Chicago Weekend Citizen 2-05-2020 by CITIZEN NEWSPAPERS

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Citizen Week of Feb. 5, 2020

| Vol. 51 | No. 6 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

The Northeastern Illinois Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action and Northside Democracy for America hosted a District 7 Congressional Forum on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Chicago Public Library -- Austin Branch. Ira Cohen, Kristine Schanbacher, Kina Collins and Anthony V. Clark participated in the event.

DISTRICT 7 CONGRESSIONAL FORUM HELD IN AUSTIN

ENTERTAINMENT

BLACK HISTORY

FASHION

Beyoncé And Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sign Global Agreement

Chicago’s History Includes Black-Owned Businesses Then and Now

“Teens for Jeans” Campaign, Donates Jeans to Young People in Homeless Shelters

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NEWS briefly EDUCATION

THE NEWS LITERACY PROJECT PARTNERS WITH THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY The News Literacy Project (NLP) recently partnered with The E.W. Scripps Company where they launched a national public awareness campaign on the importance of news literacy and the role of the free press in American democracy. The campaign, which culminated during National News Literacy Week, Jan. 27-31, ran across Scripps’ local broadcast stations, national media businesses and with other journalism media partners. “News literacy education helps young people become active participants in their communities,” said Alan C. Miller, NLP’s founder and CEO. “This generation is inheriting the most challenging and complex information landscape in human history, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure they know how to navigate it effectively. And once they’re taught, they develop critical-thinking skills and habits of mind that will last them a lifetime and benefit the communities where they live.”

HEALTH

NEW APP FROM US MED-EQUIP SUPPORTS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS Bracing for the peak of flu season, hospitals now have a new app to ensure they have the medical devices needed. Healthcare providers are securing medical equipment at a moment’s notice from US Med-Equip (USME) to treat the surge of patients in their care. US Med-Equip’s mobile app gives hospital staff the ability to quickly view and rent equipment 24/7, based on the influx of patients in their care at any moment. “Whether treating patients during the flu outbreak or following a disaster, the demands on hospitals are like they’ve never been before. Healthcare providers are streamlining processes and turning to smarter options to ensure they provide patients the best care possible,” US Med-Equip President Gurmit Singh Bhatia said. “We are working around the clock to provide a faster-than-ever response time so medical staff can focus on their life-saving work.”

LAW & POLITICS

RAOUL, 23 ATTORNEYS GENERAL FILE AMICUS BRIEF WITH SUPREME COURT SUPPORTING COURTS’ ABILITY TO REQUIRE FRAUDULENT ACTORS TO TURN OVER ILLEGAL PROFITS Attorney General Kwame Raoul, leading a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general, recently filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court arguing that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should be allowed to ask courts to require defendants to return money obtained by defrauding investors. The brief, filed in Liu v. Securities and Exchange Commission, argues that disgorgement, requiring bad actors to return their gains, is critical to redressing harm and deterring future misconduct. According to a press release, in fiscal year 2019, fraudulent actors were ordered to repay more than $3.2 billion in enforcement actions brought by the SEC. “Individuals who defraud investors should not be able to keep the profits they obtain by breaking the law,” Raoul said. “The SEC’s ability to ask courts to force wrongdoers to repay stolen money not only holds defendants fully accountable, but it also serves as a powerful deterrent to those who would seek to engage in securities fraud.”

Ira Cohen, Kristine Schanbacher, Kina Collins and Anthony V. Clark participated in a forum for Congressional District 7, hosted by the Northeastern Illinois Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action and Northside Democracy for America.

District 7 Congressional Forum Held In Austin Continued from page 1 BY TIA CAROL JONES

Candidates vying for the District 7 Congressional seat participated in a forum on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Chicago Public Library – Austin Branch. The forum was hosted by Northeastern Illinois Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action and Northside Democracy for America. Kina Collins, Anthony V. Clark and Kristine Schanbacher gave their views on voting rights, childcare, economic development and how they would legislate if they were elected to the office. Seventh District Congressman Danny K. Davis was not in attendance, but Ira Cohen served as his surrogate. Richard Means, chair of ADA Northeastern Illinois, served as the moderator. Congressional District 7 stretches from Merrionette Park, Near North Side, Oak Park and Westchester. It also encompasses Austin on the West Side and Greater Grand Crossing on the South Side. Davis has represented the district since 1997. Anthony V. Clark, a teacher and non-profit founder and director, said he supports voting rights and his campaign has debuted a reparations packet. He did acknowledge that low voter turnout and low voter education are a problem. “The Democratic party, particularly in Chicago, benefits from low voter registra-

tion. The establishment benefits from low voter registration,” he said. “It’s important we invest in our people.” Cohen said when it comes to getting out the vote and organizing, Davis has been at the forefront. “The congressman was a driving force in making sure there were majority/ minority districts,” he said. “There’s a long history of the congressman being involved in this issue.” Schanbacher talked about campaign finance laws. “We need to comprehensively change our campaign finance laws. This district is extremely economically diverse. Our campaign is resonating with everyone,” she said. Collins said full representation in the district is important. “We have the largest life expectancy gap in the country,” she said. “Representation does matter. Think long and hard who says they’re going to represent all of us.” Clark said he supported Election Day as a holiday and automatic voter registration. When it comes to adequate childcare in the district and the country, Cohen said Davis is in favor of free public school education, as well as free childcare. Schanbacher said she is in favor of paid parental leave and an increase in maternal health care. “We need to do better with our childcare,” she said. “We need to require (paid parental leave) on a federal level.”

