Chicago Weekend Citizen 3-22-2023

Daisy Playa, graduate of Instituto del Progreso Latino, shares her personal story at a press conference to announce that Chicago Commons is a

CONGRESSWOMAN ROBIN KELLY CELEBRATES THE INCLUSION OF CTA RED LINE EXTENSION INVESTMENTS IN PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BUDGET

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Robin Kelly celebrated the inclusion of the long-awaited CTA Red Line extension in President Biden’s budget proposal. This $350 million investment in the south side of Chicago will bring much-needed transportation access and economic opportunities to many historically under-resourced communities.

Rep. Kelly secured $1.5 million to fund workforce development efforts to support the CTA Red Line extension in 2021.

President Biden’s budget prioritizes People Over Politics, building on the economic gains made over the last two years, lowering costs, and creating good-paying jobs. The inclusion of the CTA Red Line Extension in President Biden’s budget is a welcome investment in the people of the Second District of Illinois. This investment will not only improve transportation access but also create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen communities.

“I am thrilled that President Biden recognized the importance of expanding transit access to the south side of Chicago,” said Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). “For communities that too often feel forgotten, President Biden’s budget shows that this administration will not allow our district to be left behind. This extension will accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen our neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the administration to ensure that our communities have the resources they need to thrive.”

CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT PRESENTS: SANS PAREIL

Sat, Mar 25, 7pm / Sun, Mar 26, 2pm (Youth Show) & 6pm

Logan Center Performance Hall / 915 E 60th St [map]

Tickets: $25 General | $10 Students and Seniors (62+)

Following sold out shows at the Logan Center, Millennium Park and more, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project returns with Sans Pareil, a dazzling display of the power of Black dance our city.

Sans pareil: French for “unparalleled.” Join the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project for the first concert from its second cohort. Ten dance companies present signature and new choreographic works on the Logan Center Performance Hall stage. Juxtaposing forms ranging from ballet to modern to tap to traditional African dance, to Chicago-born footwork and more, the concert promises to live up to its name delivering an incomparable demonstration of the depth and breadth of Chicago’s Black dance community. Named with a nod to Chicago’s first non-indigenous settler – the Haitian fur-trader, entrepreneur, and proponent of multi-culturalism known as the founder of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable — this concert will combine dance and technology to evoke Chicago Black dance’s past, revel in its present, and shine a light toward its bright future.

The 2023 cohort includes: The Chicago Multicultural Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps. Praize Productions, and The Era Footwork Collective. Learn more about the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project and the 10 companies involved at ChicagoBlackDanceLegacy.org.

Chicago Commons receives $2.2 million for workforce development initiative

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BY TIA CAROL JONES

With the investment from JPMorgan Chase, Chicago Commons will partner with Instituto del Progreso Latino, YWCA and PODER. The career development strategies will include mental health interventions, along with other social supports, for trauma-informed programs that will help the women overcome barriers to employment.

Chicago Commons is a social service agency that was founded in 1894. There are early childhood education centers in Pilsen, Humboldt Park and Back of the Yards. The headquarters and Adult Day Services are located in Bronzeville at 515 E. 50th St. Each year, it provides services to more than 3,500 children, adults and seniors.

Ten years ago, Chicago Commons expanded to focus on the parents of the children the organization serves as a way to make a greater impact on the families and communities. The Family Hub works to address families multifaceted needs through one-on-one coaching and financial wellness, workforce development, and health and wellness. Five years ago, Chicago Commons started to focus on workforce development, with the creation of an early education career pathway. The goal was to meet the need of the community and the state for high quality early educators.

Edgar Ramirez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Commons, said the new collective impact model, in partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino, PODER and the YWCA is for wealth building for women through a wellness lens. Women in the programs from these organizations can pursue a career in early education, healthcare, banking, insurance and construction. They also will have access to mental health services and staff trained in trauma informed

practices.

“Through this, we look to move the needle in workforce development systems, by focusing on women’s health, along with job training, placement and persistence and ultimately building women’s wealth,” Ramirez said, adding that women need to be at the table talking about what they need to succeed.

Throughout the next few years, Chicago Commons and the other partners will work with the employers who hire the mothers, from small businesses to large corporations, to provide family supportive environments. The JPMorgan Chase Annual Challenge recognizes community-driven projects that promote equity and economic opportunities in cities across the country. For the second year, the challenge focused on projects designed to advance the financial resilience of women of color.

“Improving employer practices and policies to better support the emotional and mental health needs of parents is important to us at JPMorgan Chase. We’re proud to support this collaborative’s advocacy work to influence other employers to purse family-centered practices,” said Molly Leonard, Vice President & Program Officer for Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase.

Leonard also acknowledged the parents who were pushing for equitable opportunities and access to career training. Evette Williams is a participant in the Chicago Commons Career Pathways. Through the program, Williams has a job with Family Focus and is getting hands-on experience in child development. She thanked the funders of the Chicago Commons programs for their support. “Your support helps more women like myself and many others to make their dreams a reality,” she said.

For more information about Chicago Commons, visit www.chicagocommons.org.

CITY OF CHICAGO REACHES $23.8M SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH E-CIGARETTE MAKER JUUL LABS FOR MARKETING AND SELLING PRODUCTS TO UNDERAGED YOUTH

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago announced that a $23.8M settlement has been reached with JUUL Labs, a leading e-cigarette maker, over claims that the company was engaged in harmful and deceptive business practices by marketing and selling vaping products to underage users.

Dr. Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), applauded the announcement of the settlement.

“E-cigarette businesses cannot be allowed to come in our city and boost their profits at the expense of minors. The use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among youth is a serious public health concern — to CDPH and parents across Chicago,” she said. “We’ve made remarkable progress over the last twenty years in reducing smoking, and now with these resources we’re ready to continue the fight against vaping.”

JUUL Labs introduced their popular electronic inhalation products, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, in 2015 and quickly grew to become the major supplier of e-cigarettes in the United States.

Over 2.5 million middle and high school students nationwide used e-cigarettes in 2022. Today, Chicago high school students are 10 times more likely to use e-cigarettes than traditional combustible cigarettes. The harms of vaping for youth and young adults include addiction to nicotine, inhalation of toxic chemicals, exposure to illicit drugs, an increased risk of asthma attacks, and mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. With the settlement funds, CDPH will take critical steps to prevent and reduce youth vaping through education, local policies, parent and teacher supports, cessation supports, improvements in data, and community engagement and outreach initiatives.

“’We congratulate the City of Chicago in protecting our city’s youth against the dangers of vaping,” said Joel Africk, President and CEO of Respiratory Health Association. “The most recent data show that in the past 5 years, vaping among Chicago’s school-aged children increased by 56%. This settle-

ment will go a long way in the Chicago Department of Public Health’s fight against chronic disease.”

The settlement agreement resolves a lawsuit brought by the City in May 2020 that alleged JUUL violated City ordinances by engaging in a widespread marketing campaign that targeted minors and by selling JUUL products without implementing strict age verification requirements. JUUL appealed to youth with their colorful, playful media and social media marketing and used high nicotine contents to fuel ongoing use. Four years after JUUL’s release, over a quarter of US 10th and 12th graders were using JUUL nationally, and in Chicago, youth vaping had doubled. Nationally, JUUL has been named in thousands of lawsuits for their deceptive marketing practices and minimizing the risks of the products.

