South Suburban 2-1-2023

½ and Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry

REP. DAVIS ANNOUNCES CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Washington – Rep. Danny K. Davis announced that the City of Chicago and Cook County would receive a reallocation of emergency rental assistance funds from the U. S. Treasury for the second quarter, beginning in April. This funding is a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, enacted on March 11, 2021. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, and local governments. Grantees such as the City of Chicago and Cook County use the funds to assist eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

Davis said, “Emergency rental assistance is of great need in the City of Chicago, especially in Cook County’s marginalized communities. This funding will help many people.”

The U. S. Treasury reallocated $422,807.14 to the City of Chicago and $2,561,988.87 to Cook County. Here is the website for additional information about the program: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/ coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program

For Chicago: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/ depts/doh/provdrs/renters/svcs/emergency-rental-assistance-program.html.

For Cook County: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/ rent-help.

REP. HARPER APPOINTED TO LEAD HOUSE AGRICULTURE AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya M. Harper, D-Chicago, is building upon her record as a tireless advocate for healthy food access, equal opportunity and diversity in agriculture and environmental sustainability with her appointment to chair the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee during the 103rd Illinois General Assembly. Harper is the first person of color to chair that committee.

“For a lifelong advocate of local healthy food systems and sustainable agriculture, this is very exciting news,” Harper said. “Creating more prosperous and thriving neighborhoods is a key part of energizing any state’s economy and supporting our agricultural economy while ensuring local healthy food access for all residents helps us do just that. I look forward to the opportunity to deliver smart and forward-looking policies for communities, families and farmers across Illinois.”

Harper’s legislative work has helped the state develop a brand-new, equity-focused approach to both the agriculture industry and food access. Recent laws Harper passed have resulted in a number of policies and programs beneficial, not only for the overall economy, but especially for urban farmers, farmers of color and residents of areas classified as food deserts:

The Agriculture Disparity Study tracks food deserts and promotes additional benefits and enhanced access to various forms of assistance for farmers of color, including urban farmers;

The Agriculture Equity Commission will soon begin its work promoting diversity and combatting the effects of historical disinvestment and discrimination in the agriculture industry;

The Healthy Food Program is beginning development, and will soon be helping to promote access to healthy groceries including fresh fruits and vegetables in communities that lack local access to them;

The Right to Garden Act is now in effect, protecting residents who grow food on their properties from local government interference.

“I look forward to continuing working on these issues and others to make our state’s top job producing industry even better, more inclusive and to eventually produce more food in our state for families that need it.”

Harper’s office is reachable at 773-925-6580 or repsonyaharper@gmail.com.

School District asks Village to help with student safety

Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

According to Hazel Crest School District 152 ½, on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 1th1, gun shots were fired in the direction of students walking home after a basketball game about two blocks away from the school. In another incident that took place on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 12th, a teacher’s car was stolen from the Jesse White Elementary School parking lot during a volleyball game.

The Hazel Crest School District 152 ½ encompasses parts of Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, Harvey and Markham. There are approximately 450 students who attend the Jesse White Learning Academy. At a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 24th, there was representation from the Village of Markham, Hazel Crest, as well as Illinois State Representative Will Davis, school board members and other community partners.

“We’re looking for a strong partnership that will lead towards favorable outcomes on the behalf of children. In this case, reduction in crime and safe passage for our children, making certain that the community at large feels safe,” said Dean Barnett, President of Hazel Crest School District 152 ½.

Barnett said the School District will use resources to ensure that the students and staff are safe. Barnett believes a partnership that includes everyone in local is the key to keeping everyone in the community safe. Barnett added it will require heavy lifting.

The next step will be community school meetings.

The first will take place at the Jesse White Learning Academy and the next meeting will take place at the Barack Obama Learning Academy, in Markham. The goal is to implement resources that the School District can control, from Ceasefire to providing safe passage for the students.

“We want those parents to know, from the point they leave, once they open that door and step out of the door, they will be safe. The children are in our hands and we will make sure they are safe, until they cross the threshold of their respective schools, and as they travel back home,

they should have that same level of expectation of being safe, that they will have the opportunity to grow up and they will not be murdered,” Barnett said.

Barnett has vowed to continue to be committed to having conversations with those responsible for Public Safety.

Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent of Hazel Crest School District 152 ½, sent a letter home to families and a letter to the staff of the school. In the letter to the parents, Spells wrote: “We held a safety meeting with all the students and staff informing them of what to do in the event this happens again … While we recognize we cannot control outside forces, we will continue to monitor students walking home and continue to support our students with ways to help keep them safe.”

Spells has been having conversations with one of the school’s parent groups, Donuts to Dads. Spells wants to be proactive to ensure nothing happens to the students. Spells added that whatever he has asked the Village President and local law enforcement for, he has received.

“We’re all at the table, we all want to make sure the students are safe,” Spells said. “We want to take a stressor off our kids, we want them to be more concerned about getting into college than getting home.”

Village of Hazel Crest President Vernard Alsberry said the Village will increase the police presence at the school during classes, as well as when there are evening activities. He said there also is an increased police presence in the community, which is known as Hazel Crest Proper. Alsberry did acknowledge there has been an increase in crime in the South Suburbs.

“Hazel Crest Police are very active, not only being present, but following up on issues that happen in the community,” he said, adding that the Village wants to partner with the schools to ensure there are activities for the young people who live there. “We take the safety, of our students and citizens in Hazel Crest very seriously, we know it’s important and we continue to make sure our community is a safe place to live and a place where people want to live.”

Almost 2 Million Dollars in Scholarships Awarded to South Suburban Students at HBCU Band Auditions

RICHTON PARK, ILL. — Band students from Rich Township 227, Hillcrest High School and Southland College Prep Charter High School were offered almost 2 million dollars in four-year band scholarships last month at the annual HBCU band auditions event held at Southland College Prep.

