South Suburban Citizen 6-28-2023

FITCH AFFIRMS TOP AAA RATING TO ILLINOIS FUNDS

$15 Billion Local Government Investment

Pool Complements Local Banking Relationships

Recent Daily Rates Exceed 5.1 Percent

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Funds, a mutual fund investment used by local governments through the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, has earned the top AAA rating from Fitch Ratings, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.

The Illinois Funds rating reaffirms the confidence Fitch showed in the program during the last year. The Illinois Funds provides more than 1,500 units of local government a safe investment vehicle with competitive rates that are designed to complement, not compete with, local banking relationships.

“This is an example of an outside firm pointing out that we’re doing things right,” Frerichs said. “The Illinois Funds is one of the many ways we invest in the people of Illinois.”

Established in 1975, more than 1,500 units of government such as cities, counties, libraries and school districts have invested in The Illinois Funds because it is a safe, liquid and competitive investment.

The $15 billion local government investment pool (LGIP) invests in assets focused on safety, preservation of principal, liquidity and income. The investment can be as short as overnight. The weighted average maturity is less than 60 days. No minimum investment is required.

U.S Bank is the pool’s primary service provider and custodian. The fund officially is named the Illinois Public Treasurers’ Investment Pool (IPTIP).

BLACK BENCH CHICAGO ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 CLASS

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The civic leadership program Black Bench Chicago (The Bench) has announced that applications are open for its second fellowship class. Having held its inaugural class in 2021, The Bench is a 6-month civic leadership training program geared toward uplifting and empowering the next generation of Black Chicagoans who seek to become changemakers.

“The Black Bench strives to assist the next generation of Black Chicagoans to become leaders in our community whether that means becoming a public servant or a housing organizer. The Bench will play a major role in training the next generation of Black leaders that will champion civic engagement throughout Chicago,” said Alex Sims-Jones, Founder.

The Bench recently announced new advisory board co-chairs to shepherd the program’s reach and impact: Cleveland Avenue Managing Partner Andy Zopp and Grow Greater Englewood Executive Director Anton Seals. The Bench’s insightful and professionally diverse advisory board consists of leaders in disciplines across the spectrum from entrepreneurship to community organizing. Advisory board members include Mike Strautmantis, Kurt Summers, Erica Bland, Melody Spann-Cooper, and Charles Smith. Please click here to view the full list of advisory board members.

The inaugural cohort produced several successful participants, including Alderman Ronnie Mosley who ran for alderman in the 42nd ward and won this past election cycle. Crystal Bland, Community Planning and Development Representative for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Sean Anderson, Senior Director at Bully Pulpit Interactive were also a part of the inaugural cohort class and will be joining Black Bench to serve as program directors. Applications for the second cohort class of The Black Bench will close July 16. The program will focus on the following themes: Black History & Philosophy, Government & Levers, and Campaigns & Operations. Applicants will begin to be notified of their final application status Aug. 14. The first class for accepted participants will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, with the program concluding in February during Black History Month.

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Mentoring Youth Through Technology turns 10

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Carter has more than 30 years of experience in Information Technology. He learned about computers from a friend and he excelled in it. Throughout his career, he has worked as a desktop support engineer, network engineer, project manager and also started his own consulting firm. He has been self-employed since in 2003. He did all of that without a college degree.

Carter felt that it was important to give young people a skill set that would enable them to have a career, whether they attended college or not. Mentoring Youth Through Technology provides robotics, coding, game development, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, drones, as well as mentoring, to students ages 6-18. With the organization’s Young Innovators Club, young people learn how to build their own devices – drones, video games and other technology-based items from scratch. The hope is that the young people will be an innovator instead of a consumer.

According to the website, the organization also offers Robotic workshops, Robotic Clubs, STEAM summer camps, STEAM expos, enhanced after-school STEAM programs, annual Youth Technology conferences, an Engineering After School Program, and a Young Entrepreneurship Program currently in development. Mentoring Youth Through Technology has programs in Illinois, Tennessee

and Mississippi. These are states where Carter has connections. The goal is to be in five states, including Michigan and Missouri. During the last six months, the organization has reached about 350 students with its programs.

There are plans for Mentoring Youth Through Technology to have a facility in Matteson. It will be about 2,000 square feet located at Oakwood Park Community Center, 4450 Oakwood Lane. The anticipated completion date is September of this year.

Currently, Mentoring Youth Through Technology provides services through afterschool and summer programs or workshops. It works with schools, municipalities and other community-based organizations. Carter wanted to be able to house all the programs in one place and service more young people.

“Building a technology center makes us more impactful and gives the kids more exposure to more technology all at once,” Carter said. While the classes are free, there is an application and registration fee, but families are not turned away if they cannot afford to pay the fee.

Carter said the response to Mentoring Youth Through Technology throughout the last 10 years has been overwhelmingly positive. At a recent gala, five students received scholarships. The students are pursuing engineering because of their participation in the program. For more information about Mentoring Youth Through Technology, visit myttil.com.

IN JUST ONE YEAR, MORE THAN 1,700 NEW PATIENTS BENEFITING FROM MEDICAL “HOUSE CALLS”

In Illinois, medical practice “Champions” of the Home Centered Care Institute’s (HCCI) Illinois House Call Project (ILHCP) have spent the past year working to provide care and close the gap on the nearly 200,000 residents in the state requiring, but not yet receiving, home-based primary care (HBPC). In just one year, these 14 participating practices have provided care to 1,732 new patients, already putting them over halfway to the project’s total three-year goal of serving 3,000 new patients.

Selected in April 2022 by HCCI, a national, Illinois-based nonprofit focused on spreading awareness, and increasing the adoption, of HBPC — also known as “the modern-day house call” — this group of medical Champions is comprised mainly of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and supporting practice leadership and staff. They generally provide primary care services (e.g., annual check-ups, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions, vaccinations) in a patient’s home, or place they call “home,” resulting in improved health outcomes, enhanced quality of life for patients and caregivers, and a reduced overall cost of care, according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

“When we launched the Illinois House Call Project, we never imagined that the Champions would be able to serve so many new patients in such a short period of time,” said Julie Sacks, president and COO of HCCI. “They are clearly addressing a critical need. Each number served represents a person, most likely someone who is elderly and homebound who had previously been unable to get essential care. Now that person

— someone’s mother, grandfather, or sister — is receiving care in the home, reducing personal stress as well as stress on the healthcare system.”