Collins said she sponsored HB5544, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls Act. The legislation sought to create a new council dedicated to researching and investigating the social and economic factors that hold Black women and girls back in society. “I will fight for Universal Pre-K, and in our district, ending the school-to-prison pipeline,” she said. Clark said he supported free lunch and breakfast, as well as adequate childcare. “It is extremely important because I see firsthand how our parents and families are struggling,” he said. When it comes to economic development, Schanbacher said there needs to be an affordable housing boom in the district. She said she supports the Green New Deal, which would address economic inequality and climate change. Clark also said he supports the Green New Deal. “Anyone who wants to work, should be able to work. We have working homeless in Chicago, we need a livable wage,” he said. Collins said there is a need to identify opportunity zones in the district for real estate and for small businesses. She also suggested bringing more small businesses to Madison Blvd. “We saw communities deteriorate in real time here on the West Side,” she said. “We need to bring back manufacturing jobs.”

Chicago-Area Resident Indicted for Scheme to File False Claims for Tax Refunds A Chicago-area resident was recently arrested on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with mail fraud, submitting false claims to the United States for tax refunds, and aggravated identity theft, announced Principle Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. The Jan. 16, 2020, indictment was unsealed following the recent arrest. According to the indictment,

Wilmer Alexander Garcia Meza allegedly used personal identifying information of third parties—including their names, dates of birth, and identification documents such as foreign passports—to fraudulently obtain Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the IRS to individuals who do not have, and

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are not eligible to obtain, a social security number. The indictment further alleges that from 2013 through 2017, Garcia used these ITINs to file fraudulent tax returns in the names of the third parties to claim thousands in fraudulent refunds. Garcia also allegedly used the identification documents to cash the fraudulently obtained refund checks. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been commit-

ted. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count, five years in prison for each false claim count, and a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

NEWS

Gov. Pritzker Releases Design Funding For New $105 Million Health Sciences Building at SIUE Joined by stakeholders and SIUE faculty and staff, Governor JB Pritzker released $10.5 million for planning and design of a new Health Sciences Building at SIUE at a recent event on campus. The funding will begin the design phase for the estimated $105 million project to build a state-of-the art Health Sciences Building at SIU-E. Funding for the project was included in the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, the most robust capital plan in Illinois history and the first in nearly a decade. “I’m so proud to be here today to launch the design phase of the brand new Health Science Building here at the SIU Edwardsville campus,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Already, SIUE has made a name for itself in its health scienc-

“ALREADY, SIUE HAS MADE A NAME FOR ITSELF IN ITS HEALTH SCIENCES PROGRAMS, STRETCHING FROM ITS STANDALONE SCHOOLS OF PHARMACY, NURSING, AND DENTAL MEDICINE TO ITS PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, EXERCISE SCIENCE, AND NUTRITION—JUST TO NAME A FEW.” GOV. JB PRITZKER. es programs, stretching from its standalone Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Dental Medicine to its programs in public health, exercise science, and nutrition—just to name a few. Upon completion, this state-of-the-art facility will build on the way these programs are integrated together, allowing students and professors to learn together across disciplines in a collaborative and cutting-edge space.”

The new three-story building will be located on the core campus and will feature classrooms, specialized teaching and research laboratories, faculty offices, and student study space. The project includes planning and design for the building, which will house the School of Pharmacy and the School of Nursing. The School of Pharmacy currently is housed in temporary facilities and the School of Nursing is housed in

substandard facilities in Alumni Hall. Space currently occupied by the nursing program will be reallocated to meet the needs of other academic programs, particularly in the School of Education. The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan supermajorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities over the next six years, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan and revitalizing local economies across the state. SIUE is also undertaking $3.6 million in state-funded water treatment related maintenance repairs.

COMMENTARY

AI can now read emotions – should it? BY CHRISTOFFER HECKMAN

In its annual report, the AI Now Institute, an interdisciplinary research center studying the societal implications of artificial intelligence, called for a ban on technology designed to recognize people’s emotions in certain cases. Specifically, the researchers said affect recognition technology, also called emotion recognition technology, should not be used in decisions that “impact people’s lives and access to opportunities,” such as hiring decisions or pain assessments, because it is not sufficiently accurate and can lead to biased decisions. What is this technology, which is already being used and marketed, and why is it raising concerns? Outgrowth of facial recognition Researchers have been actively working on computer vision algorithms that can determine the emotions and intent of humans, along with making other inferences, for at least a decade. Facial expression analysis has been around since at least 2003. Computers have been able to understand emotion even longer. This latest technology relies on the data-centric techniques known as “machine learning,” algorithms that process data to “learn” how to make decisions, to accomplish even more accurate affect recognition. The challenge of reading emotions Researchers are always looking

