Chicago Weekend Citizen 9-15-2021

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R C O R O N AV I R U S N E W S

Citizen Week of Sept. 15, 2021

| Vol. 52 | No. 38 | www.citizennewspapergroup.com

CHICAGO WEEKEND

OOOH WEE! IT IS! RESTAURANT EXPANDS TO BEVERLY AND WICKER PARK Mark Walker has been in the retail business for seven years, starting out with Oooh Wee Sweet Tea. The tea was being sold in the Harold’s Chicken at 87th and Dan Ryan in December of 2014, at a tea stand set up on vintage luggage, with one flavor, lemon honey.

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Mark Walker started his brand Oooh Wee with one sweet tea flavor. Now, there are several flavors of teas, foods trucks and restaurants. Photo provided by Latrice Mosley-Smith

WTTW to produce local content and events for Muhammad Ali, a new PBS Ken Burns film

ENTERTAINMENT: READY TO LOVE set for October 15 on OWN

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Serving The Black Community For Decades |

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2 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Sept. 15, 2021

NEWS briefly SLAUGHTER-SUPPORTED LAW ENDS UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDIZED TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS To promote diversity and inclusion at Illinois colleges, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation that will prohibit Illinois’ public colleges and universities from requiring applicants to submit ACT and SAT test scores in the application process.

“Standardized test scores do not reflect a clear picture of a student’s academic career,” said Slaughter. “Instead, they have too often served as a barrier to entry to higher education.

While some students have the means to receive test prep and an ability to take multiple tests, most do not have this advantage, particularly first-generation and low-income students.”

House Bill 226, which was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker after passing out of the General Assembly with strong bipartisan support, will prohibit public institutions of higher learning from requiring applicants to submit standardized test scores as part of their admission processes.

In the place of test scores, college admissions committees will give more consideration to a student’s GPA, extracurriculars and letters of recommendation. This legislation aims to increase the number of students at colleges from diverse backgrounds like those from rural areas and first-generation and low-income families. If an applicant wishes to still submit a standardized test score, they will be able to do so.

“We must do all that we can to make sure that our young people are prepared for the future,” said Slaughter. “Illinois is a diverse state, it’s one of our greatest strengths, and I look forward to seeing how this change can help more residents of all backgrounds achieve a degree.”

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS TO APPLY FOR ACCESS TO finEDge High school educators nationwide who are new to teaching financial education can apply through Sept. 30 for complimentary access to finEDge during the 2021-22 academic year. Local school districts and interested parents are advised to share this information immediately with high school educators who may be interested in applying. The deadline was recently extended to give more teachers time to apply. finEDge is a semester-long financial education curriculum designed by educators, researchers, and curriculum developers at the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative in partnership with the Magnetar Capital Foundation. Here are some additional details: The underlying philosophy of the program is to teach sound financial decision-making rather than simply transmit financial information and facts.

The research-based curriculum is focused on developing students’ knowledge while fostering productive attitudes and behaviors around money. Simultaneously, finEDge strengthens teachers’ content knowledge and confidence by providing professional development and ongoing support.

With a serious respect for the personal situation of each student, the curriculum responsibly acknowledges and addresses the range of financial learners’ realities and economic environments, including systemic barriers and inequities.

Interested educators can apply online: https://bit.ly/3e8JP1f.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and all 100 available sponsorships will be awarded soon after the application deadline in time for the current school year.

Educators accepted into this cohort of 100 will also have the opportunity to attend the Jump$tart National Educators Conference free of charge, November 6-8 in Washington D.C. Jackson Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to increase financial education across the country, is supporting the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative to provide 100 teachers and approximately 5,000 high school students with complimentary access to finEDge. Together these two organizations are committed to providing educators and students with access to high-quality financial education materials.

Oooh Wee! It Is! Restaurant expands to Beverly and Wicker Park Continued from page 1

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Mark Walker has been in the retail business for seven years, starting out with Oooh Wee Sweet Tea. The tea was being sold in the Harold’s Chicken at 87th and Dan Ryan in December of 2014, at a tea stand set up on vintage luggage, with one flavor, lemon honey.

It blossomed. In the first year, there were 286,000 cups of tea sold and name recognition from celebrities and elected officials. Walker hired staff and was able to get tea in more places.

During the pandemic, Walker came up with the idea to open an Oooh Wee! It Is! Restaurant in September of 2020. Oooh Wee Sweet Tea was sold in a lot of malls, including River Oaks and Gurnee Mills, but because of the pandemic those places were closed. Walker and his wife, Shae, had the bulk of their businesses in the malls. In River Oaks Mall, they owned five businesses – a Burger Bar, hair salon, tea stand, cereal bar and kids fun zone.

Walker has a culinary background, so he started to play around with different dishes and recipes. They decided to sell dinners and include the tea with the meal. It went over well, and Walker

opened the first restaurant in October of 2020 in Burnham located at 2208 E. State St, which is a carryout restaurant. The second location is a sit-down restaurant and is located at 33E. 83rd St. Two new locations are set to open this year. One is in Beverly at 111th and Longwood, and one in Wicker Park, North Ave. and Damen. Walker chose Beverly because it is in between Chatham and Burnham. It will be a larger location, which enables them to do catering and carry-out and it will feed the food trucks.

The Wicker Park location is an opportunity for the brand to step outside its norm and do something different. “We think that we want to get more diverse and serve and allow other communities to taste some of this Oooh Wee,” Walker said. It is a much larger location, larger than all the other locations. Walker is excited to bring the restaurant to a new community and new customers.

Oooh Wee also are three food trucks.

There are employment opportunities.

Walker is looking for busboys, busgirls, floor managers, shift managers, shift leads, parking attendants, line cooks, a cook and security to work in all of the locations. The demand is high and there is a need for what Oooh Wee brings to

the community.

The opportunities offer a living wage.

There are employees at locations who make between $1,500 to $2,000 a week.

Those interested can send in a resume to info@ooohwee.org, or they can stop at any of the locations and set up an interview.

During COVID-19 and keeping CDC Guideline we are Keeping safety measures in mind, there is a body mister when customers walk in the door to sanitize their clothing and they take your temperature. “We’re really interested in keeping our customers and our staff safe, at the end of the day,” Walker said.

Walker has learned that opening restaurants in the midst of a pandemic is the right thing to do. Walker thinks it is time to fill the void and step out on faith. It doesn’t take a lot of money or a perfect credit score or an educational background to open a business, people need to just start somewhere. Walker is afraid of people who won’t start.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is the pricetag to success. It is not until you have failed that you have truly succeeded,” Walker said. “I think a lot of people assume that it takes a lot. It just takes for you to get up and do something, at the end of the day.”