Through the ILHCP, HCCI is providing Champions with ongoing professional education to develop skills and mentorship in best practices as well as in raising awareness about the value of HBPC in their communities. Some of the Illinois Champions are independent professionals, others come from hospital systems, and three are from subspecialty groups, representing dentistry, dermatology, and wound care.

“The first year participating in the Illinois House Call Project has been exciting! We have learned about the many opportunities that exist for our practice and have had the opportunity to meet in-person and virtually, and receive helpful information to improve our processes,” said Letasha Lewis, APN, FNP-c, clinical administrator, and nurse practitioner of Frontier Healthcare Systems. “It has also been helpful to know that we have a team of experts [at HCCI] that we can call on for advice when needed. We have grown and look forward to future possibilities in this program.”

Among the 2.1 million older adults living in Illinois, at least 12% are 85 years of age or older. More than 700,000 residents have ambulatory difficulties, and 40% of Medicare beneficiaries across the state have four or more chronic conditions. Approximately 260,000 individuals are homebound*, with only 26% receiving HBPC. The unmet needs in Illinois are great; as mentioned, it’s estimated that nearly 200,000 residents require

“Building a technology center makes us more impactful and gives the kids more exposure to more technology all at once,” Carter said.

Reps. Robin Kelly, Rashida Tlaib, Rosa DeLauro, and Maxwell Frost Introduce Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to Reduce Firearm Deaths of Children

WASHINGTON, D.C – During National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), a Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10) introduced the Safe Storage Saves Lives Act to reduce firearm deaths in children.

Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Every year, 19,000 children and teens are shot and killed or wounded, and approximately 3 million are exposed to gun violence. A significant portion of these deaths involve the accidental discharge of a firearm.

When used correctly, a gun lock or similar secure gun storage or safety device makes it impossible for a gun to be fired. These relatively inexpensive devices have already saved countless lives, and

ensuring their use is key to combatting America’s gun violence crisis. Far too often gun owners fail to properly secure their weapons with tragic consequences, leading to preventable suicides, accidental deaths, and on several occasions, school shootings and other acts of mass violence.

Proper gun storage is a necessary component in preventing these tragedies. The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act would require a firearms seller to provide each purchaser with a compatible secure gun storage or safety device (commonly known as a “gun lock”) for every firearm they buy. It is critical that gun owners have these inexpensive devices for each of their firearms to prevent accidental shootings and deaths.

“The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act strengthens our commitment to responsible gun ownership and the safety of our communities. This legislation takes meaningful steps to advance gun safety be reinvesting fines into free or reduced-cost gun lock distribution and public awareness campaigns about proper gun safety practices,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “Too many people, including many of my constituents, have been killed or injured because of unsafe gun storage. It is imperative that we improve our gun storage practices and create communities that no longer fear the violence and trauma caused by guns.”

that ensures the responsible storage of firearms. Last Congress, we also passed legislation I authored, Ethan’s Law. This bill would require safe gun storage and establish strong penalties for any violation. With legislation like Ethan’s Law and the Safe Storage Saves Lives Act, we can reduce access to these unsupervised firearms – which are often used in suicides, school shootings, and other acts of violence – and save lives.”

“It’s a proven fact that families and children are significantly safer from gun violence when firearms in the home are stored separately and securely,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act has the ability to save hundreds of innocent lives a year by simply making it standard practice that every firearm sale also comes with a gun lock or gun safety device. An epidemic that claims over 100 lives a day demands an all-encompassing solution. This is a common sense safety measure that all Americans should be able to get behind.”

HUNTER INVITES PUBLIC TO ATTEND LEGISLATIVE BUDGET TOWN HALL

To share important legislative and state budget updates, State Senator Mattie Hunter is holding a town hall on June 28 with State Representatives Kim du Buclet and Sonya Harper.

“This meeting will offer important updates on funding and legislation that impacts those in our community,” said Hunter (D-Chicago). “I invite everyone to come out and meet me and Representatives du Buclet and Harper and take part in a productive discussion.”

The town hall will be held Wednesday, June 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Insight Hospital in the Great Room on the 12th floor. Attendees should enter through the hospital’s main entrance at 2524 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago.

The event is free and open to the public with light refreshments served. Registration is encouraged by calling Senator Hunter’s district office at 312-949-1908.

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“It’s horrifying that 4.6 million children in our country live in homes with a loaded and unlocked firearm,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “Tragically, in Southeast Michigan, we have witnessed the deadly consequences of children having easy access to firearms in their homes. Safe storage is key to protecting our children from gun violence. The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act will require a gun lock with every gun sold in the United States. We must move with the urgency this moment demands and pass commonsense gun safety legislation that will save lives.”

“There is no reason why gun owners should not safely store their firearms. We have seen time and time again the horrors that result when an unauthorized person—or a child is able to access a deadly weapon,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “As our bill makes clear – safe storage saves lives – and I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation

“Voters of Tomorrow is committed to protecting the lives and futures of our nation’s youth and the Safe Storage Saves Lives Act is an instrumental step in working towards that goal. With more than 4 million American children currently living in households where at least one gun is loaded and unlocked, the need to pass this legislation is urgent in order to help mitigate safety risks for our nation’s children and to protect our communities. We are proud to stand in support of the members of Congress fighting to prioritize the safety and well-being of our youngest citizens,” said Ryan Yeager, Legislative Director of Voters of Tomorrow.

The Safe Storage Saves Lives Act is endorsed by Everytown For Gun Safety, Voters of Tomorrow, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, End Gun Violence Michigan Coalition, LGBT Detroit, Michigan United, Michigan People’s Campaign, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, Interfaith Action of SW Michigan, Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools (MiPASS), Statewide Indivisible Michigan (SWIM), Oakland Forward Action Fund, Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote - Michigan (APIA Vote - Michigan), No Future Without Today, Distill Social, Fems for Democracy, Red, Wine and Blue, and the Charles W. Reid Community Help Center.

