South End Citizen 1-17-2024

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WEEK OF JANUARY 17, 2024

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WEEKLY

BUSINESS Rocket Companies Appoints Jonathan Mildenhall as Chief Marketing Officer

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P4 FREE | VOL 56 | ISSUE 48

The Man… His Works…

The Dream!

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK NEWS PAGES 11-12

Innovative Eyewear, Inc. Signs Professional Football Player Emmanuel Ogbah as Brand Ambassador

ALLBLK Releases Trailer ForR Fifth Season Of Double Cross, Premiering January 18

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2 NEWS briefly ILLINOIS ALLIANCE OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS HOSTS RIBBON CUTTING AT NEW LOCATION Celebration marks a year of change for the organization Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (Alliance) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their new location at 112 West Edwards Street in Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The event marks a year of growth under new Alliance CEO, Awisi Bustos, and celebrates the successes the Alliance has achieved. Special guest, Emanuel Chris Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representative, was on hand to share remarks.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is committed to tackling the challenges facing youth in our nation. Within the structure of the BGCA, the Alliance works to position Boys & Girls Clubs in Illinois as one of the premier youth development advocates in the State.

In addition to relocating the Alliance headquarters to a prime location near the State Capitol, the organization has also doubled the number of staff members and restructured teams to better serve the Clubs, distributed $9.1 million in grant funds to Clubs statewide, and cut more than $100,000 in costs through strategic positioning and sound decisions.

“We are excited to showcase our new location and look forward to building on our community and stakeholder relationships in 2024,” said Bustos. “We are appreciative of all Speaker Welch has done to support the Clubs across Illinois and are happy he is able to join us at this event.”

The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs represents 24 Boys & Girls Clubs - affiliated organizations throughout the state furthering the mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 52,000 youth throughout Illinois - from Genesee to Carbondale and Moline to Danville. With Clubs located in large urban areas such as Chicago, mid-sized cities such as Springfield and smaller communities such as Bethalto, Clubs support youth who need us most and face many different challenges. Boys & Girls Clubs’ proven youth development model supports the needs youth have in common, such as the need to succeed academically, while allowing local Clubs to tailor their programs and activities to the specific needs of their community’s youth and families.

Learn more at https://bgcillinois.org/

COOK COUNTY STARTING BLOCK GRANTS The JAC was thrilled to kick off the new year with the announcement of $5 million in Starting Block Grant awards to 51 community-based organizations in Cook County. This new capacity building grant initiative supports small to medium sized non-profit organizations looking to develop their infrastructure to increase organizational health, growth and sustainability.

This first round of Starting Block Grants will support a diverse and vibrant group of organizations working in service sectors including Violence Prevention, Education, Community and Economic Development, Arts and Culture, Human Rights, Health and Human Services.

Funded by the Equity Fund and the JAC, this initiative aims to increase equity in grantmaking in Cook County and help organizations that play vital roles in local communities meet their goals and achieve greater stability. In 2024 and beyond, we look forward to seeing how this capacity building funding will help the awarded organizations to grow, thrive, innovate and adapt in a changing world.

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Hospital Creates Program To Save Limbs is passionate and wants to do the work to save people’s limbs. Golzar said there have been patients transferred to the hospital from other hospitals locally and across A program at Advocate Trinity Hosthe country because of the program. pital has reduced the number of patients “We started this because we knew we could make who had to receive amputations. The a difference.

We started this because it was in the heart Advocate Trinity Limb Salvage Program of the South side of Chicago, the heart of the African was founded by Dr. Jaafer Golzar, CardiAmerican community, that we know has the worst ologist at Advocate Trinity and Advocate outcomes. We knew that if we worked hard and worked South Suburban Hospitals, in 2014. together and we were able to change this paradigm, not Golzar said 30 percent of patients only could we help the patients in Chicago, but we could who have critical ischemia and are adbe a national center of excellence and the epicenter of mitted to the hospital will have amputalimb salvage,” said Golzar, adding that it is his goal to be tion as the primary method of treatment. able to teach other doctors to salvage limbs.

He said the risk of amputation can drop In the first year of the Advocate Trinity Limb by 90 percent if they have an angiogram.

Salvage Program, there were 126 patients that were In African Americans there is a three Dr. Jaafer Golzar is Cardiologist times higher amputation rate than white at Advocate Trinity and Advocate enrolled in the program. There were six or less that lost their leg. Advocate is in the process of pulling together patients, which shows a significant South Suburban Hospitals. Photo all of its data. The amputation rates are less than 3 disparity in treatment. provided by Advocate Health. percent.

The loss of limb Saving the leg encompasses can also mean a loss opening the circulation and wound of life. Those who uncare. When the leg doesn’t have enough dergo a below the knee blood flow, the tissues start to die. The amputation; or a above process uses the same technologies to the knee amputation, open blockages in the heart, to open up it can change people’s blockages in the leg, using a tiny 2 mm life and can increase incision in the leg. Golzar has dedicated mortality. his career to use the current technolo“If you have a gies, as well as developing new technolobelow the knee amgies to address leg attacks. putation, at five years, “We get into those blood vessels 50 percent of patients and go all the way down into the leg and are dead. If you have open up the circulation, clean out the a above the knee plumbing and there are so many differamputation, 90 percent ent things we can do, once we are there, of these patients are that turns into the art of medicine. The dead,” he said, adding In 2014, Dr. Jaafer Golzar, a Cardiologist at Advocate Trinity and Advo- goal is to restore the blood flow down to that the Chicagoland cate South Suburban Hospitals, founded The Advocate Trinity Limb the foot,” he said. area has one of the highSalvage Program. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ADVOCATE HEALTH. From there, the patient is turned est amputation rates in over to the wound care team. They are the country. committed to limb salvage and understand it. They wound care Chicago also has the largest difference in lifespan from team follows the patient, with interventions from the podiatrist. one socioeconomic class to another, a 30 years difference in The family also is a part of the team, bringing the patient to the the length of people’s lives. Using advanced technologies and clinic and to the doctor’s office. minimally invasive techniques through tiny incisions, the team For more information about Advocate Trinity Limb Salvage at Advocate Trinity has been able to save people’s limbs. Golzar Program, visit http://tinyurl.com/2en6d5jj.re said the team-based approach makes the difference. The team

BY TIA CAROL JONES

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND DCASE ANNOUNCE CITY OF CHICAGO 2024 SUMMER FESTIVAL AND EVENTS DATES CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the 2024 dates for some of the City of Chicago’s favorite summertime traditions.

This year marks the milestone 20th anniversary of Millennium Park — the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top 10 most-visited sites in the United States. All season long, the Park will be bustling with free cultural events including a special Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (July 18–21).

Scheduled to take place almost exactly 20 years since the Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004, this four-day celebration will include activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, and concerts featuring headliners to be announced — presented by DCASE with the Grant Park Music Festival and others. Details will be shared in the coming months.

“Forever free and open for Chicagoans and visitors alike, Millennium Park is where we showcase the best of our city’s vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as artistry from around the world,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “From Crown Fountain to the iconic Cloud Gate, you’ll find the faces and the Soul of Chicago reflected there — in the Park’s peerless art, architecture, and cultural events. I look forward to celebrating #SummertimeChi, both downtown and in diverse communities across our great city.”