The Center for Black Educator Development Launches Campaign Philadelphia, Pa. — The Center for Black Educator Development (CBED), a nonprofit revolutionizing education by increasing the number of Black educators, announced the launch of their campaign, #WeNeedBlackTeachers, to help raise awareness about the need for more Black educators and encourage young Black people to consider answering the call to become teachers. The organization will be working with influencers, students and teachers throughout the day to amplify the cause online.

Research shows that Black students who’ve had a Black teacher in elementary school are more likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college—13% more likely if they’ve had one Black teacher in elementary school, and over 32% more likely if they’ve had two. The impact is even more stark for Black boys. If a Black boy has a Black teacher in grades 3-5, they on average have a 29% increased interest in pursuing college and a 39% lower chance of dropping out of high school.

But Black teachers are drastically underrepresented in the American teaching force in comparison to the diversity of the U.S. student body. Although 15% of public school students in the United States identify as Black, only 7% of public school teachers identify as Black. To get to the point where there’s a similar proportion of Black teachers as there are students, the number of Black teachers needs to grow by 280,000. For more information on the campaign, visit WeNeedBlackTeachers. com.

“We’ve seen the proven impact that Black teachers have on student learning. That’s why we are working with local and national leaders to encourage Black people across the country to become teachers,” said Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and Chief www.citizennewspapergroup.com

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT BLACK STUDENTS WHO’VE HAD A BLACK TEACHER IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARE MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ENROLL IN COLLEGE—13% MORE LIKELY IF THEY’VE HAD ONE BLACK TEACHER IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND OVER 32% MORE LIKELY IF THEY’VE HAD TWO. Executive Officer of CBED. “We’re working to remind young Black people that education is the backbone of activism — to be a Black educator is an act of resistance and a step towards liberation.”

The Center for Black Educator Development was founded in June 2019 to ensure equity in the recruiting, training, hiring, and retention of quality educators who reflect the cultural background and socio-political interests of the students they serve. The Center promotes exercises in self-reflection and interrogation of the mindsets and biases of educators and aspiring educators, while driving social justice and policy conversations.

The Center is operated thanks to the generosity of: The Moriah Fund Alice Walton through the Walton Family Foundation Schusterman Family Philanthropies The Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Sept. 15, 2021

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NEWS

Sickle Cell Disease: Getting to the Root of the Problem Black PR Wire - Chances are you probably know someone who is or has been impacted by sickle cell disease (SCD). In fact, 1 in 13 African Americans have the sickle cell trait.

While it’s considered a rare genetic disease, it’s actually the most common inherited blood disorder in the world. Every September, we recognize Sickle Cell Awareness Month in the U.S. As we mark the month this year, we’re taking this opportunity to raise awareness about this devastating disease, elevate voices in the community to share their experience living with the disease and highlight potential treatments scientists at Vertex Pharmaceuticals have been working on. Read on to learn more about the underlying cause of SCD and how scientists are currently investigating a potential gene-editing therapy to address this serious disease.

There are two blood disorders that are caused by inherited changes in the beta-globin (HBB) gene. The mutation leads to issues with the production of hemoglobin, the protein crucial for allowing red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Both diseases currently require a lifetime of treatment and can result in painful symptoms and reduced life expectancy. Vertex scientists are investigating the use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to hopefully turn on the body’s natural machinery to increase the production of hemoglobin that can carry oxygen properly.

What is sickle cell disease (SCD) and who is most at risk?

People inherit SCD because of a “misspelling” in their DNA. This causes red blood cells to be a different shape and become stiffer and stickier, making it difficult for them to travel throughout the body. This leads to many different problems, and people living with SCD often experience symptoms

POLITICAL Affairs Check your properties before sale starts Nov. 5

Pappas: 36,000 properties are part of Cook County’s first Tax Sale in more than two years, and 19,000 owe less than $1,000 Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will conduct the first sale in more than two years of delinquent Cook County property taxes on Nov. 5, 2021.

About $163.4 million in unpaid 2018 property taxes (that were to be paid in 2019) is due on 36,000 homes, businesses and land. Less than $1,000 is owed on 11,744 properties in Chicago and 7,700 properties in suburban Cook County.

Pappas is sending owners of those properties a certified mailing informing them that their unpaid taxes are scheduled to be sold, which would put a lien against their properties. It is the first step in a process that can end with the loss of a property.

Owners can avoid the Tax Sale by paying the delinquent taxes and interest before the sale begins. To see if your taxes are delinquent – and to make a payment – visit cookcountytreasurer.com and select “Avoid the Tax Sale.” You can search by address or by Property Index Number (PIN).

BlackPRWire

and complications including pain crises, strokes, anemia, jaundice, and symptoms of heart failure.

The sickle cell trait can actually be good thing – it evolved over time to protect people against severe malaria.

Because of the way it has stayed with populations through the slave trade in the U.S. and economic migration to the Americas, people of certain nationalities have a higher likelihood of having the sickle cell trait than others, including: People of African descent, including African Americans Latinx Americans from Central and South America People of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent Today, the only cure for SCD is a stem cell transplant from a matched

donor and it is only available to a small fraction of people living with SCD. Looking ahead The cause of SCD has been known for decades — in fact, SCD is considered the first molecular disease — but many patients are still waiting for a treatment that addresses the underlying cause of their disease. Vertex’s investigational approach uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to turn on the body’s natural machinery to increase the production of hemoglobin that can carry oxygen properly. They’re bringing together bestin-class research teams, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities in the hopes of bringing potentially transformative therapies to patients, like people with SCD and beta thalassemia, as quickly as possible.

Corruption-busting US Attorney pick for inspector general search panel SPRINGFIELD — Former US Attorney Zachary Fardon has been named to the search committee for a new Illinois Legislative Inspector General

by Senate President Don Harmon.

Fardon is arguably best known for his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where he oversaw prosecution in areas

of corporate misconduct, health care and securities fraud, public corruption, gangs, terrorism and other criminal and civil matters.

He was part of the federal prosecution trial team that won a conviction against former Illinois Gov. George Ryan.

“Few know as much or have done as much to clean

up corruption in Illinois as Zach Fardon. I’m honored that he accepted the invitation to help guide our search for a new inspector general,” said Harmon.

The search committee will review applicants and advise lawmakers on a potential hire.