Major League... Continued From Page 2

HBPC.

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

“Having completed the first year of the ILHCP, we are now preparing to expand our reach and serve more patients,” Sacks said. “In early 2024, we are planning to select a new cohort that will include hospice and palliative care programs — those that are interested in either adding HBPC or growing an existing HBPC program. Hospice and palliative care programs that add HBPC create opportunities to serve patients earlier in the course of their illness and

better integrate HBPC with other aspects of home-based care.”

Learn more at hccinstitute.org.

*Calculated using data from the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates and a journal article (Ornstein, Katherine A., Bruce Leff, Kenneth E. Covinsky, Christine S. Ritchie, Alex D. Federman, Laken Roberts, Amy S. Kelley, Albert L. Siu, and Sarah L. Szanton. “Epidemiology of the homebound population in the United States.” JAMA internal medicine 175, no. 7 (2015): 1180-1186.)

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL JOINS LANDMARK FTC LAWSUIT CHALLENGING ‘DANGEROUS’ PHARMACEUTICAL MERGER

Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined the Biden administration and five attorneys general in a legal effort to block Amgen, one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical drug companies, from purchasing Horizon Therapeutics (Horizon). In challenging the $28 billion purchase, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that the proposed acquisition raises significant anticompetitive concerns.

“This proposed pharmaceutical merger would allow Amgen to monopolize the market for certain crucial medications and reduce affordability, access and choice of drugs for vulnerable patients in Illinois,” Raoul said. “Preserving competition within the pharmaceutical industry is essential to improving access and affordability, and I will continue to partner with other attorneys general to stop the concerning increase in consolidations that raise health care costs for patients.”

Horizon specializes in manufacturing medications for rare and often severe autoimmune diseases. Two of its main drugs are Tepezza, the only FDA-approved treatment for thyroid eye disease, and Krystexxa, the only FDA-approved treatment for chronic refractory gout. Over the next few years, competing companies are expected to introduce new medications that could be strong market competitors for Krystexxa and Tepezza. For patients, the new medications could be safer, more affordable, more durable, and better at preventing debilitating disability.

The lawsuit filed by Raoul and the FTC seeks an order to prevent finalization of the acquisition because Amgen’s proposed acquisition of Horizon likely violates the Clayton Act. If the acquisition were allowed to proceed, the newly-consolidated company would be free to muscle out competitors from the market for autoimmune disease medications. If it takes over Horizon, Amgen could leverage its market power to negotiate with insurers and pharmaceutical benefit managers for preferred or even exclusive access for Tepezza and Krystexxa on health plans – in effect, making it potentially impossible for new, more affordable medications to reach patients.

Amgen’s history of leveraging its existing market power and bundling its drugs to exclude competitors only increases this risk, which would ultimately deter other companies from researching and introducing new drugs, and reduce affordability for vulnerable patients.

Joining Attorney General Raoul in this lawsuit are attorneys general from California, New York, Minnesota, Washington and Wisconsin.

Take Time Off This Summer, But Not From Your Finances

SPONSORED BY J.P.MORGAN CHASE & CO.

Summer is here, bringing all the fun that comes with months of warm weather and hours of daylight. As you plan your summer season itinerary, however, you might discover you’re juggling more expenses than just a trip to the beach.

For parents, there’s the cost of day camp or other child care. At home, you might be cranking up the air conditioner more often. Even that short beach trip can be costly after paying for gas, food and maybe a souvenir.

Unexpected summer expenses can impact your budget if you’re not careful. Common summer-specific costs to be aware of as you make your budget include:

1Child care and summer activ-

ities: Many parents have to make plans for their younger children when they’re out of school. Summer day camps are a great option, but they can be costly. If you prefer to hire a summer babysitter or nanny to care for your children in your home, the costs can be similar depending on how many hours the caregiver works and their hourly rates.

2Home maintenance: More time at home means more air conditioner use, which can drive up your utility bills. Your water bill might increase in order to care for your lawn and garden, which will need to be maintained more frequently. You may find more time in the summer for those home beautifi-

cation projects on your list, but they come with a price.

3 Travel: Most people will save in advance of a big trip, but it’s easy to get caught off guard by how much money you can spend at less costly local attractions as well. If you go to your county fair, prepare to shell out more than you might expect for a few rides and games. If you’re taking longer trips, the cost of transportation, lodging and multiple meals only add to your expenses. Even with the best advance planning, many people find they spend much more than they envisioned just doing things they enjoy.

Saving for summer

Knowing your savings timeline is key. Think about when you’ll need to start saving for summer costs and put aside extra money as early as possible, if you have that option. Also consider making a special budget for summer that includes some of the expenses listed above that apply to your lifestyle. Some budget suggestions include:

1Figure out the largest costs of your summer trip first and decide your bucket list “must-haves.” What experiences are most important when you’re making your itinerary? Budget for airfare, hotel, food and your dream excursions, and cut back on anything else that’s outside your budget.

2Check out freebies: Museums are often free on certain days in the summer. Plan a short day trip around those dates.

3Look for lower-priced or no-cost children’s daytime programs offered through local recreation centers, park districts, libraries and school districts.

4Input summer-specific expenses in an online budget calculator. If you’re doing an annual budget already, make sure to add these additional, summer-specific expenses so you know what to expect when it’s time to pay. Doing the planning ahead of time and knowing what costs you’ll face to adjust your budget accordingly can help you enjoy your summer plans without worrying about how you’ll afford them.

For more saving tips, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals/budget

Blk Grvty Inks Deal to Lead Known’s Innovation Lab

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- On Juneteenth, Known, a finance and asset management firm, announced its new partnership with Blk Grvty, to lead the establishment of their innovation lab, where philanthropy will be used as a tool to experiment with new, future-proof capital models.

Blk Grvty is a research and innovation enterprise working to create a world where Black people and others from the New Majority in the US are wealthy and well. Known manages, structures and deploys capital with and for large asset owners committed to investing with a racial, social, and environmental lens.