Eighteen students auditioned for spots at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) bands, said Dr. Carl Cogar, the director of fine arts at Southland College Prep who started the audition event in 2018.

“Being a part of the marching band at an HBCU is a life-changing experience,” Cogar said. “We wanted to give our students in the south suburbs the opportunity to audition for some of the best bands in the country in person and have the chance to go to college on a band scholarship.”

Twenty-seven HBCU band directors made their way to the Richton Park high school campus on December 20 to hear promising young musicians. The directors were in Chicago for the 76th annual Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference.

The universities and colleges included Hampton University,

University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State University, North Carolina A & T University, Clark Atlanta University, Texas College, Virginia State University, Allen University, Central State University, Claflin University, Miles College, Talladega College, Morehouse College, Delaware State University, Tuskegee University, Wiley College, Langston University, Mississippi Valley State University and Fisk University to name a few.

Each student auditioned for a minimum of six colleges and universities. Each school offered students a scholarship in excess of $32,000 for four years. Some schools offered students full band and academic scholarships. One Southland student received scholarship offers of more than $320,000. Cogar estimates that students earned “well over” $1.7 million in scholarship offers.

Ron Harrigan, Southland’s director of bands, was excited to see his students walk away from the evening with scholarship offers in hand.

“This event gives students a chance to earn a college education through their musical skills and talent,” Harrigan said. “Getting scholarship offers is a reward for their years of hard work and dedication.”

I llinois American Water Opens Annual Environmental Grant Program

2023 Environmental Grant Program open to applicants; deadline to apply is March 31

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- (BUSINESS

WIRE) -- Illinois American Water has opened the application window for its 2023 Environmental Grant Program. The program funds innovative, community-based projects focused on improving, restoring and watersheds.

For over 10 years, Illinois American Water’s Environmental Grant Program has supported diverse initiatives including watershed cleanups, reforestation, biodiversity, streamside buffer restoration, wellhead protection, hazardous waste collection, watershed education and more.

Rebecca Losli, Illinois American Water President, said, “We are committed to providing clean, safe and reliable water service to our customers. Our responsibility includes helping to protect our water sources. Our Environmental Grant Program allows us to support innovative projects within our communities to make a difference in our environment.”

She continued, “Since 2009, Illinois American Water has contributed more than $290,000 to over 90 projects dedicated to water source and environment protection.”

To apply, organizations must submit applications for projects located in an Illinois American Water service area, and: Address a source water or watershed protection need in the community.

Be completed between May 1 and Nov. 30.

Introduce a new community initiative or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program.

grant for the Marilla Park Water Redevelopment Project. Funds were used to install a bi-level bottle filling station and pet hydration station.

Living Lands and Waters received a $1,000 for disposal costs related to their river clean-up program.

National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) located in East Alton received a $3,150 grant to fund books and kits for a three-day teacher training symposium in July focused on watershed protection programs.

Nature at the Confluence located in South Beloit received a $1,000 grant to purchase an Enviroscape Model to strengthen their watershed-focused educational programming for K-12 students, scouts, adults and families.

Urbana Park District received a full grant request of $920 to support the Weaver Park Wetland Plant Re-establishment project.

Woodridge Rotary Club received a $2,300 grant to support the Native Plant Pollination Garden in Woodridge.

Customers can help protect our precious resources by using water wisely through the following actions:

Repairing leaking pipes and faucets. Using garden, lawn, garage or other home products which won’t impact groundwater.

Disposing of chemicals or other potentially harmful products properly by not pouring them directly into home drains, the sewer street drains or the lawn.

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

REP. MAYFIELD REAPPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS-PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, will continue to take a leading role in facilitating public safety efforts across Illinois after being reappointed to lead the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives for the newly-begun 103rd General Assembly.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the important work in which I have been engaged during the next two years,” Mayfield said. “During the last General Assembly, we were able to move Illinois forward with several significant achievements including more funding for law enforcement, enhanced programs to address retail theft, car theft, gun crime and more. However, more work remains to be done and the coming session is the time to do it.”

The 103rd General Assembly began on Jan. 11 and will continue until January 2025. Mayfield was also the chairperson of the same committee during the recently-ended 102nd General Assembly, where she maintained a consistent record of no-nonsense, equity-focused legislative work, including her efforts to help successfully pass the historic SAFE-T Act.

“This committee’s work is at the intersection of two of the most important aspects of public service—keeping the public safe and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Mayfield said. “These are both areas of responsibility that I take very seriously, and I am excited once again to take on the challenge of ensuring they continue to be addressed in a balanced way.”

Mayfield’s constituent service office is reachable at 847-599-2800 or 60thdistrict@ gmail.com.

REP. DAVIS ANNOUNCES CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

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

SOUTH END

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

SOUTH SUBURBAN

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

Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK

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

CHICAGO WEEKEND

Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park

SUBURBAN TIMES WEEKLY

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

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

Be carried out by a formal partnership between two or more organizations. Provide evidence of sustainability (continued existence after grant monies are utilized).

Grant information and application forms can be found at www.illinoisamwater.com under the News & Community tab. Applications should be emailed to by March 31, 2023, to Mike Jones, Water Quality and Env. Compliance Supervisor, at Mike.Jones@amwater.com.

Last year, Illinois American Water awarded eight grants totaling over $14,000 as follows:

HeartLands Conservancy located in Southern Illinois received a $2,000 grant for the Watershed Adventures and Discovery Experiences Program (WADE) Phase 2. Funds were used to purchase trees.