Fardon currently leads the government matters practice

group at the law firm King & Spalding. He serves on the firm’s policy committee and is the managing partner of the Chicago office.

The legislative inspector general is the authority for investigating complaints against lawmakers and employees of the legislative branch. The office was created in 2003.

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“About 75% of the taxes offered for sale are for properties in majority Black and Latino communities,” Pappas said. “That’s why Black and Latino Houses Matter, my program to help homeowners find refunds and apply for tax exemptions, is so important.”

Owners may be unaware the taxes on their properties are headed to the Tax Sale because the U.S. Postal Service has returned bills and subsequent notices on 17,702 properties.

Also, as many as 207 seniors may be missing a senior exemption and 184 seniors may be eligible for a senior freeze – two exemptions that could reduce their tax bill.

“Everyone should visit cookcountytreasurer.com for more information,” Pappas said.

Per Illinois law, the annual Tax Sale traditionally is conducted 13 months after the due date but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pappas plans to conduct the sale for 2019 unpaid taxes in May and for the 2020 taxes in November 2022.

Senator Elgie Sims Sponsors Senate Bill 2177, Gives Youth in DCFS Custody To Receive Proper Baggage When Transferring Through The System Children in custody under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will now receive appropriate baggage under a new law sponsored by Senator Elgie Sims (D-Chicago).

“This measure simply removes one of the challenges these children face within the DCFS system which may seem small but is really about not being cruel,” said Sims. “It’s not fair for some of these children to have to choose between toys and other keepsakes when moving because they simply do not have enough storage space for their belongings.”

Under current law there are no restrictions or requirements for what kind of baggage can be used in the relocation processes of youth. In some cases, children were found storing or carrying their belongings in garbage bags while moving around within the child welfare system. Senate Bill 2177 seeks to ban giving children in custody plastic bags, trash bags, pillow cases and similar containers to store their personal belongings.

The initiative, led by the National Association of Social Workers Illinois Chapter, will become effective immediately.

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BUSINESS

This page is sponsored by

Virtual Financial Seminars to Help Black Youth & Families Financial Joy School’s seminars will educate and inspire participants, featuring speakers from Motley Fool Ventures, EQUIP and Trust & Will BALTIMORE PRNewswire -- Financial Joy School, a free financial education platform for the Black Community, will offer three seminars in the Fall with leading wealth experts, financial resources, and tools to help Black youth and families become long-term investors and build generational wealth.

“Everyone can build generational wealth,” says Ruby Taylor, M.S.W., CEO and Founder of Financial Joy School. “You don’t need to be a celebrity or a CEO of a billion-dollar company.

It’s a matter of what you can pass on for the next generation to build upon.

You’re worthy enough, you’re smart enough, and we’re making it simple.”

Financial Joy School’s upcoming virtual seminars will be hosted by financial experts that will teach and inspire participants to build and protect generational wealth. Seminars include: September 18 (12:301:30 pm ET): What is Investing? presented by Ruby L. Taylor, CEO & Founder of Financial Joy School Ollen Douglass, Managing prizes; and dedicated articles on different Director of Motley Fool Ventures financial topics. Ruby Taylor, M.S.W, a October 16 (12:30 -1:30 pm ET): How to double HBCU alumna (Howard University Invest, presented by Kerrie Carden, Foundand Virginia Union University) founded er of EQUIP Financial Joy School in 2021 to make inNovember 20 (12:30-1:30pm ET): What is a Will and a Trust? presented by Cody Barbo, vesting joyful for black and brown families and their allies. To learn more, visit https:// Founder and CEO of Trust & Will FinancialJoySchool.com.

Attending our seminars will help Black Trust & Will is a modern approach to youth and families create generational wealth digital estate planning, offering legally for a more financially secure and joyful life. valid documents designed and approved Participants will learn, grow financially, and by estate planning attorneys to adhere to have chances to win prizes during each semindividual state guidelines. Our mission is inar that will help them build generational to provide families a better way to plan for wealth. the future. Since 2017, more than 250,000 Financial Joy School has partnered with Trust & Will members have created an corporate sponsors, including Trust & Will, online estate plan to set up their family to provide free access to these seminars for legacy. We make estate planning simple, all participants. To register for an upcoming affordable, and accessible by providing seminar, visit: https://financialjoyschool. a secure way to set up a plan online in com/seminars/. minutes, using bank-level encryption that Financial Joy School is a digital educaprotects customer data and complies with tional platform that is focused on providthe highest security standards, including ing opportunities to help Black commuSOC2. Trust & Will is the official estate nities build multigenerational wealth. planning benefit provider for AARP The platform uses the power of financial members and is a proud partner of several knowledge to bring connections, applicaleading financial institutions, including tions, and education to communities. Free Fifth Third Bank, John Hancock, Northresources include educational seminars; western Mutual and Haven Life. To learn investment calculators; access to financial portfolios and marketplaces; giveaways and more, visit www.trustandwill.com.

PRNewsFoto/Experian

Lecrae Partners With Experian The “Protect The Bag” Web-Series Will Take You From FOMO to Legacy Building ATLANTA BUSINESS WIRE -- Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Lecrae, has partnered with Experian North America, a leading information services company, to present, “Protect The Bag,” a six-part web series, that provides viewers with a blueprint for building a financial legacy.

The video series produced by Lecrae’s production company, 3 Strand Films, premieres Fall 2021, and guides audiences through the ins and outs of financial health. Through short sketches and the help of some high-profile special guests, Lecrae will break down the basics of financial literacy and credit education to help viewers understand how to balance their financial needs of today, with those of tomorrow.

“I am on a mission to spread the word on financial education because I wasn’t educated about money and didn’t know about budgeting,” Lecrae explained. “I didn’t know to think about the cost of things or what to pay off first because I just didn’t have a strategy.” He believes that through his unique vision, partnered with Experian’s expertise, the message of financial health and inclusion will be embraced.

Each episode will cover a key point of building a financial legacy starting with understanding money and utilizing checking and savings accounts. Other topics include budgeting, saving, protecting one’s identity, debt, and investing.

This partnership is part of Experian’s United for Financial Health, a global financial recovery initiative that helps educate and empower vulnerable consumers around their finances and minority business owners around financial health. Under this program, Lecrae previously supported the Home Preservation Grant, an Experian partnership with the NAACP to provide mortgage relief to homeowners negatively impacted by COVID-19.

“Credit education isn’t always taught in homes and schools. In fact, a recent Experian survey shows almost one in three (30%) of young adults wish they learned how to build credit or improve their credit scores before entering adulthood,” said Wil Lewis, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Experian.