Under the leadership of co-founders Dr. JaNay Queen Nazaire, its Chief Executive Officer, and Chipo Sachirarwe, its Chief Operating Officer, Blk Grvty has advised companies on Black wealth creation, explored new models in capital deployment, and conducted research towards normalizing Black and other New Majority wealth and wellbeing. The organization draws from a community of influential players in the finance industry. Their clients and funders include some of the world’s largest corporations and foundations that are innovating within the issues most impacting

communities of color.

To commemorate the announcement of the partnership, Blk Grvty, A Known Lab, will be making a $100,000 grant to Monique Woodard, the Founder and Managing Director of Cake Ventures—a venture capital fund focused on investing in demographic change and the companies building for tomorrow’s internet users.

“We always knew that having a philanthropic strategy would be important for our work at Known, but we wanted it to be driven by alternative models,” said Jim Casselberry, CEO of Known Holdings. “We wanted our philanthropic strategy to build new systems to fuel the changes so deeply needed in finance. In Blk Grvty we’ve found innovators ideally suited to lead this vision for us. We’re delighted to welcome JaNay and Chipo, and we can’t wait to see the results we’ll achieve as we grow together.”

“From the beginnings of Known and Blk Grvty, our paths have increasingly intersected,” said Dr. Nazaire. “We can’t wait to scale together and to do it in our own way, starting by replacing self-congratulatory celebrations with a grant to support a visionary investor who is working to

fund companies that reflect our nation’s changing demographics.”

“At a time when all we seem to hear about is struggles and gaps, I’m delighted that Blk Grvty is focused on the opportunities,” Woodard said. “It means a lot to see their vote of confidence in what I’m building comes in the form of something I can put into action directly with the founders I support.”

Blk Grvty, A Known Lab marshals and deploys resources to hasten the world in which wealth and well-being for Black people and others in the New Majority is normalized. Blk Grvty increases asset ownership and wealth through curated capital deployment and intentional connections. They create connections and accelerate action among BIPOC investors and especially with the financial, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial communities where action has traditionally been absent.

For more on Blk Grvty, please visit https:// blkgrvty.com/

Known is a finance and asset management firm that manages, structures and deploys capital into places that matter. Launched in 2021, Known Holdings is Black-, Indigenous-, Latinx- and Asian American-founded, and serves as a growth platform for the investment and sustainable growth of BIPOC fund managers, financial advisors, bankers, and entrepreneurs.

Teva Unveils Misa Hylton Capsule Collection with Macy’s

GOLETA, Calif., PRNewswire -- Teva®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), announces the launch of its collaboration with fashion architect, Misa Hylton. The Teva x Misa Hylton capsule collection celebrates Hylton’s signature style, delivering one-ofa-kind takes on two fashion-forward Teva sandal silhouettes: the Flatform Universal and Hurricane XLT2 Gladiator.

Misa Hylton, a renowned fashion icon, delivers a collection that features luxe details to add a fun pop to your summer attire, including vibrant graphics and unique metal hardware on Teva’s signature strapping system. Known for creating legendary moments in music and fashion for iconic hip hop and R&B artists, Hylton has been shaping style for decades. The Teva x Misa Hylton capsule collection highlights the designer’s bold and colorful aesthetic. The limited-edition Flatform Universal ($80) features straps based on graphic sketches, mixed with rich colored abstract paints, and premium gold metal hardware, while the new evolution of the Hurricane XLT2 Gladiator ($135) is accented in peach blossom tones, soft suede details, and pops of luxe gold metal.

Unique to this collaboration, Hylton draws upon her Japanese heritage as inspiration for both iconic designs. The combination of color and gold hardware take on the classic Teva silhouettes, inspired by Misa’s passion for jewelry while adding a touch of luxury.

“I have a deep appreciation for bold and vibrant prints, as well as Japanese graffiti, which not only celebrate my heritage but also reflect my passion for Hip Hop style and culture,” says Misa Hylton. “When designing for

the Teva x Misa Hylton collaboration, I wanted to infuse these elements to create a timeless collector’s item - a small piece of my world - that can be dressed up or down, offering versatility and flexibility, while remaining unique and original.”

“We are excited to partner with Teva for this limited-edition collaboration with Misa Hylton. Misa’s style is one-of-a-kind and she has created a versatile collection, providing our Macy’s customers with even more ways to own their style,” remarks Christopher Steinmann, VP, Center Core at Macy’s.

In addition to her revolutionary fashion contributions, Hylton founded the Misa Hylton Fashion Academy, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of fashion creatives. She is also a recipient of the Gucci Changemakers Grant and a global creative partner for MCM. Hylton’s impact on the fashion industry has been celebrated in the 2019 documentary The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion.

“What we choose to wear and the combination of how we wear these items together weaves a subtle story about who we are as an individual,” says Anders Bergstrom, Vice President, Global GM of Teva Footwear at Deckers Brands. “Through our collaboration with Misa Hylton, we want our consumers to own and celebrate their individual style without having to sacrifice comfort for fashion, while still creating a collection that empowers you to take on all your everyday adventures.”

The Teva x Misa Hylton collaboration is available exclusively at Macy’s, Macys.com and Teva.com.

Teva

The Air Jordan 2 “H” Wings Pays Tribute to a Legend of Jordan Brand

(Black PR Wire) Basketball culture has the power to move the world forward. For Jordan Brand, no one has embodied the potential of the game quite like Howard “H” White – the inimitable legend and mentor who has helped Air Jordan (and countless others around the world) take flight. He’s now Vice President of Jordan Brand Affairs, as well as a co-creator of Jordan Brand Wings. To honor H’s impact on the brand and the global community of basketball, Jordan Brand is releasing the limited-edition Air Jordan 2 “H” Wings inspired by his storied career.