to do new things by building on what has been done before. Emotion recognition is enticing because, somehow, we as humans can accomplish this relatively well from even an early age, and yet capably replicating that human skill using computer vision is still challenging. While it’s possible to do some pretty remarkable things with images, such as stylize a photo to make it look as if it were drawn by a famous artist and even create photo-realistic faces – not to mention create so-called deepfakes – the ability to infer properties such as human emotions from a real image has always been of interest for researchers. Recognizing people’s emotions with computers has potential for a number of positive applications, a researcher who now works at Microsoft explains. Emotions are difficult because they tend to depend on context. For instance, when someone is concentrating on something it might appear that they’re simply thinking. Facial recognition has come a long way using machine learning, but identifying a person’s emotional state based purely on looking at a person’s face is missing key information. Emotions are expressed not only through a person’s expression but also where they are and what they’re doing. These contextual cues are difficult to feed into even modern machine learning algorithms. To address this,

there are active efforts to augment artificial intelligence techniques to consider context, not just for emotion recognition but all kinds of applications. Reading employee emotions The report released by AI Now sheds light on some ways in which AI is being applied to the workforce in order to evaluate worker productivity and even as early as at the interview stage. Analyzing footage from interviews, especially for remote job-seekers, is already underway. If managers can get a sense of their subordinates’ emotions from interview to evaluation, decision-making regarding other employment matters such as raises, promotions or assignments might end up being influenced by that information. But there are many other ways that this technology could be used. Why the worry These types of systems almost always have fairness, accountability, transparency and ethical (“FATE”) flaws baked into their patternmatching. For example, one study found that facial recognition algorithms rated faces of black people as angrier than white faces, even when they were smiling. Many research groups are tackling this problem but it seems clear at this point that the problem can’t be solved exclusively at the

technological level. Issues regarding FATE in AI will require a continued and concerted effort on the part of those using the technology to be aware of these issues and to address them. As the AI Now report highlights: “Despite the increase in AI ethics content … ethical principles and statements rarely focus on how AI ethics can be implemented and whether they’re effective.” It notes that such AI ethics statements largely ignore questions of how, where, and who will put such guidelines into operation. In reality, it’s likely that everyone must be aware of the types of biases and weaknesses these systems present, similar to how we must be aware of our own biases and those of others. The problem with blanket technology bans Greater accuracy and ease in persistent monitoring bring along other concerns beyond ethics. There are also a host of general technology-related privacy concerns, spanning from the proliferation of cameras that serve as police feeds to potentially making sensitive data anonymous. With these ethical and privacy concerns, a natural reaction might be to call for a ban on these techniques. Certainly, applying AI to job interview results or criminal sentencing procedures seems dangerous if the systems are learning biases or are otherwise unreliable. There are useful applications however, for instance

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in helping spot warning signs to prevent youth suicide and detecting drunk drivers. That’s one reason why even concerned researchers, regulators and citizens have generally stopped short of calling for blanket bans on AI-related technologies. Combining AI and human judgment Ultimately, technology designers and society as a whole need to look carefully at how information from AI systems is injected into decisionmaking processes. These systems can give incorrect results just like any other form of intelligence. They are also notoriously bad at rating their own confidence, not unlike humans, even in simpler tasks like the ability to recognize objects. There also remain significant technical challenges in reading emotions, notably considering context to infer emotions. If people rely on a system that isn’t accurate in making decisions, the users of that system are worse off. It’s also well-known that humans tend to trust these systems more than other authority figures. In light of this, we as a society need to carefully consider these systems’ fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics both during design and application, always keeping a human as the final decision-maker. Christoffer Heckman is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, at the University of Colorado Boulder.

4 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

BUSINESS

This page is sponsored by

Survey: Less Than Half Of Employees Say Their Company Provides Remote Work Options; 76% Use This Perk When Offered How common are remote work arrangements? In a new survey from global staffing firm Robert Half, less than half of professionals (47%) said their company provides the option to work off-site. Of those, 70% take advantage of the perk and work from home; an additional 6% do their job from another location, such as a café or shared office space. For the remaining 24%, not having the right technology (39%) and being less productive due to distractions (38%) are the main deterrents to working outside the office. Companies today are taking steps to support staff who want more

In a new survey from global staffing firm Robert Half, less than half of professionals (47%) said their company provides the option to work remotely. Of those, 70% take advantage of the perk and work from home; an additional 6% do their job from another location, such as a café or shared office space.

