new digital media division, RW Digital. The division has architected specific programmatic solutions that enables brands to more efficiently reach diverse audiences and amplify owned and operated minority publishers.

Since ascending, Westbrook’s business portfolio has grown to touch multiple verticals including Venture Capital, Fashion, Real-Estate, Insurance and now Digital Advertising. With the driving force of resourceful betterment for his community being the focal point, Westbrook has intentionally expanded his mission of empowerment through thoughtful exploration of additional pathways to success. “With RW Digital, my mission is to enable brands to reach multicultural audiences through programmatic data-driven media solutions. Current multicultural advertising lacks marketplace knowledge and a deeper understanding of cultural nuances.

Our platform also partners with brands to drive social impact to important social causes,” said Russell Westbrook. “Empowering underserved communities is my passion. With this venture, I can make an impact on a global scale.”

Causal IQ, a leading programmatic solutions provider, was selected by Westbrook and his team as a strategic partner based on its extensive programmatic advertising expertise and decades-long digital media knowledge.

“Together with Causal IQ, we have developed a sophisticated platform with extensive data sets to streamline the ability for brands and agencies to reach targeted audiences whilst amplifying owned and operated minority publisher voices” said Donnell Beverly, Jr., Russell Westbrook Enterprises President.

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Cayman Kelly Shares Thoughts on Some of His Favorite Summer Interviews WASHINGTON, PRNewswire -- Radio veteran Cayman Kelly has had a busy summer recently welcoming legendary R&B group New Edition on his popular SiriusXM radio show, along with visiting the Essence Festival of Culture to meet up and interview a range of other celebrated Black musicians and talent. Heart & Soul regularly features in-depth interviews with Black music talent while spinning adult R&B hits from yesterday and today.

“I’m a longtime fan of New Edition,” said Cayman Kelly. “Their work is epic and super important because they’ve made lasting contributions to the advancement of American music, while bringing joy and hope to listeners everywhere. No doubt about that. Plus, you know, it was a blast – it’s New Edition! I got to hang out with ALL 6 of the guys! It’s surreal to me that the guys I grew up listening to are now my friends! How crazy is that?!”

Originally formed by Bobby Brown in 1978 with Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, and Ralph Tresvant, New Edition reached the absolute heights of musical popularity in the 1980s, with their first album – scoring hits like “Is This the End,” “PopPRNewsFoto corn Love,” and “Candy Girl.”

New Edition went on to secure its place in history with other important songs like “Cool It Now,” and “Telephone Man,” before becoming certified double platinum in the United States. Evolving through the years – despite a series of management controversies, interpersonal setbacks, and band-member shifts – New Edition remains one of the most significant African American groups to come out of the 1980s American R&B boom.

We talked about all of the above, while taking a trip down memory lane up to present times. We played all of the hits from the group and the group in their various iterations as solo artists and beyond. The interview can be accessed On-Demand on the SXM App. “During another show in New Orleans for the Essence Festival of Culture, I interviewed other great Black talent too, like Tank,” said Kelly.

“I’ve known Tank for a long time – been following his career since the beginning. He’s a fantastic guy. Tank released some new music you have to check out: ‘Slow.’ Pretty steamy stuff, but definitely a hit in the making.”

“And during the festival, Tamar Braxton also stopped by for a chat.

While later, Bobby Brown and his whole family gave us a visit to talk about their new ventures that include their new series on A&E and the Bobby Brown Foods Company. They’ve all been supporters of the show as past guests – so it was just really meeting up with old friends. Especially since this was the first live Essence festival since the pandemic started.

We were all happy to be back.”

“I also wanted to give a shout-out to some other artists we spoke with like Rotimi, Kim Fields, Sherri Shepherd, and Earthquake. Rotimi has a new album everyone should be listening to, ‘All or Nothing.’ And Sherri is starting a new talk show coming this Fall. Kim is on Netflix with ‘The Upshaws,’ and Earthquake is one of my voiceover brothers and SXM family, as well as fellow Washingtonian, not to mention one of my favorite comedians, now has a standup comedy special produced by Dave Chappelle on Netflix as well.”