The Air Jordan 2 — H’s favorite Air Jordan silhouette — has been crafted to the original 1987 design specs, including the shoe’s shape and fit. Inspired by H’s time at Virginia’s Kecoughtan High School, the shoe’s coloring features white, green and black, commemorating the team where “H” first picked up a basketball (later becoming an All-American and an NBA draft pick). The shoe’s upper quarter panel includes a handsketched wings graphic designed by Israel Mateo, Jordan Brand Special Projects Footwear Designer. The lower quarter panel and upper are made with premium leather. The heel counter is constructed with a translucent finish featuring a gold foil “H”

logo, a nod to H’s iconic college jersey and setting a gold standard for oneself. The lace tips contain “Power” and “Belief” on each respective tip, both directly inspired by what “H” has brought to Jordan Brand.

Jordan Brand Wings exists thanks to H’s vision. It was his commitment to inspiring the next generation that laid some of the earliest foundations for the brand’s community programming, including Jordan Brand Wings. In 2015, alongside a small group of teammates, “H” co-created the Jordan Brand Wings initiative to help youth define greatness on their own terms through higher education, and access to guidance, mentorship and opportunity. A Wings shoe is released annually to help recognize the achievements of the students in the Jordan Brand Wings Scholars Program.

Coinciding with the launch of the Air Jordan 2 “H” Wings this year is the welcome of the Jordan Brand Wings Scholars Class of 2027, which celebrates 38 driven, committed students across LA, NYC, Portland, Chicago, Philadelphia and Charlotte, making up the largest cohort of North America Wings Scholars to date.

Jordan Brand/BlackPRWire

LISC CHICAGO

ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 29TH ANNUAL CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARDS RECOGNIZING TOP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND ARCHITECTURE ACHIEVEMENTS

“Communities Lead, Communities Succeed,” Featured an Address by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Showcased the Creativity of those Shaping Chicago’s Neighborhoods CHICAGO—LISC Chicago announced the winners of the 29th annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (CNDA) on June 22 in Chicago, where top community development projects, architectural achievements and individuals from across the city were honored. The ceremony started with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s keynote speech, followed by the awards ceremony where winners accepted their awards alongside a network of supporters. This year’s theme, “Communities Lead, Communities Succeed” reflects power that comes when communities across Chicago set their own neighborhood vision and lead on practices and investment to advance their shared goals.

“The CNDAs are centered around lifting up the essential role community, public, and private partnerships have in building communities in Chicago-area neighborhoods,” said Meghan Harte, Senior Executive Director of LISC Chicago. “This year’s CNDA theme recognizes that ‘when communities lead, communities succeed’ and if we stop and listen to the members of a community, we quickly realize that they are the experts. They have been dedicated to the work in their

own communities for decades and have demonstrated that they’re there to stay. That’s why supporting local vision and community-led efforts is the best way to build wealth and resiliency in our neighborhoods. The award winners in each category tonight represent the leadership, vision, passion and dedication of so many partners. We are honored to celebrate them.”

The 29th Annual CNDA winners include:

● The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Non-Profit Real Estate Development Award: Full Circle Communities for 5150 Northwest Highway Apartments

● The For-Profit Real Estate Development Award: E.G. Woode L3C for E.G. Woode Alpha

● The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Plan Award: Palenque LSNA for the Here to Stay, Hermosa and Logan Square West Quality-of-Life Plan

● The Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award: Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc. for South Chicago Salud Center and Senior Housing ● The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Healthy Community Award: New Life Centers for Chicagoland for Pan De Vida Fresh Market ● The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foun-

dation Creative Places Award: National Museum of Mexican Art for Jardin Malinalli ● The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design: First Place: MKB Architects for the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub Second Place: LBBA for Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments Third Place: JGMA for Richard J. Daley College’s Manufacturing, Technology & Engineering Center

● The CIBC Emerging Leadership Award: Felicia Slaton-Young, Executive Director of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce

● The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Design Impact Award: Katherine Darnstadt of Latent Design Emmanuel Garcia of Wheeler Kearns

Architects Fabiola Yep of Weeler Kearns

Architects The Richard M. Daley Friend of the Neighborhood Award: George Wright, CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards were established in 1994 to show appreciation and acknowledge community developers and for-profit organizations behind Chicago’s communities and outstanding new developments. In its 29th year, CNDA is the largest and most venerated celebration of the creativity and accomplishments that transform neighborhoods across the

city.

This year’s sponsors include Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, Associated Bank, Bank of America, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, BMO Harris Bank, Brinshore Development, Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Community Loan Fund, Chicago Community Trust, CIBC, Clayco, Community Investment Corporation, Cubs Charities, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Fifth Third, Illinois Housing Council, Illinois Housing Development Authority, JPMorgan Chase, LBBA, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, National Equity Fund, North Lawndale Employment Network, Old National Bank, Pierce Family Foundation, PNC Bank, Polk Bros Foundation, Preservation of Affordable Housing, RBC Community Investments, SB Friedman Development Advisors, SelfHelp Federal Credit Union, Site Design Group, Southwest Organizing Project, State Farm, STIFEL, Teska Associates, The Community Builders, The Habitat Company, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Michaels Organization, The Pritzker Traubert Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, US Bank, Wight & Company.

Learn more about this year’s winners via the program guide at www. lisc-cnda.org.

Reps. Davis, Pascrell, Schneider, Blumenauer, Moore, and Evans Lead Bill to Create Guaranteed Annual Funding for Gun Violence Prevention

Washington, D.C.- On June 22, 2022, Reps. Danny K. Davis (DIL), Bill Pascrell, Jr., (D-NJ), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Dwight Evans (D-PA) recognized June as Gun Violence Prevention Month by introducing The Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act - legislation to create guaranteed annual funding for gun violence prevention. The bill would increase the federal excise tax on guns and ammunition by just half a percent and apply the federal excise firearms tax to assault-weapon frames and receivers which currently are not taxed if sold separately. The bill would direct the estimated $20 to $36 million in new revenue to four programs designed to make communities safer: community-based violence prevention grants; gun violence research; hate crimes prevention and enforcement; and forensic examiner training to improve gun crime clearance rates.