“IN AN EMPLOYMENT MARKET THAT FAVORS JOB SEEKERS, BUSINESSES NEED TO PROVIDE GREATER WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP PERFORMERS.” PAUL McDONALD

Senior Executive Director of Robert Half

flexibility. In a separate Robert Half survey of senior managers, more than half of respondents (56%) said their organization has expanded remote work opportunities for employees in the past three years. “In an employment market that favors job seekers, businesses need to provide greater workplace flexibility to attract and retain top performers,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half. “This goes beyond giving staff permission to work off-site or during nontraditional hours. Employers should check that professionals have the proper equipment and guidelines to do their jobs effectively outside the office.” McDonald added, “It’s important for employees to realize that telecommuting isn’t the right solution for every person or every job. Individuals who are offered this perk can set themselves up for success by creating an optimal workspace and keeping in frequent touch with members of their team.” Additional findings:

l Among the 28 U.S. cities in the survey, San Diego, Austin and Chicago have the most companies that provide remote arrangements. l Employees in Chicago, Phoenix and San Diego are most likely to work from home when given the opportunity. l More men (77%) than women (64%) work from home. About threequarters of working parents (74%) take advantage of this perk versus 64% of those without children. l Atlanta, San Diego and Minneapolis have the most senior managers who said they’ve increased remote work opportunities for employees in the past three years. The online surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. They include responses from 2,800 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments, and more than 2,800 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees in 28 major U.S. cities.

T. Rowe Price Relaunches Money Confident Kids Website With Five-step Program T. Rowe Price has relaunched its Money Confident Kids® program, a financial education program teaching basic financial concepts to middle school-age children, as a new five-step program with a refreshed website. The five steps outlined on the new site are designed to build on each other and simplify the process of teaching core financial concepts to kids. Since the launch of its financial education efforts in 2009, T. Rowe Price continues its mission of promoting financial capabilities and working to build confidence not only in kids, but also in adults who might struggle with how to navigate conversations about finances with kids. T. Rowe Price’s 2019 Parents, Kids & Money Survey found that half of parents have some reluctance to discuss money matters with their kids. The Money Confident Kids program’s content is intended to be administered by an adult and serves as a turnkey solution for teachers, parents, and volunteers to discuss money matters with kids. By creating a more systematic process for adults, the program offers a shelf-ready approach to teaching financial concepts in the classroom and home. Each step has downloadable lessons and activities for kids. The refreshed site also includes games, tips, and other resources. Over the past 10 years, T. Rowe Price’s financial education efforts have reached 12 million people. For more information, visit troweprice.com or visit them on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and on Facebook.

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CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

NEWS

5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health Family Features - If you worry that you or someone you love will get heart disease or even have a heart attack, it’s understandable. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Research shows you can lower your risk, particularly if you team up with family, friends or co-workers. This kind of social support may be the key to your success. To mark American Heart Month, NHLBI, one of the National Institutes of Health, is inviting people across the country to team up and join #OurHearts, a national heart health initiative that encourages people to improve heart health together. “Studies show that having positive, close relationships and feeling connected to others benefits overall health, blood pressure, weight and more,” said NHLBI’s Dr. David Goff, director of cardiovascular sciences. Consider these five tips that can help lower your risk of heart disease: Risk: Inactivity Solution: Move more throughout your day. Aim for at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity. Build up to activity that gets your heart beating faster and leaves you a little breathless. If you’re busy, try breaking your daily activity into 10-minute chunks. Stay motivated: Make walking dates. Join a pickup soccer or basketball game. Join a fitness class with your neighbor. Grab a loved one and dance in your kitchen. Risk: An unhealthy diet Solution: Consider an option

like NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is free and scientifically proven to lower high blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Stay motivated: Invite friends to cook up heart healthy recipes together. Start a lunch club at work and trade recipe ideas. Risk: Smoking, even occasionally Solution: Quitting can be beneficial to your overall health, even if you’ve smoked for years. Set a quit date and let those close to you know. If you’ve tried quitting in the past, consider what helped and what made it harder. Stay motivated: Ask your family and friends for support or join a support group. Find resources and connect with a trained counselor at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or smokefree. gov.

family member in a relaxing activity like walking, yoga or meditation every day. Learn about heart health and heart

healthy activities in your community at nhlbi.nih.gov/ourhearts. Use #OurHearts on social media to share how you and your friends, colleagues

Fairness and Opportunity for Illinois Construction Workers SB 11407 is Bad for Skilled Construction Workers in Illinois Cons “The Community Builders program changed everything for me. It gave me opportunity where other paths were just roadblocks. I graduated last March and today I'm doing great work and making good money. My future is bright.

Risk: Inadequate or poor-quality sleep Solution: Sleeping 7-8 hours each night helps improve heart health. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Getting a 30-minute daily dose of sunlight may also improve sleep. Stay motivated: Resist that late afternoon nap. Turn off all screens at a set time nightly. Relax by listening to music, reading or taking a bath. Risk: Uncontrolled stress Solution: To help manage stress, try relaxation therapy and increase physical activity. Talk to a qualified mental health provider or someone you trust. De-stressing may also help improve sleep. Stay motivated: Join a friend or

or family members are being heart healthy together. SOURCE: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

It's hard to believe this program is at risk. How could any politician even think of eliminating this program?”

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Call your Representative today to vote “NO” on SB 1407 and preserve access for minorities to a future in the Illinois construction industry.