“My show on Heart & Soul has allowed me to meet and speak with a whole range of Black talent, from Academy Award-winning actors to legends in music, TV, and comedy,” said Kelly. “It’s certainly a privilege and a lot of fun.

But during times like now, I’m also reminded of how crucial this work really is for the future.

Because it allows me to help amplify the message of each of these artists and, by doing so, encourage a whole new generation of listeners.”

Join Cayman Kelly in celebrating other important Black artists on Heart & Soul – airing weekly on SiriusXM. And for up-to-the-minute news on Kelly’s ESPN show announcements or other voice appearances, visit him online. Follow Cayman Kelly on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn. Cayman Kelly is the widely recognized imaging voice for multiple radio stations, including POWER 105.1 in New York, hosting the “The Breakfast Club,” and a popular national show on SiriusXM’s Heart & Soul. Recently, Kelly was chosen as the featured voice for the SPLAT! “GAME PLAN” image library, and he continues to be the national voice for ESPN and NFL Monday Night Football – the first African American to achieve that position – while also serving as the new imaging voice for the NHL. Learn more about his life and work at: www.

CaymanKelly.com.

REVOLT Announces New Female-Driven Talk Show ‘Black Girl Stuff’ LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- Leading Black-owned independent multimedia company REVOLT have debuted “Black Girl Stuff,” an exciting new female-driven talk show addressing important cultural topics and conversations. Produced by REVOLT’s culture-forward programming, the weekly Gen-Z hybrid series is geared towards a whole spectrum of African-American women in their twenties and thirties and will include disruptive and PRNewsfoto/REVOLT unapologetically Black content.

Produced and presented by REVOLT Media, Black Girl Stuff is hosted by four exceptional young women including Demetria Obilor, Brii Renee, Akilah Ffriend and Tori Brixx alongside correspondent Kennedy Rue. Filmed at REVOLT’s Atlanta-based production headquarters, each weekly episode will

include round table discussions with exciting guests such as Usher, Ludacris, and more, who will shed light on a variety of important cultural topics. Continuing to build upon REVOLT’s fresh approach to content creation, Black Girl Stuff will premiere on the company’s linear channel and streaming app, alongside a podcast format featuring exclusive social and digital content. Serving its modern audience with original content available in a variety of platforms, this series expands the company’s creative strategy anchored in Hip Hop and powered by creators.

“We are excited to continue amplifying the voices of unapologetic Black women who represent diversity in backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to drive the conver-

sations that matter to Black women globally,” said Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT. “Black women have proven to be the most influential demographic driving culture across categories and Black Girl Stuff provides a platform to explore important topics through their lens in a way that will empower Black women to speak their truth, share their stories and embrace their power.”

Filmed in REVOLT’s Atlanta-based headquarters, Black Girl Stuff was produced by a team of talented Black female creatives who identify with the show’s themes. Thoughtfully created with the company’s young female viewers in mind, each episode will include relevant conversations that connect with Black women from a relatable lens. As part of REVOLT’s ongoing mission to create impactful content, Black Girl Stuff is the result of experienced and creative Black women who authentically relate to the show’s topics and discussions.

For more information on REVOLT’s linear content, please visit https://www.revolt.tv/ and visit www.revolt.tv/ providers for local broadcast listings.

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HBCU TOP SCHOLARS RECEIVE INTERNSHIPS WITH STERLING BAY CHICAGO (August 3, 2022) – Representing diversity and equity in action, Sterling Bay this week will conclude its annual Sterling Bay Connects, a six-week summer internship program with a dozen students, including those selected from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Sterling Bay selected 12 students for its internship program this summer, with three students selected from HBCUs: Xavier University of Louisiana, Spelman College and Howard University. Six of the interns are women, and six are people of color. Each HBCU student will receive $3,000 scholarships for two years to support their graduation goal.

Sterling Bay is one of the first local developers to have a relationship with HBCUs related to educational scholarships and internships.