Hickory Grove Elementary School

PTO in Dunlap received a $2,500 grant to support the group’s Outdoor Learning Center at Hickory Grove Elementary School.

Live Well Streator received a $2,000

Visiting www.illinoisamwater.com for more wise water use tips.

Customers can view their annual water quality report online at www. illinoisamwater.com.

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. American Water also owns and operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com. Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Rep. Danny K. Davis announced that the City of Chicago and Cook County would receive a reallocation of emergency rental assistance funds from the U. S. Treasury for the second quarter, beginning in April. This funding is a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, enacted on March 11, 2021. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, and local governments. Grantees such as the City of Chicago and Cook County use the funds to assist eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

Davis said, “Emergency rental assistance is of great need in the City of Chicago, especially in Cook County’s marginalized communities. This funding will help many people.”

The U. S. Treasury reallocated $422,807.14 to the City of Chicago and $2,561,988.87 to Cook County. Here is the website for additional information about the program: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/ coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program

For Chicago: https://www.chicago.gov/ city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/renters/svcs/emergency-rental-assistance-program.html

For Cook County: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/rent-help

5 Tips to Become a Homeowner in 2023

SPONSORED CONTENT FROM JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.

Homeownership is the largest financial undertaking for most Americans and a key to building generational wealth. It can provide a base of security, as building home equity provides you with more financial options in the future. For instance, home equity can be used to pay off debt, increase savings, start a business or invest for the future.

“If you’re a first time homebuyer the process can seem overwhelming, but it’s often one of the best decisions people make,” said Sakeena Walton, Community Home Lending Advisor for Chase. “We want people to know that the dream is in reach – perhaps closer than they even realize – and help them better understand the pathway toward achieving the potentially life-changing goal of homeownership.”

Below are five first-time homebuyer tips to help financially prepare you for buying and owning a home.

1 Save today for tomorrow’s financial goal.

If you know you want to be a homeowner, don’t wait until you’ve found the house you want to buy – start saving now. There are many expenses along your homebuying journey,including deposits, home inspections, appraisals, down payment and closing costs. Boosting your savings now can help you prepare for expenses that can occur even after you move in, including unplanned maintenance and repair costs. Begin by setting up an automatic transfer to your savings account from each paycheck and try to set aside bonuses and tax refunds.

2Exercise financially healthy habits.

Your credit score is an important measure of your financial health and gives lenders a good indication of how responsibly you use credit. There are several things you can do to improve your credit score, including using monitoring services offered by your financial partner. Set up alerts to track any new activity, including charges, account openings and credit inquiries.

3Describe your dream home.

The homebuying process often brings up a lot of questionsrelated to your finances and lifestyle. How are the nearby schools? Is it close enough to work? Is this the right price? The first step to looking for a home is to consider what you truly need in your home. While you may have always dreamed of a two-story house with a yard, take the time to make a list of things you need and want in your new home. Having a clear understanding of your housing needs will help you identify what’s most important when looking for homes.

4Buy within your financial comfort zone.

Your true housing cost includes more than your mortgage payment. A good first step is to use a mortgage calculatorto estimate your monthly payment, but you’ll need to add in utility costs (e.g., electric, gas, water and sewer), property taxes, homeowners insurance and any other monthly costs. Also consider the cost of home maintenance, including lawncare, unplanned repairs and a possible Homeowners Association fee. Utilize tools like Chase’s affordability calculator to help you determine how much you can comfortably afford based on your income and debt.

5Research down payment assistance programs.

Down payment assistance programs may be provided locally or even through your mortgage lender. Work with your lending professional to understand your options and what may be available to you. Chase, for example, offers eligible customers a $5,000 Homebuyer Grant that can be used toward down payment, closing costs, or even to buy down your interest rate. Learn more about this grant and see if a property you’re interested is eligible at chase.com/affordable.

There are many resources available to help first-time homebuyers boost their knowledge of homeownership. For more discussions around the homebuying process this podcast, Beginner to Buyer – beginnertobuyer.com – offers conversations with real buyers and expert guests that take listeners through each step of the process – from navigating mortgage rates to preparing for closing. For more information on home lending financial tools, such as a mortgage calculator, visit chase.com/mortgage.

Gale V. King Named Chair of The Executive Leadership Council

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire -- Gale V. King, Independent Board Director and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (retired) at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, has been elected Chair of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC). The ELC is the preeminent global membership organization for Black CEOs, C-Suite and senior executives, board members, top-tier entrepreneurs, and global thought leaders. The organization and its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global Black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve.

King’s term as Chair commenced on Sunday, Jan. 1. She succeeds Lloyd W. Brown, II, Corporate Community Reinvestment Act Officer at Citigroup, who served as ELC Board Chair for the prior two-year term from 2021 –2022.

“For more than a decade, I have been an enthusiastic advocate for The Executive Leadership Council and its stellar work in advancing Black leadership at the highest levels within global corporations and for paving the way for the next generations to come,” said King. “It is an honor to serve in this leadership role and I embrace the opportunity to partner with our members and member-affiliated companies to create lasting change and drive sustainable impact in the global community.”

“I have had the privilege of witnessing Gale’s leadership over several years and am delighted to welcome her as our new Board Chair. I am certain that we will benefit greatly from her unwavering commitment to our organization’s promise and its continued progress,” said Michael C. Hyter, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Executive Leadership Council.

After a distinguished career that spanned 37 years where she served as a member of the senior executive leadership team overseeing human resources, corporate real estate, and related support services across the business, King retired from Nationwide in July 2021. Her business leadership, which had marked impact across the organization, left an indelible mark on Nationwide. King notably spearheaded inclusive and future-focused workforce and culture practices that helped Nationwide become an award-winning workplace.