“Millennium Park offers a diverse lineup of music, movies, and more — at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and across the Park,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “From festivals celebrating the music born in Chicago to classical, pop, and rock concerts;

and from electrifying dance performances to workouts on the Great Lawn, there’s something for just about everyone this summer. Best of all, it’s always free. DCASE is proud to support creatives and expand access to the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods.”

The Millennium Park Residency Program returns in 2024 — made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and Pritzker Foundation — providing five more cultural organizations (to be announced) the resources and platform to showcase their work on the Park’s global stage. Additionally, Millennium Park’s robust 20th anniversary summer season of free programming will include the Summer Film Series, the Summer Music Series, and Summer Workouts.

2024 also welcomes the return of the City’s iconic annual music festivals and special events including the Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 1), Chicago Blues Festival (June 6–9), and Chicago Jazz Festival (August 29–September 1) at Millennium Park and citywide. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of House Music, a genre born in Chicago, the Chicago House Music Festival takes place June 2 in Millennium Park. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the annual Chicago Air and Water Show (August 10–11), awing locals and tourists alike one weekend earlier due to the Democratic National Convention. Taste of Chicago will once again showcase the city’s diverse culinary

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NEWS

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2024 SPRING/SUMMER FESTIVAL AND SPECIAL EVENT DATES Chicago Farmers Markets (citywide including Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.): May – October, ChicagoFarmersMarkets.us Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines St.): Sundays, May – October, MaxwellStreetMarket.us Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade (Daley Plaza and State Street): Saturday, May 25, Chicago.gov/ DCASE Millennium Park Summer Workouts (Great Lawn): Saturdays, May 18 – August 31, MillenniumPark.org Chicago Gospel Music Festival (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Saturday, June 1, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoGospelMusicFestival.us Chicago House Music Festival (Jay Pritzker Pavilion), Sunday, June 2; Chicago House Music Conference to take place at Chicago Cultural Center, Friday, May 31, ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us Millennium Park Residency Pro-

Darrell Garth President /Publisher Janice Garth Sales Manager General Manager Tia Carol Jones Managing Editior Editorial Send news tips, press releases, calendar listing etc to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com Advertising Display Advertising advertising@citizennewspapergroup.com or jgarth@citizennewspapergroup.com Classified Advertising call us at (773) 783-1251 Display Advertising call us at (773) 783-1251 Coverage Areas: CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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

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Washington Heights, Roseland, Rosemoor, Englewood, West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernw ood, 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, South Holland, and Dolton.

Shopping- their favorite pastime!

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Lake Meadow s, Oakland, Prairie Shores, Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland, South Shore and Hyde Park.

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Chicag o Westside Communities, Austin and Garfi el d Park

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.

ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE LICENSED REALTOR

gram (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Five Chicago cultural organizations (to be announced) will be granted the resources and platform to showcase their work throughout the summer; made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and Pritzker Foundation.

Chicago Blues Festival (Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park): Thursday – Sunday, June 6–9, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoBluesFestival.us Millennium Park Summer Music Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Mondays & Thursdays, July 1 – August 8, MillenniumPark.org Millennium Park Summer Film Series (Jay Pritzker Pavilion): Tuesdays, July 9 – August 27, MillenniumPark.org Chicago SummerDance (citywide including pop-ups and special events, Night Out in the Parks events, programs at the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park): select dates TBA June – September, ChicagoSummerDance.org

Millennium Park 20th Anniversary Celebration (Jay Pritzker Pavilion and throughout Millennium Park): Thursday – Sunday, July 18–21, MillenniumPark.org Chicago Air and Water Show (North Avenue Beach and along the Lakefront): Saturday - Sunday, August 10 & 11; rehearsal runs on Friday, August 9, ChicagoAirandWaterShow.us Chicago Jazz Festival (citywide including Millennium Park): Thursday – Sunday, August 29 – September 1, MillenniumPark.org and ChicagoJazzFestival.us Taste of Chicago (Grant Park and neighborhoods): Friday – Sunday, September 6 – 8 downtown in Grant Park. Three additional neighborhood Taste events to take place throughout summer, dates/locations TBA, TasteofChicago.us World Music Festival Chicago (citywide including the Chicago Cultural Center): Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 29, WorldMusicFestivalChicago.org

BULLS LAUNCH VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE CELEBRATING RING OF HONOR FEATURING TRIBUTE ESSAYS Writers include President Barack Obama, NBA legend Magic Johnson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Pearl Jam Lead Singer Eddie Vedder As part of its Ring of Honor celebrations, the Bulls launched a virtual experience on Bulls.com. In addition to honoree biographies, stats and highlights, fans can read tribute essays written about each honoree from notable figures, including: Jerry Colangelo, Chairman and Member of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, on Dick Klein Doug Collins, Former Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls, on Chet Walker Neil Funk, Former Bulls Broadcaster, on Johnny “Red” Kerr Pau Gasol, Former Chicago Bull, Two Time NBA Champion and Member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, on Toni Kukoc Phil Jackson, Former Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls and Member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, on Tex Winter Magic Johnson, Five Time NBA Champion and Member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, on Scottie Pippen Pete Nordstrom, President and Chief Brand Officer, Nordstrom, Inc., on Bob Love Barack Obama, 44th United States President, on Michael Jordan Gregg Popovich, Head Coach & President, San Antonio Spurs, on Jerry Sloan Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls Chair-

man, on Jerry Krause Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, on the 1995-96 Bulls Team Eddie Vedder, Lead Singer of Pearl Jam, on Dennis Rodman Bill Walton, Two Time NBA Champion, sports commentator and Member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, on Artis Gilmore Michael Wilbon, Co-host of Pardon the Interruption, ESPN NBA analyst and columnist, on Phil Jackson The essays will also be featured in the United Center’s east atrium, which will transform into a Chicago Bulls archive of never-before-seen memorabilia from all 13 individual honorees and the 1995-96 championship winning Chicago Bulls team.

At the atrium experience, presented by American Express, fans can get up close and personal with the essays, an official in-game signed basketball from the 1995-96 team, signed Air Pippen II “Pippens” and the game ball Michael Jordan used to score his career high 53 points. Fans can expect photo opportunities and a look at the Victor Solomon designed Ring of Honor crystal basketball that each honoree will receive.

For more information and to view the virtual experience, visit Bulls.com/ RingofHonor.

MAYOR BRANDON...Continued from Page 2 offerings alongside free concerts and family programming in Grant Park (September 6–8) in addition to three Taste neighborhood events throughout the summer.

The following are DCASE-produced spring and summer festival and event dates; information is subject to change.

Additionally, the Grant Park Music Festival (presented by the Grant Park Orchestral Association with support from the Chicago Park District and DCASE) takes place Wednesdays, Fridays and most Saturdays, June 12–August 17 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

Details at GPMF.org.

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DR. CARR’S

CORNER “Mentoring for Hope: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Youth in Foster Care” As we celebrate National Mentoring Month this January, I am reminded of the profound impact that mentorship can have on the lives of young individuals, particularly those navigating the intricate challenges of the foster care system. This month of reflection coincides with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary leader whose commitment to justice and equality inspires us all.