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“We’re excited to partner with Lecrae for ’Protect The Bag’ and see this as an innovative way to reach young consumers so they can start their financial health journey on the right foot.”

Protect The Bag will premiere on Lecrae’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.

A Multi Grammy Award-winning platinum selling artist, Lecrae has evolved into a New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, speaker, thought leader, and philanthropist. He is the Co-Owner/Co-Founder/President of Atlanta based record label, Reach Records. He made history as the first artist to have a #1 Album on both the Billboard Top 200 and Gospel Charts simultaneously! His first book, Unashamed is a New York Times best-seller! In 2021, he released his second book, I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith, a new album Restoration, and The Road To Restoration, a 3-part video narrative and a prelude to his forthcoming documentary. Restoration is more than an album, a book, or documentary, he is involved and partnered in several community initiatives that are rebuilding the west-side of Metro Atlanta.

Learn more at www.lecrae.com or follow him on social media @Lecrae.

Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments — from buying a home or a car to sending a child to college to growing a business by connecting with new customers — we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have 17,800 people operating across 44 countries, and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group.

CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Sept. 15, 2021

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NEWS

MUHAMMAD ALI

WTTW to produce local content and events for Muhammad Ali, a new PBS Ken Burns film beginning Sunday, September 19 at 7:00 pm on WTTW CHICAGO – August 18, 2021 – WTTW and its sister classical music radio station WFMT will produce and present special local content in connection with the upcoming four-part documentary series from Ken Burns, MUHAMMAD ALI, beginning on Sunday, September 19 at 7:00 pm on all WTTW platforms – WTTW, the PBS video app, and online at wttw.com/watch.

Parts two, three, and four of the series will air on successive nights at 8:00 pm.

MUHAMMAD ALI was directed by Ken Burns and written and co-directed by Sarah Burns and David McMahon. The film follows the life of one of the most consequential men of the 20th century, a three-time heavyweight boxing champion who captivated billions of fans with his combination of speed, agility, and power in the ring, and his charm, wit, and outspokenness outside of it. At the height of his fame, Ali challenged Americans’ racial prejudices, religious biases, and notions about what roles celebrities and athletes play in our society, and inspired people all over the world with his message of pride and self-affirmation.

Ali was a Chicago South Side resident from roughly the mid-1960s through the late 1970s, a defining period in his life. Having converted to

Islam in 1964, he claimed conscientious objector status in refusing to serve in Vietnam. Ali was immediately stripped of his title, banned from boxing, and convicted of draft evasion, a felony for which he could have served five years in prison. While his case was on appeal, Ali made the city of Chicago his home, and became more involved with the Nation of Islam and the civil rights movement, married, started a family, and eventually staged a comeback. WTTW will explore these watershed moments in Ali’s life with a companion website (wttw.com/ali) that will include an image gallery in partnership with the Chicago History Museum; an episode guide; a Q&A with Sarah Burns and David McMahon; a photo essay by Chicago architecture expert Lee Bey tracing Ali’s footsteps in Chicago; an interview with Ali’s biographer Jonathan Eig, a native Chicagoan who outlines ways that the city shaped Ali before and during his time here; and the storied history of boxing in Chicago, focusing not just on world-famous champions but aspiring amateur boxers finding discipline and purpose in the Golden Gloves tournament. WTTW is also producing two virtual events including a preview and discussion on September 15 in partnership

with the Chicago History Museum with Sarah Burns, McMahon, and Chicago History Museum President and CEO, and former head of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, David Lassere; and a performance and talk on September 21 with Kwame Alexander, author of Becoming Muhammad Ali, in partnership with PBS Books.

PBS has commissioned a mural celebrating Ali that will be painted by Chicago artist Rhamaan Statik on a building wall at 2847 S. Kedzie Avenue in Chicago’s Little Village.

WFMT will publish an interview on September 21 with Jahlil Beats, composer of the score for MUHAMMAD ALI, on wfmt.com and will also host a virtual Classical Conversation on September 9 featuring composer D.J. Sparr and librettist/ lead Solomon Howard for the opera Approaching Ali, a one-act chamber opera with music by Sparr and libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller, based on Miller’s memoir The Tao of Muhammad Ali and his story “My Dinner with Ali.” The discussion will focus on the creation of the work and the challenges in portraying one of the most popular people in the world. WFMT will also air a November 1975 Studs Terkel interview with Ali from the Studs Terkel Radio Archive.

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

MUHAMMAD ALI is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Corporate funding for MUHAMMAD ALI was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its members Alan and Marcia Docter; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tudor Jones; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; The Brooke Brown Barzun Philanthropic Foundation, The Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation and The Augusta Brown Holland Philanthropic Foundation; Perry and Donna Golkin; John and Leslie McQuown; John and Catherine Debs; Fred and Donna Seigel; Susan and John Wieland; Stuart and Joanna Brown; Diane and Hal Brierley; Fiddlehead Fund; Rocco and Debby Landesman; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Mauree Jane and Mark Perry; and Donna and Richard Strong.

The WTTW presentation of MUHAMMAD ALI is made possible, in part, by Binny’s Beverage Depot. Major support comes from Rita and John Canning, Marshall Field V, Denny and Sandy Cummings, Sylvia Furner, and WTTW members.

6 | CITIZEN | Chicago Weekend | Week of Sept. 15, 2021

FASHION

Naomi Osaka’s KINLÒ Launches Functional Skincare

Fashion Meets Food ATLANTA PRNewswire -- Custom fashion design comes together with custom personal chef deliciousness on October 24 in Atlanta on National Food Day, when two creative entrepreneurs from both industries, merge efforts to offer a stylishly tasty experience for attendees.

Produced and presented by two African-American women business owners, Indrea Gordon, fashion designer and founder of the Quad Clothing Company and Kendra Bates, founder, HoniiSoul Personal Chef Services, a luxury personal culinary experience service, the “Fashion Meets Food” Experience, will cater to fashionistas and foodies alike.

“Kendra’s and my work are designed to make a difference in the lives we touch and what better way to touch people than through fashion and food?” says Gordon, an award-winning designer. “Clothing and food are two essential elements that everyone needs, and this event was created for fashionistas and foodies who also love the artistic and stylish side of those two elements. We thought this was the perfect way to not only showcase our individual creativity collectively while celebrating National Food Day, but also make a difference while adding new flavor to a popular concept,” she said.