“Gale’s strategic and operational leadership at Nationwide was significant. She contributed to the business success and was a strategic leader and partner in the evolution of Nationwide’s world-class workforce culture,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “I am excited to watch Gale’s transformational leadership continue through her Chair role at The Executive Leadership Council.”

King also serves as a board director on several corporate boards including, AutoZone, J.B. Hunt and Unum Group.

“Gale is an exceptional leader who has provided significant insights and contributions to the AutoZone board. As

Chair of The ELC, I know that she and the board will be a tremendous team in advancing The ELC mission,” said Bill Rhodes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AutoZone.

As Chair, King heads the Executive Committee of The Executive Leadership Council Board of Directors, which includes Directors Nancy Armand of HSBC, Vice Chair; Gena Ashe of Anterix, Secretary; and Shaundra Clay of Beam Suntory, Treasurer. In addition to the members of the Executive Committee, The ELC Board of Directors includes Gerald Charles, Jr. of Capital One, Ed Dandridge of Susan G. Komen Board, Thomas R. Harvey of FloZenda Consulting, LLC, Janice Innis-Thompson of Nationwide, Sena Kwawu of Avista, Cynt Marshall of Dallas Mavericks, Oral Muir of Hilton, Javara Perrilliat of Republic Services, Irene Quarshie of Target, Valerie I. Rainford of Elloree Talent Strategies, Shelley Stewart, Jr. of Bottom Line Advisory, Telisa Toliver of Chevron and Roy Weathers of PwC. Ex-Officio members of The ELC Board are Lloyd W. Brown, II, immediate past chair, and Michael C. Hyter, ELC President and CEO.

The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1986, is the preeminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards, and in global enterprises. Comprising more than 800 current and former Black CEOs, senior executives, and board directors at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global Black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.elcinfo.com.

Gale V. King, PRNewsFoto

Macy’s Honors Black Stories and Creators in Celebration of Black History Month

NEW YORK -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Macy’s honors the history, resilience and contributions of Black Americans through Black History. Black Brilliance. this February. Beginning February 1, Macy’s will launch a special monthlong round-up and donation campaign in stores and online at macys.com to benefit UNCF (United Negro College Fund), raising scholarship funds for promising students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Additionally, Macy’s, through its social purpose platform Mission Every One, will spotlight Black-owned brands, hosting online shopping events, and more in its ongoing commitment to take action to empower and support diverse businesses.

“This Black History Month, we’re furthering Macy’s mission of building a brighter future with bold representation for our colleagues, customers, and communities by spotlighting and celebrating the history, accomplishments, and resilience of Black Americans throughout our stores and across our brands,” said Shawn Outler, Macy’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer. “Through Mission Every One, we work with our communities and UNCF to raise critical funding that will empower the next generation of leaders, enabling growth and leadership through HBCU educational opportunities.”

Community Give-Back

Mission Every One, Macy’s social purpose platform, directs social impact work to the causes and communities that help shape a brighter future for all, breaking down barriers to equity and representation and empowering young people. In celebration of Black History Month, Macy’s continues its partnership with UNCF the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. Chartered to serve HBCUs, youth and the nation, UNCF supports college student education and development through scholarships and educational programs, aids and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness.

From now through February 28, Macy’s customers can directly impact and empower the next generation of Black leaders in local communities nationwide through a charitable round-up campaign to fund scholarships for students set to attend or already enrolled in HBCUs. Customers can donate online or round-up their in-store purchase amount and donate the extra change, up to $0.99, supporting Macy’s Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund.

Since 2021, Macy’s has raised more than $2 million for UNCF, benefiting more than 100 HBCU students through academic and emergency aid scholarships that support their degree completion. Funds generated from this campaign will continue to provide scholarship aid and academic support for Black youth across the United States.

Black Brilliance Takes Center Stage

This February, as part of that commitment to fuel accelerated growth and amplify diverse-owned brands, select Black-owned brands will be highlighted in-store and online via macys.com, in marketing and on Macy’s social.

Black-owned brands featured this February include: Aminah, a luxury shoe brand known for its bold yet

feminine design aesthetic

Beauty Stat, premium quality skincare with ingredients that are scientifically proven to be effective combined with patented technology, that works fast

Buttah. by Dorion Renaud, a skincare line of products geared towards melanin-rich skin

Harlem Candle Co., a luxury home fragrance brand by Teri Johnson that specializes in scented candles inspired by Harlem’s Jazz Age and its legendary residents

Healthy Roots, a toy company by Yelitsa Jean-Charles that works to create dolls that empower young girls

Nude Barre, a bodywear collection created by Erin Car-

allows shoppers to easily find and support these designers. This partnership is another avenue in which Macy’s is elevating and supporting Black-owned brands, a commitment reinforced by the company when it signed the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Since joining the long-term pact Macy’s has increased its number of Black-owned brands by eight times, with product sold nationwide.

Black History. Black Brilliance. will also be on display in Macy’s iconic Herald Square windows during the month of February. From February 3 to 27, customers can enjoy displays created for Macy’s by Harlem’s Fashion Row Designers, with images hand-painted by Brooklyn-based artist, Ashley Buttercup.

Partners for a Brighter Future

In addition to UNCF, Macy’s, Inc. will continue to create positive change for the Black community through its longtime commitment to various nationwide and local organizations focused on education, economic development and social justice. This includes providing grants to a variety of organizations like 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Black Retail Action Group (BRAG); National Action Network (NAN); NAACP – NY Chapter; National Urban League; Thurgood Marshall College Fund; and the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

penter to reclaim and revolutionize shapewear featuring 12 unique shades that close the representational gap

OMA The Label, a jewelry line created by Neumi Anekhe to diversity fashion and beauty standards

Soap Distillery® by Danielle Martin, a sustainable line of cocktail scented soaps, candles and bath & body products that offer a unique twist on scent-based goods

SPGBK (pronounced ‘Spring Break’), a vibrant and colorful watch brand by Kwame Molden that helps customers express their authenticity.

