OLICKAL-BACKED PRIVACY BILL EXPANDS PROTECTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Representative Kevin Olickal, D-Skokie, is working to strengthen the privacy of confidential information for older adults with a new law that will restrict the release of sensitive records to the Illinois Department of Aging (IDoA) Ombudsman.
“I’m pleased this much-needed improvement in privacy standards was brought to my attention this session. By working alongside the Illinois Association of Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, we’re turning words into action by successfully passing this bill onto the governor’s desk, who has now put this into law,” said Olickal. “I look forward to seeing the positive transformation this law will bring to our older adult community, which will add layers to safeguarding privacy, complying with regulations, and maintaining trust and confidentiality in our state government.”
Under Senate Bill 2715, the Illinois Act on Aging will clarify that all case records containing resident and other personal information collected by the Ombudsman Program cannot be disclosed outside the program without a lawful subpoena or the State Ombudsman’s strict permission. This removes current ambiguity and ensures consistent application of privacy protections.
“Individuals who lodge complaints can now do so without fear that their identities or details will be exposed, encouraging more people to come forward with any issues they face,” said Olickal. “This small but effective change will enhance the trust of the Ombudsman Program by ensuring that all sensitive information is handled with the highest level of confidentiality.”
Governor Pritzker Releases 5 Year Economic Growth Plan Outlining Vision to Advance Economic Development
GUIDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS, COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO SUPPORT ILLINOIS COMMUNITIES
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) released Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan, a five-year plan to guide Illinois’ economic development priorities and programming. Building upon Illinois’ success, this plan outlines a roadmap to attract recordlevel investments, create jobs and support communities over the next five years while laying the foundation for economic growth for generations to come.
“In the last five years, we’ve seen unprecedented response from companies that are seeing the investment made in Illinois and deciding that is the kind of ethos and vision they need in the home of their next business expansion,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’re continuing that work more ambitiously than ever before, continuing to focus on a sustainable economic future that leaves no Illinoisan behind.”
Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan is guided by four overarching economic development goals:
Focus on high growth sectors and continue overall business climate improvements
Advance comprehensive economic development efforts for business growth and attraction
Promote equitable growth by empowering workers, entrepreneurs, and communities
Build out the new clean energy economy
“There has never been a better time to live, work and do business in Illinois,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Guided by the 2024 Economic Growth Plan, the State of Illinois will build upon its success achieved over the last five years and continue to work toward economic goals that will have a lasting effect for Illinois families and communities.”
Illinois is laying the foundation for long-term growth by focusing on key growth industries: Life sciences
Quantum computing, AI, and microelectronics
Clean energy production and manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing
Next generation agriculture, agriculture tech and food processing
Transportation, distribution, and logistics
This plan is the result of an extensive research, planning, and stakeholder engagement process, involving hundreds of stakeholders from every corner of the economic development ecosystem, including local communities, and experts from a range of industries.
The full plan can be viewed on DCEO’s website. To submit questions or comments about the plan, email CEO.EconomicPlan2024@Illinois.gov.
Hazel Crest Park District Deputy Director Talks About New Role
Continued from page 1
BY TIA CAROL JONES
Harris is trying to make sure she uses her skillset to make a positive impact. In this role, Harris oversees the daily operations of Hazel Crest Park District and is the direct report for the Superintendent of Parks and Maintenance and Superintendent of Fitness and Recreation.
“I work very closely with the Executive Director Christopher Cole in ensuring our programming is targeted to our community,” she said.
The summer months are the busiest season for parks and recreation with programming for residents, especially children who are out of school. The summer camp program, which services children ages 6 years old to 12 years of age, has more than 60 participants. Harris worked to ensure the camp supervisors and counselors had the resources and training they needed to give the children in the program an enriching experience.
Harris also is spearheading all of the marketing materials for the Hazel Crest Park District, something she is well-versed in. She started working with the park district as an independent contractor to rebrand the organization. She felt the Deputy Director role was a good fit for her because she has a passion for supporting operations and the marketing aspect of the role. She has also been working with the strategic planning team to identify areas for improvement for the park facilities and playgrounds.
The Hazel Crest Park District includes the community center building, a recreation center building, 14 parks, eight baseball fields, one soccer field, one football field and nine playgrounds.
Harris is working to ensure communities that need it can access resources that are available. She wants to use those resources to enhance the experiences of the residents at the park district. Since this is her first role in parks and recreation, she is learning the nature of parks and recreation, park maintenance lingo and standard operating procedure for facility mainte-
ATTORNEY GENERAL
nance.
“It’s been a crash course of me getting my hands dirty a little bit more than I’m used to, but I have the chops and I have the grit to jump in and do as needed,” she said.
She is ready to jump in and be the boots on the ground to do whatever is needed. It has been a learning curve knowing the technical and hands-on aspect of the work. She is also learning the organization and the historical context of the Hazel Crest Park District. She is learning about the residents and building relationships, letting them know that she is there to serve them and to make their experience at the park district better.
Harris values the experience as she is looking at a career in operations. She sees that role as the foundation for her to acquire the qualifications to possibly seek a role as a village administrator, but that is something much further down the line. Right now, she is trying to make an impact with the Hazel Crest Park District and assist in bringing thousands of dollars in resources, helping with the facility renovations and growing the team. She is grateful to Cole for believing in her and giving her an opportunity to contribute to his mission with the park district.
“I have a long list of things I need to cross off before I can feel like I’ve exhausted my impact here and I want to see what my next growth period is. I definitely see myself in this role for the next several years,” she said.
Her advice to other young women in intergovernmental roles or interested in pursuing roles in municipalities is to get in the rooms where the executive directors and finance teams are. She said that they should put themselves in the environment where they can learn about organizations they are interested in. She also advised they should become an active member of the community. That way, they can access where they might see where their skillsets can be a good fit.
RAOUL ANNOUNCES MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH CAMEO FOR VIOLATING CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a settlement with Baron App Inc. (Cameo) resolving an investigation into Cameo’s violation of consumer protection laws by not providing appropriate disclosures to consumers who purchased video business messages using the popular personalized video service.
As part of the agreed settlement announced by a bipartisan coalition of 30 attorneys general, Cameo will establish and maintain programs and policies to help ensure its website and mobile applications users comply with all applicable state and federal laws, including the FTC’s Endorsement Guides. Cameo will also implement a watermark system for paid advertisements, implement a system for legal disclosures to and acknowledgements from all celebrities and consumers and monitor paid advertisements for compliance and establish reporting mechanisms for non-compliant Cameo videos.
“Today’s settlement ensures Cameo is held accountable after the company failed to follow state and federal laws intended to protect consumers,” Raoul said. “I will continue to
work with fellow attorneys general to protect Illinoisans and consumers across the nation from fraud and deceptive business practices.”
Raoul and the coalition’s investigation found potential violations of states’ consumer protection statutes and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Endorsement Guides’ paid advertiser disclosure requirements. Raoul and the coalition allege that Cameo failed to provide appropriate disclosures to consumers purchasing personalized video business messages that an endorsement of a product is a paid endorsement. Additionally, the investigation showed Cameo failed to refund users who paid for the business Cameo feature but mistakenly signed up for the less-expensive personal message Cameos.
Joining Raoul in announcing today’s settlement are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Schedule and New Process to Launch 2025-26 FAFSA Form
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® form) will be launched through a new process. Starting on October 1, the Department will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students
and institutions. The Department will make the application available to all students on or before December 1. This process is informed by conversations and feedback from thousands of students, institutions, and other stakeholders.
State Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Named President-Elect of National Conference
of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Chicago -- Illinois State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D) has been named President-Elect of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff.
Rep. Evans, NCSL’s Vice President, succeeds Utah President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper (R), who became NCSL president at this year’s Legislative Summit in Louisville. NCSL alternates its leadership annually between the two major political parties. Evans will be named NCSL president at the 2025 Legislative Summit in Boston. Utah President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper (R) is NCSL’s current president.