Over the last several years, the City has pursued actions against multiple sellers of e-cigarettes and e-juices (the liquid in e-cigarettes) for their unfair marketing tactics aimed at luring Chicago youth into a harmful addiction. Since 2018, the City has filed nine lawsuits against 45 online vaping retailers and has served notices of violation on many more. Settlements have been reached with 50 of these companies in exchange for agreements to change their business practices and pay almost $27M in fines. In addition, the City has also obtained default judgments against seven online vaping businesses that require changed business practices and award about $2M in fines. Several actions remain pending.

According to the settlement, JUUL has agreed to pay the City $2.8M within 30 days of the execution of the agreement. The City would receive an additional $21M payment later this year under the current schedule and may potentially receive up to $750,000 additional, court-awarded payments.

The case was handled by the Affirmative Litigation Division of the City’s Law Department. A link to the complete Settlement Agreement can be found at https://www.chicago. gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdph/community-health/Final_ Executed_JUUL_Settlement.pdf.

Honoring the Life & Legacy of A Great Chicagoan and Black Business Giant Edward G. Gardner Passes Away at 98

Edward G. Gardner was a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and a successful businessman, who loved the city of Chicago and Chicago loved him in return. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. He was 98 years old.

Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. In 1964, he left a career as a popular teacher and assistant principal to start haircare company, Soft Sheen Products, Inc. with his wife Bettiann. He often stated his primary reason for establishing Soft Sheen Products, Inc., was to create employment opportunities for young Black and Brown men and women. In that same spirit, he continued his commitment to

support the livelihood of professional cosmetologists by ensuring that his most popular product system, Care Free Curl, was solely available for purchase and application by them. Throughout his ownership of the company, he continued to offer exclusive products for his beloved salon customers.

From a young age, his four children, Gary, Terri, Guy, and Tracy, along with his wife Bettiann, were intricately involved in the business. Soft Sheen Products, Inc. based on Chicago’s South Side, evolved into one of the nation’s largest Blackowned businesses.

“He was my father, my hero, my teacher. I looked up to him” Gary Gardner stated on Wednesday. “I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. He was the embodiment of the hard-working, family-focused, responsible Black father. He taught me the value of a strong work ethic. He got up early in the morning, telling us “We’re not going to make it this way” meaning let’s get to work. If he wasn’t at work, he was home with family. If you saw Ed Gardner out after work or on weekends, he had us, his children, in tow. As the oldest, I think I spent the most time with him as a child. He taught me to fish. He taught me to garden. He taught me how to build, how to fix things, how to drive, and how not to drive. At twelve, he took me to work with him on Saturdays, where I learned to make hair products. I was his assistant when he made product deliveries. He also taught me how to make mistakes. Most importantly, he taught me how to engage all people with humanity and humility,” said Gary Gardner.

Continued Gary Gardner, “Yes, he was a distinguished role model and businessman, as well as prominent civic organizer. A mentor to me and countless others. He enjoyed sharing his views that responsibility was the definition of manhood. His exceptional work ethic was one of his greatest gifts and I have passed that on to my sons.” New products, new innovations and new ideas propelled

Soft Sheen’s remarkable success, yet, while keeping an eye on his business, his heart was always with the people – especially the youth.

Often a newspaper article would touch his heart. Whether it was purchasing a home for the family of a young Chicago girl who was victim to gun violence, to pitching in after a tragic event in The Robert Taylor Homes, to giving tens of thousands to causes like the Atlanta child murders, he was there, making a difference in the lives of people in need.

Ed Gardner’s greatest contribution to the city he loved was doing everything he could to help Chicago elect its first Black Mayor, Harold Washington, in 1983. He loaned his creative staff, along with significant advertising dollars, to create the signature voter registration campaign, “Come Alive October 5”.

Blitzing the city with banners, print and radio advertisements, the campaign registered over 200,000 new voters and helped secure Harold Washington’s victory. In 1992, his in-house communication agency, led by his daughter Terri, created a second highly successful voter registration campaign in partnership with Project Vote, led by Barack Obama.

According to Terri Gardner, “One of my dad’s greatest qualities was his perseverance. He believed in himself and his ability to not just hope things worked out, but to make sure things worked out. It’s an entrepreneurial quality that allowed him to create a business despite the challenges of institutional and individual racism. Unfortunately, those challenges never went away - - in spite of his tremendous business success.”

She emphasized his values. “He knew that our community needed to use its muscle to affect positive social and political outcomes in Chicago. He believed in the power of our vote and funded efforts to register people in record numbers.”

Adds Terri, “His goals for the business always included a social goal. He saw the untapped potential of his community. He challenged every employee to “do their job so well,

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HARRIS MEASURE TO IMPLEMENT DIVERSITY REPORTS TO IMPROVE SMALL BUSINESSES

HARVEY – State Senator Napoleon Harris is leading a measure to require insurance companies to submit diversity reports.

“Small businesses should have the support they need to accurately reflect the diversity of the state,” said Harris (D-Harvey). “There are many veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses throughout Illinois and we must ensure they are fairly and accurately represented.”

Senate Bill 2381 requires licensed or accredited insurance companies within the state to submit a diversity program report annually. This report would provide insight to how many companies accept or recognize minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned businesses. The diversity report would help determine ways to improve and better serve various groups of businesses.

“As someone with experience in the insurance industry, I know how necessary it is to prop up small and diverse businesses with the resources needed to thrive in this economy and dismantle disparities,” said Harris. “I am committed to making an effort to support the research to do just that.”

Senate Bill 2381 passed the Senate Insurance Committee last Wednesday and will head to the floor for further deliberation.

JOYCE ENCOURAGES JOB SEEKERS TO APPLY FOR SEASONAL CONSERVATION WORK

To help job seekers find employment, State Senator Patrick Joyce is encouraging people to apply for seasonal conservation work at Kankakee River State Park in Bourbonnais.

“As the weather is warming up, we see a need for more workers in our state parks,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is a great opportunity for local residents or college students to take advantage of temporary work, while working in a beautiful natural environment.”

Conservation workers perform routine maintenance and custodial duties, such as mowing, landscaping, painting, cleaning, loading and unloading vehicles, cutting firewood and more. Other responsibilities include assisting in preparing locations for hunting and fishing, preparing sites for programs, assisting in the care of cover crops and food plots, maintaining tools and equipment, and performing basic vehicle maintenance.

Kankakee River State Park is surrounded by both sides of the Kankakee River that sits six miles northwest of Kankakee, consisting of approximately 4,000 acres. Illinois Route 102 lies north of the park, and Route 113 frames the south side of the park. More information about Kankakee River State Park can be found here.

“These are excellent summer jobs for people who enjoy being outdoors and are excited to help visitors enjoy Illinois’ beautiful state parks and historic sites,” said Paula Martel, director of IDNR’s Office of Land Management. “Seasonal workers gain valuable professional experience and a unique understanding of what it takes to operate these sites.”

To learn more about the positions, qualifications, deadline for applications, and instructions for applying, visit https://bit.ly/ IDNRjobs.

Edward G. Gardner

Laguna Candles Celebrates 20 Years As Global Luxury Supplier

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., PRNewswire -- Twenty years ago, Laguna Candles opened for business, fueled by a love for the calming effects of beautiful home fragrance and a desire to be on the cutting edge of a growing consumer appetite for cleaner burning candles. Founded by Sharie Hendricks, the company had humble beginnings in her family’s kitchen and garage, a hub for experimenting with various fragrances, wax blends, packaging and more. Before long, Laguna Candles emerged as a premiere Black and woman-owned business, now enjoyed globally at the finest luxury hotels, spas and specialty stores with thousands of hand-poured, bespoke candles sold around the country and beyond.