In the spirit of Dr. King’s dream, mentoring emerges as a beacon of hope for youth in foster care, offering a pathway towards a brighter, more equitable future. The essence of mentorship lies not just in guiding, but in empowering young hearts to envision a life beyond the constraints of their circumstances. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” It is a question that resonates profoundly in the realm of mentoring, especially when it comes to the vulnerable youth in our foster care system.

In my role as the CEO of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of mentorship. For many youth in foster care, the journey is marked by uncertainty, and the absence of consistent, caring adults can compound the challenges they face. Mentors step into this void, becoming beacons of stability and encouragement.

The youth we serve at CASA often carry the weight of past traumas and the instability of their circumstances. It is our collective responsibility to provide them with the guidance and support they need to break free from the cycle of adversity. Dr. King’s words echo in my mind: “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.”

In mentoring, we construct these dikes, fortifying the courage within each young heart to face an uncertain future with resilience.

Mentoring is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it is a personalized, empathetic journey of understanding the unique needs and dreams of each young person. By forging meaningful connections, mentors impart not only practical guidance but also the invaluable gift of belief—belief in the potential that lies within each youth, irrespective of the challenges they may have faced.

As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, let us carry forward his dream by becoming advocates for the vulnerable youth in our midst. Let us recognize that in mentoring, we are not just shaping individual lives; we are contributing to the fabric of a more just and compassionate society. Dr. King envisioned a world where every individual, regardless of their background, could reach their full potential. In mentoring, we take a tangible step towards realizing that vision.

This National Mentoring Month, let us join hands in the spirit of unity and service, echoing Dr. King’s call to action. Together, we can be the mentors our youth need—guiding them towards a future defined not by their past, but by the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

In the words of Dr. King, “The time is always right to do what is right.” The time is now, during National Mentoring Month, to embrace the transformative power of mentorship and pave the way for a future where every young heart, including those in foster care, can dream without limitations.

Dr. Bonita Carr is the CEO of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), for Cook County. Dr. Carr’s corner will appear in the Citizen monthly covering topics concerning trauma in the child welfare system, fostering, mentoring and other related justices in these types of systems that affect our youth and their well-being. Note: the views and words expressed in this column are not those of the Citizen Group, its publisher or facility.

If you have questions or need clarification on any topic covered, you can email her publicist at: deboraho@brownfarmermedia.com

4 BUSINESS

This page is sponsored by

ROCKET COMPANIES

Appoints Jonathan Mildenhall as Chief Marketing Officer DETROIT, PRNewswire -- Rocket Companies served as the first CMO of Airbnb and led the (NYSE: RKT), the Detroit-based fintech platform marketing through a period of unprecedented company including mortgage, real estate and oth- growth of the company. He and his team helped er financial services businesses, announced that the brand become a household name while it has named Jonathan Mildenhall as its first ever the short-term rental company expanded from group Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

400,000 homes on the platform to more than In this new role, Mildenhall will be respon4.5 million residences in 191 countries in just sible for creating a unified and compelling voice three and a half years. Airbnb aired its first for all businesses under the Rocket Companies Super Bowl commercial under Mildenhall and umbrella, with all forged many co-marmarketing and comketing partnerships munications teams for with culturally relevant the Company’s brands brands to raise awarereporting directly to ness and legitimacy for him. the business.

“Jonathan is one Before his time at of the top marketing Airbnb, Mildenhall led minds in the world, Coca-Cola’s marketwith a strong reputaing as Vice President tion for consistently of global advertising delivering compelling strategy and content campaigns that break excellence. He and through the clutter his team took Coke’s and become socially creative in new direcrelevant,” said Varun tions and created the Krishna, Chief Execucompany’s global martive Officer for Rocket keting campaign “Open Companies. “I have Happiness,” which been highly impressed helped the brand see Jonathan Mildenhall. PRNewsfoto/Rocket Companies. by the number of its most profitable incredible stories we growth period in 20 have to tell. Countless years. During his customers, team memtime leading Coke’s bers and vendors have marketing, it was told us how working named the Creative with Rocket changed Marketer of the Year their lives. I am looking at the Cannes Lions forward to Jonathan International Festival and the team creating new and innovative ways of Creativity. to share these inspiring narratives Mildenhall, a British-American, is also a Mildenhall brings more than 30 years of exboard member of GoFundMe and Fanatics. He perience building and promoting large, brand-fohas been included on Forbes’ list of the World’s cused companies. In 2018, he co-founded Twenmost influential CMOs, Business Insider’s list of tyFirstCenturyBrand, one of the world’s leading the most innovative CMOs and won Adweek’s branding and marketing consultancies. Over the Brand Genius award. past five years, the business has helped some of Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies (NYSE: the world’s most influential companies scale their RKT) is a Detroit-based fintech platform company impact including Pinterest, LinkedIn, Zalando, including personal finance and consumer techPepsiCo, NextDoor and Walmart. Mildenhall will nology brands including Rocket Mortgage, Rocket remain Chairman of the business.

Homes, Amrock, Rocket Money, Rocket Loans, “The role Rocket plays in helping people Rocket Mortgage Canada, Lendesk, Core Digital achieve the American Dream through home Media and Rocket Connections. ownership and financial freedom is massive and The Company helps clients achieve the cannot be overstated,” said Mildenhall. “I am goal of home ownership and financial freedom honored to be given the opportunity to work with through industry-leading client experiences powthis talented team, led by Varun, to tell stories that ered by its simple, fast and trusted digital soluwill inspire and motivate. It will be our mission to tions. J.D. Power has ranked Rocket Mortgage, #1 create integrated marketing campaigns that live in client satisfaction for both primary mortgage up to the extraordinary social impact that Rocket origination and servicing a total of 21 times. For makes every day.” more information, please visit the Rocket ComPrior to founding his own firm, Mildenhall panies Website or Investor Relations Website.

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Meet Charis Jones, the fashion CEO changing lives in Africa and beyond RICHMOND, Va., PRNewswire -- Charis Jones, CEO and Creative Director of Sassy Jones, is the first black female entrepreneur to build two girls dormitories at a Kenyan education center in Africa. Her initiatives have allowed prepubescent young girls to live separately from the boys, while maturing into confident young women. A percentage of every purchase with the brand goes toward the supplies to aid in the epidemic of menstrual poverty and the success of school in Kenya.

In commemoration of the brand’s philanthropic efforts, Sassy Jones designed a collection inspired by precious moments with the tribes and children.

Sassy Jones, is the rapidly growing fashion and beauty brand that leaped over 12,000% revenue growth with zero investments, in the last 4 years.

Charis sold her Mercedes Benz in order to finance a trade show tour in 2015 while raising 5 month old twin boys.

Although Charis Jones, CEO and Creative Designer of Sassy the tour was Jones. Sassy Jones fulfilling, she found herself financially and physically exhausted. So, she developed a pivot strategy quickly and built the pop up shop display in her kitchen to style her products via livestream, naming it The Sparkle Party®.

This is where the brand began to globally impact the lives of women by empowering them to practice audacity with their lifestyle choices.

To date, over 30,000 weekly viewers watch the Sparkle Party® to gain a sense of empowerment not only with their style, but to collect Charis’ tips on confidence, redirecting negative self talk and strategies on reclaiming their power. Rachel C., an Atlanta based customer said, “Your inspiration has brought me through some really dark times during COVID, like whenever I wear my Sassy Jones pieces I instantly feel like I can conquer the world.”