Rep. Evans has served in the Illinois Legislature since 2012, currently serving as both Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee under House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. Evans is known to be a strong collaborator and a consensus-building leader. In his 12 years of service, Evans has worked on a variety of impactful legislative measures, as well as all legislation that influences working-class Illinois citizens.
Rep. Evans is an active member of NCSL, serving on its Executive Committee as well as the Task Force on State and Local Taxation, the Task Force on Energy Supply, among many others.
“The support NCSL gives our legisla-
tors and legislative staff is truly unparalleled. As NCSL’s next President-Elect, I hope to continue guiding our lawmakers toward bipartisanship and collaboration,” Rep. Evans stated. “With NCSL’s guidance, our states are more aligned, not by party or state affiliation, but by a unified commitment to strengthening our communities and supporting the hardworking people in them.”
A lifelong resident of the South Side of Chicago, Rep. Evans earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University. Outside of public service, Rep. Evans works as a licensed real estate appraiser and an Illinois High School Association licensed basketball official.
Illinois Governor Pritzker Signs First State-In-TheNation Landmark Bill to Cover Alzheimer’s Treatments for State Employees
We are thrilled to announce that Governor JB Pritzker has again taken a leadership role in the fight to end Alzheimer’s, signing into law a historic piece of legislation. Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law a historic piece of legislation aimed at improving access to Alzheimer’s treatment for state employees across Illinois. This groundbreaking measure mandates that the State Employees Group Insurance Program provides coverage for all medically necessary FDAapproved treatments and medications designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Department will invite volunteers to participate in the testing period, and over time will make the form available to an increasing number of participants, starting with hundreds and expanding to tens of thousands of applicants. This process will allow the Department to test and resolve issues before making the form available to all students and contributors. Using this approach, the Department will launch full functionality, including submission and back-end processing at the same time.
the past six months, with the submission gap from the prior year falling from roughly 40% in March to under 4%, as of today.
CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST
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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
and
and
“Following a challenging 2024-25 FAFSA cycle, the Department listened carefully to the input of students, families, and higher education institutions, made substantial changes to leadership and operations at Federal Student Aid, and is taking a new approach this year that will significantly improve the FAFSA experience,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Thanks to the partnership of our stakeholders, we’ve developed a better implementation process for 2025-26. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to ensure this school year’s FAFSA implementation better serves our nation’s students.”
The goal of the phased rollout of the 2025-26 FAFSA form, consistent with software industry best-practices, is to work with limited groups of users to identify and resolve the kind of system errors that can derail millions of students and contributors and thousands of colleges. A phased rollout will also allow the Department to incorporate user feedback to ensure the application’s instructions are clear and easy-to-use for students and contributors and provide resources for the community that supports students and families.
Thanks to investments through the FAFSA Student Support Strategy and the partnership of community and stakeholders, student application success rates have significantly increased over
“We’ve heard from students, families, higher education professionals and other stakeholders loud and clear: They want a better, simpler FAFSA process, and they want to know when they can reliably expect it,” said FAFSA Executive Advisor Jeremy Singer. “In close collaboration with partners, FSA is confident we will deliver not only a better product, but also a smoother process than last year. One that makes higher education more accessible and within reach for more Americans.”
Throughout the testing period, the Department will share regular updates with students, families and a broad range of community stakeholders to make sure they clearly understand our progress. This will also boost confidence among students and families, institutions, state agencies, and other partners and stakeholders.
Moreover, the Department will continue to seek feedback from our partners through August listening sessions and a new formal request for information that will be released next week. The Department will publish more about what it has learned through these engagements, including releasing a new roadmap with additional tools for students and families, counselors, institutions and other partners planning for a successful 2025-26 FAFSA season.
In the coming weeks, the Department will release more information about how this testing period will work. Our top priority is ensuring students have access to the maximum federal financial aid possible to reach their education goals, and we are working tirelessly to ensure students and our partners have a smooth experience with the 2025-26 FAFSA form.
“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects not only those diagnosed but also their families and loved ones. The legislation is the first of its kind in the United States, setting a precedent for other states to follow in expanding access to Alzheimer’s care,” said Delia Jervier, Executive Director Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter.
“This legislation represents a significant victory for patients and their families,” said Senator Murphy,. “By eliminating barriers to timely treatment, we are giving those living with Alzheimer’s a fighting chance to preserve their quality of life for as long as possible.”
State Representative Mary Gill, who carried the bill in the House, emphasized the personal significance of the legislation. “Alzheimer’s claimed the life of my Uncle Mike at a young age. This bill is a way to honor his memory and ensure that others have a better chance at life through access to these lifechanging treatments,” said Representative Gill.
The legislation also addresses the need for comprehensive diagnostic support by requiring coverage for diagnostic imaging and tests necessary to confirm an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of step therapy, a practice that can delay access to critical treatment.
“This law is about providing peace of mind and hope for families like mine,” said Holly Blastic, a state employee and advocate for the bill. “Knowing that this coverage is available means that those of us at risk can approach the future with more confidence and less fear.”
Senate Bill 3318 is a landmark achievement in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and represents a unified effort by the Illinois General Assembly to support those affected by this debilitating condition. The bill solidifies Illinois’ position as a leader in serving those living with dementia and their caregivers.
About the Alzheimer’s Association®: The Alzheimer’s Association is a global voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900 for more information.
NAREB W.I.R.E PILLAR
HOSTED EXTRAORDINARY ENGAGEMENT
FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Women Investing in Real Estate (W.I.R.E) Pillar hosted a dynamic, groundbreaking mini-conference for advancing women in real estate during the organization’s annual convention. The event provided a platform for women to gain valuable knowledge on investing, financial planning, and navigating the real estate market. It also offered interactive workshops and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
“There is a team who has worked tirelessly to curate a life changing experience for you today,” said NAREB President Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose. “So just know that you are already blessed for being in the room and being a part of this experience. We have designed it for African American women. We will start with the data to understand the power we possess as African American women. Then we’ll glean from panel discussions throughout the day, from leaders, from entrepreneurs.”
The mini-conference, held on July 31, was further elevated by the presence of a special guest, the renowned actress Lynn Whitfield, who led the event as the moderator. Her presence added a unique and star-studded element to the event. The organization also took the opportunity to honor Lydia Pope, a founder of W.I.R.E and NAREB’S immediate past President.
“As a founder of W.I.R.E, I am particularly excited to share the vision of this initiative,” said Pope. “From that early moment of Inspiration, W.I.R.E evolved into a powerful movement and transformation that landscaped the real estate investment for women.
en are single, while 27% are married. Still, they calculate that Black women control more than 50% of African American households. These are the “bread-winning mothers.”
The W.I.R.E. report also documented the economic gains paving the way for the success enjoyed by Black women, who are 6.3% of the nation’s population, 52% of the African American population, and 12.5% of all women. Further, 63.4% of African American women over the age of 16 are active in the labor force; 89.3% of Black women have graduated high school or its equivalent; and 48% of Black women are single and have never been married.
Black women are also making tremendous strides as entrepreneurs. Businesses owned by Black women grew 50% between 2014 and 2019, with Black Women accounting for 42% of all women who opened new companies during that period. In 2021, 17% of Black women were starting a new business - 7% more than White women and 2% more than White men.
W.I.R.E is more than just a concept. It’s equipping us with knowledge and tools.”
Pope maintained that women entered real estate with knowledge, but lacked specific investment expertise. “To address this,” she said, “W.I.R.E offers tailored education and training.” She discussed the power of networking, saying, “Real estate investment thrives on connections and collaborations. W.I.R.E creates a dynamic community where women investors can connect. Our networking builds long-lasting relationships.”