The company has weathered storms, including intentional efforts from a sizeable retail company to diminish Laguna Candles’ trademark rights. Laguna Candles was victorious in United States trademark court and has been supported by retailers including Amazon to only sell the original Laguna Candles line. Founder Sharie Hendricks calls the experience harrowing and is now focused on the future of the company and sharing their journey with other entrepreneurs.

“We are proud to celebrate the 20-year mark as a family-run Black and woman-owned business,” Hendricks says. “We fought hard to protect what we’ve

EDWARD G.

GARDNER

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that it would create a job for someone else.” That was the clarion call for us all.

“My dad lived the formula for his success. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we can’t achieve. He walked his talk and cared passionately about his beloved community,” concluded Terri.

Dismayed by the level of violence in the community, in the 1980s he created the non-profit organization, Black On Black Love. He firmly believed promoting self-love and self-respect could change hearts, and the organization created No Crime Day to celebrate those principles and promote peace. It expanded its offerings to a myriad of social services including after-school programs and employment training. Throughout the decades, Ed’s faith in God and humanity, and his belief in the power of the written word to stop the violence, persisted. In 2007, after 16-year-old Blair Holt was shot and killed while riding the bus home from school, Ed Gardner purchased thousands of dollars’ worth of billboards with messages about Black-on-Black Love.

His and his wife’s love of theater inspired him

built. Even when it was tough and our trademark case went on for years, we did not stop. With much prayer and perseverance, we prevailed. We hope to inspire other business owners that when faced with Goliath-like obstacles, be prepared and determined not to let it break you.”

Throughout the past two decades, Laguna Candles has made its mark with accessible and sustainable luxury, personalized customer service and bespoke, quality candles across North America, Europe, Asia and other markets.

The company is well positioned for the next chapter of success with three generations of the family working in the business, which includes the company’s founder Sharie, her husband Clarence who acts as both Sales Director and Lead Artisan, their three daughters, granddaughter, son-inlaw and additional staff.

This year Laguna Candles will celebrate its 20th anniversary with several special events and surprises for their loyal customer base.

Started and run by a Black family of entrepreneurs – Laguna Candles is the culmination of five generations of African American entrepreneurs. As the granddaughter of two entrepreneurs, founder Sharie Hendricks always desired to run her business - and give her three daughters the option of entrepreneurship. “From the first day we opened Laguna Candles for business we have remained committed to

our vision of luxury products with sustainable ingredients,” Hendricks shares. She started the company with a love of candles, no experience making them and support from her husband Clarence. The family learned along the way - turning their kitchen into a candle factory before growth led them to their bustling headquarters. They have produced thousands of candles, and continue to grow.

Sought after and featured by ELLE Decor, Allure, Ellen DeGeneres and more– Laguna Candles has proven itself as an industry favorite in home and luxury having been featured by many media outlets including ELLE Decor, New York Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Allure and more. With its private label candle services, the company works closely with entrepreneurs at every stage from new founders to household names to provide candles, including creating 16,000 candles for Ellen DeGeneres’ Be Kind candle collection.

Survived a Trademark Attack with Trial Victory– The Hendricks Family faced every entrepreneur’s worst nightmare: a large company trying to attack your brand. After three years of litigation, the United States Patent and Trademark Office upheld the Hendricks family company’s trademark rights, and its registration is now incontestable.

Founded in 2003 by Sharie Hendricks, Laguna Candles creates luxuriously scented, hand-poured candles that can be enjoyed globally at the finest luxury hotels, spas and specialty stores. A Black and woman-owned, family run business, Laguna Candles is the culmination of five generations of entrepreneurs. As a certified Green Business, the company prides itself on its commitment to a sustainable environment and has provided private label candle collections, hotels and businesses. All products are made with a proprietary blend of natural waxes and essential oils of the highest quality.

Learn more and view the entire Laguna Candles collection at www.lagunacandles.com.

to re-create one of Chicago’s most historic entertainment venues, the Regal Theater. The New Regal Theater brought major acts like Gladys Knight and newcomers like Kanye West and Tyler Perry to audiences on the city’s South Side. In 2000, Ed converted an 84,600 sq. ft. warehouse at 95th & Cottage Grove into House of Kicks, a family entertainment and educational complex. With amusement rides, bowling, mini-golf and an interactive learning center, the complex boasted the only roller coaster in Chicago at that time.

In the 1980s, Ed and his wife Bettiann became co-owners of the Chicago Bulls basketball team, cementing their love for Chicago and its award-winning franchise. He served on the boards of Chicago United and The Chicago Urban League.

In September 2012, at the age of eighty-seven, Edward Gardner led over a thousand demonstrators protesting the lack of Black workers on local construction crews. Ed Gardner proudly walked arm-inarm at the front of the line with his long-time colleagues, Manford Byrd, Lerone Bennett and Timuel Black.

A lifelong resident of Chicago, Edward George

Gardner was born February 15, 1925, in the city’s West Chesterfield neighborhood to Frank Gardner and Eva (Brown) Gardner. He and his older brother, Frank, graduated from Fenger High School. After serving in the US Army in World War II, Ed earned his B.A. from Chicago Teachers’ College and an M.A. in Education from The University of Chicago. He pursued a career in education and worked part-time selling beauty supplies to local hair salons. In 1964, he and his wife Bettiann started hair care company, Soft Sheen Products.

For more than half a century, the family has shared their husband, father, father-in- law, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather proudly and unselfishly with the world. And now his work is done; he belongs to the ages. He leaves a legend of love and a powerful life for the world to remember. Words of remembrance and condolences are invited at Edward Gardner In Memoriam Facebook Group page https:// www.facebook.com/groups/3117330031746372

A private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chicago State University, https://www.csu.edu/foundation/donate.htm

Please note: In Memory of Edward Gardner

Founder Sharie Hendricks, her husband Clarence, their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Laguna Candles.

Aetna Better Health® of Illinois Receives NCQA Health Equity Accreditation

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., – Aetna Better Health of Illinois®, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS), was awarded Health Equity Accreditation from The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

“Our team is committed to advancing health equity and ensuring our members have access and availability of health care resources,” said Rushil Desai, CEO, Aetna Better Health of Illinois. “Earning NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation underscores our work to provide diverse populations with access to personalized care and a simplified health care experience.”

NCQA awards accreditation to organizations that meet or exceed its rigorous requirements for health equity. NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation evaluates how well an organization complies with standards in the following areas:

· Organizational readiness

· Race/ethnicity, language, gender identity and sexual orientation

· Access and availability of language services

· Practitioner network cultural responsiveness

· Culturally and linguistically appropriate services programs

· Reducing health care disparities

“Earning Health Equity Accreditation shows that an organization is making a breakthrough in providing excellent health care to diverse populations. I congratulate any organization that achieves this level of distinction,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care is essential to improving the quality of care overall.”

The NCQA Health Equity Accreditation for Aetna Better Health of Illinois is valid until December 2025.

One of the ways Aetna Better Health of Illinois has been working to improve the health of under-resourced communities in the state is by leading more than 100 statewide COVID-19 vaccination distribution and education efforts. Aetna Better Health of Illinois collaborated with the state in a COVID-19 vaccine incentive campaign, which included reward cards and outreach to members. Aetna analyzed population health data to establish priority areas of focus based on vaccination status and hard to reach populations.

In 2022, the COVID-19 vaccination rate among Aetna Better Health of Illinois members, age 12 and up, increased from 29.4% overall to 48.4%.