The Sassy Jones brand is a ministry; the products are simply the outreach tool. Charis Jones has built a fashion brand employing a staff of 90% women and 100% minorities. It’s reached a coveted peak spot of #24 on the prestigious INC 5000 list from the 3 times the brand has been listed. Sassy Jones plans to continue to prioritize independent growth in the coming years. When Charis was asked, what’s her secret sauce she mentioned, “I’ve always been enamored with how the woman feels in our pieces first rather than how she looks. Whereas the industry usually does it the other way around. Simply put, we sell confidence.”

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Innovative Eyewear, Inc. Signs Professional Football Player

Emmanuel Ogbah as Brand Ambassador Emmanuel Ogbah wearing the Lucyd Lyte Voyager XXL style smart eyewear.

IMAGE COURTESY OF INNOVATIVE EYEWEAR, INC.

MIAMI, PRNewswire -- Innovative Eyewear, Inc. (“Innovative Eyewear” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LUCY; LUCYW), the developer of the developer of ChatGPT smart eyewear under the Lucyd®, Nautica®, Eddie Bauer® and Reebok® brands, is pleased to announce the signing of Emmanuel Ogbah as an official brand ambassador.

Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogbah is a Nigerian professional football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Oklahoma State and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Lucyd eyewear’s open-ear audio interface makes it a perfect companion for outdoor sports, by enabling the user to enjoy music while helping to maintain situational awareness and protecting their eyes from the sun in one convenient product. Additionally, the Company’s Lucyd app for iOS and Android incorporates on-the-go access to ChatGPT. Harrison Gross, CEO of Innovative Eyewear, said “As a Miami-native brand, I am thrilled to partner with one of our local all-stars. Mr. Ogbah’s positive and energetic persona is a

welcome addition to our team, and well-suited to promoting our fun and functional smart eyewear. Although our slogan has always been Upgrade Your Eyewear®, we brand all of our products as Imagined in Miami, because we are so proud of the global design and innovation hub that our hometown is becoming. We look forward to working with more pillars of our local community like Mr. Ogbah.”

Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive End of the Miami Dolphins, said “I’m excited to join the Innovative Eyewear family.

They’ve done an incredible job developing some of the best technology and combining it with a fashion angle that I’m extremely passionate about.”

Innovative Eyewear is a developer and retailer of cutting-edge, ChatGPT enabled smart eyewear, under the Lucyd®, Nautica® & Eddie Bauer® brands. True to our mission to Upgrade Your Eyewear®, our Bluetooth audio glasses allow users to stay safely and ergonomically connected to their digital lives, and are offered in hundreds of frame and lens combinations to meet the needs of the optical market. To learn more and explore our continuously evolving collection of smart eyewear, please visit www.lucyd.co.

PUMA x VIVID VISIONS by Andrew Burgess:

a Textile-to-Textile Fashion Experiment HERZOGENAURACH, Germany -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global sports company PUMA reveals a new collaboration with US upcycler, Andrew Burgess and his brand VIVID VISIONS with the launch of an experimental one-off capsule collection.

Working closely with PUMA, Andrew has created five designs, each crafted entirely from PUMA’s recycled polyester RE:FIBRE fabric. Shot on models in London’s iconic York Hall Leisure Centre, the art direction combines futuristic fashion design with retro sports nostalgia, paying homage to PUMA’s roots, while celebrating the brand and Andrews’ commitment to sustainable textile innovation.

The creative imagery shows the garments repeated over and over – reflecting the infinite possibilities of circular fashion, where old garments are transformed into new ones, again and again.

Andrew, known for his talent in repurposing Business Wire unwanted and damaged clothes, was inspired by PUMA’s factory partners during a visit to Turkey. During his visit, Andrew witnessed first-hand the impressive polymers, and the cut off trousers and jacket reflect the progress PUMA has made in scaling up circular textile transformative process that is RE:FIBRE.” technology and produced his own bespoke RE:FIBRE fabric This fashion experiment comes as a result of the from recycled polyester garments. ongoing collaboration between PUMA and the US based “Seeing the innovation, research, machinery, susupcycler, who is part of PUMA’s Voices of A RE:GENERtainable practices and production that goes into crafting ATION – an initiative that aims to improve transparency RE:FIBRE fabric was eye-opening. When I think of garment and conduct greater communication regarding the brand’s production, I think of the final sewing stage where the fabsustainability efforts. ric comes together to make the finished product as that’s The custom PUMA x VIVID VISIONS one-off collectypically my upcycling process. But learning exactly what tion is the final chapter in Andrews’ creative Thread the goes into breaking down old textiles - that would potenLoop campaign, a social content series which aims to raise tially have otherwise gone to landfill – before they become awareness of PUMA’s efforts toward achieving “100% of something new was super interesting.” Andrew says. product polyester used, coming from textile waste”, as The collection itself reflects the beauty of the RE:PUMA CSO Anne-Laure Descours stated. “Rethinking how FIBRE recycling process, with designs that embody the we produce garments and experimenting with ways that shredded, depolymerised, repolymerised, and reimagined we can move towards a more circular business model is textiles. one of the main priorities of our sustainability strategy.”

Andrew says “My brand VIVID VISIONS is all about Since the launch of the pilot in 2022, PUMA has blending the past with the future, so working with PUMA produced recycled training jerseys for Manchester City, AC to create a one-off collection made from a ‘new’ recycled Milan, Olympique de Marseille and Borussia Dortmund. fabric was pretty cool. The fabric strips on the sleeves repThis month, PUMA have announced they’ve scaled up the resent the RE:FIBRE yarn that’s been spun from the melted textile recycling innovation. In 2024 official PUMA football

replica jerseys* including those for the Euro and Copa América tournaments will be manufactured using RE:FIBRE recycled materials, made from old garments and factory waste rather than only recycled plastic bottles.

Andrew’s brand, VIVID VISIONS is an upcycling brand built off reusing old textiles to produce unique designs, which we’ve seen supported and displayed

by NBA Icons (Jayson Tatum) and US Rappers (A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie).

RE:FIBRE is PUMA’s textile-to-textile recycling program, which can transform any polyester material into new garments via a four-step process.

The four-step process of RE:FIBRE sees: Collect and Sort: Collecting and sorting textile waste and other previously wasteful materials.

Shred and Mix: Shredding and mixing the collected materials down to the minimum.

Dissolve, Filter and Polymerize: Melting down the shredded polyester and ridding them of previous dyes through a chemical recycling process.

Melt, Spin, Knit and Sew: The melting allows the newly produced polymers to become ready to be spun and sewn into shape to create good as new RE:FIBRE fabric which can be recycled again and again. *excluding local replicas for Fenerbahçe SK, Shakhtar Donetsk and locally sourced kits.

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 20,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

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The Unexpected Crisis --- Preparing for the Financial Impact of Alzheimer’s “As the disease progresses, caregivers will need to pay for services or support for the person living with Alzheimer’s.

Financial literacy is especially important for caregivers, because it provides them with the knowledge and skills needed to better support themselves and others.”