Keiana Barrett, Sterling Bay Director of Diversity and Strategic Development, said, “It is crucial that we build the pipeline of diverse talent in the construction field for our collective future. This internship program for students from HBCUs has the opportunity to move the equity needle that is necessary for building talent for Sterling Bay, as well as for the industry in general.”

Selected scholars include Sherri Arnold, a rising junior at Xavier University of Louisiana; Myana Johnson, a rising junior at Howard University; and Kennedy Cole, a rising junior at Spelman College. These outstanding students are receiving SB Connects to Excellence Scholarships and/or SB Connects to HBCUs Scholarships, in partnership with Chicago Scholars. In the past several weeks, interns had opportunities to visit Sterling Bay properties, as well as learn about construction, site selection and leasing.

Xavier University of Louisiana rising junior Sherri Arnold of South Shore was among those selected for the prestigious internship. Arnold attended Whitney Young Magnet School and decided to attend an HBCU to expand her horizons. “I grew up in a single parent household,” Arnold said. “My mom worked in healthcare and also worked with creating resources for homeless people. She opened the door for me to see the disparity in my neighborhood. I want to work to change that disparity.”

She wants a seat at the table and to see more diversity in the industry overall. “Having more diversity makes you think about things you might otherwise not. I want my community to be thought of when these buildings are being built, and I am here to bridge that gap,” she said.

Kennedy Cole, an Auburn-Gresham native and rising junior at Howard, said, “Being at Sterling Bay has allowed me to be able to apply the things I learned into the career path that I am Sterling Bay HBCU/2 currently pursuing. It is an experience that has shaped the way I will go about my remaining two years of college and beyond.”

Myana Johnson of Chatham is a rising junior at Howard University, where she is a Political Science Pre-Law major. Prior to Howard, she graduated from Jones College Prep in Chicago. Very interested in the fields of real estate and infrastructure, Johnson said Sterling Bay has given her a steppingstone. ”This internship made me feel capable, that I have a lot to offer to this field,” she said.

The students’ internships end Aug. 4 with a capstone presentation highlighting their gained knowledge and experience at Sterling Bay. Through this program and others, Sterling Bay is building unique relationships with higher education institutions, creating opportunities today for a more inclusive and diverse workforce tomorrow.

A world-class real estate developer, Sterling Bay has deep involvement in creating and growing diversity and equity in construction, real estate and the life sciences sector in Chicago. Beyond the company’s efforts to engage minority-owned construction firms at Lincoln Yards – a 53-acre mixed-use community being developed on former industrial land along the North Branch of the Chicago River – this commitment includes investing in building careers and creating a pipeline of the next generation in real estate.

ABOUT STERLING BAY Sterling Bay is a national real estate company that boldly transform spaces, industries, and communities, sparking growth and opportunity at every turn. Known for creating innovative, connected, and collaborative spaces for world-class companies such as Google, McDonald’s, WPP, Pinterest, Dyson and Tyson Foods, Sterling Bay is consistently recognized for award- winning projects that enhance communities and strengthen a company’s culture and brand. Sterling Bay’s team of more than 185 professionals is responsible for a portfolio exceeding $5 billion, and a development pipeline of more than $20 billion. For more information,visit www.sterlingbay.com.

ABOUT HBCUs Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African-American community. Learn more about the 107 schools identified as HBCUs by the U.S. Department of Education: www.thehundred-seven. org/hbculist.html

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HIGH-ROI HOME UPGRADES to Improve Curb Appeal

(Family Features) Your home’s exterior can say a lot about you and your family while also making a first impression on guests (and potential buyers). Because of the impact curb appeal has on the amount prospective buyers are willing to spend on a home, it’s important for homeowners to look beyond simply choosing the right siding color and consider different siding materials and profiles, adding accents like stone veneer and researching other exterior upgrades that can both increase beauty and deliver performance over time.

In fact, exterior remodeling projects typically top the list of projects that add the most resale value to homes. According to Remodeling’s 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, nine of the top 10 projects delivering the best return on cost were exterior renovations.