Aetna Better Health of Illinois offers access to

CHICAGO NONPROFIT SHOWING YOUTH A WORLD OUTSIDE AUSTIN’S NEIGHBORHOOD

After gun violence in Chicago stole her grandson from her grip just days after his 18th birthday, Crystal Dyer knew she must do everything in her power to keep others from such unbearable grief. Soon after, she set her sights on Chicago’s Austin neighborhood just steps from where her grandson Devin was killed and set up shop. In 2015, Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, Inc. (CAYTA), was born out of a grandmother’s grief. Today, the organization is thriving, reaching at-risk children, youth, and young adults through a variety of programs aimed at showing them a world outside their neighborhood, a world many have never seen.

“After I lost my grandson to gun violence in Chicago, I vowed to do everything within my power to ensure no other family experiences such a tragedy. Through CAYTA, we can get our youth off the streets and show them the world on an international stage,” says Crystal Dyer, Founder, and CEO of Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, Inc.

Why travel? That was an easy decision for Dyer. An accredited and Certified Travel Advisor (CTA), she opened the first African American-owned travel agency in Chicago Austin’s community where she also resides. Every year, she takes youth and young adults aged 14-23 on a genealogy journey through their family’s roots at the city’s 15th police district. The big payoff, a chance to travel to Ghana, Africa, where their ancestors once lived. This year’s trip is set for July 30th through August 11th.

In addition to CAYTA’s popular genealogy program, the nonprofit also runs a Teen Reach Afterschool Program. The program is offered six days a week and allows youth aged 11-17 to receive help with their studies in a safe environment at Dyer’s travel agency, Gone Again Travel & Tours.

For those looking for job training, CAYTA along with Choose Chicago offers workforce training for youth interested in its’ tour guide program which will also be teaming up with the Obama Presidential Library once it’s complete. In addition, a community clean campaign offers stipends to youth who embody pride and teamwork while working to reduce crime in their neighborhood.

“Our goal through the workforce training program is to show kids that there are other ways of making money instead of selling drugs,” adds Dyer. “The payoff for me? The success stories. One young man came to me and said, ‘Ms. Crystal, my whole family was selling drives but now I am driving a bus for the city, thanks to you.’ If I can change just even one life, that is what gets me up in the morning.”

For more information about CAYTA, visit their website at: https://www. caytaworld.org/.

quality, affordable health care to individuals through the state’s HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid program. The health plan serves over 420,000 members in 102 counties. For more information about Aetna Better Health® of Illinois, visit our website, www. aetnabetterhealth.com/illinois-medicaid.

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of the most medically vulnerable, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has particular expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve approximately 2.8 million people in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www. aetnabetterhealth.com.

MARIE CLAIRE LAUNCHES IDENTITY ISSUE WITH PARTNERS NORDSTROM AND BANK OF AMERICA

NEW YORK, PRNewswire

-- Global digital publishing

powerhouse Future Publishing announced that Marie Claire’s Identity Issue just went live across Marie Claire’s digital platforms and is available on newsstands. This issue’s theme explores the complexities of what identity means in 2023, whether that means changing, reinventing, or even losing who you are.

“With this issue, I want to give readers the space to think about how they define themselves,” said Sally Holmes, Editor-in-chief of Marie Claire US. “Our editors went into the metaverse, found a group of senior citizens you’ll want to take fashion advice from, got real with women about how money affects their self-worth—all to explore how different parts of our lives influence who we are and how the world sees us. And who better to demonstrate that than our amazing star, Kerry Washington, who is prioritizing herself as the lead

character of her own story after making a career out of being other people.”

Look for deep-dive stories into the ramifications of being able to choose your virtual identity, an essay from a New York Times bestselling author about what it means to share your truth with others, an interview with a lawyer who defends victims of online identity theft, and pages of beautiful fashion that show how clothes play a huge role in self-expression.

Nordstrom and Bank of America have partnered with Marie Claire for the Identity Issue.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Marie Claire as they introduce their Identity Issue,” shares Betsy Poirier, VP, Digital Marketing & CRM, at Nordstrom, Inc. “We have long believed in the value of self-expression and celebrating people for being exactly who they are. This Issue shares insightful stories

St. John Announces Shonda Rhimes in #OwnYourPower for Spring 2023 Campaign

IRVINE, Calif., PRNewswire -- After six decades of dressing the world’s most esteemed women, St. John proudly introduces the #OwnYourPower campaign featuring Shonda Rhimes to celebrate a unique sisterhood of incredible women doing extraordinary things. The partnership coincides with St. John’s Spring 2023 Collection, a new season of great American design from the iconic knitwear fashion house.

The St. John brand has grown through evolving trends, social moments, and changes in creative direction. The company is successful because women love, trust, and rely on the brand’s apparel and accessories to help them feel confident, polished, and ready for anything. St. John’s elegant, timeless, easy-to-wear pieces with unsurpassed quality and craftsmanship enable women to feel their best every day. This focus on empowerment resonates deeply with Rhimes, who embodies this philosophy as she gracefully navigates personal and professional demands in style.

Rhimes is an award-winning television creator, producer, author, and CEO of Shondaland. She was the first woman to create three television dramas that hit the 100-episode milestone and has produced award-winning shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton, and Inventing Anna. Other accolades include a New York Times bestseller, Year of Yes, a Peabody award, and an induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. As a CEO, mother, and storyteller, she is a powerful force in a competitive, male-dominated, industry, brilliantly reflecting the world through powerful narratives and captivating characters.

A longtime fan of St. John, Rhimes has gravitated to the chic, comfortable designs so she can effortlessly dress for her busiest days, feeling focused

and confident. Like all St. John women, she makes each look her own, adding her unique perspective to each outfit. After Rhimes selected a St. John sweater for her cover of TIME Magazine, conversations began about women’s empowerment and the collaboration was organically born.

Global CEO Andy Lew shared, “We believe Shonda represents St. John so well. As a loyal client she was an organic brand ambassador, and through her career she perfectly represents what all our clients do. St. John is more than a fashion label, we are growing, supporting, and uniting a network of incredible woman doing extraordinary things. Our clothes empower global audiences and Shonda does the same.”

Rhimes added, “St John is a brand that I have worn and loved for years. It’s rare to find clothes that are this comfortable and well-made. I can look professional while feeling relaxed enough to be creative. Discovering the motivation behind this partnership and the discussion around connection to women’s empowerment was exciting, and made the choice to align with St. John a simple one for me.”

St. John is an American luxury house founded in 1962 on the premise of a simple, elegant, and versatile knit dress. The brand has evolved over the years, but the foundation of the collection remains the same today as it did from the very start – great American design, understated and timeless elegance, unsurpassed quality, and craftsmanship. The company, headquartered in Southern California, employs more than 1,000 people and is vertically integrated with workshops, stores, and offices around the world. Its collections are sold in high-end specialty retailers in 16 countries, 49 St. John stores and through the brand’s ecommerce site stjohnknits.com. Instagram:

of real people who are bravely navigating their own identities and sharing what they’ve learned along the way. We’re honored to be a part of it.”

“We are very excited to partner with Marie Claire on their Identity Issue, which highlights the significance of individuality and self-expression in business ownership,” said Carol Lee Mitchell, Head of Small Business Strategy at Bank of America. “We’re thrilled this issue shares stories of small business owners and those in the industry who challenged the status quo, embraced their identities and positioned themselves for success. We believe in empowering our clients and teammates to define themselves and unleash their potential as leaders.”