During Financial Wellness Month this versus $6,667). greater risk of becoming victims and may January, the Alzheimer’s Association is ● Nearly half (48 percent) of care struggle with making good financial deciencouraging individuals and families to contributors must cut back on their own sions. take stock making financial plans that will expenses – including basic necessities ● Organize your finances — Conduct create some security in preparing for an like food, transportation and medical care an inventory of your financial resources unexpected crisis of caring for someone – to afford dementia-related care, while (savings, insurance, retirement benefits, with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. others must draw from their own savings government assistance, VA benefits, etc.).

One in nine Americans age 65 and or retirement funds.

A financial planner or elder care attorney older are living with Alzheimer’s disease ● Nearly two out of three people incor- can help.

– that’s more than 6 million Americans rectly believe that Medicare helps pay for ● Create a backup plan — Designate across the country and 233,000. The dis- nursing home care, or are unsure whether a trusted back-up agent for the person’s ease not only takes a tremendous physiit does. power of attorney and consider desigcal toll on diagnosed individuals, but the To help families navigate these and nating responsibilities to more than one costs associated with the disease can be other financial challenges, the Alzheiperson. overwhelming and put a huge economical mer’s Association recently launched a “Many caregivers experience financial strain on families. Disease-related costs free online education program, “Managing problems because they have to reduce can jeopardize a family’s financial securi- Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances.” their hours or take time off work,” said ty, and many families and caregivers make Tips from the program include: Delia Jervier, Executive Director, Alzheienormous personal and financial sacrific● Plan early — There are many benmer’s Association, Illinois Chapter. “As the es. efits of planning early when it comes to disease progresses, caregivers will need to The 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Alz- your finances – both for the caregiver and pay for services or support for the person heimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report the person with the disease. living with Alzheimer’s. Financial literafound: ● Start a positive discussion about fi- cy is especially important for caregivers, ● In 2022, the lifetime cost of care nances — Bring in trusted family members because it provides them with the knowlfor a person living with dementia was or close friends for a discussion about edge and skills needed to better support $392,874. what the person with the disease wants themselves and others.” ● In 2021, dementia caregivers bore for the future.

For more information on financial nearly twice the average out-of-pocket ● Avoid financial abuse and fraud — planning, visit: Plan for Your Financial costs of non-dementia caregivers ($12,388 Individuals living with dementia have a Future or alz.org.

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Tax Season Is Here: 2 Tips Before Rushing for a Refund CHICAGO – Tax season return and refund (or payment) credits and deductions. The guages spoken. Find your CPA officially starts Jan. 29, when are processed without delays.

Illinois CPA Society’s free at www.icpas.org/findacpa. the IRS begins accepting and In fact, the IRS encourages tax- “Find a CPA” directory can Founded in 1903, the processing tax returns for the payers to avoid filing paper help you find the trusted, stra- Illinois CPA Society, with 2023 tax year. With the IRS an- returns whenever possible, tegic advisor that’s right for more than 21,700 members, ticipating receiving nearly 129 noting that filing electronical- you based on location, types is one of the largest state million individual tax returns ly is the fastest, easiest, and of services needed, and lanCPA societies in the nation. by the April 15, 2024, deadline securest way to complete a this season, getting an early tax return. start on prepping yours may be For most taxpayers, the best. The Illinois CPA Society deadline to file their peroffers these tips for speeding up sonal federal tax return, pay the filing process: any tax owed, or request an 1. Gather all your informa- extension to file is April 15, tion first. Before starting your 2024. If a taxpayer lives in tax return, gather and organize a federally declared disasall the information you’ll need. ter area, they also can get This includes all applicable extra time to file. Taxpayers 2023 tax records and forms, requesting an extension will along with Social Security have until Oct. 15, 2024, to numbers, Individual Taxpayer file. However, if taxes are Identification Numbers, and owed, it’s still a taxpayer’s Adoption Taxpayer Identifiobligation to pay those taxcation Numbers, if applicable. es by April 15, 2024.

Previously confirmed victims of Overall, the IRS genertax-related identity theft, and ally estimates most taxtaxpayers who’ve proactively payers who are due refunds requested one, should also have will receive them within 21 their current IRS-issued Iden- business days if they file tity Protection Personal Idenelectronically, choose direct tification Numbers. For certain deposit, and there are no istaxpayers, this could mean sues with their tax returns.

There is no greater way to honor the waiting to file until mid-Febru- The IRS says improvements ary or even March to ensure all to the online “Where’s My legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King on his income and tax-related docuRefund” tool will allow tax95th Birthday Anniversary than to register ments have been received—es- payers to see more detailed and vote in the March 19, 2024 Primary pecially the various 1099 forms and clearer refund status from banks and other entities updates this filing season.

Election. reporting unemployment comFiling your federal and pensation; dividends; pension, state tax returns is always annuity, or retirement plan dis- a hectic process. CPAs, cerwww.citizensformariyana.com tributions; investment income; tified public accountants, and other earned income. have your back. CPAs are 2. File electronically and strategically positioned to Paid for by Citizens for use direct deposit. These are help file your tax returns Mariyana Spyropoulos two important steps you can while determining the best take to help ensure your tax ways to maximize your tax

Its mission is dedicated to enhancing the value of the CPA profession through the strategic initiatives of advocacy, information, education, and connections. Visit www. icpas.org.

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Rainbow PUSH MLK Scholarship Breakfast Highlights Photos by L.M. Warbington

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DIONNE WARWICK, CHLÖE, FRANKIE BEVERLY, AND DONALD LAWRENCE STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT FOR THE 2024 “URBAN ONE HONORS”

ALLBLK

RELEASES TRAILER

FOR FIFTH SEASON OF DOUBLE CROSS, PREMIERING JANUARY 18 Special guest stars Eric Roberts and ZimZon Zion join for season five (Black PR Wire) New York, NY – Recently, ALLBLK, the popular streaming service for Black television from AMC Networks, released the trailer for the highly anticipated fifth season of their most popular series, Double Cross. The 6-episode hit series returns Thursday, Jan. 18th.

After the shocking reveal of their true biological father in last season’s finale, the vigilante “Wonder Twins” are back, and with a vengeance. Ashley A. Williams and Jeff Logan reprise their roles as crime-fighters Erica and Eric Cross, respectively, and continue their crusade against child trafficking no matter the cost. This season the Cross crew is faced with a case hitting extremely close to home, as Eric’s newborn son is kidnapped. Meanwhile, the twins discover a bus full of elementary school children has mysteriously vanished. With the stakes higher than ever it will take a village to get everyone home safe.

Special guest stars this season Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts (Babylon) and Zimzon Zion (He’s For The Streets), join returning cast Darrin Dewitt Henson (Stomp The Yard), Jasmine Brown (comedian and social media influencer), Judi Johnson (A Wesley Christmas), Redaric Williams

(Zatima) Faith Malonte (A Rich Christmas), Candice Van Beauty (Christmas Déjà Vu), Cameo Sherrell (The Black Hamptons) and more.

Double Cross is executive produced

by Christel Gibson and Howard Gibson.

Head of Content, Brett Dismuke and SVP of Development & Production, Nikki Love, also serve as executive producers for ALLBLK. ALLBLK is an invitation to a world of streaming entertainment that is inclusively, but unapologetically – Black.