These brands’ unique stories will also be featured as part of Macy’s ongoing Black History. Black Brilliance. showcase via macys.com/purpose. In addition, “Macy’s Live” will host a live shopping event on February 14 highlighting an array of Black-owned products, co-hosted by Dorion Renaud, owner of Buttah Skin.

Alongside this month’s featured product, Macy’s will launch rotating product pavilions in 275 stores nationwide, highlighting the company’s social purpose work through Mission Every One. The pavilions will feature product from diverse owned brands throughout the year. Product on display in February will bring Black History. Black Brilliance. in-store by featuring exclusive products from Black-owned brands, Coco Michele and Puzzle Huddle.

In partnership with Harlem’s Fashion Row, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have joined the organization’s new shopping directory called HFR&Co., which provides curated lists of emerging Black and Latino-owned designers for consumers to shop. By providing a list of brands, the platform

New this year, Macy’s has also committed $50k to support a survey piloted by The Steve Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. In partnership with UNCF the survey will address emerging needs, themes, and priorities on HBCU campuses.

Additionally, Macy’s Future of Style Fund, an initiative promoting bold representation in design, styling and sustainability, is supplying Clark Atlanta University with a $100k grant to provide deserving students with scholarships. The grant will also provide total programming support including funding hands on learning experiences, and updated technology.

Authenticity is at the heart of all Macy’s social impact work. Leadership Development and representation are engrained into Macy’s culture by the Black Employee Resource Group (ERG), ONYX. Serving as an important resource for the Black colleagues at Macy’s, ONYX promotes career development while supporting company business priorities, objectives, and brand values. With a focus on the recruitment of premier talent and the retention/mentorship of Black executives, ONYX is committed to community service and volunteerism impacting Black communities.

This February, Macy’s colleagues will have the opportunity to participate in an in-person learning event focused on leadership skills and colleague development, attend panel discussions on Macy’s initiatives including S.P.U.R. Pathways - a funding program to advance entrepreneurial growth, close wealth gaps and shatter systemic barriers faced by diverse-owned and underrepresented businesses-, partake in volunteer mentoring opportunities with Figure Skating in Harlem, and join a discussion with JOY Collective on Black Beauty and The Crown Act.

For more information and to shop the collections visit macys.com/purpose.

Photos by L M Warbington Photography

‘A Wonderful World’ Coming to Chicago

Broadway In Chicago, along with producers Thomas E. Rodgers Jr., Renee Rodgers, Andrew Delaplaine, and Martian Entertainment (Carl D. White and Gregory Rae), are thrilled to announce A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong will play a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago this fall with Tony Award® winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin) starring as Armstrong. Mirroring Armstrong’s own musical path from New Orleans to Chicago, A Wonderful World will premiere at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA from October 1-8, before coming to Chicago for a strictly limited engagement from October 11-29, at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.

A Wonderful World will be part of the 2023 Fall Season and will go on sale to subscribers later this spring. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago. com. Individual tickets for A Wonderful World will go on sale at a later date. For more details, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

A Wonderful World is the singular story of jazz legend, Grammy Award® winner, and American icon Louis Armstrong, as told by the women in his life. Armstrong’s innovative musicianship and incredible charisma as trumpet player and vocalist would lead him from the early days of jazz in his native New Orleans to five decades of international stardom.

Conceived by Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee, Christopher Renshaw (Broadway’s The King and I, Taboo), and novelist Andrew Delaplaine, A Wonderful World has an original book by author Aurin Squire (“This is Us,” “The Good Fight,” “Evil”) and features

songs recorded and made popular by Armstrong. Wife and husband team Annastasia Victory (Caroline, or Change; Once on This Island) and Michael O. Mitchell (MJ the Musical, Motown), provide original music, arrangements, orchestrations and music direction. Renshaw directs the production, with choreography by Rickey Tripp (Associate Choreographer for Broadway’s Once on This Island and Choir Boy). Christina Sajous serves as Associate Director and Aurelia Michael as Associate Choreographer.

Iglehart won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for his comedic turn as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin and has appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Hamilton and Freestyle Love Supreme. His television and film credits include the Netflix series “Maniac,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Elementary,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Disney’s Disenchanted. Iglehart has lent his voice to many animated characters for Disney, Nickelodeon and Apple TV. Iglehart has written stories for Marvel Comic Books and lent his voice to many animated characters for Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Apple TV.

Casting is by Duncan Stewart CSA, Stewart/Whitley, Consulting Producer is Irene Gandy with General Management by Martian Entertainment. Additional casting and design team will be announced soon.

Miami New Drama (Artistic Director Michel Hausmann; Managing Director Nicholas Richberg) produced the World Premiere production of A Wonderful World on December 11, 2021 at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach, FL.

For tickets and more information for both New Orleans and Chicago engagements, please visit www.louisarmstrongmusical.com.

Nicor Gas commits $250,000 to support National Energy Education Development Project’s “Energizing Student Potential” initiative

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Expanding on its commitment to enable economic opportunity through educational programming and early interest in the energy industry, Nicor Gas is committing $250,000 over five years to support the National Energy Education Development Project’s (NEED) “Energizing Student Potential” (ESP) initiative in Illinois, bringing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects to local classrooms.

As one of the founding partners of the Illinois initiative to encourage elementary and middle school students to discover their own path to innovation, Nicor Gas has provided $350,000 in grant funding since 2015. With this support, NEED has worked with nearly 400 schools, 700 teachers and more than 91,000 students across Illinois over the last seven years.