MarieClaire.com is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women’s lives. The digital platform is known for its award-winning features, thoughtful essays and op-eds, deep commitment to sustainable fashion, and buzzy interviews and reviews. Reaching millions of women every month, MarieClaire.com is an internationally-recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages. For more information, visit www.marieclaire. com

@StJohn Lanvin Group, formerly known as Fosun Fashion Group, is the leading global luxury fashion group rooted in China, managing iconic brands worldwide including Lanvin, Sergio Rossi, Wolford, St. John Knits, and Caruso. Harnessing the power of its unique strategic alliance of industry-leading partners in the luxury fashion sector, Lanvin Group strives to expand the global footprint of its portfolio brands and achieve sustainable growth with strategic investments, operational support, and an intimate understanding of the fastest-growing luxury fashion markets in the world.

Kerry Washington cover for Marie Claire Identity Issue March 2023. PRNewsfoto/ Future Publishing.

PRNewsFoto

Brandon Johnson is a husband, father, and former teacher who is running for Mayor because working families need a leader who’ll fight for them. Brandon can’t be bought by the insiders and special interests that run City Hall.

Brandon is the only candidate with a plan to make our streets safer and invest in Chicago’s neighborhoods, jobs, without raising property taxes.

“TOGETHER WE HAVE THE POWER

AND VOTING IS THE FIRST STEP. ”

With an all-electric future on our horizon, ComEd knows our grid will have to be smarter, more resilient and reliable than ever before. That’s why we’re making investments and upgrading technology today, to ensure we continue to deliver reliable service to you and your family for generations to come. So, when everything goes electric, we’ll be ready. Because lighting your life brightens our day.

Record-breaking reliability, powered by ComEd.

© Commonwealth Edison Company, 2023

When everything’s electric, we’ll be ready.

GOSPEL

GREATS TAMELA AND DAVID MANN AND DR. BOBBY JONES TO BE HONORED AT THE 2023 BMI TRAILBLAZERS OF GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

ATLANTA, PRNewswire -- BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) will honor Gospel superstars Tamela and David Mann and Dr. Bobby Jones at its 22nd Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards to be held at Flourish Atlanta on March 30th. The inspirational ceremony will recognize the impact that the three legendary entertainers have made on the genre and beyond and pay tribute to the songwriters and publishers behind the best in Gospel music. The private event will be hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.

“BMI is thrilled to be back in Atlanta celebrating the best in Gospel music,” said Brewton. “We’re extremely proud to honor powerhouse couple Tamela and David Mann for their incredible contributions to the Gospel community, the enduring legacy of Dr. Bobby Jones and the songwriters and publishers behind the top Gospel songs of the previous year. Through song and praise, they deliver inspirational messages of hope, faith and goodwill to music lovers around the world. We feel truly blessed to bring these trailblazers together in fellowship and celebrate their creative works.”

Throughout the ceremony, BMI will also recognize the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 25 most-performed Gospel songs in the United States.

The BMI Gospel Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the event.

Together, Tamela and David Mann have become staples in the Gospel community and have flourished across radio, television, film and stages around the world. The iconic couple began their professional music careers in the ‘90s after joining the Gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family and toured the globe. They went on to develop successful solo careers and joint ventures as a couple in music and beyond, creating Tillymann Entertainment in 2005, a home for all of their many projects in entertainment. In 2018, David and Tamela released Us Against the World, their first collaborative album as a duo. The companion book of that album won an NAACP Image® Award for Outstanding Literary Work, and the album’s singles have topped the charts, including the Urban AC track “Ups & Downs.” Most recently, The Manns embarked on the acclaimed “Overcomer Family Tour,” a mixture of music and comedy, featuring their son David Jr, and their daughters La’Tia and Tiffany Mann.

As a solo artist, Tamela has released six studio albums and has received a GRAMMY Award, BET Award, Billboard Music Award and multiple NAACP Image, Stellar Gospel Music and GMA Dove Awards. She was also the first Gospel lead artist in Billboard Gospel radio chart history to score three consecutive No.1 singles from her

album Best Days. Beyond music, The Manns have appeared in numerous Tyler Perry plays, films and television shows, including I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Meet the Browns and Madea Goes to Jail, among others, and the pair also starred in their own sitcom, Mann & Wife, and the docuseries, It’s a Mann’s World.

In addition, the esteemed singer, TV host and radio broadcaster Dr. Bobby Jones will be celebrated, honoring his illustrious career spanning more than 40 years. For more than 35 years, he was the host of Bobby Jones Gospel on BET, which was the highest rated show on the network and longest running original cable show in history. Jones is credited for giving Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and many others their first national exposure on television.

An established Gospel singer and songwriter, Jones has received a GRAMMY Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group in 1984 for “I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today” with Barbara Mandrell. He has also received a Dove Award, three Stellar Awards and a presidential commendation from President George W. Bush, among several other awards and accolades. He currently serves as a UNICEF Ambassador and was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame (BMEWOF) in February 2023.

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 20.6 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.3 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music, Inc.’s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI’s The Weekly™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.

For more information on the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, visit www.bmi.com/ genres/gospel and use hashtag #BMIGospel on social.

CHICAGO – When one is a true and genuine king of comedy, it doesn’t ever have to be glaringly declared or announced. These singular talents tend just quietly assume their thrones leveraging hard work, raw skill and dues paid, and rule the scene without all of the noise and fanfare.

One real king of comedy in our midst, blazing a path to success that is uniquely all his own is actor, comedian and renowned impressionist “Reggie Reg.” Although his ascent to the heights of legend has been a relatively calm and measured one, those who are most knowledgeable about him know that the last laugh will be all his.

Granted, there are no overnight successes in show business, but Reggie Reg is one person who has been consistently yet selectively working the comedy and acting circuits large and small for many years now, charting a respected name for himself across the entertainment world. Iconic greats such as television talk-show legend David Letterman sing his praises, as he has twice appeared on Letterman’s top-rated former show, “Late Night.” Reg additionally has appeared in films, most notably the critically acclaimed biopic Remember the Titans, and on the small stage in theatre productions that have cast him alongside celebrated actors Billy Dee Williams, Leon and other luminary thespians. Born in Chicago but reared in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Reg began his career progression at the tender age of six when he won a local talent show impersonating the late comic impresario Flip Wilson. Further developing and honing his act from that point, he went on to create unforgettable impressions of characters he saw on some of the popular television sitcoms of the time, such as “Sanford & Son,” “Starsky & Hutch” and numerous others. The gifted actor and comic though he certainly was, it was his impressions that quickly emerged to become his bread and butter, mesmerizing audiences from coast to coast.

Today, he is most widely revered for his expansive repertoire of over 60 depictions of characters that would be the hardest for most to faithfully mimic. Namely, Academy Award-winning actors Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Al Pacino, Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, former California Governor and seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger, fellow comics Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and the late Bernie Mack, several a-list broadcast media personalities and others too numerous to list.

Since first bringing the house down on Letterman, Reg has scored unforgettable guest appearances on BET’s “Comic View” and HBO’s “The Bad Boys of Comedy,” plus he’s become a virtual household name on the comedic circuits in Chicago, throughout the Midwest and across the United States. He has performed at such career-important comedic venues as Chris Tucker’s Comedy Café, the Uptown Comedy Corner and Punch Line Comedy Club in Atlanta, as well as Los Angeles’ Comedy Union, The Laugh Factory and The Improv.

Nonetheless, as the late John Witherspoon used to say, “You can’t stop there; you’ve got to keep going.” Currently, Reggie Reg, a self-described “urban cowboy” is keeping himself as busy as ever. He’s staying fully engaged in perfecting his craft, including working on developing a series of film shorts, studying and creating film scene reenactments, recording monologues and audio books and vetting more stand-up comedy and acting opportunities that continue to come his way nationwide.