Featuring a diverse lineup of content that spans across genres and generations, the ALLBLK library includes exclusive original series such as A House Divided and Double Cross; must-see independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, popular WE tv originals, lively stage plays, and so much more. ALLBLK is available everywhere streaming services are found – iOS, Android, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV and Apple TV Channels, Roku and Roku Channels, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, Cox, DISH, Sling TV, Charter and more. At www.ALLBLK.tv, ALLBLK offers a free 7-day trial and thereafter is just $5.99/month or $59.99/year. Keep up with ALLBLK on Facebook at Facebook.com/WatchALLBLK and Twitter/ Instagram @WatchALLBLK.

SILVER SPRING, MD – Urban One revealed the honorees for “URBAN ONE HONORS,” set to tape on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, GA. This year’s two-hour telecast theme is “Best in Black” and premieres during Black History Month on Sunday, Feb. 25, on TV One and simulcast on CLEO TV. “URBAN ONE HONORS” is the ultimate celebration of Black Excellence, acknowledging individuals whose remarkable achievements and significant contributions have left an indelible mark on the arts, media, music, and the community. This year’s distinguished recipients include Dionne Warwick, recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Chlöe, celebrated as the Generation Next Honoree; Frankie Beverly, honored as a Living Legend, and Donald Lawrence, acclaimed for his Inspirational Impact.

“As we unveil the lineup for this year’s ‘URBAN ONE HONORS,’ we are delighted to highlight the incredible musical journeys of Dionne Warwick, Chlöe, Frankie Beverly, and Donald Lawrence.

Their selection as honorees is a recognition of their profound impact on both music and culture, spanning generations,” says Michelle Rice, President of TV One and CLEO TV, “ From soulful ballads to timeless contributions Urban One and contemporary brilliance, these iconic artists have not only shaped the musical landscape but have also contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of our society. Each honoree represents a unique chapter in the story of music, and we are honored to celebrate their enduring legacies at this year’s Urban One Honors: Best In Black.”

Teyana Taylor, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, Angie Stone, October London, alongside a reunion featuring KeKe Wyatt, Chanté Moore, and Nicci Gilbert (cast of R&B Divas) round out the star-studded lineup of performers and presenters with additional names to be announced. GRAMMY™ Award-winning singer and actress LeToya Luckettreturns to host the event’s “Backstage Pass,” featuring exclusive interviews with the show’s honorees, performers, and presenters.

Sponsors for Urban One Honors include Ally, P&G, Rocket Mortgage, Subaru, Intuit TurboTax, Walt Disney World® Resort, and Walmart.

The 2024 “URBAN ONE HONORS: Best In Black” is presented by TV One. This marks the official kickoff celebration for TV One’s 20th Anniversary, marking two decades of excellence in entertainment. In honor of this milestone, throughout the year, TV One is set to roll out an array of special programming, featuring curated retrospectives, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and a series of commemorative events. As part of the festivities, viewers can anticipate engaging interviews with key figures who have shaped the network’s journey and showcase of iconic moments that have defined TV One over the past 20 years. The anniversary celebration underscores TV One’s commitment to delivering exceptional content and fostering a deep connection with its audience.

“URBAN ONE HONORS” is produced for TV One by James Seppelfrick of The Cheat Code. Marilyn Gill is the Executive Producer.

Myriam Leger will serve as Director and Daniel Moore as Music Director. Kashon Powell is the Vice President of Programming for Radio One and Susan Henry is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production for TV One.

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Chicago’s South Side

BY WENDELL HUTSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Reprint Hyde Park Citizen 2/19/2020

Wikimedia Commons

Was Big Part of the Civil Rights Era The civil rights era may have began in the south but made its way through Chicago’s South Side by way of Dr. Martin L. King Jr., who delivered one of his first Chicago speeches at the University of Chicago.

On April 13, 1956, a 27-year-old King spoke at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., after being invited by Chicago historian Timuel Black, who earned a master’s degree in social science two years earlier at the University of Chicago (U of C).

In 2003, Black donated much of his historian papers including the 1956 speech King gave at the U of C to the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St. “We cannot slow up, because we have a date with destiny and we must move with all deliberate speed,” King told a standing room only crowd at the chapel in 1956. “This is a conflict between the forces of light and dark, and in the end there will be victory for justice and democracy because love will triumph. If you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving forward!”

In total, King visited the U of C three times between 1956 and 1966 during an era when he received the Noble Peace Prize in 1964, and then Congress passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The more King came to Chicago, said Black, the larger his followers became as he preached justice, peace and equality for all.

“We are, in the South, moving from a negative peace, where Negroes accept a subordinate place in society, to a positive peace, where all people live in equality,” King said on Oct. 25, 1959 during a Sunday worship service at the chapel.

King’s last U of C visit was on Jan. 27, 1966, one day after he moved his family into a West Side apartment building. The 39-year-old Baptist preacher was shot dead by a lone gunman while in Memphis, Tenn. with other civil rights leaders including the Rev. Jesse Jackson on April 4, 1968.

That day changed Black America forever said Black, a 100-year-old Washington Park resident.

“Things were never the same in America for blacks after King was killed,” contends Black. “This man stood up for ‘us’ and he died for us too and

that is something black folks will never forget.”

Black helped organize marches and protest demonstrations for King when he visited Chicago, and said he did so because he believed in his message of hope. And on Aug. 28, 1963 Black, a Chicago teacher at the time, was among the 250,000 people that stood in the mall in Washington, D.C. to hear King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

“I was impressed that a young, black man cared enough about us black folks to speak out against injustices even if it meant becoming a ‘target’ by whites,” recalled Black. “His courage and determination to see justice at any cost was remarkable and really inspired me to want to become apart of his movement for change in America.”

But even with all the accomplishments King made in Chicago and around the world, Black pointed out some lingering issues that remain

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a challenge today like housing.

“Housing segregation still exists in Chicago. More unity is needed in the black community,” said Black. “Nowadays there’s a unique class-separation, but back when I was growing up there was no class-separation among blacks. We all looked alike and we all lived in the same neighborhoods.”

He added that during his generation black kids lived at home with both parents, but now black kids are growing up in households with no male role models.

“There were mostly two-parent households back then but today that is less than 35 percent,” contends Black. “The community has disconnected itself from helping families and now we have a bunch of single mothers raising children with no help from the community.”

A contributing reason why so many black youth are involved in crimes like murder and selling illegal drugs is because young people do not plan not for the future, explained Black.

“The reason you see so many young people shooting each other is because they do not believe there is a future for them and they just don’t care about their actions,” added Black. “That’s why you don’t see more young people voting and getting involved with their community.”

Fast forwarding to more than 40 years after King was murdered the fight for equality in Chicago continues, only these days it’s by more modern civil rights leaders like entrepreneur Edward Garner, who founded the former Soft Sheen Products Co. in 1964 with his wife in the basement of his South Side home.

These days Gardner, 95, spends much of his time with family but remains passionate about blacks getting what he described as “their fair share of the pie.” In 2012, he went on a citywide crusade shutting down construction sites (especially those in black neighborhoods) whose workers did not include any blacks.

“This makes no sense at all. Here we have a construction project going on in the heart of the black community and out of 15 workers none are black,” Gardner said in 2012 about a construction site in Chatham. “If this must be my last crusade in my life, so be it. I will not rest until I see more blacks hired for construction projects.”