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Research shows you can lower your risk, particularly if you team up with family, friends or co-workers. This kind of social support may be the key to your success. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

BLACK HISTORY

Chicago’s History Includes Black-Owned Businesses Then and Now BY WENDELL HUTSON Contributing Writer

The local economy has gone up and down since 1980 and historians contend it has contributed to the success and demise of blackowned businesses that are forever cemented in Chicago’s rich history. During the 1980s, the South Side was home to such thriving black-owned businesses like restaurants Army & Lou’s, Izola’s, Catfish Digby’s, and Glady’s on the South Side; Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan in Bronzeville; Roberts Motels in Woodlawn; Johnson Publishing Company in the South Loop; and Chatham Food Market, Seaway Bank and Trust Co., Independence Bank, and the Chatham Pancake House, all in Chatham. Today though, many black-owned businesses have either closed or are struggling financially to stay open, said historian Nathaniel Burton, who added this pace would continue until the mindset of black business owners change. “You have a lot of black-owned businesses that are gone and in large part it is due to what I call ‘old school’ management style,” explained Burton. “You had businesses started by individuals with little to no college education or business experience. Just a dream and a passion to open their own business and not really zero in on how to successfully run a business.” He added the founders for many blackowned businesses that are now closed did not have a succession plan either. “There was no long-term thinking with the founders of these companies. It was mostly assumed that in the event of their death, their children or spouse would carry on the business even though they were never trained to do so,” he contends. “Poor planning has hurt black businesses in the past and to a certain degree it has hurt black businesses today too.” Izola’s, 522 E. 79th St., is an example of a black-owned business that faltered due to poor management, according to its late owner Izola White. White, who founded the restaurant in 1940 and died April 2018, said she trusted too many people to run her business when she fell ill and left management in the hands of “incompetent people,” she said in an August 2013 interview with DNAinfo Chicago. “I have no money, no family and no bank account. God knows my heart, and he knows I would do more to help myself if I could, but I can’t, and I need help getting back on my feet.” And despite efforts to raise monies through a series of fundraisers organized by White’s then legal guardian, DeWayne Mason, the restaurant closed in March 2011. “It hurts my heart to know she died broke and alone. She had many so-called ‘friends’ during the restaurant’s heydays like a few politicians who only came to the restaurant when they wanted a free meal. But in the end,

Despite Seaway Bank and Trust Co. being Chicago’s largest, black-owned bank (based on assets) it closed in 2017. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

all she had was a few, close friends (like myself) and Jesus as she made her transition to the next life,” Mason said. But it wasn’t just black restaurants that closed. There were also multi-million dollar businesses like Seaway Bank that also folded even though Seaway was Chicago’s largest blackowned, bank (based on assets.) Melinda Kelly, president of the nonprofit Chatham Business Association, said she remembers when Seaway Bank, Izola’s and other local, black-owned businesses thrived. “These were two very successful businesses that was supported heavily by the black community and I’m not just talking about here in Chicago but on a national level too,” recalled Kelly. “Prominent blacks would dine at Izola’s because it was known for its soul-food menu. And Seaway met the financial needs of black individuals and businesses especially those that might not have been able to get a loan anywhere else.” However, she pointed out that without a succession plan it becomes difficult for any business to transition leadership and stay successful. “Having a succession plan in place is so important for a business and its future. There was no succession plan in place or family when it came to Izola’s,” added Kelly. Moving forward, Kelly said while she loves working with black businesses, she would advise any black business to “become a part of a group like the Chatham Business Association that has a common mission of advancing your business interest,” she said. “And you must engage in the global economy because that’s when using technology comes into play.” She added that one of the biggest blackowned businesses to collapse was Johnson Publishing Company, which published the popular Ebony and Jet magazines. “Johnson Publishing came at a time when ‘we’ had no media companies. It filled a void that existed in the black community,” said Kelly. “But all publications are suffering today because the industry has changed and Johnson Publishing was no exception.”

Buritt Bulloch is founder and president of the Old Fashioned Donuts shop in Roseland where he still works 40 plus hours every week. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

(from left) Clerk of the circuit court of Cook County Dorothy Brown and the entrepreneur Izola White, founder of Izola’s restaurant in Chatham, were good friends until White’s April 2018 death. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

In June 2014, JPC published the final print version of Jet magazine before it became a digital publication only. And in 2016, it sold Ebony and Jet magazines to Clear Group View, a black-owned, private equity firm in Texas, only to file for bankruptcy in April 2019. Even its historic headquarters building in the South Loop was sold in 2010 to Columbia College Chicago. Regardless of the local economy, which economists said is now healthy, some black, business owners said it is imperative that black businesses remain open and continue to be as a viable part of the community. Spencer Leak Sr., president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes on the South Side, said he is a staunch believer in black-owned businesses especially family-owned businesses. “It’s important that ‘we’ look out for each other because we are all we have when it’s all said and done,” said Leak. “God founded my business and I try to use it to bless as many people as possible.” Leak and Sons was founded in 1933 by the late Rev. A.R. Leak, and after originally being located at 4448 S. State St., it moved to its current location at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. It also has a second location in south suburban Country Club Hills and plans to open a third location on the West Side in the near future. Nowadays though, in order for small, black-