Coordinated to also address Covid-19 safety protocols, the “Fashion Meets Food Experience,” is designed to be an intimate gathering of about 100 people and will offer a variety of tapas-type small plates of creative dishes designed to tempt the palette, all served in an artful manner.

The dishes will be color coordinated with custom fashions designed by Gordon, presented throughout the event by runway models, including one with autism. The model is a part of Gordon’s Fashion Without Limitations program, which showcases children and young adults with special needs. A portion of the proceeds for The Fashion Meets Food Experience, will be donated to Autumn’s Gift, a 501c3 nonprofit, that offers respite care services for families of children with special needs.

Fashion Designer Indrea Gordon, founder, Quad Clothing Company and co-producer of Fashion Meets Food Experience in Atlanta.

PRNewsFoto/Quad Clothing Company

LOS ANGELES PRNewswire -- Fourtime Grand Slam tennis champion and activist Naomi Osaka launches KINLÒ, a functional skincare brand that is formulated specifically for people with melanated skin. As a first time CEO, Osaka worked with GoDaddy to create a custom website and online store, along with her partners at A-Frame, a Los Angeles based holding company that develops talent-led sustainable personal care brands built for underserved communities, making the KINLÒ vision a reality.

“Bringing KINLÒ to life was a personal and professional goal of mine. I am thrilled that my first entrepreneurial endeavor will be something meaningful to my community, and I couldn’t be more thankful for my team at A-Frame and GoDaddy. Through my personal experience and learnings, I have found that Black, Brown, and other melanated skin toned communities are often an after-thought in the discussion and research surrounding sun care, including being excluded from clinical studies on skin cancer. Additionally, there is a lack of sun protection products being made with melanated skin in mind. These points have all led me to create KINLÒ, a mission-first brand,” says founder and CEO Naomi Osaka.

Made with clean formulations, KINLÒ offers an assortment of active and recovery skincare products built to protect and rejuvenate melanated skin tones.

The line includes an Active Golden Rays

Sunscreen that is mineral-based and designed to eliminate whitecast, as well as a Hydrating Eye Cream, Hydrating Golden Mist, and Hydrating Lip Balm.

The brand plans to expand their skincare line, centered on both protection and recovery from the sun and blue light.

Founder Naomi Osaka will helm KINLÒ as CEO with Dr. Naana Boakye serving as Dermatology Director to help ensure formulations are of the highest efficiency and standard and that education about skin cancer, in particular, skin protection in the Black, Brown and Asian-Pacific communities, is a priority.

Vanessa Motley Coleman has been named Vice President and will oversee business operations along with the global team at A-Frame.

The brand pays homage to Naomi’s bicultural heritage in the meaning of the name KINLÒ, with both Kin and Lo meaning “gold” in Japanese and Haitian Creole respectively. Naomi selected GoDaddy as her exclusive e-commerce and website partner to help the busy, first-time entrepreneur bring her digital platform to the world. KINLÒ will first launch exclusively online at www.kinlo.com.

“We’re so honored to have worked with Naomi to turn her passion project into reality,” said GoDaddy CMO Fara Howard. “GoDaddy is about empowering entrepreneurs everywhere to give their ventures a home online and to help them sell anything, anywhere. We’re thrilled to be that place for KINLO.”

Banana Republic Debuts a New Look This Fall, Journey with the Brand to a World of Imagination through Reinvented Product, Stores, and Experiences SAN FRANCISCO PRNewswire -- This Fall, Banana Republic reintroduces its new brand identity, positioning, and brand promise—winking at its heritage while reinventing itself for today’s modern world. Inspired by its roots, the 43-year-old iconic global lifestyle brand is reimagining every detail of the customer experience in the form of democratic, approachable, and inclusive luxury. From immersive product stories seen in-store and on digital platforms to the updated quality of product designs and fabrics, customers will see elevated experiences and details across all touchpoints.

“We started with a very clear vision of what this iconic American company can be and what we need to do in terms of our product quality and design, packaging and service, our digital experiences, and experiences in our stores to bring this vision to life in a way that excites culture and moves our business,” says Brand

President and CEO, Sandra Stangl.

“This Fall is just the beginning for Banana Republic. We embark on an adventure of our lifetimes, led by creativity, curiosity, and a newfound drive. The excitement is palpable across the entire organization as we all dream about the opportunities to transform this iconic lifestyle brand into a forever brand: always relevant, always current, never not modern.”

The Fall 2021 campaign kicked off Monday, Sept. 7, with The New Look, focusing on leather and suede, reworked in the form of the iconic BR photojournalist vest and cargo pants, modernized leather jumpsuits, and suede shortsand-blazer separates. Materials that BR has been long known for are back: soft shearling, feather-light suede trench dresses, Italian Merino wool, silk, and cashmere. Additional hero looks include workwear, expedition-ready casualwear, and tailoring that moves.

“With The New Look, our goal is to

create silhouettes and branding that is always nostalgic and simultaneously contemporary,” says Chief Brand Officer, Ana Andjelic. “Just like punk and yuppie defined a decade and grunge and metrosexual clashed on the same streets, The New Look blurs sartorial codes. Call it post-genre fashion. Or call it post-fashion altogether: The New Look is less about fashion and more about living. To get there, we mixed the mythical American look, San Francisco imagination, and the late 1990s. Keywords are utilitarian chic and modern casualwear. Safari meets tuxedo, formalwear meets casualwear, menswear meets womenswear, vintage meets tailoring, functionality meets imagination...”

To bring this vision to life, the brand created a new identity, positioning, and promise. Launching Tuesday, Sept. 28, Imagined Worlds reflects Banana Republic as it was originally conceived—a fictitious territory—a www.citizennewspapergroup.com

PRNewsFoto/Banana Republic

far-away and unknown place that is part of explorers’ folklore and adventurers’ lore. Like Shangri-La, Middle Earth, Westeros, or Wakanda, Banana Republic is an imagined world. This invented, dreamlike brand world is a springboard to redefine fashion, design, activism, sustainability, and creativity. The New Look and Imagined Worlds campaigns will run across digital, social, and media channels later this month.

As the brand elevates the quality

of its collections, it is also focused on reimagining its digital platforms to be an engaging experience featuring inspirational imagery, video, and music that immerses customers into the new world of Banana Republic. The brand is also upgrading its fleet of stores across the country, thinking holistically about customer experiences from hospitality and styling services to harmonious store design and elevated merchandising.

Follow @BananaRepublic this fall to discover The New Look.