“Reggie Reg” (Muhammad) is one of the nation’s foremost and most revered African American impressionists, and acting and comedic stage talents. He is currently available for large-scale special guest appearances, corporate and business functions, voiceover opportunities and is reviewing scripts, sponsorship and endorsement proposals for calendar year 2023-24. For more information on Reggie Reg, please visit his website, and be sure to connect with him on his Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok pages.

Towering stage and screen comedic talent is one of Chicago’s finest exports, with an uncanny flair for also delivering spot-on impressions

2023 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music honorees Tamela & David Mann and Dr. Bobby Jones. PRNewsfoto/Broadcast Music, Inc.

Photo provided by Ronnie E. Childs

THE TALE OF TWO CITIES

The Mayoral Run-Off is in its final stages. With only fourteen days to go, The Citizen Newspaper wanted to share where the candidates stand on issues of public safety and education.

PUBLIC SAFETY Paul Vallas

According to Paul Vallas’ website, he would rebuild sworn officer staffing from the current 11,710 to the fully appropriated 13,500 level that existed when he was the City of Chicago Budget Director. And, reinstitute a com munity policing model.

Close the door on the demoralizing and delegitimizing “Friends and Family” system of promotions.

Create a city operated Victim/Witness Protection and Services Program that provides the safety and well-being infrastructure needed to encourage the cooperation needed to successfully prosecute offenders.

Rebuild the Detective ranks to 10% overall staffing and supplement the Detectives Divisions with hundreds of retired Police officers to provide support in order to do two things 1) become analysts to aid the clearance rates and (2) assure that witnesses and victims are protected. The victim/witness Detective relationships are critical to successful prosecutions.

Build a Forensic Crime Lab within the Department as exists in other large municipal departments, like NYPD, so that processing and technical analysis of evidence is aligned with Detective Division needs and priorities.

End the overtime initiatives that have Officers from all over the city sitting in their police vehicles for show without performing any police functions that deter anyone. I will ensure that any overtime initiatives are given to the Districts to ensure that only Officers familiar with the District will patrol there.

BRANDON JOHNSON

According to Brandon Johnson’s website, he would train and promote 200 new detectives from the existing ranks. And, establish a new CPD Illegal Guns Department, as well as a new Mayor’s Office of Community Safety.

Launch full CPD Efficiency Audit of the Chicago Police Department to find savings that can be invested into safer streets.

Coordinate with ATF to end pipeline of illegal guns to Chicago, which will establish a more collaborative approach with other levels of government to target gun distributors, and open up a revitalized partnership with the ATF to coordinate efforts on shutting down the flow of

illegal guns coming from neighboring states with lax gun laws.

Strengthen enforcement of Red Flag laws; Double down on efforts to take guns away from those deemed too much of a risk to own them, including people with such as those with a record of violent crimes, serious mental health issues, or active restraining orders.

Support the PeaceBook ordinance and violence interrupters and coordinate with organizations with expertise

of students who left during COVID and those currently “attending” school in name only by expanding the current alternative school network. And, open “Adult High Schools” for older students that provide education and occupational training.

Empower and trust local communities to know what’s best, by dismantling the central administration and empowering the community through elected Local School Councils.

Systematically identify children at-risk and provide early intervention and support, employing a universal cradle to the classroom strategy, including pre- and postnatal care, social and financial support as well as advocacy to support children who are expectant mothers and the children born of those children.

Expand quality school options by converting failing or under-enrolled schools to open enrollment magnet schools and by empowering the community, through their elected Local School Councils, to select better school models if their school is struggling.

BRANDON JOHNSON

ma-informed remedies to intercommunal gun violence. Expand Support for Victims and Survivors; Enact the Federal Consent Decree; and Publish the arrest and traffic stop demographic data.

EDUCATION

Paul Vallas

According to Vallas’ website, he will work with teachers, local school leaders, parents, and anyone who sees the safety and education of our kids as our top priority. And, Restore schools as community anchors with open campuses offering extended day and year services.

Create a high school paid work study program, offered in place of non-essential electives to incentivize students to remain in school, while introducing them to the work world.

Alternative schools and adult education & occupational training centers, which will reclaim the thousands

According to Johnson’s website, he believes building sustainable community schools alongside quality affordable housing can reverse the trend of mass school closures of Black and Latinx schools. Expand the Sustainable Community Schools model to the City Colleges of Chicago, and connect it to a vision of healthy, green and anti-racist curricula beyond K-12.

Green Schools Facilities Plan, with drastic improvements to CPS buildings, including the need to replace outdated and ineffective heating and cooling systems, improve ventilation and insulation, and remediate asbestos, lead, and mold that pose a risk to students and staff.

Treating Student and Family Trauma; Making public transit free for all Chicago Public School students; Special Education Services for Families and Communities; and Making Every School a Sustainable Community School.

Addressing Under-Enrollment and Under-Utilization Small schools, by making more creative use of excess space in small schools rather than closing them, by co-locating revenue-generating facilities such as childcare and health clinics.

Youth Employment and Educator Apprenticeship Pipelines, in conjunction with private sector and city sister agencies, is the type of transformative, meaningful and engaging opportunity that sustains itself with the reduction of violence, trauma and interactions with law enforcement.

MAUI MOISTURE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH PSYCHOHAIRAPY

CLEARWATER, Fla., PRNewswire -- In honor of Black History Month, Maui Moisture is pleased to announce its partnership with PyschoHairapy, a global mental health and hair movement founded by Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, a psychologist, hairstylist and hair historian. Dr. Mbilishaka has created this certification program that equips hairstylists with the skills to recognize mental health issues in their clients and administer culturally informed mental health services and resources.

“At Maui Moisture, we embrace all hair types and cater to those across the curl spectrum, which is why PyschoHairapy’s mission resonates with us,” says Sheena Henry, Earned Media Manager for Maui Moisture. “We know that texturism, microaggressions, and discrimination have a deep and negative impact on how our consumer sees herself, affecting her confidence and overall mental health. We understand the deep connection between hair and mental health and want Black women and girls—especially those in underserved communities—to have the best resources for both their hair and their mental wellbeing.”

Maui Moisture’s mission is to provide curl confidence to help improve self-perception and esteem, something many women and girls in the textured hair community struggle with. The brand’s ultra-hydrating, vegan-friendly formulas transform curls by using 100% aloe vera as the first ingredient in all their products, delivering 40x more moisturizing properties and 80% stronger hair*. With the brand’s purpose of transformation in mind, Maui Moisture enacts this partnership with PsychoHairapy to ensure their role in transforming women’s lives goes beyond a good hair day.

Impact of Daylight-Saving Time on People with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

“I am humbled and honored to collaborate with Maui Moisture on my life’s passion, using hair as an entry point into mental health care,” says Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka. “I can more confidently imagine a world where hairstylists can support clients through stressful life experiences, by building confidence in using healing words and hair products.”

THE

PYSCHOHAIRAPY

CERTIFICATION

The PsychoHairapy Certification is broken down into 3 modules with participants having the opportunity to interact directly with the instructors and peers. Participants can role play, bounce ideas off each other, and receive real time feedback during the modules.

The History of Our Hair: Buckle up for this ride on a hair time machine. Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka —a psychologist, hairstylist, and hair historian— will take attendees on a journey of exploring the cultural and historical significance of hair through a visual narrative across the African Diaspora. From the pyramid walls to trending hashtags on social media, this workshop will give a context for why hair is so emotionally significant to Black communities. Participants will become fluent and analytical in assessing hair narratives within the lives of their clients and larger communities. (2 Hours)

equips hairstylists with the skills to recognize mental health issues in their clients and administer culturally informed mental health services and resources. Maui Moisture.

Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka began PyschoHairapy as a research space for psychology faculty and students at Howard University in 2014. She was always the go-to hairstylist for family and friends and came to a crossroads in college to either pursue a career in psychology or haircare. At that moment, she recognized there was an opportunity to do both hair and provide psychological services at the same exact time. Upon doing further research, she found that Black women are more likely to book a hair care appointment than a mental health appointment and collected data at hair salons and barbershops in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to give further evidence to the relationship between hair and mental health.

The PsychoHairapy Certification was established in 2019. The pitch was simple: train hair care professionals in psychotherapy. With the current health pandemic, PsychoHairapy has been translated into the digital landscape and the demand for the course grew. Stylists and barbers were often the sole physical contact with people. Stylists were persistent in asking for trainings to address their clients’ grief, depression, and anxiety. Today, the program has certified close to two hundred stylists.

Recognizing Symptoms of Mental Illness in Communities of Color: This workshop focuses on culturally relevant mental health first aid. In this workshop, you will learn the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders in our communities and how to attend to these matters in a caring and culturally sensitive manner. (4 Hours)

Developing Micro-Counseling Skills for the Salon: Participants will engage in role play and practice active listening, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and supportive group work in the salon/ barbershop setting. Here, you will learn “what to say” for common client concerns and how to travel deeper within your own emotional world to guide your conversations. (6 Hours)

2023 PARTNERSHIP

With Maui Moisture’s funding $100,000, PsychoHairapy hopes to train 100+ PsychoHairapists, hire mental health professionals to offer virtual group therapy, create PsychoHairapy workbooks and produce a self-paced virtual class to increase accessibility for certifications. Maui Moisture and Dr. Mbilishaka are also working on offering a highly curated in-person PsychoHairapy training and retreat, as well as programming around Mental Health and Minority Mental Health Awareness Months.

To learn more about Maui Moisture visit www.mauimoisture.com or follow @MauiMoisture #AloeForCurls on Instagram. Visit www.psychohairapy.org for more information, services, and to speak with the team or follow @PsychoHairapy on Instagram.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a seasonal practice that involves adjusting the clocks forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall. Despite being a seemingly small shift, DST can significantly impact our circadian rhythm, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is a part of the human brain which controls our circadian rhythm. This part of the brain utilizes external cues, for example, light and darkness, to synchronize with the external environment. The sudden shift in time can disrupt this synchronization, causing temporary sleep disturbances as our bodies adjust to the new schedule.

The Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging caregivers and families of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia to keep safety top of mind.

Sleep Issues in Individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

For individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Daylight Saving Time could cause sleep issues that can further exacerbate the symptoms of their condition. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. It is estimated that over 6 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, including 230,000 Illinois residents, and this number is expected to grow as the population ages, especially in the elderly. Dementia, on the other hand, is a broader term encompassing a range of cognitive impairments, including memory loss, difficulty with language and communication, and problems with decision-making. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia mostly experience sleep problems, including difficulty sleeping.

Sleep disturbances are common among people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including changes in sleep schedule and restlessness/wandering during the night. It has been reported that up to 45% of people with dementia may have sleep problems. Many people with Alzheimer’s wake up more often and stay awake longer at night. Those who cannot sleep may wander, be unable to lie still, or yell or call out, disrupting the sleep of their caregivers. Experts estimate that in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals spend about 40% of their time in bed at night awake and a significant part of their daytime sleeping.

Connection Between DST and Sleep Disturbances in Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia are particularly vulnerable to sleep disturbances, and the disruption caused by DST can exacerbate their symptoms. These individuals often experience disrupted sleep-wake cycles due to cognitive impairments, leading to irregular sleep patterns and daytime drowsiness. The sudden change in the timing of the sunrise and sunset caused by DST can further disrupt their already fragile sleep patterns, leading to additional sleep disturbances such as waking up too early, difficulty falling asleep, and daytime fatigue.

“Research has shown us that not getting enough sleep because of insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking and increase the risk for Alzheimer’s-related brain changes,” said Maria C. Carrillo, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer. “findings show that disrupted sleep patterns not only put the overall health of people with dementia at further risk, they may also worsen their memory loss and disrupted thinking.”

The connection between Daylight Saving Time and sleep disturbances in people with Alzheimer’s and dementia is particularly concerning as sleep plays a vital role in cognitive function and memory consolidation. Sleep disturbances can exacerbate the

Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, a psychologist, hairstylist and hair historian, founded PyschoHairapy and the certification program that

THE CANDIDATE SPEAKS…

In an Q & A interview with the Citizen, candidate for the City of Chicago Mayoral Race Brandon Johnson took time to speak with us about where he stands of key issues that are top of the mind with voters as we plan to take to the polls on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

CN: How would you ensure Chicagoans have access to affordable housing and have opportunities for affordable homeownership?

BJ: Everyone in Chicago deserves to have a roof over their head. That’s not just the right thing to do morally, it’s a smart approach to keeping our neighborhoods safe and strong. The Johnson Administration will create public safety by directly addressing the poverty, economic, racial and environmental injustice that creates disorder in many Chicago communities. This will allow us to promote student achievement and grow the jobs and resources Chicago needs. The cornerstone of that vision is our ability to confront our city’s housing crisis.

Homelessness has long been a problem in Chicago, and families have always struggled to make the rent. But Chicagoans know that these days, making rent or the mortgage payment is harder than it’s been for a very long time. Here in Chicago, homelessness is up 12% since 2019. It is a moral crisis that on freezing January nights, we have 1,500 Chicagoans sleeping out in the cold. It is an outrage that one quarter of renters pay more than half of their paychecks just to make the rent, with little left over for other necessities. And it is an injustice that one-in-four Black students in Chicago Public Schools experience homelessness at least once during their lives.

The status quo is unacceptable, and the people of our city deserve better. The bottom line is this: We need more housing for those at every income level, so that from public housing to affordable housing, Chicagoans can afford to stay in our city and raise families here. We need a City Hall that will “Bring Chicago Home,” delivering real funding to house the unhoused and combat homelessness. And we need a Chicago that keeps pathways to home ownership alive, so that Chicago’s homes aren’t all purchased by private equity firms and the wealthy few.

CN: What would you do to improve public transportation and access to public transportation for people across the city?

BJ: A safe, reliable transit system is fundamentally important if Chicago is to grow jobs and employment. Chicago’s transit infrastructure is a tremendous asset, but we need to do better at connecting residents with jobs and educational opportunities. We will need to address funding shortfalls for transit, but at the same time, we can be doing a lot better with the resources we already have. We want to see the CTA as a customer-focused agency with service frequency and reliability as the highest priorities. As just one example, we need to create a citywide bus lane network and bus rapid transit system that gives buses priority over other traffic.

Every stakeholder in the use of Chicago’s sidewalks, railways and roadways must work collaboratively toward safety. The CTA needs a vast overhaul in terms of reliability and increased access, as well as safety for workers and riders. Reducing or eliminating fares for some, and increasing access to transit will increase ridership and mass transit solvency, and increase employment in communities where unemployment rates are high. We must be responsive to trends and feedback from CTA riders, and make changes such as increased late evening hours, trains and trips. We also need mental health professionals and housing advocates with resources to house the homeless and treat those with mental illness by addressing root causes, instead of criminalizing poverty and creating tension between commuters and those harmed by systemic inequity.

The Johnson Administration will also prioritize walking and biking as a public accommodation, ensuring that it is 1) integrated into the architecture of people-traffic with reimagined streetscapes that protect pedestrians and cyclists, and 2) a component of good health, neighborhoods with affordable housing, and access to jobs and schools. This includes reduced speed limits and automobile access in select areas of the city. We will also support a rapid-response CDOT team and municipal sidewalk snow and ice removal program, and create car-free zones in communities to promote safe walkability and recreation for children.