If you’re looking to sell or just want to increase the overall value of your home, consider these high-ROI exterior upgrades from the experts at Westlake Royal Building Products that can improve aesthetics and increase resale value.

especially important for darker shades.

Shutters Adding or replacing shutters is another easy way to add a bit of flair and can be a key finishing touch in creating the perfect exterior. With the potential to play beautifully alongside windows and siding as well architectural style and surrounding landscaping, it’s important to make thoughtful choices and install them properly to ensure they look and function as designed.

Front Door If replacing the front door isn’t necessary, adding a fresh coat of paint is a simple way to refresh your home’s exterior.

You can take your “dated” door and make it modern again with a bold, on-trend color. Take it one step further by adding artistic house numbers, a new light fixture or a door knocker in an unexpected shape for inexpensive pops of style.

Vinyl Siding Updating your home’s exterior with vinyl siding yields

a 67.2% return upon sale, according to the report. When considering new siding, look for high-quality, low-maintenance materials. Depending on where you live, insulated vinyl siding can add additional protection against the elements, as well as increased energy efficiency. While function is important, don’t be afraid to make bold choices with color, texture, different profiles and contrasting trim to make a true statement with your home’s exterior.

For example, Westlake Royal Building Products offers a wide range of vinyl siding options in the latest shades, including adding five on-trend colors to its Royal Siding and Exterior Portfolio lines. Inspired by colors found in nature, the gray, blue-gray, brown and green tones reflect the latest trends in modern exterior home design. Both lines feature patented color protection technology to resist fading, which is

Composite Decking Another exterior remodeling project with a high ROI (62.1%), according to the report, is replacing your home’s existing wood deck with composite decking. An option like Zuri Premium Decking combines the natural beauty and warmth of exotic hardwood with the durability and low-maintenance requirements of PVC (cellular polyvinyl chloride), which resists stains, scratches, fading and moisture, for a deck that will last for years with minimal upkeep.

Column Wraps Give your front porch an instant facelift by wrapping your existing columns with PVC wraps. This is an easy way to achieve a cleaner and more modern, updated look.

Resistant to moisture, PVC column wraps prevent issues found in traditional wood columns, such as warping, rotting and insect damage. Available in a variety of ready-to-install styles, they can also be painted to complement your home’s exterior color palette.

Find more ideas to increase your home’s beauty and resale values at westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com.

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POP UP COOKING Creativity

(Family Features) As an important life skill, learning to cook and becoming familiar with kitchen basics can be an exciting adventure for kids from toddlers to teens. Using a delicious childhood favorite like popcorn as the key ingredient at the center of your lessons can spur interest and enthusiasm.

Along with understanding measurements and safety, teaching your children how to make simple recipes also offers opportunities to bond and make memories that can last a lifetime. Popcorn is a snack food associated with good times and it’s versatile enough to encourage creativity.

While it’s important to start with easy techniques that introduce future chefs to the culinary world, it’s also helpful to ensure they’ll enjoy eating their first creations so they’ll be eager for more time in the kitchen.

As a whole grain that’s 100% unprocessed with no additional additives, hidden ingredients or GMOs, air-popped popcorn has only 30 calories per cup and offers a whole grain that provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates. Because whole grains are important sources of nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, B vitamins and fiber, you can instill the values of nutritious snacking all while having some fun.

These simple yet delicious recipes and tips can help you get your kids involved in the kitchen.

Encourage Creativity Making learning fun is an important introduction to the world of cooking. Starting with a versatile base ingredient like popcorn that’s naturally low in fat and calories, encourage your child to get creative with a recipe like Pop-a-rific Popcorn Balls. With simple variations like adding food coloring or mixing in candies, nuts or dried fruit, it’s a colorful way for little ones to build confidence in their skills.

Measure Ingredients A key component to recipes of all difficulty levels, teaching measurements from teaspoons and tablespoons to cups, ounces and more is valuable knowledge. Start with the basics like these Simple Popcorn S’mores that call for popcorn and graham crackers to be measured out in cups so your child can focus on one unit of measurement. Then, if little ones are helping, have an adult melt the chocolate and drizzle for a family-favorite snack.