“The gun violence crisis in America inflicts epidemic harm on individuals, families, and communities, and the federal government must substantially invest in gun violence prevention,” said Rep. Davis. “Not one penny of current federal excise taxes on guns and ammunition goes to gun violence prevention. Further, the federal gun tax has remained the same for over 100 years, and the ammunition tax is the same as it was during World War II. The Gun Violence, Prevention and Safe Communities Act, is an important part of comprehensive gun violence prevention because it creates guaranteed annual funding to stop gun violence via a small increase of 0.5% in existing excise gun and ammunition taxes. This bill also closes a major loophole in tax law that allows many assault-type weapons to evade taxes altogether. This bill is important in ensuring federal investment every year to make our communities safer. We must do more to help Chicago and communities across the nation.”

“Gun violence continues to threaten communities from coast to coast and Congress has a responsibility to stem the crisis,” said Rep. Pascrell, co-Chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus. “After decades of inaction, raising the tax on firearms would provide an offset to the massive cost to society of gun violence – exactly as taxes on alcohol and tobacco have successfully done. At the same time, this legislation will provide critical resources to our badly strapped state and local police forces, community

anti-violence programs, and gun violence research. This bill would be a down payment on safeguarding our children, our communities, and our future. It is the type of solution the American people demand.”

“This summer, my community was devastated by gun violence when a deranged individual used an assault rifle to open fire on a joyful July 4th parade in Highland Park, murdering 7 and wounding many others,” said Congressman Schneider. “These weapons of war should be off our streets altogether. And beyond robbing us of our loved ones, many assault-style weapons regularly evade taxes entirely. This bill will close this undeserved tax loophole and make sure that assault weapons are taxed the same way as other firearms. It will also generate much-needed funding for gun violence prevention efforts, a critical step to addressing the gun violence epidemic in my community and in communities across the country.”

“When active shooter drills become as common as fire drills and earthquake drills in our children’s schools, we can no longer deny that gun violence in America is a crisis,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “While there is no single solution to ending gun violence, there are common sense solutions that can dramatically reduce gun violence and critically, save lives. This legislation to create annual funding certainty for gun violence prevention programs is a critical, common sense step we can take now to address the unrelenting trauma of gun violence in our communities.”

“The threat of gun violence is an issue that my constituents and millions of Americans often confront every day,” said Rep. Moore. “We can and must use every tool available to help end gun violence, including fixing discrepancies in our tax laws and empowering our communities with more funds for programs aimed at reducing violence. That’s why I am proud to join my Ways and Means colleagues in championing this important legislative initiative.”

“Guaranteed annual funding for gun violence prevention – estimated at $20 million to 38 million per year – would be an important tool in the toolbox to save lives, and I’m proud to support it,” said Rep. Evans.

Brady: United Against Gun Violence: “Over 400 million firearms have been sold in the United States, yet, unconscionably, no portion of the government funds

generated by gun sales or dealer licensing have been directed to programs which address and prevent gun violence in America. By modestly increasing those funding streams and directing those resources to research, crime gun intelligence, and violence intervention and prevention programs we can better protect our communities. Brady is grateful to Rep. Davis for re-introducing this life-saving legislation, which will ensure federal funding for critical gun violence prevention programs. – Kris Brown, President of Brady

“Investing tax dollars from gun sales in life-saving gun violence prevention measures is a common-sense way to keep our communities safe,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Representative Davis and his colleagues for sponsoring this update to our nation’s tax policy, which will support programs and organizations focused on addressing America’s gun violence crisis.”

“Over one million Americans have been shot since my neighbor used an AR15 to hunt and kill 26 children and educators in Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Gun violence is a public health crisis with an annual taxpayer price tag of $280 Billion. It’s time for gun owners to help fund the hefty cost of gun violence in the U.S. and we urge Congress to swiftly pass the Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act and send it to the President’s desk.” —Po Murray, Chairwoman or Newtown Action Alliance. Violence Policy Center: “The need to invest federal resources in gun violence prevention has never been more urgent as we are experiencing unprecedented levels of gun death and injury. The Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act will ensure that assault weapon manufacturers are fairly taxed and that those funds will be used to reduce gun violence,” said Violence Policy Center Government Affairs Director Kristen Rand. “The Violence Policy Center applauds Representatives Davis and Pascrell for their leadership on this innovative strategy to provide dedicated funding for gun violence prevention.”

This legislation is supported by: Brady: United Against Gun Violence; Everytown for Gun Safety; Giffords; Newtown Action Alliance; and the Violence Policy Center.

SFJAZZ Appoints Terence Blanchard Executive Artistic Director

SAN FRANCISCO, PRNewswire -- SFJAZZ announces the appointment of Seven-Time Grammy Winner and Two-Time Academy Award Nominee Terence Blanchard as Executive Artistic Director. This new position will lead the organization’s artistic programming and guide its overall creative direction. Blanchard’s appointment comes as SFJAZZ Founder Randall Kline prepares to step down this year from the organization he founded in 1983.

This year, SFJAZZ is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and the 10th Birthday of the award-winning SFJAZZ Center. Blanchard joins SFJAZZ as it presents the 40th San Francisco Jazz Festival and the 20232024 season beginning September 7.

Blanchard is a renowned composer, bandleader, and trumpet player who has been a consistent artistic force for making powerful musical statements for over 40 years. From his stint with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers to writing scores for Spike Lee and other films, he is unique in the jazz world as an artist whose creative endeavors go far beyond the genre into film scoring, crafting television series soundscapes, and conceiving grand operas that have been recognized at the highest levels of art appreciation. A recipient of a 2018 USA Artist Fellowship and a 2023 Peabody Medal, Blanchard is also a passionate educational mentor, having held positions at the Berklee College of Music, The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and as Chair of Jazz Studies at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, amongst many others. Additionally, Blanchard has been at the forefront of giving voice in his works to socio-cultural issues and racial injustices of our time.

Blanchard has had a long relationship with SFJAZZ and has performed numerous times at the SFJAZZ Center and for the organization. From 2014-2016, he was a SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director and, in 2016, presented his opera Champion: An Opera in Jazz. Most recently, in August 2022, his

Documentary Puts the Spotlight on Land Ownership Challenges Facing Black Farmers

MOLINE, Ill., PRNewswire -- Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) and Al Roker Entertainment announced a new documentary focused on the legacy of Black farming in America and the devastating impact of heirs’ property – property passed to family members by inheritance, usually without a will or proper estate planning. Without a clear title, Black farmers are unable to qualify for government assistance, equipment financing or agricultural programs designed to optimize their land. In 2020, John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide resources for farmers and landowners to resolve heirs’ property issues.