One year later in 2013 Gardner led about 200 protesters to march outside Menard, 9100 S. Western Ave., in Evergreen Park because he said there were no black construction workers used to build the store.

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5 Things to Know: Surprising Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

BY SHANNON C., SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER, SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech was partially improvised and that the iconic phrase was left out of the original draft? While King had used the line in several speeches in the months prior to the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, a few of his advisors questioned its use and kept it out of the original drafts of the speech. While delivering his address to the nation, King was encouraged by his friend and legendary gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson to “tell them about the dream, Martin.” King departed from 4-minute prepared remarks to deliver one of the most famous and influential speeches of the 20th century.

1

Martin Luther King Jr. was named after Protestant reformer Martin Luther.

In 1934, King’s father, a respected Atlanta pastor known then by his birth name of Michael King Sr., embarked on a religious journey around the world. The senior King traveled to Rome, Tunisia, Egypt, Jerusalem, Bethlehem before arriving in Berlin to attend the Baptist World Alliance meeting. The trip to Germany, which occurred only one year after Adolf Hitler became chancellor, would have a profound effect on him. As he toured, the senior King gained a great respect for German monk and theologian Martin Luther, whose 95 Theses challenged the Catholic Church and ultimately split western Christianity.

Upon his return state-side, Martin Luther King Sr. changed his and his five-year-old son’s names in honor of the Protestant reformation leader. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth certificate would reflect this change on July 23, 1957, when it was officially revised.

2

King entered college when he was 15-years-old King skipped two grades and entered college at the age of 15. He was admitted to Morehouse College in 1944 and graduated in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology at the age of 19. The Morehouse president, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, became an inspi-

rational figure in King’s life.

King continued his education at Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. Despite receiving a C grade in a public speaking class, he was elected student body president and graduated valedictorian of his class in 1951. He enrolled in Boston University’s doctoral program and was awarded his Ph.D. at the age of 25. While in Boston, King met Coretta Scott and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

3

King was arrested 29 times His charges (many of which were dropped) ranged from civil disobedience to traffic violations. See more on his arrests at The King Institute.

4

King survived an assassination attempt a decade before his death On September 20, 1958, King was at a Blumstein’s department store in Harlem for a book signing when a young woman slipped past the line of people to approach him. The woman, named Izola Ware Curry, asked if he was really Martin Luther King Jr. and after he replied “yes,” she thrust a seven-inch letter opener into his chest. Curry claims she had been after him for five years believing he had ties to the Communist Party.

The stab wound narrowly missed King’s heart and he underwent emergency surgeries that lasted

hours. King would later issue a statement affirming his nonviolent beliefs and stated he had no malice feelings towards his attacker.

5

After his death, the King family filed a civil case against the government and won On December 8, 1999, twelve jurors reached a unanimous decision that King’s death was a result of a conspiracy. The trial took place in Memphis, TN, and included four weeks of testimony and over 70 witnesses. The jury was convinced by the evidence and reached a verdict after only an hour of deliberation. Overwhelming evidence showed James Earl Ray was not the shooter but was set up to take the blame. After the evidence showed Ray did not pull the trigger, local, state and federal U.S government agencies, and the Mafia were to blame.

The King family was awarded $100, which they donated to charity. To them, it was never about the money; they just wanted the truth out, and for justice to be served. Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change has been a global destination, resource center and community institution for over a quarter century.

This post was originally written by Shannon C., Social Media Volunteer, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Chicago South Side ...Continued from page 11 “This has got to stop. Building businesses in black areas but not using black contractors,” Gardner said in 2013 as he stood in the parking lot demanding to speak with the store manager.

“I want to see more black faces at the beginning of a project, not at the end.”

Today’s civil rights leaders in Chicago have done remarkable work and Dr. King would be both proud and disappointed that more has not been done since his death, said former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who was the keynote speaker at a Jan. 20 Dr. King event in Harvey.

“I never met Dr. King obviously because I was just a little boy during his era but I have studied his work and have always tried to do my part as a civil rights believer and supporter,”

Jackson Jr. told the Citizen. “Dr. King would be proud of the efforts we as a nation have made when it comes to equality for all. But I think he would also be disappointed with the limited accomplishments this country has made since giving up his life for us.”

So much has changed in Chicago for blacks thanks to King’s efforts, contends Jackson Jr. Housing segregation has been outlawed so blacks can live anywhere they desire, although there still remains an unwritten boundary when it comes to ‘well-to-do’ areas.

Hyde Park has a population of 24,100 and 52 percent are white while 28 percent are black and historically it has been majority white

neighborhood, according to census data. But more black families now reside in the South Side neighborhood, such as President Barack Obama and the Nation of Islam’s Minister Louis Farrakhan.

And blacks can now attend public schools with whites even though it was once illegal to do so.

Wendell Phillips High School is in Bronzeville and was built in 1904 as the first public high school in Chicago whose students were predominately black even though Phillips himself was a white abolitionist and attorney.

“See what I mean when I say while we have come a long way and achieved many things we still have much work that needs to be done before we can truly be proud of ourselves as a nation,” said Jackson Jr.

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The 7th Annual L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Weekend Brings Over 800 Businesses to Chicago to Celebrate the Impact of Black Entrepreneurs WDB Marketing Provides a Platform to Showcases and Support the Growth of Black-Owned Businesses at L.E.G.A.C.Y. Conference and GALA WDB Marketing’s 7th Annual WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. (Leadership, Education, Growth, Advocacy, Community and Youth) Awards Weekend is set for a three-day celebration of Black entrepreneurs from February 29th through March 2nd. Events that weekend will provide platforms for inspiration, information, showcases, and networking opportunities for over 800 businesses.

The weekend will conclude with a celebration for inspiring and established entrepreneurs and their impact in communities.

The highly anticipated weekend has been established to be the meeting ground for local momand-pop businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and small to larger emerging enterprises.

The events and activations are strategically planned to foster exchanging ideas from job creation, important aspects of businesses, networking to leadership, and generating hope for entrepreneurs.

The weekend will connect Black entrepreneurs of all sizes and provide resources to help them grow their businesses, such as financial institutions and corporate contracts. It is also one of the largest stimuli for black-owned businesses, having directly circulated over $1.5 million amongst black-owned businesses.

On Thursday, February 29th, WDB Marketing will host a private meet and greet. The event will allow special guests, guest panelists, honorees of the WDB Marketing L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards, and businesses to network.

The L.E.G.A.C.Y. Power Conference will take place on Friday, March 1st, at the beautiful Greenwood Oasis, 7621 S. Greenwood. The event will provide informational support to black business owners in the areas of marketing, operations, financing, corporate procurement, personal development and more. WDB Marketing structured the conference to provide resources to help entrepreneurs scale and grow their business to seven figures and beyond. This year the conference is expected to attract more than 600 Black Owned Businesses.

Concluding the weekend, Saturday, March 2nd will be The WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Gala located at The Old Post office, 433 W Van Buren St, Chicago. The gala is set to connect 800 start-up and seasoned business owners at all stages of their business in one room for a night of networking and celebration. Highlights will included fifteen Black Owned Restaurants showcase, and the winner of the Young Entrepreneurs of The Year Award https:// www.legacyawardsweekend.com/2023-young-entrepreneaur-ofthe-year. In addition, six esteemed honorees will be presented The 2024 WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards for their social and economic impact in the community.

The WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Gala honorees includes Louis Carr, Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) president of media sales (LEADERSHIP), Betty Clawson, Dudley Beauty College School Director (EDUCATION) Dee Robinson, founder of Robinson Hill, Inc., and a senior executive with extensive experience starting and growing food and beverage and retail businesses (GROWTH), Freddie Taylor, founder and CEO of Urban Intellectuals (COMMUNITY).

For more information and tickets log on to https:// www.legacyawardsweekend.com/.

About WDB Marketing WDB Marketing is a full-service marketing company established in 2006.

Services include graphic design, brand management, marketing solutions, and full-service printing. They manufacture all of their print services inhouse, making them the first African-American-owned full-service printing manufacturer in the South Suburbs. To date, WDB Marketing has proudly serviced over 5,000 businesses and entrepreneurs across industries including retail, professional and not for profit.

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CLASSIFIED 14 | South End | Week of January 17, 2024

REAL ESTATE AC 1-3-2024 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST A Plaintiff, -v.- THOMAS QUINN, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CLARENCE BOLTON, DECEASED, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, HARRISON BOLTON, LATASHA MOSLEY, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF CLARENCE BOLTON Defendants 22 CH 00769 9314 SOUTH JEFFREY AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60617 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 13, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 6, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 9314 SOUTH JEFFREY AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60617 Property Index No. 25-01-323-017-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff's Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 3469088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 2002425IL Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 22 CH 00769 TJSC#: 43-4616 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 22 CH 00769 I3235700 ________________________________________ AC 1-10-2024 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MAIN STREET ASSET SOLUTIONS, INC; Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF BEVERLY J. RILEY; WALEITHA MARLOWE; LESTER MERRIWEATHER; TAMARA RILEY HOLLOWAY; BOBBIE RILEY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 7830 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 20-36-315-024-0000 VOL. 273.

Commonly known as 8410 SOUTH JEFFERY BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, IL 60617. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff's Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W170306 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3235887 ________________________________________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY,

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ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CELINK Plaintiff, -v.- ADEEBA AKBAR, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, KHALIL AKBAR, HABEEBA AKBAR, CELINE AKBAR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF SALEEM AKBAR, THOMAS P. QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SALEEM AKBAR (DECEASED) Defendants 2021 CH 05615 10135 S. LUELLA AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60617 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 22, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 6, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10135 S. LUELLA AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60617 Property Index No. 25-12416-087-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 EMail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-21-02826 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2021 CH 05615 TJSC#: 43-4613 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2021 CH 05615 I3235985 ________________________________________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR LEGACY MORTGAGE ASSET TRUST 2018-RPL4 Plaintiff,-v.- BOBBIE N. PEACOCK, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2022 CH 04397 444 E. 76TH STREET CHICAGO, IL 60619 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 24, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 20, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 444 E. 76TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60619 Property Index No. 20-27-401-025-0000 The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The judgment amount was $293,553.96. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied

against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff's Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710.

Please refer to file number 22-9256. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710 EMail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 22-9256 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2022 CH 04397 TJSC#: 43-3085 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 04397 I3236161 ________________________________________ AC 1-17-2024 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.- AFRAH B. MANDERSON A/K/A AFRAH BRENDA MANDERSON, HISTORIC CHICAGO BUNGALOW ASSOCIATION Defendants 10 CH 35939 7749 SOUTH CRANDON AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60649 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 15, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 26, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7749 SOUTH CRANDON AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60649 Property Index No. 20-25-422-015-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family home with detached garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff's Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-

9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 20-05165IL_614495 Attorney Code.

61256 Case Number: 10 CH 35939 TJSC#: 422050 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 10 CH 35939 I3236068 ________________________________________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.- BONZETTA R. GALBREATH, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA Defendants 2019 CH 07139 7216 S. MICHIGAN AVE 1ST FLOOR CHICAGO, IL 60619 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on August 19, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 13, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7216 S. MICHIGAN AVE 1ST FLOOR, CHICAGO, IL 60619 Property Index No. 20-27-107-0200000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 EMail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-05099 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 07139 TJSC#: 43-4621 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2019 CH 07139 I3236314 ________________________________________ IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE OF CIM TRUST 2021-R5 Plaintiff, -v.- DONNA PITTMAN, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LAVONNE SMITH, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, AMIR MOHABBAT, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LAVONNE SMITH (DECEASED) Defendants 2023 CH 06310 8411 S PAXTON CHICAGO, IL 60617 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 14, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 16, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8411 S PAXTON, CHICAGO, IL 60617 Property Index No. 20-36411-004-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in "AS IS" condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by

the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff's Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 EMail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-22-06342 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2023 CH 06310 TJSC#: 43-4266 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff's attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2023 CH 06310 I3236630 _______________________________________

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to "An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State," as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23011288 on December 18, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of KIERRA CHARDAY STOKES with the business located at: P.O. BOX 6084, CHICAGO, IL 60680 The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: Owner/Partner Full Name STOKES KIERRA CHARDAY Complete Address 9138 SOUTH CARPENTER STREET CHICAGO, IL 60620, USA ________________________________________ Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333. The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: KIERRA CHARDAY STOKES PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: C/O 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6084 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] United States of America NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: stokes, kierra charday c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands. If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: stokes,kierra charday MAILING ADDRESS: C/O 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6084 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: kcsexecutrixoffice@gmail.com ________________________________________ Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333. The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: BRIAYANA TANSHAY STOKES PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO Box 7793 Chicago Illinois [60680] United States of America NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: stokes, briayana tanshay c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands. If you submit an attachment, it

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will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: stokes, briayana tanshay MAILING ADDRESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 7793 Chicago Illinois [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: btsexecutrixoffice@gmail.com ________________________________________

will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment.

By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: howard,felisha MAILING ADDRESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6088 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: fhexecutrixoffice@gmail.com ________________________________________

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333. The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: FELISHA HOWARD PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: C/O 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6088 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: howard, felisha c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands. If you submit an attachment, it

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333. The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: LAKENDRICK CONNILUS STOKES PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6342 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: stokes, lakendrick connilus c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands.

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If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: stokes, lakendrick connilus MAILING ADDRESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6342 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: lcsexecutoroffice@gmail.com ________________________________________ Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333 The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: BRASHAD QUINTRELL STOKES PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6223 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: stokes, brashad quintrell c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands. If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: stokes,brashad quintrell MAILING ADDRESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6223 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: bqsexecutoroffice@gmail.com ________________________________________

Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333. The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: CONNILUS JEROME STOKES PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6223 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Address: stokes, connilus jerome c/o General-Post Office Harrison Street West- 433 Chicago Illinois 60699-9998 United States Minor, Outlying Islands. If you submit an attachment, it will be incorporated into this document. If the attachment conflicts with the information specifically set forth in this document, this document supersedes the data referenced in the attachment. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. SIGNED BY: stokes,connilus jerome MAILING ADDRESS: c/o 433 WEST HARRISON STREET PO BOX 6223 CHICAGO ILLINOIS [60680] EMAIL FOR OFFICIAL NOTICES: cjsexecutoroffice@gmail.com ________________________________________

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ELIZABETH “LIZZIE G” ELIE LICENSED REALTOR

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