Get Messy Learning how to create and explore is often productive (and fun) when children can get their hands dirty. Sweet ’n’ Salty Popcorn Pretzel Sticks are a perfect canvas for letting kiddos work directly with the ingredients as they can roll pretzels in peanut butter, add sprinkles to their heart’s content and press popcorn into their newfound favorite treat.

Find more kid-friendly recipes to get the whole family involved in the kitchen at popcorn. org.

Pop-a-rific Popcorn Balls Yield: 14 balls 3 quarts popped popcorn, unsalted 1 package (1 pound) marshmallows 1/4 cup butter or margarine Place popped popcorn in large bowl.

In large saucepan over low heat, cook marshmallows and butter or margarine until melted and smooth. Pour over popcorn, tossing gently to mix well. Cool 5 minutes.

Butter hands well and form into 2 1/2-inch balls.

Variations: To color popcorn balls, add 3-4 drops of food coloring to smooth marshmallow mixture. Mix well to distribute color evenly then pour over popcorn as instructed.

Mix in candies, nuts or dried fruit after mixing popcorn and melted marshmallows. Stir to distribute then form into balls.

Place nonpareils in shallow bowl or plate. Roll popcorn balls in nonpareils after forming.

DIY Popcorn Bar

Whether you’re entertaining guests, hosting a houseful of kids or simply enjoying a weekend at home, a DIY popcorn bar provides a tasty and joyful way for children and adults alike to create their own version of an afternoon snack. Just set out a few ingredients and watch the fun unfold.

• Small popcorn bags, bowls or cups • Scoops or spoons • Popped popcorn • Peanuts (remember to ask fellow parents if their children may have an allergy) • Candies • Raisins • Chocolate chips • Seasonings • Shredded cheese • Shredded coconut • Melted butter Sweet ’n’ Salty Popcorn Pretzel Sticks Servings: 6 6 tablespoons peanut butter 6 large pretzel rods 3 cups popped popcorn sugar sprinkles 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional) Spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter over one pretzel, leaving 2-inch “handle” without peanut butter. Repeat with remaining peanut butter and pretzels.

Press and roll popcorn onto peanut butter to coat each pretzel.

Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.

To make optional chocolate drizzle: Place chocolate chips in small resealable plastic bag and seal bag. Microwave 30 seconds, or until chocolate is melted.

Clip small corner from bag and squeeze to drizzle chocolate over popcorn.

Sprinkle with additional sugar sprinkles. Allow chocolate to harden before serving.

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DATA SHOWS COVID-19 IMPACT ON FUNERAL SERVICE IS SIGNIFICANT BROOKFIELD, Wis., PRNewswire -- The long-lasting repercussions of the COVID-19 are only just now being fully understood as data from the last two years becomes more widely accessible. Data from the 2022 Cremation and Burial Report, released by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), shows that one of the most notably impacted is the funeral service profession.

COVID-19-related fatalities in the U.S. increased the total number of deaths by 543,000 in 2021; the pandemic is expected to cause an additional 289,000 deaths in 2022. The most significant impacts of the pandemic on funeral homes and services can be seen in the following areas: Technology’s Pivotal Role in Memorial Services: A significant spike in demand was seen when 74.4% of funeral homes reported that the number of families they served increased, especially in large metropolitan areas. While some funeral homes already offered livestreaming services, since the onset of the pandemic, more than half of NFDA-member funeral homes began doing so to help families safely gather while adhering to restrictions on public gatherings.

Funeral homes are predicted to continue to expand this and other offerings – such as virtual funerals and an increased array of options to meet the needs of families with diverse cultural and faith traditions – in the future.

Increase in Online Arrangements: 40% of NFDA funeral homes now offer online cremation arrangements; 28.2% plan to offer the ability to make cremation arrangements online within the next five years. NFDA’s 2022 Consumer Awareness

& Preferences Report noted that while many more consumers are venturing online to plan a funeral or memorial service, more than half (53.7%) noted that even though they had a good experience, they still needed the assistance of a funeral director.