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Located in Bronzeville at 4606 S. State St. since its 1919 founding, Parker House Sausage Co., remains a black-owned business. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

owned business to stay afloat, it must have access to capital and be open to changes including with its leadership, said Buritt Bulloch, founder and president of the Old Fashioned Donuts shop in Roseland. “You can’t just sit back and wait on someone to make things happen for your business. The person making things happen should be you,” said Bulloch, who opened his donut shop at 11248 S. Michigan Ave. in 1972. At 80-years-old, Bulloch still works 40 plus hours a week at the shop but said he plans to scale back his work schedule soon and let his children and grandchildren take the lead. “I don’t want to call it retirement but I’m getting too old for this and it’s time to hand it off to the next generation,” said Bulloch. “My daughters and granddaughter work here with me and they will be the ones who carry on the family business after me.” Besides Leak and Sons, there are several black-owned businesses that have withstood economic challenges and that are still operating today. Those longtime businesses include Reggio’s Pizza Inc. in West Chatham; East Lake Management Group Inc., Parker House Sausage Co. and the Chicago Defender in Bronzeville; Old Fashioned Donuts in Roseland; Calahan Funeral Home in Englewood; 50 Yard Line in Park Manor; Wesley’s Shoes in Hyde Park; and WVON AM in the South Loop.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT Apeman Rex takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, resiliency and finding home

Beyoncé And Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sign Global Agreement Courtesy: Parkwood Entertainment

Beyoncé And Sony/ATV Music Publishing Sign Global Agreement Beyoncé and Sony/ATV Music Publishing recently announced a global agreement covering the music icon’s entire song catalog, including seminal hits from her start with Destiny’s Child, through her unparalleled collection of solo works written throughout her career. “I am excited for what’s to come with my continued partnership with Jon Platt in his new leadership role at Sony/ATV,” said Beyoncé. “Jon’s the executive who understands the creative mindset and continues to be both an advocate and protector. It has been an honor working with Jon from the start of my career.” Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Jon Platt said, “Beyond all of her well-deserved accolades and accomplishments, Beyoncé is simply one of the most driven and impactful talents I know. I’ve had the privilege of making incredible music with her throughout her career and she continues to set the bar for creative expression in all forms. Beyoncé inspires generations with her songs and

I am honored to reunite with her at Sony/ATV.” Beyoncé is the most critically-acclaimed music artist of her generation. With a fearless focus on feminism, advocacy and empowerment, Beyoncé has revolutionized the global entertainment industry with singular, culture-shifting albums such as Lemonade and Homecoming. In 2013, with the surprise release of her eponymous visual album, Beyoncé disrupted the music industry’s standard, ultimately impacting the timing of album releases from Tuesdays to Fridays. Her many career highlights include 23 Grammy Awards, 22 Billboard No. 1 hits, 26 MTV Video Music Awards and 9 American Music Awards, a Peabody Award, among countless prestigious honors. Additionally, Beyoncé stands as the most-awarded artist at the BET Awards and Soul Train Music Awards. Celebrated for her inventive approach to live performance and video, she has also made an indelible impact beyond music to include

fashion, film, entrepreneurship and the world of philanthropy. With a prolific output of songs spanning nearly two decades, Beyoncé consistently dominates the world’s music charts, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time with more than 100 million records sold. She has written or co-written major hits across multiple genres that include No. 1 songs such as Crazy In Love (ft. JAY-Z), Irreplaceable, Independent Women and Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), as well as Top 10 hits Baby Boy, Formation and Survivor, among many others. Throughout her career, she has recorded with superstar artists including Ed Sheeran, Drake, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. In addition, Beyoncé became the first AfricanAmerican woman and the second woman ever to take home the ASCAP Pop ‘Songwriter of the Year’ Award for her work with Destiny’s Child.

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Author Marsalis has released a new children’s book, a story that demonstrates how its protagonist deals with an unexpected major life change. “APEMAN REX,” is about an ape from the Stone Age who finds himself in a robot-dominated 31st century. This book invites all ages on a journey of self-discovery, resiliency and finding home. Although primarily for children, the life lessons and values given can be relatable to adults as well. The main character, Apeman, is zapped into the future and has to figure out how to get back home. The book follows his journey as readers are left to wonder if he will be stuck in the future forever. “I wanted to create something that was both fun and reflective. Something that could entertain children yet also teaches values, lessons, and ideas that will stick with them forever.” When writing and illustrating the book, Marsalis was inspired by the powerful, unpolished simplicity of prehistoric cave and rock paintings. “It is one of the few art forms that connects us all,” Marsalis said. Marsalis was born in 1989. He spent his childhood composing picture epics and giving lectures. At the age of 17, he published his first novel, MARCH OF THE LIBERTINES, and found refuge in club-hopping. After graduating cum laude from the University of Michigan, Marsalis published works in every literary style and genre. He is the founder of the pop music blog PARAPHERNALIA and was featured in the 2019 short fiction anthology FIVE MINUTES AT HOTEL STORMCOVE. He loves bubblegum, fast cars, and silent cinema. Marsalis currently lives in Detroit. The book is $6.00 and available for purchase at: https://www. saintmarsalis.com/apemanrex/.