Furthermore, Pope said that successful investments in real estate requires good decision-making and risk-taking. “W.I.R.E helps women build confidence and make bold investment decisions by sharing success stories,” she said. “… The journey in real estate investment is embarked by both challenges and successes. W.I.R.E is committed to recognizing and celebrating all our success and achievements.”
The authors of the NAREB’s W.I.R.E. Report, Dr. Vickie McBride and Dr. Sheri Smith, detailed the Black women’s identity and economic influence. Their presentation analyzed Black women’s unique experiences, challenges, and successes. They also highlighted the Black women’s considerable economic power and potential, supporting their conclusions with comprehensive data and insightful perspectives. Their work emphasizes Black women’s crucial role in shaping economic landscapes and offered a nuanced understanding of the contributions and aspirations of Black women.
Their data found that 45% of African American wom-
The daylong mini-conference was graced by the presence of several successful Black women, whose stories of triumph and resilience left the audience feeling motivated and encouraged.
Teresa Bazemore, former president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, discussed the need for women to be better counseled on financial literacy, instilling a sense of empowerment and confidence in the audience. Responding, Telebah Wood, who oversees national strategic relationships at Bank of America, agreed that financial literacy needs to be advanced, reinforcing the sense of community and support among the audience.
“One of the things that I think we should do at this time to correct the course is education,” Wood said. “When you said financial literacy, that spoke to me about making our community, clients, and potential clients mortgage-ready. I would be remiss not to mention Bank of America has products, programs, tools, and resources to help folks. We also connect with community partners to educate and do homeownership workshops. But more important, affordability is sustainability. How can we ensure that once they get in the home, they can stay in the home? And so education, I think, is the foundation that we should be leaning into at this time.”
The discussion, which Lisa Haynes, MBA moderated, also included Rachel Sampson, who leads community lending initiatives at Key Bank; Sodi Nichols, who champions diverse markets and affordable home lending at U.S. Bank; and Dionne Cuello, who leads efforts in diverse market segments at Citi.
Another high-powered panel discussed the entrepreneurial journey, leadership challenges, and the strategies that drive success. The panelists shared their personal stories, professional insights, and the keys to thriving in the C-Suite.
“It was a candid conversation that delved into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the power of innovation,” said Dr. Rose. “The audience engaged with trailblazers and gained invaluable knowledge to fuel their entrepreneurial endeavors.”
RELAUNCHING THE BEEM LIST: EMPOWERING DIVERSITY IN EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING
NEW YORK, PRNewswire -- In honor of Black Business Month, Idlewild Experiential is relaunching its BEEM List (BIPOC Event & Experiential Marketers), which seeks to help BIPOC-owned vendors and suppliers connect with leaders in the experiential marketing industry. The BEEM List elevates and supports diverse small business owners by raising awareness of their products and services with corporate experiential marketers.
Idlewild, a multicultural experiential agency founded into 2018, launched the BEEM List in 2020 at the height of the George Floyd social justice movement to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. For Black Business Month, the 2024 BEEM List features 11 Black-owned, Idlewild-approved vendors who have strong track records of delivering exceptional service to corporate partners.
Looking ahead, the BEEM List will expand to feature Hispanic/Latino-owned companies as well as companies owned by entrepreneurs of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.
“This initiative is about increasing visibility for minority-owned businesses and to foster meaningful connections and opportunities that might not otherwise be available,” says Anika Grant, CEO and founder of Idlewild Experiential. “It is our hope that the BEEM List will be a valuable resource for corporate leaders who are looking to expand their supplier diversity pipeline.”
Key Features of the BEEM List:
Comprehensive List: A curated list of black-owned vendors and suppliers across various categories.
Support and Resources: Dedicated resources and support to help vendors thrive in the experiential marketing industry.
Highlighting Credible Vendors: The BEEM List will feature 11 credible vendors that are Idlewild-approved across different sectors, including AV, fabrication, gifting, promotional items, event photographers, photobooths, and more. These vendors have been carefully selected based on their exceptional service and proven track record in delivering high-quality experiences.
2024 BEEM List - The Black Vendors Edition
Production Rockstars: Audio/Visual Production
Harlem Chocolate Factory: Food & Beverage
Luxe Booth Houston (LBH): Photo Booth
Mama Foundation for the Arts: Entertainment/ Activation
BCakeNY Food & Beverage
Blooms by Marie Floral Design
Dope Coffee Company Food & Beverage
Show Strategy Fabrication/ Event Management
Atlanta Brand Central Promotion Merchandising
DJ TRYFE Event Staffing:DJ By Dami Studios Gifting
Join Us in Supporting Black-Owned Businesses For More Information:
Visit the BEEM List on the Idlewild website: www. idlewildexp.com
Follow on social media: Instagram: Idlewild Exp | LinkedIn: Idlewild Experiential
Photo provided by NAREB
Idlewild Experiential
Azazie Teams Up with Jordyn Woods to Celebrate New Atelier Collection
LOS ANGELES, PRNewswire --
Azazie, the leading DTC e-tailer for all things bridal and occasion wear, teamed up with Jordyn Woods to celebrate the launch of its new Atelier collection, Secr et Garden: Eveningwear in Full Bloom, in Beverly Hills, C A on August 6.
Hosted at the newly-opened AZAZIE STUDIO, the star-studded event brought VIPs and fans of the brand alike, including Vanderpump Rules’ Scheana Shay, Charli Burnett, and Ally Lewber, Selling Sunset’s Nicole Young, Love Island’s Justine Ndiba, as well as Hayley Hasselhoff. Joined by Azazie’s CEO Charles Zong and Creative Director Daniel Sanchez, guests enjoyed a DJ set fr om Natalina, light bites and beverages, and a DIY bouquet bar. Jordyn Woods, the event’s co-host, wore Reina White Cross Neck Maxi Dress ($99) while Shay, Burnett, and Lewber wore Emery Rose Pink Floral Printed Ruched Ruffle Midi Dress
Sassy Jones: Global
RICHMOND, Va., PRNewswire --
On July 20, chants of “We are family. I got all my sisters with me.” could be heard through the Short Pump Town Center in Richmond, VA from Sassy Jones’ VIP clients. Dressed in pink, they flew in from all over the US to celebrate the brand’s 11th year anniversary. Ingrid Seals, VIP customer, stated “I will be at every Sassy event. The brand has changed my life. I love Charis, the staff, all products, and the ladies I’ve met through the brand.”
The journey of the global fashion and lifestyle brand, is one of determination, inspiration and hope to make a positive impact in the lives of others. CEO and Chief Designer, Charis Jones created the brand that is primarily focused on the confidence of a woman and how that spark can change the perspective and approach in life.
($119), Rosina Little White Dress ($109) and Joanna Black and Blush Pink Bow Mini Dress ($169) respectively.
The Secr et Garden: Eveningwear in Full Bloom collection ranges from $89 - $199 and is available in sizes 0 - 30 and can be purchased at www. azazie.com.
Azazie is the leading DTC e-tailer for bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion wear, and accessories, offering high-quality gowns at affordable prices. Based in the tech capital of Silicon Valley, Azazie is disrupting the traditional bridal industry while garnering high ratings from customers and review sit es alike. With 200+ bridal gowns and 400+ bridal party dresses in over 80 colors, Azazie is committed to body-positive fashion, offering all dresses from size 0-30, cut and sewn to order like expensive bespoke designs. Visit the website at www. azazie.com.
Azazie is the leading DTC e-tailer for bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion wear, and accessories, offering highquality gowns at affordable prices.
Fashion & Lifestyle brand celebrates 11 years of changing lives!
Sassy Jones started with a trade show tour, then to Charis’ kitchen because of raising twin boys at the same time. She quickly pivoted to creating her own popup shop at home and conducting live streams via
social media naming it The Sparkle Party®. This is where the brand began to impact the lives and confidence of women all across the globe by empow-
ering them to practice decision audacity with their lifestyle choices.