“At Nicor Gas, we believe that educating students about careers in STEM fields, and in the energy and natural gas industry in particular, should begin at an early age,” said Pat Whiteside, senior vice president of Operations at Nicor Gas. “With our support over the next five years, NEED will have the ability to support approximately 280 additional schools, 450 teachers and 65,000 students across our Northern Illinois service territory and across the state.”

Through the ESP initiative, NEED brings interactive and compelling STEM-based, energy-focused activities that educate students on a variety of energy sources, electricity generation, natural gas, climate science, energy efficiency and more.

“Thanks to the support of our founding partners like Nicor Gas, we are able to reach more Illinois teachers and students with exciting, hands-on opportunities that bring the energy

industry to life,” said Mary Spruill, executive director of NEED. “With this donation, we can ensure that our balanced and multidisciplinary education programs continue to open the minds of children to the potential of STEM careers from a young age.”

Recently, Nicor Gas hosted more than 100 teachers at its headquarters in Naperville for a workshop on the science of energy and careers in the field. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the company’s state-of-the-art technical training center where employees learn how to respond to any potential natural gas service situation safely and effectively.

To learn more about Nicor Gas’ commitment to educational initiatives, as well as free resources for teachers and students, visit: www. nicorgas.com/company/workforce-development.

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

Southern Company Gas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states, as well as approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas across the country. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of a natural gas storage facility. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

Her curiosity will illuminate the future

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

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

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

© Commonwealth Edison Company, 2023

2 Chainz to Headline 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands Halftime Show

ORRANCE, Calif., PRNewswire -- Multi-platinum, Grammy Award®-winning hip hop artist 2 Chainz will perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), Feb. 18 at Alabama State University (ASU), the first time the nation’s premier showcase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands and dance teams has been held on an HBCU campus. As one of ASU’s most famous alumni, 2 Chainz will take the stage during the halftime show, celebrating Black culture and musical excellence.

“As an HBCU and Alabama State alum, I am always looking for ways to support the HBCU community and pay it forward and performing at this year’s Honda Battle of the Bands is an incredible way to accomplish it,” said 2 Chainz. “HBOB brings together my commitment to supporting HBCU culture and my love for music and I’m not only excited to perform but looking forward to seeing the talented student musicians shine.”

2 Chainz will join fellow ASU alumnus and legendary comedian Rickey Smiley who will host the HBOB live event. Emmy and two-time NAACP Image Award-winning host, comedian, actress, author and Prairie View A&M University alumna Loni Love will bring her talents to host the HBOB livestream.

For the 18th year of the HBOB Invitational Showcase, six HBCU marching bands have been chosen to show their talents and dedication by bringing high-energy performances to fans from all over the nation. The 2023 lineup includes: Alabama State University, Langston University, Morgan State University, Savannah State University, Texas Southern University, and Virginia State University.

Each of these six bands will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the HBOB Invitational Showcase in Montgomery, Alabama. Building on Honda’s longstanding support for HBCUs, each of the six participating universities also will receive a $50,000 grant from Honda.

“Honda Battle of the Bands has always been more than

just entertainment, but an opportunity to share the unique and critical role the nation’s HBCUs play in higher education and society,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “As Honda celebrates our more than 30-year relationship with HBCUs, we are excited to support the music education and career development programs for their students by providing a $50,000 grant to each participating school in this year’s HBOB Invitational Showcase.”

Honda also is supporting nonprofit organizations within the host city of Montgomery through $100,000 in local grants and $20,000 to two nonprofit organizations that partnered with Honda on a new mural installed on the ASU campus.

Ticket & Event Information

Tickets for the HBOB Invitational Showcase are on sale at www.hondabattleofthebands.com. Fans can join the conversation using #HBOB and follow along as the final six

bands’ journey commences to the Invitational Showcase on official HBOB social media channels: Facebook – Facebook.com/ HondaBattleoftheBands

Instagram – @the_honda / Instagram.com/the_honda

Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda

Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

For over 30 years, Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students through initiatives including the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These programs provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for HBCU students, including meeting and networking with peers from other HBCU schools. Honda has impacted the lives of more than 200,000 students and awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships. Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its customers and associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve lives while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community.

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.

(Black PR Wire) San Francisco, CA – With the recent championing of Afrobeats worldwide over the last several years, Nigeria is at the forefront of elevating Artists who continue to challenge the genre and expand its borders. The industry has seen cross border collaborations across pop, r&b, reggaeton, and dancehall to name a few. Olisae is an artist whose versatility allows him to be a new and expansive representative for Nigeria’s Afrobeats lineup of stars.

Having returned to the music scene hardcore in 2019, Olisae has developed a consistent output of singles that takes the listener on a variety of journeys from romantic and sexy to deep Amapiano club spins and uptempo dance vibes. Olisae is kicking off 2023 with two strong collaborations with local Nigeria fan favorites Skales and Slowdog. 2023 will also see the release of a new line of merchandise that crosses over into full streetwear to match his style and fashion sense as a model who can carry a brand.

Musically, Olisae is becoming known for his adept blending of multiple languages in his tracks and finding influence the world over from his travels abroad. As an artist that hails from Anambra State, Olisaedozie Aniebonam, better known to his fans as Olisae, will be spending half the year immersed in the US market recording, performing, and creating content to further his fan base.

Multi-platinum, Grammy Award®-winning hip hop artist 2 Chainz will perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), February 18, at Alabama State University. PRNEWSFOTO/HONDA.