Nearly 10% indicated they did not get the personalized service they would have received had they worked with a funeral director and just over 1% said planning online was impersonal and not a good experience for their family.

Crematory Ownership Up: With the annual number of cremations in the U.S. expected to rise from 1.91 million in 2022 to 2.26 million by 2030, and to 2.94 million by 2040, there has, in turn, been growth in the number of funeral homes operating their own crematories.

Approximately 39% of funeral homes in the country now operate their own crematories and another 12% plan to open their own within the next five years. The highest concentration of crematories in the U.S. are in the Southeast, Great Lakes, and MidAtlantic regions where there tends to be a higher population density and a higher percentage of people 65 or older.

Labor Shortage: The employment rate for funeral service workers is expected to grow by 4% from 2020 to 2030, thus many firms anticipate hiring eligible workers to be a future challenge.

As cremation becomes more socially accepted among the public, another factor contributing to it outnumbering traditional burials in the U.S. is the rise in the number of Americans who do not identify with a religion. Other factors at play include lower costs associated with cremation services, changing con-

sumer preferences, weakening prohibitions, and environmental concerns.

In 2021, NFDA member funeral homes reported 41% of consumers chose a direct cremation, 35% chose a cremation with memorial service, and 24% chose a casketed adult funeral with viewing and cremation. NFDA projects the cremation rate in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. will exceed 50% by 2035.

“Even though it’s been a couple years since the onset of the pandemic, we are just now seeing the data that reflects the true impact and influence it has had on the way people memorialize and grieve their loved ones,” said NFDA President Randy Anderson, CFSP, COO. “As funeral directors, we are always here to assist and guide families in our communities to create an experience that they prefer, whether it’s blending familiar rituals with contemporary preferences, like cremation, or planning a tradition funeral and memorial service, to help them grieve and heal in the best way possible for them.”

Throughout the pandemic years, funeral directors proved their ability time and time again to swiftly adapt as they worked tirelessly to serve their communities by finding new ways to help families meaningfully pay tribute to their loved ones. Whether families are looking to organize a traditional religious funeral or a more customized memorial, it can be difficult to know where to start. Answering questions at all stages of planning, Remembering A Life (www.RememberingALife.com), NFDA’s family outreach and education website, offers guidance on where to begin the planning process, the kinds of decisions that families can make and the numerous options available to make a tribute both personal and meaningful. The site is designed to help people curious about their own affairs or those seeking answers following the death of a loved one.

For more information, please contact 800-228-6332 or visit https://www.nfda.org/.

Regard and TidalHealth Partner To Fight Clinician Burnout Through AI-Driven Workflows LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire -- Regard, a software company developing an artificial intelligence (AI) co-pilot for physicians to help diagnose medical conditions, and TidalHealth, a health system dedicated to community health and patient-centric care, today announced a new partnership. Through the implementation of Regard’s software, physicians within the TidalHealth network are able to automate electronic health record (EHR) chart reviews and enhance patient safety by ensuring all diagnoses are uncovered. This partnership also aims to reduce costs and drive better revenue through efficient documentation.

This partnership comes at a critical time as physician burnout continues on an unfathomable upward trajectory.

In 2022, nearly half of U.S. physicians reported feeling burned out and have lost eagerness to continue in the field. Designed to recognize approximately 50 of the most common medical conditions, Regard’s algorithms augment and automate clinical workflows to ensure no condition is overlooked. Physicians’ time spent writing notes has been reduced by 20%, according to Regard client time studies.

The technology has been used on over 40,000 patients and

has diagnosed over 500,000 medical conditions that otherwise would have been missed by providers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vast structural problems that exist within the U.S. healthcare system,” said Eli Ben-Joseph, co-founder and CEO of Regard. “Physicians are overwhelmed with administrative burdens when their focus should be providing high-quality patient care. Our technology is designed to advance and enrich the practice of medicine and we’re excited to help support TidalHealth as they look to empower their network of practitioners and build the future of medicine.”