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5 tips for effective job hunting in 2021 (BPT) - Whether you’re actively looking for a job or are simply curious about a new career, you’re not alone. Millions of people nationwide are open to work, but it can be hard to know the most effective methods for finding the right job for you.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half of all American job seekers are currently looking to transition careers, according to a new Morning Consult job-seeker insight survey commissioned by Amazon. Many of those job seekers (43%) identified better pay and benefits as the top reason they are looking for new work.

“Whether you’ve been out of the job market for a while or have been working and want a change, this is a fantastic time to be looking for a new opportunity,” says Luli Chaluleu, hiring expert at Amazon. “Many companies are hiring, and with the right search tactics you’ll find a job that you not only love, but has ample benefits.”

Amazon is included in that list of companies eager to hire. Despite the pandemic, in 2020 they hired over 400,000 employees in the U.S., of which, more than 60% are now paid more than they were paid at their previous job. Competitive benefits include health insurance, up to 20 weeks of parental leave and company-funded career advancement opportunities.

“Amazon gave me a chance to branch into the IT field with no prior tech experience. The company really values us as employees, and it shows, from the pay to the benefits to the ability to learn and move into new careers - within Amazon or beyond,” said Erica Bozeman, data center technician at Amazon.

If you want to find a new job, knowing current job search strategies can help, including updating your resume and conducting virtual interviews. Research career events that allow you to learn, network and even apply for positions of interest. Career coaching can help as well. For example, Amazon Career Day on September 15, 2021, is a free event where attendees have the opportunity to participate in one of more than 20,000 personalized career-coaching sessions with an Amazon recruiter. The company is also offering thousands of one-on-one career-coaching sessions for Amazon employees looking to grow their careers at the company or elsewhere.

The event will bring together world-leading experts - including best-selling authors David Epstein and Carla Harris - to provide candid advice on how job seekers can start, build or transition their careers. Learn more at www.AmazonCareerDay.com.

Tips for job seekers To help supercharge your job search efforts, Luli shares these important tips: Explore the company website: One of the best ways to learn more about an organization is through their digital presence. Look at the website, including careers pages, news sections and any applicable departmental information. If you know where you want to work or what role you’d like to pursue, have that information ready when you apply or speak with a recruiter.

Keep your resume short: Resumes should be compelling and concise. Think about skills you gained at previous jobs and how they apply to future positions. No matter how long you’ve been working or how many positions you’ve had, a resume should be no longer than two pages. Focus on the facts, communicate essential skills and highlight career achievements. When you interview, you can go into more detail.

Customize with keywords: Many companies use technology to discover and track the best candidates for open positions. These applicant tracking systems look for important words and phrases within a resume to filter candidates, so be sure to use keywords in your copy. The job description is a good source for potential keywords. If you need more ideas, look at resumes and profiles for other people who have a similar position.

Apply even if you’re not 100% qualified: If you see a job post of interest, but hesitate to apply because you don’t have all the qualifications, think again. Hiring managers know that oftentimes candidates may lack experience in a few areas. If you have the majority of the skills listed and a willingness to learn the ones you don’t, apply anyway and then convey your enthusiasm about the opportunity during the interview.

Stay positive: Job searches take time and you may have to apply to many positions and interview numerous times before getting an offer. Don’t be discouraged, because if one role doesn’t pan out, there are plenty more opportunities to explore.

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Celebrating the Grand Opening of Larry’s BarberMaximus Throughout the year Walmart is celebrating Black excellence by highlighting entrepreneurs from the community. This fall Larry E. Roberts Jr. will begin the next chapter in his amazing story with theMagnis first Walmart in-store at ea thedolupta Chatham aut modipicid utlocation volectotas tiatur?

Superstore.

ThisOccusan launch will expandasit Larry’s ability to reach, cumque null Ecatur? daeptates moluptatur si deleste teach, and grow the community he loves. We are thrilled to join with Larry in support of his transformative work in Chicago.

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ENTERTAINMENT

READY TO LOVE set for October 15 on OWN Black PR Wire - OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network debuts season 4 of its hit dating series “Ready to Love” at 7 p.m. EST on Friday, Oct. 15, with two back-to-back one-hour episodes.

Packed with romance and drama, host Nephew Tommy heads to Washington, DC, where twenty of “Chocolate City’s” finest Black singles (ten men and ten women) are brought together in hopes of finding a true connection. there will be shocking curveballs throughout the season’s journey, including surprise singles added to the mix and double eliminations. From mingling at the mansion mixer and pool party to meeting each other’s families and exes, these singles will be tested in

Black PR Wire

every way. Tune in to watch which singles will make it to the end to decide whether they are truly... Ready to

Love.

Record-breaking Hollywood producer Will Packer’s popular dating series hosted by Thomas

“Nephew Tommy” Miles explores the real-life dating interactions of sexy, successful, and grown black men and women

in their 30s and 40s who are each looking for lasting love and an authentic relationship.

The new batch of “Ready to

Love” hopefuls have been Covid-19 tested and cleared to quarantine together at a luxury mansion where opportunities for both the men and women to decide who stays and who goes abound as the tables turn weekly in the search for true love. The series is produced by Will Packer Media and Lighthearted Entertainment.

OWN is among the top cable networks on Friday and Saturday nights for African American women with its hit unscripted series focusing on love, relationships and family drama. Saturday’s slate of popular shows includes the smash hit “Love & Marriage: Huntsville” from Carlos King.

Friday nights feature “Family or Fiance”, “Ready to Love”, and “Put a Ring on It.”

Remy Ma makes dynamic acting debut

PRLog

WASHINGTON PRLog -- This real-life drama, snatched from the BET original series, “American Gangster, Trap Queens”, tells the true story of the unbelievable life of Delrhonda Hood aka “Big Fifty”. In her own voice, Big Fifty navigates the twists and turns of her fast-paced, dangerous journey that leads to the ultimate story of redemption.

Hers is a story of a notorious American Gangster, which stems from the traumatic events from her childhood, and leads to a life of crime, violence and the repercussions from bad decisions.