OLISAE IS HERE TO BE NIGERIA’S NEXT WAVE OF AFROBEATS ARTIST

Black History Facts

Black History Month: The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Supreme Court Justice: Thurgood Marshall was the first African American ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and served on the court from 1967 to 1991.

First Senator: Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American ever elected to the U.S. Senate. He represented the state of Mississippi from February 1870 to March 1871.

First Woman Representative: Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives. She was elected in 1968 and represented the state of New York. She broke ground again four years later in 1972 when she was the first major party African American candidate and the first female candidate for president of the United States.

Source: The History Channel, History.Com

Black Artists and Art

South Side Community Art Center

BY TIA CAROL JONES

The South Side Community Art Center, located at 3831 S. Michigan Ave., has a long history when it comes to being a place for Black artists and an inspiration for Black art. It was founded in the late 1930s by a group of African American artists who wanted an opportunity and a space to show their work.

The mission of the South Side Community Art Center is to conserve, preserve and promote the legacy and future of African American art and artists, while educating the community on the value of art and culture.

The Community Art Center Committee received funding from the Federal Art Project, which was sponsored by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration’s Works Progress Administration, to purchase the space and raised additional funds to convert the space into what is now known as the South Side Community Art Center. The center opened in 1940, and in 1941, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt delivered the dedication speech for the center.

LaMar Gayles is the Archives and Collections manager for the South Side Community Art Center. He noted that famous artists Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs, founder of the DuSable Museum; Elizabeth Catlett, sculptor, Charles W.

White, painter and drawer; visual artist Archibald Motley; writer Gwendolyn Brooks and writer Richard Wright had their work showcased at the center or their work drew inspiration from the center.

Throughout the 83 years South Side Community Art Center has been in existence, it has amassed a collection of more than 600 pieces of work created by a variety of historical artists to contemporary artists.

In the last year, the South Side Community Art Center has hosted an exhibition titled “Emergence: Intersections at the Center” and “9 Artists/9 Months/9 Perspectives.” Currently the exhibition titled “The Promised Land” is on display at the center.

Gayles said that he feels the South Side Community Art Center is very central when it comes to Black art and artists in the city of Chcago.

“The center was founded by Black artists in the early 1900s, mainly four Black artists. It offered a lot of opportunity, there was a very strong color line that existed in Chicago during that time period that negated several Black artists from exhibiting their work downtown, really beyond Bronzeville,” he said. “The center offered a space for artists from all over the nation of African descent to showcase their work in Chicago.”

For more information, visit ssartcenter.org.

Carter G. Woodson, Bettman Archive/Getty Images

Thurgood Marshall, Bachrach/Getty Images

Hiram Rhodes Revels, MPI/Getty Images

Michelle A. Albert, MD, MPH, Featured in TIME Magazine Special Issue on ‘The Future of Medicine’

(Black PR Wire) Michelle A. Albert, MD, MPH, past president of the ABC and current president of the American Heart Association, is featured in several articles in TIME Magazine’s recent end of year special issue, “The Future of Medicine.”

In “Where Do We Stand” by Janet Lee, in a section on “redefining health,” Dr. Albert explains how social determinants of health play a significant role in chronic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and how it can negatively impact our ability to lead healthy lives.

“Traditionally a lot of the focus for heart health has been on things like blood pressure and quitting smoking, but now we’re including social determinants of health as part of our guidelines,” says Dr. Michelle A. Albert, president of the American Heart Association and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. “For example, sleep impacts blood pressure and if you live in an environment where you’re under stress, sleep quality is poorer. So you just can’t tell people to get better sleep.”

Dr. Albert is also featured in the article, “Missing Link: Equity” by Janet Lee, in a section on “Training at Schools,” where she identifies workforce diversity as a critical factor in achieving health equity.

Besides teaching medical students about the importance of social determinants of health and how to screen for them (if clinicians can’t collect the data about the determinants, they don’t know what the contributing factors are), medical schools and other training programs should be diverse as well, says Dr. Michelle Albert, president of the American Heart Associ-

ation and admissions dean at the University of California, San Francisco.

“We need to double down on having a workforce that’s representative of the demographics of the community so they can understand the lived experiences of the population they’re treating,” says Albert. “That’s really important. Having that understanding will engender research, care and the clinical concordance [incorporating the wishes and beliefs of the patient] that’s needed to address equitable health care.”

In the same article in a section on “policy making,” Dr. Albert states that “Health and health equity are not zero-sum games. It’s not about taking from community A and giving to community B. Our challenge in the next few years is to do a better job of communicating that. A lot of awareness has been raised and that gives me optimism.”

As part of the special issue, the magazine’s “Straight Talk” pages shares experts’ thoughts on the future of medicine and health care. Here’s what Dr. Albert has to say about it.

“You can tell people to make healthy lifestyle choices, but one of the root causes of health inequities is economic adversity. We have to focus on this. Within the American Heart Association, we’re addressing economic adversity as a root driver of poor health, especially cardiovascular health,” says Dr. Michelle Albert, president of the American Heart Association.

“The Future of Medicine” is Time magazine’s special issue focused on new technology, innovative trends and the incredible breakthroughs that will help people stay healthy in the future. The issue can be purchased online.

Licensed Family Therapist Releases Debut Book “INTO-MESEE” to Explore Black Love, Mental Health, and Families

(Black PR Wire) Charleston, SC -- Over four years in the making, Charleston, SC-based licensed family therapist, Dr. Jeannelle Perkins-Muhammad, is proud to release her first book, INTO-ME-SEE: Mastering Black Intimacy for the Relationship You’ve Always Wanted. This timely work designed to provide Black couples with a blueprint for building deeper, long-lasting relationships is set to be released across major book platforms on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. For additional details about the launch of INTOME-SEE, visit drjeannelle.com.