8 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

FASHION

“Teens for Jeans” Campaign, Donates Jeans to Young People in Homeless Shelters Almost 40% of people experiencing homelessness in the United States are under 18, according to covenanthouse.org. One item they commonly request in homeless shelters is a pair of jeans. Why? Jeans are comfortable in any season and can be worn multiple times between washes. Plus, for a teenager without many belongings, wearing a pair of jeans can provide a sense of security. That’s why DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change, and Aéropostale, the specialty retailer of casual fashion apparel and accessories, have teamed up for the ninth time on their marquee “Teens for Jeans” campaign, which, since 2008, has activated young people to donate over 5 million pairs of jeans to local shelters serving young people, with support from celebrities like Demi Lovato, Chloe Grace Moretz, Kristen Bell, and more. “’Teens for Jeans’ is the campaign young people request from us the most, and we’re so proud and excited to bring it back in a massive way with Aéropostale this year,” says Carrie Bloxson, chief marketing officer of DoSomething.org. “In our conversations with leaders at homeless shelters, we’ve learned that jeans are one of the most requested items from young people experiencing homelessness. Students around the country are extremely excited to activate their schools and communities to run denim drives for local young people in need, and that energy is going to drive enormous and lasting impact. ‘Teens for Jeans’ is the country’s largest youth-led denim drive.”

Young people can visit DoSomething.org/Teens or text TEENS to 38383 to sign up for the campaign. They are guided on how to hold jean drives at their schools and in their communities, and when to drop off their jean donations at their local Aéropostale store. Those who complete the campaign by February 29 will be automatically entered to win a $2,500 scholarship from DoSomething. In addition, Aéropostale will be rewarding a $10,000 grant to the school that collects the most jeans, and a $5,000 grant to the runner-up school. To help amplify the campaign and encourage young people to get involved and support this important cause, actor Jenna Ortega, best known for her roles in Netflix’s You, Jane the Virgin, and Stuck in the Middle, visited SafeHouse of the Desert, a shelter supporting young people near her hometown of Indio, California. In a new ‘Teens for Jeans’ PSA video, Ortega talked to the shelter’s director and two young people to learn about about their experiences and how to get involved. “Youth homelessness isn’t something you can always see. We might not realize it, but for so many of us, our friends and classmates may leave school and go to a shelter, not a home,” said Ortega. “Talking to people who are my age, near my hometown, who have overcome homelessness was powerful and inspiring. I’m immensely proud to be a part of ‘Teens for Jeans’ and help students make a difference for young people in their communities.”

LA LA LEAF Wins Best Lip Care Award at IBE’s 2019 Best in Show Awards LA LA LEAF, the new CBD skincare company with 100% allnatural ingredients, has just been awarded the 2019 Best in Show- ‘Best Lip Care’ award by Indie Beauty Expo for La La Lips. IBE recently presented LA LA LEAF with the award at IBE - Los Angeles. LA LA LEAF was also nominated in the category ‘Best Product for Athletes’ for its CBD infused Sports Gel, Tru Athlete.

La La Lips won the ‘Best Lip Care’ award for its CBD formulation that helps the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to stimulate cells and produce moisture naturally. La La Lips was recognized over eight other best-in-class nominees and two finalists to win the honor, reviewed by a comprehensive 20-strong judging panel of industry experts. Altogether, 350 products were

nominated across 40 categories for IBE’s 2019 Best in Show awards. The nomination committee selects the most innovative and exciting products from companies that exhibit at IBE’s five 2019 shows in Berlin, New York, London, Los Angeles and Dallas, showing the award’s global footprint. Michael Faiella, CEO & founder of LA LA LEAF, said, “We’re thrilled

to win IBE’s 2019 Best in Show awards for La La Lips in the best lip care category. We went up against some incredible brands, and this award is proof that our hard work in developing the best-quality, CBD-infused products is gaining recognition from consumers and industry experts.” Since launching in August 2019, LA LA LEAF has been recognized

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

for its quality and avant-garde aesthetic, winning various awards and nominations in the industry, including the ‘Market Impact’ packaging by NJPEC in December 2019. LA LA LEAF’s skincare range packaging was honored alongside beauty greats such as Ulta, Beauty Blender, M.A.C, and L’Oreal. To purchase LA LA LEAF products online, visit lalaleaf.com.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

How Well Do You Know History? In Celebration Of Black History Month

Former President Bill Clinton pays homage to Ebony Jet Pioneer and Founder John H. Johnson

Reproduction of these photos are prohibited. Photos by Jerome Simmons

10 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

CALENDAR ON MARCH 14, THE MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO—ROBERTS ON PIANO, RODNEY JORDAN ON BASS, AND JASON MARSALIS ON DRUMS—PAY TRIBUTE TO “PIANO GIANTS” OF THE 20TH CENTURY, INCLUDING LEONARD BERNSTEIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN, THELONIOUS MONK, AND DUKE ELLINGTON.