“This film serves as an important platform for Black farmers to delve into their history while also discussing impactful ways to sustain agriculture and places to go for help with legislation and available grants,” said Al Roker, executive producer. “The organizations featured in the film are creating change and it’s one of the reasons our company was so interested in getting involved with this important work.”

Created in partnership with Emmy-nominated director Eternal Polk, the documentary, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, addresses how landowners are reclaiming their agricultural rights and their paths to generational wealth. The film will debut at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 15, 2023, and appear in screenings across the country this summer.

“Documentaries can offer a lens into history and shed light on a forgotten or untold story. It’s more than just a form of storytelling, it’s a way to offer new viewpoints on an issue, create lasting dialogue, and drive change,” said Gaining Ground director Eternal Polk. “With Deere’s support, we were honored to help bring this important story to life. This documentary provides resources to those who are dealing with heirs’ property and shows others how they can get involved to support this cause.”

Black land ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, which was about 14 percent of total arable land in the United States. A century later, 90 percent of Black-owned land has been lost, and heirs’ property has been the leading cause for that decline. The documentary shines a spotlight on the challenges Black farmers and landowners’ must navigate to preserve their land for future generations. The film additionally showcases subject matter experts and practitioners’ who are actively working to address these issues.

E-Collective with Turtle Island Quartet performed at the SFJAZZ Center.

As Executive Artistic Director, Blanchard will be the artistic leader of the organization and will help formulate and implement artistic programming across diverse disciplines and genres. He will work closely with the teams at SFJAZZ to curate year-round concert programming, expand the SFJAZZ ‘At Home’ digital platform, and further develop community engagement and educational offerings. Blanchard’s appointment comes after a national search, conducted by Arts Consulting Group.

Said Blanchard, “I am honored and excited to become a part of such an amazing and historic institution. SFJAZZ has meant so much to the development of America’s Greatest artform. I am looking forward to collaborating with the staff while also bringing my own ideas about how to move our music forward and continue the SFJAZZ mission to explore the full spectrum of jazz—from its origins to its diverse and evolving expressions around the world today. I cannot wait to continue this journey.”

“For farmers, land provides more than a livelihood, it provides a legacy. For far too long, Black farmers have had to deal with often coercive constraints, barriers and systems that result in involuntary loss of land, economic value and wealth. This documentary provides an opportunity for folks to tell their stories, highlight injustice and hopefully serve as a catalyst for concerted action to address this little known but important and pervasive issue” said Marc Howze, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Deere and Company. “The message of this documentary is clear: We need to do more to help Black farmers and landowners unlock the tremendous value in the land they already own to help us feed, clothe and shelter a growing population while pursuing opportunities to build wealth and provide a legacy for future generations.”

John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in 2020 in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The LEAP Coalition provides legal, educational and other resources to help farmers and landowning families gain clear title of their land. It works to unlock economic value for farmers, while also eliminating systemic barriers to wealth building faced by Black farmers and other historically disadvantaged communities.

To learn more about the LEAP Coalition, to help Black farmers, and provide support to support LEAP coalition partners visit: https://www.deere.com/gainingground.

To learn more about the documentary, visit: https://gaininggroundthefilm.com/. Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and tillage solution, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/.

Formed in 1994, Al Roker Entertainment (ARE) is an industry-leading producer of original, award-winning TV programs and digital content. Led by 14time Emmy winning TV personality and trusted media authority Al Roker, ARE partners with a creative consortium of producers, directors, writers, agencies, and talent to ideate, produce, activate, and amplify original content globally, using a variety of broadcast, cable, OTT, social, and streaming platforms. ARE works with brands, non-profits, ad agencies, and PR companies to generate and inspire audiences through social impact branded entertainment storytelling.

SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard at SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, CA. PHOTO CREDIT SCOTT CHERNIS

Ice Cube's Big3 Game Returned To The Chi

Photos by L.M. Warbington Photography

Celebrated artivist Nikkolas Smith illustrates reality of patients living with sickle cell disease

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire

-- Celebrated artist Nikkolas Smith revealed exclusive artwork today illustrating the important role blood donations play for people living with sickle cell disease, the most common — yet often invisible to the public eye — genetic blood disorder in the U.S., which predominantly affects those in the Black community.

The digital portrait commissioned by the American Red Cross, entitled “Transfusion,” is a call to raise broader awareness about sickle cell disease and the important role donors who are Black play in providing a compatible blood match. One in three African Americans are a match for people with sickle cell disease.

Smith sat down with four sickle cell warriors of various ages — Tiereny Bell, Dr. Rubin Beaufort, Dreylan Holmes and Erica Hunter — to capture and represent their lived experiences in “Transfusion.” From 12-year-old Dreylan Holmes’ misunderstood experience at school leaving him isolated from friends to Tiereny Bell’s excruciating pain limiting her work schedule as an epidemiologist, warriors’ experiences are vast and common, yet widely still underrepresented in everyday conversation.

Entitled “Transfusion,” this digital portrait -- commissioned by the American Red Cross and created by celebrated artivist Nikkolas Smith -- is a call to raise broader awareness about sickle cell disease and the important role donors who are Black play in providing a compatible blood match. One in three African Americans are a match for people with sickle cell disease. PRNEWSFOTO/AMERICAN RED CROSS.

“People will sometimes say to me, you don’t look sick,” said Bell. “And I respond, well, what does sick look like?”

WHY SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

An estimated 100,000 people across the U.S. — the majority of whom are of African descent — have sickle cell disease and may require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Blood transfusions are essential in managing the very real pain and long-term health of those with sickle cell disease, which distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped, both of which are depicted in Smith’s artwork. As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, anemia, and even strokes.

“What stood out to me the most when speaking with these incredibly brave sickle cell warriors is how much constant pain they endure due to the malfunctioning cells in their body, but also the level of determination they have to maintain in order to push through until their next blood transfusion,” Smith said.