The health of relationships in 2023 is trending toward a state of crisis. According to data collected from LegalTemplates in 2020, there was a 34% increase in the number of couples contemplating divorce compared to 2019. Dr. Jeannelle and other mental health professionals have seen significant increases in couples seeking professional counsel in their relationships. Stressors such as unemployment, finances, death, illness, and mental illnesses put a significant strain on the emotional connection and communication needed for couples to sustain healthy relationships.

INTO-ME-SEE goes beyond the surface to debunk the myths that exist regarding gender norms, relationship scripts, and societal expectations; with a closer look into the intricacies present for Black couples. Few research and resources exist that explore the nuance of Black love and Black relationships in connection with the history of the culture. This book seeks to fill that gap and begin the conversation within Black communities.

Dr. Jeannelle’s dynamic take on intimacy is shared with unrelenting honesty and expertise in order to expose the unspoken challenges that have jeopardized the strength of healthy intimate relationships. She offers her expertise through psychological research and client case studies to enlighten readers about:

The four (4) levels of intimacy that must be addressed to deepen intimate connections;

The importance of mental health awareness and emotional regulation in relationships;

The cultural issues affecting Black couples, including how a history of slavery and the ongoing racism in America have created expectations that often work against Black intimacy.

“While this is not a ‘how to’ manual, it is an in-

depth look into what it means to be ‘honest, authentic, and trustworthy’ in a relationship and how to approach and manage expectations in a way that validates the uniqueness of the individual, as well as the complexities of the couple.” - Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, publisher of Afro-American Newspaper

For more than 20 years, Dr. Jeannelle has assisted individuals, families, and couples across the globe in revitalizing, rehabilitating, and repairing their commitment to authentic living as a characteristic of building healthy relationships. She serves the Black community and beyond with the personal belief that the greatest generational wealth that can be bestowed is mental and emotional wellness. Through her professional experience of helping hundreds of clients to resolve their intimacy challenges, she strives to ensure Black couples are equipped with the resiliency to flourish within their relationships, improving the overall health of the Black community.

“Dr. Jeannelle reveals insights into relationship dynamics that can limit intimate expressions. She explores the depths in which trauma impacts human connection and how to overcome deficits in emotional awareness, cognitive expression, and spiritual awakening. In-To-Me-See will open all your senses during your relationship journey.” - Melissa Milanak, Ph.D., Founder Mind Impact Consulting, LLC

INTO-ME-SEE is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kindle.

BlackPRWire

BlackPRWire

How to Maximize the Value and Timeliness of Your Tax Return

(StatePoint) Research shows that if you’re dreading tax season, you’re not alone.

According to the Pew Research Center, 47% of Americans say they are bothered a lot by the complexity of the federal tax system. Other taxpayers stress out over getting the details right. In a Credello survey, 22% of respondents say not maximizing their refund is their biggest fear around doing taxes, while another 22% said their biggest fear is making a mistake.

“Many Americans rely on their tax refund to make ends meet. Accessing those funds should be fast and easy,” says Chad Prashad, president and CEO of World Finance.

To help you get a handle on your taxes, World Finance is drawing on its 26 years of filing expertise to offer these timely tips:

• Get ready early. As soon as your employer provides your W2, you can file your taxes. Having all other documentation and receipts ready to go will help expedite the process, which means you will get your tax return faster, too. Collect the necessary materials in one place before filing.

• Consider significant life changes. Did you move in 2022? Have a baby? Get married? Change jobs? Each of these monumental life events can have an impact on your taxes, so be sure to disclose these factors when filing or to the professional filing on your behalf.

Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

• Know what’s new. Visit IRS.gov to learn about any changes to tax filings that are applicable to you. A tax services professional can also help you identify relevant updates. World Finance tax pros have year-round training to stay on top of the latest tax filing requirements and are ready to tailor tax services to each tax customer’s financial situation.

• Review and adjust. Once you know what your return is going to be this year, make any necessary adjustments to your W2 to make sure you’re withholding enough during the year. If this is your first year working with a professional tax service, have them review your previous years’ filings as well. You may be able to recover additional refunds if anything was missed. World Finance offers this service for no additional charge.

• Consider a tax refund loan. After filing, you can potentially take out a loan for the amount of your expected refund. This is known as a tax refund loan and an option to consider if you need your refund as soon as possible.

• Work with a professional. Filing your taxes with a software program is a low-cost option, but only if you have time to dedicate to the task, and the know-how to get your biggest possible

REAL ESTATE

to building long-term financial independence. Plus, for those with a fixed-rate mortgage, stable monthly payments provide important predictability when creating a budget. Another benefit to homeownership is the freedom to make decisions about your house that best suit your needs without the approval of a landlord.

Why Rent?

Compared to owning, renting is flexible and is usually low risk. Renting can require less money up front and provides you immunity to declining home values. It’s also a good option if you enjoy the ability to move relatively quickly. Not handy? Renting is also great if you prefer to leave home repairs to someone else.

Next Steps

As you make your decision, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

CREDIT REPAIR SERVICES

buying can make financial sense. Homeowners may be eligible for certain tax benefits, and increases in home equity are important

1. Am I ready for homeownership? Mortgageready homebuyers typically have not had a foreclosure or bankruptcy in the past seven years and no severe delinquencies in the past 12 months. Potential buyers are also often required to have credit scores and debt levels that meet certain criteria. To learn more about credit scores and managing credit, consider using free educational resources from Freddie Mac.

2. How much can I afford? Free online tools can help you get a better idea of how much you can afford based on your personal financial situation.

3. Do I have enough saved? Determine how much you have saved for a security deposit or down payment. Look into down payment assistance programs, low down payment mortgage programs and learn more about budgeting for upfront rental costs.