With a track record of nearly 125 years championing the improvement and enhancement of patient and community care, TidalHealth practitioners in Maryland and Delaware now have access to Regard’s proprietary algorithms that will aggregate and mine the entirety of a patient’s medical history through their EHR. Less time writing and reading notes means happier doctors and more time to practice medicine. Recent studies show a 56% reduction in measures of burnout amongst clinicians using Regard. The aggregated data decreases room for error while optimizing

the diagnostic and billing processes, resulting in overall improved quality of care and allowing for accurate hospital reimbursements.

“Providers need to focus on the patient and not the technology. When we bring technology like this forward we can have a real impact on provider happiness,” said Mark Weisman, M.D., chief information officer and chief medical information officer at TidalHealth. “From workflow optimization to technology adoption and facility design and development, we’re always looking to provide our providers with a constant improvement of quality care.

We’re excited to join forces with Regard to empower our providers with groundbreaking technology which will allow them to streamline their workflows and maintain our standard of excellence.”

Technology built for providers means seamless integration and adoption, less frustration and more fulfillment.

Within two years, Regard has successfully launched in 15 hospitals across the country.

Learn more at tidalhealth.org.

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EDUCATION How to Supplement Classroom Learning at Home With Tech for Kids (StatePoint) When the school bell rings at the end of the day, the learning doesn’t need to stop. Some of the latest and greatest tech can get kids excited to expand their knowledge at home in ways that are fun, all while supporting and augmenting what happens in the classroom.

Here are some of the coolest tech-infused options to consider introducing to children this school year: Screen Free Fun LeapPods Max from LeapFrog are comfortable over-the-ear headphones designed to be safe for little ones’ ears while offering an immersive audio experience and a break from screen time. Beyond listening to music, hours of included activities spark a different kind of learning, taking kids on audio adventures, getting their mind and body moving with active challenges, introducing mindfulness activities and more. The included 14-page Adventure Passport guidebook that accompanies the audio adventures pairs engaging soundscapes and animal sounds with detailed illustrations.

Play right away with no web connection, downloads or account setup required.

Jump-Start to Coding Kids can explore the fundamentals of coding while having fun using apps like Cargo-Bot. Puzzles challenge them to teach a robot to move crates. Another great subscriptionbased option is Kodable. Offering an array of activities that familiarize kids with coding skills, along with opportunities to create original programs, this self-guided approach allows kids to master 21st century tech skills at their own pace.

Interactive Books

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Supplemental learning at home can provide kids with the tools they need to thrive in the classroom. Thankfully, new tech is making it fun, interactive and engaging. _______________________________________________

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: BACK TO SCHOOL ACROSS 1. *Beginning of a computer class?

6. Mandela's org.

9. Horned birds 13. Silly and insignificant 14. U.S. counterpart to British M15 15. Inuit skin boat 16. Long oar 17. Acronym, abbr.

18. Movie "____ Day Care" 19. *End of a pencil, sometimes 21. *"Back to School" star 23. Asian restaurant frying pan 24. Anne ____ of gothic fiction fame 25. ____ Beesly of "The Office" 28. Cote d'Azur city 30. Opposite of comic 35. Major mountain chain in Russia 37. It launched Columbus, acr.

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7. Network at 30 Rock 8. Wispy clouds 9. Yemen's neighbor 10. ____ receiver 11. The Tramp's spaghetti-slurping companion 12. Limit, to some 15. Bovine milk dispensers 20. Increasing 22. Month X 24. Reverberate 25. *Student 26. Scent, usually pleasant 27. Malaysia native 29. "Keep ____ and Carry On" 31. *One at high school reunion 32. Small Asian ungulate 33. September edition, e.g.

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51. *Do this in Math class 54. *Do this in Speech class 56. Subatomic particle 57. Sable and beaver, e.g.

58. *Type of exam 59. Like SNL 60. *Grader's suggestion 61. City in Sweden 62. "A day ____ and a dollar short" 63. Some special effects, acr.

65. Fall behind 67. Type of Christmas lights

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