HOW BLOOD DONORS HELP

Unfortunately, frequent transfusions can make finding compatible blood types more difficult when patients develop an immune response against blood from donors that is

not closely matched to the blood of the recipient.

“Sickle cell disease can be inherited by anyone of any race and ethnicity, but in the U.S., the great majority of individuals who have the disease are of African descent,” said Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical director of the Red Cross. “Nikkolas’ art reinforces that donating blood helps sickle cell warriors stay in the fight, while inspiring each of us to roll up a sleeve so they don’t have to fight alone.”

Dr. Rubin Beaufort, a retired mechanical engineer, has received more than 240 blood transfusions to date and still endures high levels of pain regularly. “We’re facing this every single day, not just once in a while,” he shared, emphasizing the ongoing need for blood. Forty-one-yearold microbiologist Erica Hunter, who was forced to retire from her job early due to complications of the disease, has received more than 50 blood transfusions to date.

“I was so moved to learn how [sickle cell warriors’] health greatly improves after every generous blood donation and transfusion,” Smith reflected. “My hope is that we can exponentially increase the number of lifesaving blood donations and transfusions this year.”

Smith’s art is part of the Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, which seeks to address health disparities associated with sickle cell disease by increasing much-needed blood donations from individuals who are Black through community partnerships and helping to ensure closely matched blood products are available for patients.

Donating blood is simple, and summer months can be a challenging time to maintain a sufficient blood supply. Individuals of all blood types are urged to make an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767).

Advancing Health Equity: Deloitte Launches ‘Illustrate Change’ Medical Illustration Library

NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- Deloitte is proud to announce the launch of “Illustrate Change,” a project that seeks to build momentum around representation in medical illustrations and reduce health disparities among people of color, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson. With its launch, Illustrate Change will immediately make available 25 diverse medical illustrations. The illustrations showcase the work and unique vision of Chidiebere Ibe. Ibe’s impactful Black fetus-in-womb illustration sparked a global conversation about representation in medical images in 2022. His work, alongside that of many other noteworthy medical illustrators, inspired this collaborative effort. Illustrate Change aims to build the largest library of diverse medical illustrations and demonstrates a commitment to address the lack of representation in medical imagery.

“The launch of Illustrate Change marks a step forward toward a more representative medical education system. Illustrations are an important visual tool used in both medical and patient education,” said Chidiebere Ibe, chief medical Illustrator of Illustrate Change. “I’m proud my illustrations will play a vital role in continuing to raise awareness of gaps in the representation of medical images. Closing these gaps helps avoid implicit bias within healthcare settings and increases awareness of how conditions present on different skin tones, which could have very critical implications for health outcomes. I hope these images inspire future generations of medical illustrators.”

Currently, less than 5% of medical images show dark skin. Only 8% of medical illustrators identify as people of color. The Illustrate Change digital library, made possi-

ble by a grant from the Johnson & Johnson ‘Our Race to Health Equity’ commitment, will house a collection of diverse medical illustrations across a range of health conditions. The library will continue to grow and evolve, reflecting a more representative patient population. The initial 25 images will represent 23 conditions across dermatology, maternal health, eye disease, oncology, general health, orthopedics, and hematology.

The Deloitte Health Equity Institute, in collaboration with Deloitte Digital, played a crucial role in helping to bring Illustrate Change to life. Inspired by the power of illustrations such as Chidiebere Ibe’s Black fetus in-womb, the Deloitte Digital team saw the need for a digital library that would increase diversity in the world of medical illustrations. Driven by the movement, the team connected the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and Johnson & Johnson with the proposal and led the development of the digital library. Healthcare leaders within the Deloitte Health Equity Institute shaped the strategic direction of the program, led cross-sector collaboration, and facilitated the medical review process alongside Johnson & Johnson.

“Illustrate Change is essential in addressing health disparities and achieving health equity. By increasing diversity in medical illustrations, we can help improve medical education, reduce bias, and ultimately provide better, safer, and higher quality care for everyone,” said Dr. Jay Bhatt, managing director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions and Deloitte Health Equity Institute. “Deloitte is proud to be part of this much needed movement and to contribute our unique expertise across creativity, healthcare, and digital innovation.”

To further support the mission of Illustrate Change,

Johnson & Johnson has engaged the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) to offer the AMI Diversity Fellowship. This fellowship program will nurture the training and education of 10 medical artists, encouraging them to create 100 new medical illustrations featuring patients of color over the next year.

“Nurturing the training and education of medical artists from diverse backgrounds will naturally result in healthcare visuals that more accurately reflect the diverse patient population,” said Jill Gregory, president of the Association of Medical Illustrators. “Over time the Fellowship will endeavor to bring greater visibility to issues of health equity and increase the pipeline of medical and scientific illustrators from under-represented communities of color. This fellowship can not only amplify the voices of underrepresented communities but also contribute to the promotion of health equity and improved patient care.”

The Deloitte Health Equity Institute was established because of the stark inequities illuminated by COVID-19 and businesses had to lean in with other stakeholders to advance health equity as a moral and economic imperative. DHEI is addressing disparities in the drivers of health, racism/bias, and structural flaws in the health system. DHEI is focused on investing in programs to directly improve people’s lives, drive new approaches and tools to advance health equity, and activate key decision makers to help ensure that our health ecosystem is advancing health equity as an imperative. By advancing health equity, Deloitte aims to help everyone achieve their full potential in health and well-being, fostering a more equitable society.

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1. The perfect cup of coffee: Most people think they are satisfied with their morning cup of coffee, that is, until they try Nextmug, a smart,

LIVING

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on-the-go: Add entertainment and motivation to morning workouts with comfortable, durable headphones. Just be sure to consider your needs when selecting the right pair. Whereas bone conduction headphones offer the safety of being able to hear surrounding sounds, which is great for morning jogs and commutes, air conduction offers the best shock-free comfort. Finally inear style headphones can isolate outside noise when it’s desired, such as at

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For brighter, more efficient mornings, find gear that elevates your routine.