The BET Original Film, “American Gangster Presents: Big Fifty - The Delrhonda Hood Story”, produced by Washington, DC based production company OCTET Productions. The film has been selected as the closing film for the 2021 Hip Hop

Film Festival and will have an uncut streaming premiere on BET+ Thursday, September 30th. BET and BETher will provide a sneak peek on Tuesday, October 5th immediately following the BET Hip Hop Awards, where a select few of the film’s stars will present an award as well as the movie trailer, and then have the official network premiere on Wednesday, October 6th at 8pm EST. Audiences will not only have the opportunity to receive Remy Ma as a talented, dramatic actress, but they will also hear her new single, “The Godmother”, the title track for the film. Starring alongside Remy Ma is R&B singer/actor Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Ta Rhonda Jones (FOX ‘s Empire), comedian/actress Pretty Vee (also making her theatrical acting debut and from Nick Cannon’s Wildin’ Out), Michael

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Anthony (Netflix’s Raising Dion), Mike Merrill (CW’s All American), film/television veteran Debbi Morgan (ABC’s All My Children), Marquita Goings (BET’s American Soul) and introducing internet sensation Rolonda Rochelle. This names a few of the amazing ensemble cast who worked under the guidance of Award-Winning Broadcaster, Producer/ Writer/Film Director Russ Parr (35 and Ticking and The Bobby DeBarge Story).

Founded in 2015, OCTET Productions is a full-service production company based in the District of Columbia. With over 30 years of experience in the film and entertainment industries, our “OCTET Pretty” projects give OCTET the distinct advantage in setting the standard in the world of independent films.

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NEWS National Museum of African American History and Culture Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Black PR Wire - In September, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will celebrate five years as the nation’s largest cultural destination dedicated to exploring the African American story and its impact on history. After operating virtually for 10 years, the museum opened on the National Mall Sept. 24, 2016.

The museum will honor its fifth anniversary, themed “Living History,” with a season of new offerings, including the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap CD and book and an art exhibition exploring the Black Lives Matter movement, violence against African Americans and how art depicts Black resilience. Also this fall, the museum will open an exhibition exploring the Reconstruction era; a virtual museum initiative, called Searchable Museum; and offer online and in-person programming to engage people around the world in African American history and culture.

“I am honored and proud of the work the museum has accomplished

over the past five years to share African American history and culture with the world,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Our anniversary theme, ‘Living History,’ aptly captures the current moment and our mission—and inspires many of our efforts this year. Connecting the past to the present and the future is a hallmark of our work.”

During its first five years, the museum has welcomed more than 7.5 million visitors in person and more than 15.4 million visitors to its website. Its social channels have had more than 604 million impressions and gained more than 630,000 followers.

The museum opened with 12 permanent exhibitions and has hosted an additional 17 temporary exhibitions on topics ranging from African Americans in World War I to how The Oprah Winfrey Show helped shape American culture. It has hosted more than 250 public programs and is actively collecting items to

document the history of the contemporary social justice movement.

“This is a very good time to thank the thousands of people, from presidents and patrons to visitors and volunteers, who have made our museum strong,” Young said. “By passionately pursuing our mission, we honor the community whose strength and perseverance gave birth to the world’s largest institution dedicated to preserving and exploring African American history and culture.”

Upcoming Highlight Sept. 24: “Make Good the Promises: Reconstruction and Its Legacies” is a 4,300-square-foot exhibition exploring the Reconstruction era through an African American lens. It will feature 175 objects, 200 photographs, 15 audio, video and interactive programs, and a companion book. The exhibition will explore the deep divisions and clashing visions about how to rebuild the nation after slavery. It will connect that era to today’s efforts to make good on the

www.citizennewspapergroup.com

BlackPRWire

promises of the Constitution.

For more details and to plan a visit, visit http://nmaahc.si.edu.

Since opening on Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 7.5 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.,

the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history.

For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.

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NEWS

You Have To Go To Know: LeVar Burton on Why the Rare Blood Cancer Community Needs to Get Back to the Doctor (BPT) - Best known for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation and helming Reading Rainbow, actor, director and longtime health advocate LeVar Burton strongly believes in using his voice and passion for storytelling to help others.

Recently, Burton, who has spent much of his career bringing stories to life, has taken on a new role. He has teamed up with Incyte on a timely health initiative called You Have to Go to Know, which aims to elevate the voices and stories of people living with and impacted by myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare, chronic blood cancers. Burton hopes to encourage the MPN community to put their health first by seeking the care they need.

"When I learned people have been hesitant to visit their healthcare providers during the past year and a half, I felt compelled to use my voice. In particular, I learned that people with rare blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms or MPNs, may have been particularly impacted and could benefit from re-prioritizing their health and visiting their healthcare providers," said Burton.

The three most common MPNs are polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis (MF) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), which combined affect about 200,000 people in the U.S..[i],[ii] MPNs can affect people at any age but are more common in older adults.[i] They are progressive diseases, meaning they can change or worsen over time, and the best way to manage an MPN is through regular visits with a healthcare provider to monitor the disease to identify any changes.

Over the past year, however, many people have avoided visits to their healthcare providers due to health-related anxieties. In fact, nearly 41% of U.S. adults surveyed in 2020 indicated they didn't feel comfortable

visiting their healthcare provider in the months following the onset of the pandemic. [iii] Delaying or avoiding medical care can lead to serious health implications, especially for people with chronic conditions like cancer.

While I am not personally impacted by an MPN, I am reminded of my mother and her growing health challenges as she got older. She sometimes skipped her required doctors' visits and follow up appointments, and I saw first-hand the negative impact it had on her health. My hope is that this campaign encourages the MPN community, and others with chronic conditions, to once again seek the care they need," said Burton.

Burton is sharing what he has learned from his conversations with patients with MPNs to help inspire people within the MPN community and others with chronic conditions to once again seek the care they need: * Schedule an appointment with your healthcare team - and keep it! Make and keep regular care appointments. Also, ask your healthcare team which appointments. * need to be in-person visits, and which can be telehealth (virtual) visits to potentially save time and energy driving to and from appointments.* In-person visits for patients with MPNs: Physical exams, blood tests, bone marrow tests, genetic tests and imaging scans require in-person visits. * Telehealth (virtual) appointments that patients with MPNs can consider: Each healthcare professional differs when it comes to

what can be discussed during virtual appointments but typically the following can be discussed virtually: addressing symptoms, reviewing test results, asking questions, sharing health concerns, reviewing and tracking changes in a disease. * Be your own health advocate. Advocating for your own care can help you actively participate in decisions being made about your health. Keep an ongoing list of questions for your doctor and don't be afraid to ask for additional details or clarification. Track and share all of your symptoms as well. The more you share about how your symptoms are changing and affecting you, the better your healthcare provider can help you to manage your MPN and stay on track with what is right for you. * You have to go to know. When you miss appointments, you also miss out on essential conversations. MPNs are progressive diseases that require constant monitoring. You Have To Go To Know... because your MPN isn't waiting!