During the past 11 years, the brand has accomplished the following:
First black woman owned business to build two girls dormitories in Kenya, Africa at an academic center to assist in the aid of the menstrual poverty epidemic.
Ranked #24 on the Inc. 5000 list
Featured in Forbes
Featured on the Today Show’s “She Made It” Segment
Pop Up Shop Feature in Macy’s
Special collections featured on HSN
Flagship store opening in Richmond, VA
Styled Tabitha Brown for book tour stops and hosted the event in Richmond, VA
With all the accomplishments over the years, Charis states, “the biggest achievement is changing women’s lives one experience at a time through our products and community, so that they feel undeniably confident to conquer anything in life.”
Charis Jones (center), CEO and Chief Designer of Sassy Jones, celebrates 11 years of business along with staff members. PRNEWSFOTO/SASSY JONES
Jordyn Woods co-hosts the Azazie Midsummer Soiree event. Bobby Rachpoot.
L.M.
Royce
Photos By
Warbington Photography
Bally’s Chicago Casino Named Chicagoland’s Best Casino by Casino Player Magazine
(CHICAGO, IL) – Bally’s Chicago Casino is proud to announce it has been named “Best Casino – Chicagoland” in Casino Player Magazine’s Best of Gaming 2024, an annual
award competition voted on by magazine readers and casino guests.
“Bally’s Chicago Casino is thrilled to be named the Best Casino in Chicagoland during our first year
of operations,” said Mark Wong, Vice President and General Manager. “To stand out as the best in the region is a high honor and reinforces what we hear daily from our guests – they love the Bally’s Chicago experience.”
Every year, Casino Player Magazine invites readers and casino guests to vote on a range of categories related to casinos around the country. Voters considered twelve casinos within the Chicagoland area, ranging from Bally’s, Chicago’s only casino within the city limits, to other casinos in the collar counties and northwest Indiana.
Bally’s Chicago Casino opened the temporary location at the Medinah Temple in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in September 2023. The temporary location features nearly 800 slot machines over three floors, 56 tables games, a full-service restaurant, two bars, a cafe and a new VIP Lounge.
Bally’s Chicago Casino plans to open a permanent casino, resort and entertainment destination on the former site of the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center in fall 2026. The development will feature a 500-room hotel tower, 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants and cafes, a food hall and a 2-acre public park. The casino will offer approximately 3,300 slots, 173 table games and VIP gaming areas. The casino development will create 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 casino jobs once Bally’s Casino Chicago becomes operational.
“Our temporary location is just a taste of what the future holds for Bally’s Chicago,” said Wong. “We will continue to build upon the momentum generated by the success of our temporary casino but
can’t wait to show Chicagoland the best of Bally’s when the permanent casino opens its doors in 2026.”
Bally’s Corporation has taken top honors in the 2024 Best of Gaming Awards, securing 231 total wins, and 97 FIRST PLACE Wins across 13 properties! Two of those first-place wins are in the state of Illinois including Bally’s Chicago Casino voted Best Casino and Bally’s Quad Cities voted Best Overall Gaming Resort.
To read more on Bally’s Chicago recognition as Casino Player Magazine’s Best of Gaming 2024: Chicagoland Best Casino, please visitwww.casinocenter.com/best-ofawards/.
About Bally’s Corporation
Bally’s Corporation is a global casino-entertainment company with a growing omni-channel presence. It currently owns and manages 15 casinos across 10 states, a golf course in New York, a horse racetrack in Colorado, and has access to OSB licenses in 18 states. It also owns Bally’s Interactive International, formerly Gamesys Group, a leading, global, online gaming operator, Bally Bet, a first-in-class sports betting platform, and Bally Casino, a growing iCasino platform.
With 10,600 employees, the Company’s casino operations include approximately 15,300 slot machines, 580 table games and 3,800 hotel rooms. Upon completing the construction of a permanent casino facility in Chicago, IL, and a land-based casino near the Nittany Mall in State College, PA, Bally’s will own and/or manage 16 casinos across 11 states. Bally’s also has rights to developable land in Las Vegas post the closure of the Tropicana. It shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BALY”.
LEGISLATION INITIATED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL AND ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO ENHANCE CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS SIGNED INTO LAW
“This measure makes important clarifications to the law to enhance protections against discrimination in housing and employment and will help make the implementation of IDHR’s new hate crimes hotline a success,” Fine said.
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that legislation amending the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to clarify and strengthen its protections was signed into law.
House Bill (HB) 5371 is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Attorney General’s office and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), which enforce the state’s Human Rights Act.
“The Illinois Human Rights Act provides one of the strongest sets of protections against discrimination in the country, in part because our state continues to clarify and expand the Act,” said (IDHR) Director Jim Bennett. “We applaud Governor Pritzker’s support of HB 5371. The bill improves the Human Rights Act by enhancing enforcement of civil rights protections in employment and housing.”
The new law will enhance civil rights protections for people in Illinois and provide important clarifications to the law. Specifically, it will:
Continue to bring the IHRA into substantial compliance with federal fair housing law.
Strengthen relief in discriminatory pattern-and-practice determinations by clarifying the term “per violation.” For example, a business that repeatedly discriminates against multiple employees could be held accountable for each instance of a violation. Repeated harassment
and discrimination should not constitute a single violation of the act, and relief should be proportionate to the amount of harassment and discrimination victims had to endure. The law also increases the maximum penalty amounts that a court may award in the Attorney General’s pattern-and-practice determinations and fair housing lawsuits.
Clarify that aggrieved parties have the right to take action to collect judgments, even if they do not intervene in the state’s enforcement action.
Codifies criteria language from the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003 to expressly prohibit unjustified disparate impacts in real estate transactions.
Ensure confidential reporting of discrimination and hate incidents to helplines administered by IDHR and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.
Reduce redundancies and improve enforcement processes.
State Sen. Laura Fine sponsored the bill in the Senate, and State Rep. Ann Williams sponsored it in the House.
“ This measure makes important clarifications to the law to enhance protections against discrimination in housing and employment and will help make the implementation of IDHR’s new hate crimes hotline a success,” Fine said.
“HB 5371 cuts red tape and will help victims of harassment and discrimination collect judgments to which they are entitled but have historically had a difficult or impossible time collecting. This will make a real difference in the lives of victims,” Williams said.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Illinois residents. The IHRA grants the Attorney General the authority to investigate broad, systemic problems or incidents of discrimination, referred to as “patterns or practices,” and file suits t o remedy such violations. To file a complaint regarding a pattern or practice of discrimination, visit the Attorney General’s website or contact the office’s Civil Rights Bur eau by calling 877-581-3692 or emailing civilrights@ilag.gov.
IDHR is committed to securing freedom from unlawful discrimination for all Illinois residents. Any Illinoisan who believes they have been a victim of discrimination can file a charge with IDHR within 300 days of the date of the incident or within one year of a housing violation. To file a charge with IDHR, call (312) 814-6200 or visit dhr. illinois.gov/filing-a-charge. Illinoisans can also report hate incidents by calling (877) 458-4283 or by visiting cdhc.illinois.gov/ report-hate.
National Museum of African American History and Culture To Release Its First Book of Sports Photography
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will publish a dynamic new book Sept. 17 tracing the history of sports through photographs from the turn of the 20th century to the present day with Game Changers: Sports Photographs from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This publication is the first in the Double Exposure series to include photographs from the Johnson Publishing Company Archive, co-owned by the museum and the Getty Research Institute. The 84-page softcover book showcases 57 black-and-white and 11 color images.