George Gershwin in 1937

Photo of Leonard Bernstein by Carl Van Vechten (1944)

Marcus Roberts Trio

Thelonious Monk

Art Blakey by Francis Wolff.

Duke Ellington

Music Institute Presents Jazz Double Header At Nichols Concert Hall Marcus Roberts Trio March 14, Tribute to Art Blakey March 28 In two performances honoring jazz legends, the Music Institute of Chicago presents the Marcus Roberts Trio, saluting “Piano Giants” March 14, and “100 Years of Art Blakey,” featuring Jazz Messengers alumni, Tammy McCann and more, March 28. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. On March 14, the Marcus Roberts Trio—Roberts on piano, Rodney Jordan on bass, and Jason Marsalis on drums—pay tribute to “Piano Giants” of the 20th century, including Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington. Known for its virtuosic style and entirely new approach to jazz trio performance, the Marcus Roberts Trio members share equally in shaping the direction of the music with lightning reflexes and imagination. Influenced by the

famous piano trio styles of Ahmad Jamal and Oscar Peterson, the Marcus Roberts Trio builds from that rich foundation to create an everevolving sound all its own that is sure to delight jazz audiences. On March 28, “100 Years of Art Blakey” pays tribute to the drummer and bandleader who founded the Jazz Messengers, a collective that influenced generations of leading musicians through mentorship and intergenerational collaboration. Performers include Jazz Messengers alumni trombonist Robin Eubanks, saxophonist Javon Jackson, and trumpeter Charles Toliver; singer and Music Institute artist-in-residence Tammy McCann; and drummer Clif Wallace and his Big Band. The Music Institute’s 2019–20 season concludes with the Formosa Quartet performing its exclusive collection of music April 4.

The Marcus Roberts Trio performs Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m., and “100 Years of Art Blakey” takes place Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., both at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Admission is $50 for early access seating, $25 for advance purchase, and $30 at the door. Tickets are available at musicinst. org/nch or by calling 847.448.8326. All programming is subject to change.

Nichols Concert Hall Noted architect Solon S. Beman designed the First Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, in 1912. In 2003, the building was sensitively restored to become Nichols Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art, 550-seat performance space and music education destination, easily accessible to numerous restaurants, on-street and metered parking, and the Davis Street CTA and Metra stations. The converted building, featuring a fully restored, 1914 E. M. Skinner pipe organ, received the Richard H. Driehaus Award for best adaptive use by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. Each year, Nichols Concert Hall reaches approximately 15,000 people and hosts a world-class chamber music series, workshops and master classes, student recitals, and special events.

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Music Institute of Chicago Founded in 1931, each year, the Music Institute of Chicago provides personalized music instruction to more than 2,000 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across eight Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Winnetka. In addition, the Music Institute brings music education, arts curriculum integration, and professional development as well as music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands; offers scholarship opportunities to students in the Academy, a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players; and inspires more than 15,000 visitors annually at Nichols Concert Hall through performances, master classes, and special events.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Feb. 5, 2020

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SERVICE

Swiping payment cards at the pump could put your card information at risk (BPT) - Have you paid for gas recently at the pump where you've had to swipe your credit or debit card? At gas stations across the U.S., criminals are skimming cards and stealing payment card data from consumers paying at older fuel pumps. This is because the majority of fuel stations still use insecure outdoor fuel pumps with point of sale (POS) systems that read the magnetic stripe on the back of a payment card to process the purchase of gas instead of POS systems that use more secure EMV(R) chip card readers. In fact, the U.S. Secret Service estimates that roughly 20 to 30 skimmers are discovered a week on fuel pumps, with an average of about 80 payment cards copied on it when the skimmers are removed. Stolen payment account information can be subsequently printed onto duplicate credit or debit cards, and used by criminals to make unauthorized purchases at stores and fuel pumps that do not have chipenabled POS systems - draining a cardholder's checking or savings account or maximizing their credit card balance. The industry calls this counterfeit payment fraud or counterfeit card fraud. Currently, counterfeit payment fraud experienced by fuel merchants at the pump is absorbed by the financial institution that

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issued the payment card to the consumer. That's about to change. Fraud dollars may be absorbed by independent and franchise owners of fuel stations on Oct. 1, 2020 if their pumps are not upgraded to process chip cards. Depending on how much fraud a station experiences, it could become a significant burden to station owners. But this can be avoided. For Visa cards, liability for fraud dollars stays with card-issuing financial institutions and does not shift to station owners if fuel pumps are chip-enabled. Chip technology is proven to prevent counterfeit fraud. In fact, according to payment company Visa, non-fuel merchants that are chip enabled have experienced a significant 81 percent decrease in counterfeit fraud dollars. However, troubling statistics show only about 7 percent of fuel pumps nationwide are processing chip transactions. For station owners, there's no time to waste - contact your hardware or fuel provider for information on how to upgrade your pumps. For consumers, make sure to pay with a chip card at a fuel pump that is chip-enabled. If you're not sure if the pump is safe, pay inside with your chip card.

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