We also need to install well-designed, dedicated bike lanes, so that cyclists feel safe on our streets. By investing in viable alternatives to automobiles, we can reduce congestion and make getting around Chicago faster and more pleasant for everyone.

CN: Please describe how you would bolster small businesses, provide opportunities for more small businesses and what policies would you create to enable small businesses to grow, scale and be sustainable?

BJ: Promote small entrepreneurs. The Johnson Administration will work with vendors throughout the city on streamlining the process to obtain Business Affairs and Consumer Protection licenses. We will engage commercial kitchens and violence prevention programs, and expand spaces like the Discount Mall on 26th Street, so more street vendors can have safe and warm spaces to work. Our public safety plan will reduce inefficiencies in the Chicago Police Department, freeing up officers to protect street vendors in Little Village from violence. And we will work to protect

economies and supportive of good jobs in fields accessible to most Chicagoans.

• The Johnson Administration will focus incentives on growing existing businesses and supporting Chicago entrepreneurs rather than subsidizing businesses from outside: It’s unfair to Chicago businesses that the city spends so much of our tax dollars trying to woo outside business instead of investing in homegrown commerce. Consider the Amazon bid – the package totaled more than $2 billion, and consumed a huge amount of time and effort, for no result. What would happen if, instead, we made that kind of commitment – and felt that kind of excitement – for our own companies? We were offering them “concierge service” City Hall permitting for Amazon and its employees; why shouldn’t that be available to every business in Chicago?

• We will stop subsidizing businesses for no reason whatsoever and instead use public funds to encourage the creation of good jobs that pay well and offer real career ladders for workers and working families.

• Make Chicago a leader in sustainability: We need to find new and better ways to support economic growth that is environmentally sustainable, and make our city a center of the growth industries of the future that involve sustainable, green and circular economy principles, where the jobs increasingly will be. We also need to address the legacy of environmental racism that has made some of our neighborhoods “sacrifice zones,” where polluters are allowed to foul the air and water in ways that undermine the health of the entire community. A better environment will mean a more livable city for all – which will mean a better economy. The Johnson Administration will:

• Conduct a cumulative impact assessment to advance comprehensive environmental regulations, work to outfit Chicago Public Schools buildings with green HVAC systems, new ventilation solar panels and other renewable energy sources, and reopen and fully fund the city’s Department of Environment.

• Explore job creation opportunities in weatherization, electrification, and air quality retrofitting for schools, healthcare buildings, libraries, major government buildings, and entertainment/sports facilities.

• Ensure green jobs are union jobs, with more training and apprenticeship programs.

• Place solar rooftops on all feasible government buildings and push for them on major parking garages, as well, and require new buildings to meet minimum LEED standards. It’s great that Chicago City Hall has a green roof, but that commitment to environmental sustainability needs to filter down through the entire building.

the social fabric of immigrant communities like Chinatown, Pilsen, Little Village, West Ridge, much of Albany Park and others to continue to be ports of entry by protecting commercials corridors such as 18th Street, and Wentworth and Devon avenues, by investing in them and providing assistance to our s

• Change the direction of what kind of developments the city promotes and pursues, to make them more oriented to the needs and existing composition of each neighborhood. For any development to receive subsidies, we will ensure that it addresses blight and economic disparities in the most underdeveloped areas of Chicago. We will demand specific commitments on local hiring, environmental safety, and good quality jobs. Investing in the neighborhood also will be a condition for developments receiving benefits. And we will support developments that set aside storefront space for small, local businesses. Any new commercial opportunities should prioritize local community residents and business owners.

• Instead of further increasing racial disparities in Chicago (think Lincoln Yards), TIFs will be targeted to be used to address blight in low-income neighborhoods, with clear racial impact analysis of these and all development and zoning issues. We need to start insisting that TIF funds are spent on developments appropriate to neighborhood

• Launch a task force for developing a city-wide composting plan that creates jobs and serves most impacted communities.

•Ensure a vibrant minority business community. While Black Chicagoans make up 31% of the city’s population, and Latinx 30%, companies founded by Black, Latinx, or female individuals have received only 10% of venture capital funding in our city, and only 5% of such firms have participated in any venture capital deals. White-owned firms have a total payroll nearly 100 times that of all Black-owned firms combined. Meanwhile, most of the city’s development dollars and business subsidies go to non-BIPOC individuals and businesses. We must increase African American political influence and access to leadership positions within the City government; protect and grow the Black Community’s socio-economic position; and allow the Black Community to intentionally and acutely address the issues that impact the Community’s obstacles to growth. That means requiring 50% Minority, and at least 30% African American, on:

• contractual spend on goods and services contracts across all City of Chicago agencies under the purview of the Mayor’s Office or its appointees, through both prime and sub-contracting opportunities.

• any TIF or tax credit supported commercial development project, through both prime and subcontracting opportunities.

LEGALNOTICE/ PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS 6 MUNICIPALDISTRICT

Michael Outley v. Brian Miller, Shari Miller

Line No. 7 No. 2022-M6-2659

TRIALCALLORDER

Present before the Court: Plaintiff(s) THIS MATTER having come before the Court, the Court having jurisdiction and being fully advised, ITIS

HEREBYORDERED:

4213: Alias Summons to Issue for BRIAN MILLER, SHARI MILLER

4406: Set for STATUS

All parties must appear 4-62023 at 10:00 a.m. Room 208 9207: It being further agreed that installment payments be made as follows:

POSTING & PUBLICATION

Judge Carrie E. Hamilton (Feb. 16, 2023) Circuit Court- 2144

STATE OF ILLIINOIS CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTYSMALLCLAIMS SUMMONS

Plaintiff: MICHEALOUTLEY

v. MR. BRIAN A. MILLER AND MRS. SHARI

MILLER

CASE NUMBER: 22M6002659

AILAS SUMMOONS

1. Defendant/Respondent address and service information

a. Defendant/Respondent's primary address/information for service

Name: BRAIN A. MILLER Telephone: 773-580-2885

b. If you have more than one address where

PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER: MICHAELOUTLEY

V. BRIAN MILLER & SHARI MILLER

CASE NUMBER: 22M6002659

ALIAS SUMMONS

Public Information Meeting

Scheduled by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) for the Englewood Nature Trail Project

Grow Greater Englewood (GGE) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will host a Public Information Meeting on the proposed improvement of the Englewood Nature Trail between Hoyne Avenue (west) and Lowe Avenue (east), and 58th (north) and 59th Streets (south). This meeting is a part of a multi-year effort by the City of Chicago to convert a former railroad right-of-way into a community trail.

Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM

Location: Evening Star MB Church 2050 W. 59th Street Chicago, IL, 60636

All persons interested in this project are invited to attend this meeting. There will be a presentation detailing the existing conditions, preliminary design, maps and aerial photography, and a tentative construction schedule. The public will have an opportunity to review exhibits, submit comments, and provide feedback directly with CDOTand DPD representatives after the presentation during an open house format. Interested persons can review exhibits and ask questions.

The meeting room is accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone needing special accommodations should inform the contact person listed in this notice by March 23, 2023 to make arrangements for participating.

This is a federally-funded project, and the Public Information Meeting is being held in compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and the Illinois Department of Transportation's public involvement policy. For more information contact: Taylor Van Nortwick, Chicago Dept. of Transportation, Taylor.VanNortwick@cityofchicago.org, (312) 7442632.

ENDORSED BY