“The Black athlete has long served as a symbol of excellence, a figure of change, and an image of the otherwise impossible,” wrote Kevin Young, Andrew W. Mellon Director of NMAAHC, in the foreword to the book. “We soar when they do, we root for them even as we doubt; we win even when they lose, as long as the attempt proves as noble as the victory. More than 20 of the photographs in this book, spanning almost 40 years, come from the Johnson Publishing Company Archive, remarkable for its ability to get inside athletes’ homes and experiences, documenting ordinary moments in often extraordinary lives.”
Organized around key moments in the history of African American sports, Game Changers explores the sometimes-complex world of athletes, their sports and their impact on American culture on and off the field. While football, basketball, baseball and boxing are prominently featured, the book also includes images of male and female athletes, amateur and professional, competing in gymnastics, track and field, skiing, golf, tennis and other sports.
Images of iconic moments in sports history include Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries during the 1910 “Fight of the Century,” Jackie Robinson stealing home in 1952 and Colin Kaepernick taking a knee in 2016. Also presented are the more personal moments—Larry Doby teaching his son how to hold a bat, Wilt Chamberlain in class at the University of Kansas, Wilma
Rudolph standing outside her charitable foundation office, Muhammad Ali in conversation with Fannie Lou Hamer and a young Venus Williams smiling after a practice session.
Among the 40 featured photographers are Ernest C. Withers, Roderick J. Lyons, Walter Iooss Jr., Maurice Sorrell, Ozier Muhammad and Moneta Sleet Jr.
Game Changers features three essays followed by four sections of photographs:
Survival and Community Building: 1900–1945
This section explores how African Americans created a vibrant yet diverse sporting culture in the face of segregation and other constraints. It also covers how the Great Migration shaped youth athletics in Chicago and the role of historically Black colleges and universities, such as Samuel Huston College and Tuskegee Institute, in promoting sports at the collegiate level.
Struggle and Breakthrough: 1945–1968
The period between the end of World War II and the Civil Rights Movement focuses on the various athletes, starting with Robinson in 1945 who integrated sports, and how some let their accomplishments speak for themselves, while others used their platforms to speak out in support of the movement. Featured athletes include Willie Mays, Althea Gibson and Wilt Chamberlain.
Disruption and Acceptance: 1968–1980
The post-Civil Rights Movement era saw an increase in athletes as activists on the national and international stage, pushing for equal pay, representation and opportunities in all levels of sports. This section features Kareem Abdul-Jabbar executing a slam dunk, Debra Kay Thomas playing in the Women’s Professional Basketball League and the first African American to play in the Master’s Tournament, Lee Elder.
Innovation and Dominance: 1980–Today
The final section looks at the progress African Americans have made since 1980, focusing on the emergence of prominent women athletes, including Gail Devers and Briana Scurry,
and the participation of Black athletes, such as Kaepernick, in the social justice protests of the 2000s.
The editors of Game Changers are Michèle Gates Moresi and Laura Coyle, both at NMAAHC. Contributors to the book include Damion L. Thomas, NMAAHC curator of sports, and Kevin Young, Andrew W. Mellon Director at NMAAHC; David K. Wiggins, professor emeritus of sport studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia; and Domonique Foxworth, commentator, retired American football cornerback and former president of the National Football League Players Association.
Published by NMAAHC in collaboration with D Giles Limited of London, it retails for $16.95. The book is supported by the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts and funded by the NMAAHC’s Sport Leadership Council.
Game Changers is the ninth volume in the museum’s Double Exposure series, which showcases the museum’s growing photography collections. Previous volumes focused on areas ranging from civil rights and military history to fashion and spirituality. For more information, visit nmaahc.si.edu/ publications.
Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed 11 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. The museum has also launched and is continually expanding its reach with the Searchable Museum portal and other efforts to bring African American history into the world’s hands and homes. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on X, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.
TRUMP’S PROJECT 2025 IS A THREAT TO BLACK AMERICANS
Project 2025 is Donald Trump and JD Vance’s plan to remake the federal government if they win. It would:
Use Civil Rights-era laws created to address discrimination to instead benefit white people – Axios, 4/1/24
Gut the Affordable Care Act, which will raise health care costs and threaten health care coverage for millions of Americans – AP News, 11/27/23
Cut Social Security and Medicare Americans have earned – Washington Post, 2/9/23
Ban abortion nationally – New York Times, 2/16/24
MISSY ELLIOTT
RECOGNIZED WITH CONGRESSIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL HONORS
LOS ANGELES —
Missy Elliott continues to skyrocket with fir st-ever recognitions during her hist ory-making debut headline tour, OUT OF THIS WORLD —
The Missy Elliott Experience. The Portsmouth, VA, native w as honored once again as a hometown hero during her stop at Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA, on Friday, Aug. 2.
“It would be a crime — a ‘Misdemeanor’! — not to r ecognize you, and to thank you for all you’ve done, not only with the fame and fortune, but giving back to the community,” said Congressman B obby Scott, United States Congress, VA 3rd Congressional District, who presented her with a Congressional Certificate Of Community Ser vice from the United States Congress, commending her for her continued support in the community. Additionally, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck declar ed August 2 as “Out of This World Tour Day” in the City of Hampton and Delegate Don Scott, Speaker of the House of Delegat es, presented her with a resolution for her first arena tour. Elliott was previously recognized by October 17 being proclaimed “Missy Elliott Day” in Portsmouth, VA – in addition to a street being named after her and receiving a key to the city (2022).
About her hometown concert experience, Variety praised, “The show is a staggering spectacle: an immersive, interactive experience.” With a setlist jam-packed of four acts spanning Elliott’s 30-year career, the superstar bill also marked a standout moment for mega producer Timbaland. Hailing from Norfolk, VA, Elliott’s longtime collaborator and friend since high school, called special attention to his DJ – his son Demetrius – and premiered a new song called “Love Again (feat. Alejandro).”
Also on Aug. 2, Elliott appeared on Nightline for a full episode with ABC News’ Megan Ryte, dedicated to OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience.
Tickets and more information about this summer’s hottest concert experience is
available at Missy-Elliott.com. Fans can take an inside look at the run through Elliott’s personal tour diary on Instagram here. OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience is produced by Live Nation in association with Mona Scott-Young, Elliott’s longtime manager and CEO of Monami Entertainment.
VIP: OUT OF THIS WORLD — The Missy Elliott Experience offers a variety of VIP packages and fan activations to elevate their concert experience. Select packages will include premium tickets, group photo onstage, VIP Lounge access, exclusive tour poster, specially designed VIP gift items, and more. For more information, visit VIPNation.com.
Marvin Sapp Releases New Album - Then
& NowAugust 30th
Dallas, TX – Gospel music luminary Marvin Sapp is set to release his 16th album, Then & Now, on Aug. 30th. It will be the second album released on Elev8 Media & Entertainment, his independent label.
Recorded live at Valley Kingdom Ministries, Then & Now is Sapp’s 16th album release. During the evening of the recording, Sapp dazzled the capacity crowd with powerful new songs as well as refreshed favorites from his more than 30-year career in music.
For almost two hours, Sapp – accompanied by a powerhouse band and extraordinary ba ckground vocalists – kept the crowd on its feet. The energy in the room was electrifying the entire evening. Then & Now is the culmination of that memorable night: a collection of live music from Marvin Sapp, pristinely mastered for perpetuity.
“I’m really proud of this album; I think it sounds incredible,” says Sapp.
“I enjo yed working with some new creatives who helped me bring to life this vision of doing a record that feels like a live Marvin Sapp concert – with some tried and true favorites sprinkled in with new songs. On the back end, I enlisted veteran mixers to ensure a high-quality sound – that’s where the magic happens when it comes to producing a live record. I can only hope that everyone who listens to it is blessed by it, but I had an absolute blast recording Then & Now.
One of the new creatives that Sapp worked with was Curtis Lindsey. Although Lindsey has been a member of Sapp’s band for over a decade, he took the helm as Music Director for this project.
“Marvin Sapp is a legend. I was humbled and honored for him to bring me on as music director. It was a highlight of my career. Recording in my hometown of Chicago, a place that also loves Marvin Sapp, added to the joy of bringing Then & Now t o life,” says Lindsey.
Marvin Sapp is known for delivering rich live recording experiences that translate into musical masterpieces. His platinum-selling album Thirsty was recorded live, in addition to Here I Am (2010), You Shall Live (2015), and Chosen Vessel (2020).
Then & Now will soon be added to his masterful “live album” discography.
Pre-sales begin August 23rd everywhere music is sold digitally and www.marvinsapp.com for physical copies. Fans will also be able to purchase physical copies of Then & Now in any of the 35 cities of the upcoming R eunion Tour.
Photo provided by Kymberlee Norsworthy
Sweet Talk Publicity
Sweet Talk Publicity
U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $40 Million to Improve College Completion Rates for Underserved Students
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced more than $40 million in grant awards to seven grantees to improve completion rates for underserved students. The grants are being provided under the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) program, which aims to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer, credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based approaches.
“Across the country, colleges and universities are rejecting the old idea that weeding out students was a sign of quality, and instead they are taking responsibility for all of their students’ success,” said U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. “These awards will not only help find new ways to help students graduate; they will help change expectations.”
Only 62% of students graduate within six years, including fewer than half of Black students, according to the most recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. However, the national rate has grown by 7 percentage points over the past decade, indicating that new approaches are helping hundreds of thousands more students earn college degrees.
Seven grantees are receiving awards through PSSG to fund evidence-based strategies that result in improved outcomes for underserved students. The funding is being awarded to three grantees that are in the early phase and four grantees in the mid-phase/expansion phase, based upon the amount of existing research vali-
dating their effectiveness in improving student postsecondary education outcomes.
The Department also published the final rule for the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program. The rulemaking sets up priorities, requirements, definitions and selection criterion that could be used in future competitions for this funding.
The Final Rule sets three tiers of evidence standards that can be used – from Demonstrates a Rationale/Promising to Moderate to Strong – to ensure that grantees’ projects are based on evidence and designed and implemented to have an impact on increasing student completion. There is also a priority that aligns with the Department’s recognition of the important role college-to-career pathways and supports play in student success.
The rule requires grantees to submit an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of their project and targets the funds to the most under-resourced institutions by focusing eligibility on Title III and V institutions, or non-profits or states in partnership with such institutions.
Finally, the rule sets a new selection criterion measuring the extent to which proposed projects use data for continuous improvement of student outcomes for underserved students.
A list of grantees can be found below: California State University, Fresno Foundation $7,959,963 CA Proposes to develop and deliver an enhanced advising project, which will impact retention
and completion.
Center for Collaborative Education
$8,000,000 MA Proposes to work collaboratively with 5 community colleges to strategically address student success in teacher preparation programs by focusing on enhanced advisory mentoring with financial supports.
New York Institute of Technology
$2,763,820 NY Proposes to supplement and enhance its existing advising and student success infrastructure for second and third-year underserved students with the ultimate goal of increasing persistence and graduation.
Research Foundation for The Suny - Albany
$3,998,852 NY Proposes to provide personalized financial coaching that aligns with the student success infrastructure to position its diverse student population to thrive, persist, and graduate.
Portland State University (PSU) $7,823,199 OR Proposes facilitating the transfer pathway between two feeder colleges and PSU by providing early/proactive, wrap-around guidance and the removal of financial barriers to transfer students.
Jarvis Christian University
$3,418,794 TX Proposes to serve under-resourced and underperforming currently enrolled students to ensure reenrollment, progression, completion, and employment.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
$7,299,868 TX Proposes to refine and scale coaching, develop guided learning pathways and utilize system-level financial incentives to support first generation students.
Total $41,264,496
University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, Dr. Chad Jenkins, Honored
with the 2024 Richard Tapia
LEMONT, Ill., PRNewswire -- The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT (CMD-IT) honors Dr. Chad Jenkins, University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, as the 2024 recipient of the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing. The awards ceremony will take place during the CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, held in San Diego, California, Sept. 18-20, 2024. Last year, more than 2,000 attendees, including students from more than 250 colleges and universities, attended the conference.
Each year, the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing is presented to a distinguished computational scientist, computer engineer who is making significant contributions to computing and civic areas, eaching, mentoring, advising, and building and serving diverse communities. The award winner represents extraordinary dership in computing scholarship and CMD-IT’s mission to increase the par-
Achievement Award
ticipation of underrepresented communities in computing.
“We are proud to honor Dr. Chad Jenkins, the University of Michigan Professor of Robotics, as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Tapia Award,” said Dr. Valerie Taylor, CEO and President CMD-IT. “The recognition is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of robotics, in particular computational reasoning and perception, and his exemplary work with mentoring students and professional from underrepresented communities in computing.”
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be recognized with the 2024 Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science and Diversifying Computing. I have been incredibly fortunate to stand on the shoulders of giants across the Tapia community,” said Chad Jenkins.
“The commitment to both excellence and equity at Tapia has provided a guiding light for how to be a trailblazer, mentor, mentee, and catalyst for positive impact,” Jenkins adds. “Joining the distinguished group of Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award honorees is a crowning accomplishment in my career. I look forward to our continued work together as a community to extend and expand the ladder of opportunity for future generations.”
Chad Jenkins is a Professor of Robotics and a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan. His work aims to discover methods for computational reasoning and perception that will enable robots to effectively assist people in common human environments. Professor Jenkins’ research pertains primarily to robot learning from demonstration, semantic perception, and mobile manipulation towards enabling the usability of technology by people in real situations.
Professor Jenkins is currently serving as the Vice President for Educational Activities for the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. Professor Jenkins was the found-
ing Program Chair of the Robotics Major Degree Program launched in 2022 for undergraduates at the University of Michigan. He was a founding Editor-in-Chief for the ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction, serving from 2016 to 2024. Professor Jenkins served on the Computing Community Consortium from 2019 to 2022. Recently, he was elected Member-At-Large for the Association of Computing Machinery.
As a member of the Computing Research Association’s Committee on Widening Participation in Computing Research (CRA-WP), he helped found The Skip Ellis Early Career Award in honor of Professor Clarence “Skip” Ellis, the first American Black person to earn a doctorate in computer science.
Professor Jenkins is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). He is a Senior Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is an alumnus of the Defense Science Study Group (2018-19).
The CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference (TAPIA Conference) is the premier annual event to acknowledge, promote, and celebrate diversity in computing. Each year, the conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to celebrate the diversity that exists in computing and tech. The annual conference presents an opportunity to connect with others and to create communities that extend beyond the event.
For more information about the Tapia Conference, please visit the CMD-IT/ACM Tapia Conference website at http://www.tapiaconference.org.
Morehouse College Receives $20 million Gift to Support Academics, Recruit New Professors
ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- Morehouse College has received a $20 million anonymous gift to expand academic programs and professorships at the College, the only liberal arts institution in the nation dedicated to the education and development of Black men. The contribution—the largest gift ever designated for faculty positions at Morehouse—will be used to fund six endowed professorships that will enhance innovation and research in several academic areas.
The professorships will be added to the Division of Business and Economics, the Division of Humanities, Social Sciences, Media, and the Arts (HSSMA), and the Division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, including the Office of Health Professions.
“Our faculty are the heartbeat of this institution. They lead our academic programs, develop the intellect of our students, and challenge them to go out in the world and be great. They have fueled the success of thousands of Morehouse Men,” said David A. Thomas, Ph.D., President of Morehouse College. “This transformational $20 million gift will allow us to increase the ranks of our esteemed and talented professors so that we can uphold the legacy of excellence in our classrooms as our as veteran faculty retire.”
Morehouse, which educates more than 2,300 students annually, has world-class academic programs that have been especially successful at cultivating men of distinction who rise as leaders in every field, including the U.S. Congress; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General; the Olympics; as well as the recipients’ platforms of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Academy Awards. The
Morehouse College President David A. Thomas, Ph.D., (middle) and Provost Kendrick Brown, Ph.D., (right) present Adria Welcher, Ph.D., chair of the Sociology Department, (left) with the prestigious Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award at Morehouse’s Commencement in May. National recipients of this award are recognized for their dedication to teaching, ability to inspire students, and contributions to the academic community. Morehouse College.
College is the top producer of Black men who go on to receive doctorates, and is the top-feeder school for Black men entering top-ranked MBA programs as well as managerial and executive positions in business.
The anonymous $20 million gift was contributed to the “Making Men of Consequence” Campaign, the largest fundraising initiative in Morehouse’s 157-year history. The goals of the $500 million campaign are to expand Morehouse’s ability to offer scholarship support
to any deserving student, recruit new faculty at the top of their fields, invest in innovative academic programs, and to fund campus improvements.
Specifically, the donation falls under the campaign’s “Inquiry with Distinction” pillar, which focuses on expanding investment in academics, including distinguished faculty positions, curricular and academic programming, and evidence-based research. The fundraising goal for that pillar is $100 million. Currently, Morehouse employs more than 300 full-and-part-time faculty.
“Investing in Morehouse College’s talented faculty is critical to maintaining the College’s reputation and relevance as a world-class institution of higher learning,” said Provost Kendrick Brown, Ph.D. “At Morehouse, we are developing men with integrity and intellect to become 21st-century leaders and innovators. That takes resources—not only funds for technology and classroom materials, but also a significant investment in attracting accomplished professors to Morehouse who will continue to elevate our profile in all academic areas.”
With the addition of the anonymous gift, nearly $290 million has been generated for the “Making Men of Consequence” Campaign to date.
“We are grateful to the anonymous donor for this generous investment in our faculty,” said Hodan Hassan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “This significant gift fuels our ongoing commitment to excellence in higher education and our ability to offer students transformative academic experiences that help them to reach their full potential.”
Learn more about Morehouse College at morehouse. edu.
Dr. Chad Jenkins, Phd. CMD-IT
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago: Then and Now COVERAGE
By Trinity Webster-Bass Howard University News Service
CHICAGO (HUNS) — Agitated and disillusioned are two words to describe the national mood when the Democratic National Convention gathered in Chicago during the summer of 1968. Civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in April 1968 after marching with striking sanitation workers in Memphis. Eight weeks later, Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was murdered moments after winning California’s primary election.
Their deaths sent the country into a state of both grief and heightened racial tension. This was on top of political turmoil that led nearly 10,000 anti-war demonstrators to gather at the convention to protest the Vietnam War. The unpopular conflict lasted from 1955 to 1975 with a death toll that overshadowed President John F. Kennedy’s concerns about the spread of Communism and that continued to haunt President Lyndon B. Johnson long after JFK’s assassination in 1963.
“What’s happening in that period is that it is a bit more turbulent than most points in American political history,” said Keneshia Grant, an associate professor of political science at Howard University.
“And not only more turbulent, but when we compare it to today, it is a little bit more violent than what we experience today, because they’re also coming off a string of assassinations to prominent individuals in American society and life.”
So what’s different now?
and her running mate is a military veteran and former school teacher. This new pairing is generating excitement among Democratic voters.
However, on the horizon of this year’s DNC lies some of the same issues, just with a different spin. The Chicago metropolitan area is home to the nation’s largest population of Palestinian Americans, and Pro-Palestinian protests are expected to occur throughout the week. The Biden Administration’s support for Israel has been a point of contention, causing many to question their vote for the Harris-Walz ticket.
But on the DNC floor, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclaims that Vice President Harris is “working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.”
More
Walz are taking the stage as the Democratic Party’s nominees for president and vice president. This is the first time in U.S. history that a Black and Asian American woman will be at the top of the ticket,
Lorenzo Morris, Ph D., professor emeritus of political science at Howard, cautions against
drawing direct parallels between the anti-war protests of 1968 and the Pro-Palestinian protests of 2024.
“Many American men are drafted and die in that war. And so there is a war, yes, but the Vietnam conflict should not be thought to be the same as the conflict in Palestine.”
“War is bad,” Morris says. “America is directly involved in Vietnam and not directly involved in the war in Gaza. So, the war protest is about like this idea that Kennedy started, but then Johnson perpetuated this war in Vietnam that didn’t seem to have a point. Then, why are we sending all our young people to die? Why are we pulling folks out of college to die in this war? That was kind of a question there.”
Although some would argue that the Democratic Party has adopted a more left-leaning standpoint, the issues that Americans were concerned about in the 1960s still resonate with the Democrats today.
The Roe v. Wade lawsuit was filed in 1970, just two years after the convention. Reproductive rights is still a key issue that influences the vote of many Democrats. Likewise, in the summer of 1968, the Poor People’s Campaign, an initiative to improve the economic conditions of blue-collar workers, drew thousands to Washington, D.C. Today, workers’ rights and the protection of labor unions sets the foundation of the Democratic Party’s economic policies.
During the 1968 convention, Democrats nominated former Vice President Hubert Humphrey for president and Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine as vice president. Humphrey was a “decades-long familiar face hobbled by his support for the hugely unpopular domestic and foreign policies that animated the protests” at the convention, Morris explained. In the fall, he lost the election to Republican and former Vice President Richard Nixon, The violence that occurred during the four days of the 1968 convention was substantial. Businesses in downtown Chicago were destroyed, and hundreds of protesters and civilians were injured. It was a reflection of the political state of the nation. Today's political
climate remains tumultuous in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection, the challenges to Supreme Court rulings and the use of excessive force on unarmed Black Americans. But as a new choice for Democrats in November, Vice President Harris has an opportunity to maintain the peace and unite the Democratic Party.
“Donald Trump’s candidacy, Project 2025, will roll back rights like it is 1968,” said Aprill Turner, communications director of Higher Heights of America, referring to the conservative blueprint to dismantle the federal government that was prepared by the Heritage Foundation and members of Trump’s inner circle.
“We are excited for Vice President Kamala Harris, because she represents the future,” Turner said. “She represents change.”
And as Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett puts it, “We deserve a bright light in a sea of darkness. Because we won’t go back.”
Trinity Webster-Bass is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
Vietnam War protesters and National Guard soldiers face off outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention near Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo: Warren K. Leffler/Library of Congress)
Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are generating excitement among Democratic voters. (Photo: @KamalaHarris/Twitter/X)
than 50 years later, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim
Vice President Hubert Humphrey and his running mate, Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine, secured the nomination at the 1968 DNC in Chicago, but lost the election. (Photo: Public Domain)
Pregnant Women Undertested for STIs, Finds Quest Diagnostics Health Trends® Study of Over 4 Million Pregnancies
One in three women who tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea while pregnant were not retested before giving birth, despite potential to transmit infections to newborns
SECAUCUS, N.J., PRNewswire -- A new study by researchers from Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) and the University of Alabama suggests adherence to guideline-based laboratory testing and treatment of pregnant women for two of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is suboptimal in the United States, with potentially dire effects on maternal and newborn health.
The study, titled Chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in pregnancy: Time to improve adherence and update recommendations, was published in the peer reviewed Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, the official journal of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. It is based on deidentified results of lab tests performed by Quest in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for 4,077,212 pregnancies.
The findings suggest gaps in guideline-based care, intended to reduce the risk of infection and medical complications. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can raise risks of infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. The risk of transmission during birth is approximately 50%, raising the potential for newborns to develop infections of the eye (conjunctivitis), lungs (pneumonia) and other health problems.
positive prior to delivery. (53.0% chlamydia and 49.3% gonorrhea).
The authors believe reinfections (or ineffectively treated initial infections) may result in an increased number of deliveries while women are positive with one or more STIs, which can impact both maternal and newborn health.
The authors conclude current guidelines are inconsistent and they provide several recommendations for improvements. For instance, the CDC recommends women be retested for cure at 4 weeks of pregnancy while the USPSTF recommends retesting before 3 weeks. Current guidelines also do not recommend screening women after the age of 25 years unless there are risk factors (such as multiple partners), based on a study from 1998 when women married at younger ages than today. Guidelines recommend that all women under the age of 25 be screened, regardless of perceived risk.
“Our study adds to a troubling body of evidence highlighting inconsistent quality in maternal and child healthcare in the U.S.,” said Damian P. Alagia, MD, co-author of the study and Medical Director of Women’s Health at Quest Diagnostics. “Our analysis shows that improved adherence to existing recommendations, harmonization of guidelines across agencies, and even updated recommendations for STI testing will be critical to ensuring the mothers and babies in the United States receive medically appropriate testing and treatment.”
Key findings:
Over 4% of women who received guideline-based screening for chlamydia or gonorrhea in pregnancy during the first trimester received a positive result for one or both infections.
More than one in three of these women (35.1% chlamydia; 36.9% gonorrhea) did not receive a follow up negative test before delivery, suggesting they may not have been treated and cured (or were treated, cured but then reinfected) before birth.
About 2% of patients who received a negative test result for chlamydia or gonorrhea early in pregnancy later received a positive result, suggesting “an ongoing risk of infection during pregnancy”. Of these, about one in two were still
The study’s strengths include its large size, national representation, and use of objective laboratory data. Its limitation is the lack of clinical follow-up information for the positive cases, as testing was limited to one national clinical laboratory. While the authors did not evaluate other STIs, such as syphilis, they caution these patterns of irregular adherence to guideline-based testing in maternal care may extend to other conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of sexually transmitted disease are at an all-time high, with more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia reported in the United States in 2022. Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world’s largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest’s diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
For more Quest Diagnostics Health Trends® reports, visit www.Newsroom.QuestDiagnostics. com/Health-Trends.
FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for Treatment of Anaphylaxis
SILVER SPRING, Md., PRNewswire -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved neffy (epinephrine nasal spray) for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type I), including those that are life-threatening (anaphylaxis), in adult and pediatric patients who weigh at least 30 kilograms (about 66 pounds).
“Today’s approval provides the first epinephrine product for the treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and some people, particularly children, may delay or avoid treatment due to fear of injections,” said Kelly Stone, MD, PhD, Associate Director of the Division of Pulmonology, Allergy and Critical Care in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The availability of epinephrine nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment of anaphylaxis. As a result, neffy provides an important treatment option and addresses an unmet need.”
Allergic reactions happen when a person’s immune system reacts abnormally to a substance that normally does not cause symptoms. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that typically involves multiple parts of the body and is considered a medical emergency. Common allergens that can induce anaphylaxis include certain foods, medications and insect stings. Symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure and include, but are not limited to, hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis and has previously only been available for patients as an injection.
Neffy’s approval is based on four studies in 175 healthy adults, without anaphylaxis, that measured the epinephrine concentrations in the blood following administration of neffy or approved epinephrine injection products. Results from these studies showed comparable epinephrine blood concentrations between neffy and approved epinephrine injection products. Neffy also demonstrated similar increases in blood pressure and heart rate as epinephrine injection products, two critical effects of epinephrine in the treatment of anaphylaxis. A study of neffy in children weighing more than 66 pounds showed that epinephrine concentrations in children were similar to adults who received neffy.
Neffy is a single dose nasal spray administered into one nostril. As with epinephrine injection products, a second dose (using a new nasal spray to administer neffy in the same nostril) may be given if there is no improvement in symptoms or symptoms worsen. Patients may need to seek emergency medical assistance for close monitoring of the anaphylactic episode and in the event further treatment is required.
Neffy comes with a warning that certain nasal conditions, such as nasal polyps or a history of nasal surgery, may affect absorption of neffy, and patients with these conditions should consult with a health care professional to consider use of an injectable epinephrine product. Neffy also comes with warnings and precautions about use of epinephrine by people with certain coexisting conditions and allergic reactions associated with sulfite.
The most common side effects of neffy include throat irritation, tingling nose (intranasal paresthesia), headache, nasal discomfort, feeling jittery, tingling sensation (paresthesia), fatigue, tremor, runny nose (rhinorrhea), itchiness inside the nose (nasal pruritus), sneezing, abdominal pain, gum (gingival) pain, numbness in the mouth (hypoesthesia oral), nasal congestion, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
The FDA granted neffy Fast Track designation for this application.
The FDA granted the approval of neffy to ARS Pharmaceuticals.
Quest Diagnostics
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Struggling to Make Rent? Here’s What to Know
(StatePoint) Upfront and ongoing renting costs can put financial stress on any monthly budget. But whether you are experiencing financial hardship or just need a little extra help to make ends meet, you may have options by working with your property manager.
If you’re struggling to meet either of the two largest financial responsibilities of your lease — your security deposit or rent — here’s what you can do, according to Freddie Mac: Alternative Security Deposits
The upfront cost of a security deposit can be a challenge for some renters. However, some property managers offer alternatives that decrease the amount due at signing. Common options include:
• Recoupment: You agree to pay the property manager for any damages up to a preapproved amount. If you fail to pay for damages at
move out, a deposit company will bill you the amount owed.
• Insurance: You pay monthly premiums for an insurance policy, up to a certain limit, to cover any damages you cause.
• Installments: Rather than paying the full deposit at move-in, you’ll pay in smaller installments, typically monthly. It’s important to know the different implications of each option. While these alternatives may seem attractive at lease signing, the cumulative out-ofpocket costs may be more than the amount of the traditional security deposit in the long run. Furthermore, depending on the option you choose, you may also still be liable for costs associated with damages to your unit. Make sure your agreed-upon terms are documented and that you fully understand them.
Rent Flexibility
Talk to your property manager about the flexibility they can provide on your rent payments. There are several common arrangements that they may be willing to offer you, which include:
• Personalizing your payment dates: Most rent payments are due on the first of the month, and many properties typically offer a grace period. However, depending on your pay day, this timing still may not be ideal. Speak to your property manager about changing your payment due date to better align with your pay cycle.
• Paying in installments: You may find it difficult to cover your full monthly rent in one payment. If this is the case, your property manager may be willing to work out an alternative schedule that allows you to make multiple smaller payments throughout the month.
• Receiving a waiver for late fees or penalties: Late fees and penalties are intended to discourage repeated late payments — but sometimes, unexpected things happen. If you’re facing a temporary setback but are otherwise in good standing with your property manager, you may be able to negotiate a one-time exception for late fees or penalties.
• Receiving a waiver for late fees or penalties: Late fees and penalties are intended to discourage repeated late payments — but sometimes, unexpected things happen. If you’re facing a temporary setback but are otherwise in good standing with your property manager, you may be able to negotiate a one-time exception for late fees or penalties.
Navigating the Conversation
Approaching your property manager can be intimidating. Before your conversation, consider seeking advice from a HUD-certified housing counselor to help you understand your rights and options, and to prepare any relevant information you may need. As you negotiate with your property manager, keep written documentation of any agreements made. And of course, keep the lines of communication open so that both parties are holding up their end of the agreement. If you need assistance, reach out to a Renter Resource Organization, which can provide financial planning advice, educate you on your rights and responsibilities as a renter, offer mediation in landlord-tenant disputes, provide legal advice and more. Visit myhome.freddiemac.com/rros to find an organization servicing your region or call Freddie Mac’s Renter Helpline at 800-404-3097 to speak to a HUD-certified housing counselor. If you’re struggling as a renter, actively communicating by asking questions or asking for assistance can relieve financial pressure and help you avoid eviction.