Visit www.voicesofmpn.com to learn more about MPNs and explore the many resources available to assist you with scheduling and making the most of your doctor's visits. © 2021, Incyte Corporation. MAT-HEM-02301 07/21 [i] MPN Research Foundation. Understanding MPNs. Available at: http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/overview-page.

Accessed May 2021. [ii] Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN). Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (n.d.). https://www.lls.org/research/myeloproliferative-neoplasms-mpn [iii] Anderson KE, McGinty EE, Presskreischer R, Barry CL. "Reports of Forgone Medical Care Among US Adults During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic." JAMA Netw Open.

2021;4(1):e2034882. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34882.

Accessed May 2021.

15th Annual National Business Leaders Virtual Conference and Awards Gala

Teaching Best Practices in Diverse Recruitment to Corporate America and Corporate Secrets and Strategies to Diverse Job Seekers and Students

Diversity MBA will host its 15th Annual National Business Leaders Virtual Conference and Awards Gala on September 22 - 23, 2021 with its theme: REIMAGINE THE FUTURE: Lean into Possibilities. This two-day event will be an information filled virtual experience that provides real talk on corporate people of color recruitment, hiring accountability and trends, and teaches people of color job seekers and students valuable corporate insights on how to land their dream job and how to be successful in climbing the corporate ladder.

The conference will also feature the book release: The SkiNy On Diversity Recruiting – The Best Practice Guide to Current Trends on Recruiting Strategies by Pamela A. McElvane, CEO of Diversity MBA. The conference features 115 speakers including national and global chief executive officers and c-suite executive leaders having honest conversations about social justice issues in this current volatile social and political climate and what diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace really looks like, and changing company culture to ensure accountability, equity and measurable progress is made. There will be serious discussions on whether major companies are doing enough to accelerate inclusion and equity practices, and corporate accountability priorities in these changing times.

Panelists will dissect how the role of chief diversity officer has changed or stayed the same and how this role is or is not supported during this time.

Jobseekers can connect with representatives from the top 50 companies considered the best places for women and people of color to work, and who value and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity. College students will be armed with a wealth of information on new inside secrets from top recruiters on how to land the interview and job offer, learn insights on non-traditional careers for women and learn what are the most popular jobs in today’s new normal workforce.

“Our conference will be a safe space for learning and engaging with chief executive officers and c-suite leaders on the status and trends in people of color hiring, diversity, inclusion, and equity in the corporate workforce,” McElvane said. “Our conference offers real engagement between c-suite executives from major corporations who share real-life insights, challenges and trends in diversity practices with job seekers and students to enable them to successfully navigate the career process from landing the interview, getting the job and taking their career to the next level.”

A new feature of the conference is the authors’ summit which brings together 20 accomplished authors with aspiring and new authors to educate and mentor them on the internal, operational and financial workings and trends of the publishing industry. McElvane will also introduce her new book, The SkiNy on Diversity www.citizennewspapergroup.com

Recruiting, and will provide up to 1,000 e-book copies upon request to participants in the publishing summit. McElvane is a first-time author who shares her research findings, corporate trends, challenges in corporate accountability and priorities regarding diverse recruitment and hiring people of color executives in the workplace. The book hones in on statistics and case studies that showcases whether corporations are willing to do the work and make the commitment to setting priorities and measurable goals to ensure diverse inclusion is incorporated in the culture, functioning and growth of the company.

“The SkiNy is a must-read guide for an inside look at what companies are doing regarding hiring people of color, shifts in accountability in diversity recruitment practices and how it translates into actions and measurable outcomes in the workforce,” McElvane said. “We take a focused look at how corporations’ diversity recruitment practices and goals show some improvements but still reflect an 8:3 ratio trend in hiring white Americans and managers of color.”

Conference registration is underway through September 21, 2021, at https:// diversitymbamagazine.com/dmba-nationalconference/. For more conference or book preregistration information, contact 833-362-2100.

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HOME

More than 3 million homeowners are saving money by refinancing: 3 things to consider

(BPT) - Despite mortgage rates hitting historic lows during the last year, many homeowners still haven't considered refinancing their mortgage - essentially, replacing an existing mortgage with a new mortgage loan that has new terms and potentially a lower interest rate. Homeowners in lower-income brackets may be convinced they won't qualify for refinancing because of high debt compared to income, poor credit scores or lack of savings to cover closing costs.

However, new refinancing options are available to help make monthly housing payments more affordable. Fannie Mae - which helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of people in America recently released RefiNow, an option that makes it easier for lenders to help eligible homeowners earning at or below 80% of the area median income refinance at a lower interest rate and reduce their monthly mortgage payment.

"Lower-income borrowers typically refinance at a slower pace than high-income borrowers," said Katrina Jones, vice president of Racial Equity, Strategy & Impact at Fannie Mae. "Especially for those who have a high- or adjustable-interest rate loan, refinancing may help make housing costs more affordable and sustainable by lowering their mortgage payments, reducing the total amount of interest paid over the life of the loan or providing more stable monthly mortgage payments."

The new RefiNow option requires that eligible homeowners achieve a savings of at least $50 in their monthly mortgage payment, but they can potentially save up to $100-$250 per month, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

"We can put money-saving refinance options in reach for more homeowners by removing some perceived barriers - such as appraisal costs - to improve affordability and promote sustainable homeownership," said Jones.

Jones provided three reasons to consider refinancing now: * Interest rates are low - Mortgage rates remain low, despite moderate increases.

According to Fannie Mae research, experts expect the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to average 3% through 2021, before beginning to rise in 2022. The takeaway for homeowners: There's still time to consider refinancing. * Lower your monthly mortgage payments - Refinancing at a lower interest rate may help decrease monthly mortgage payments, which could increase monthly savings.

Refinancing may also help reduce the total amount of interest paid over the life of the loan, depending on the terms of the new loan and the existing loan. * Getting started is a phone call away - Homeowners should contact several mortgage lenders to discuss refinance options to find the best option and terms for their situation, and should always compare offers and shop around.

Homeowners wondering if refinancing makes financial sense can access Fannie Mae's Refinance Calculator and learn more about refinancing options at KnowYourOptions.com.

It also offers savings on up-front out-of-pocket appraisal expenses up to $500. www.citizennewspapergroup.com

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE/ PUBLIC NOTICE moorish national republic federal government ~ societas republicae ea al maurikanos ~ moorish divine and national movement of the world northwest amexem / southwest amexem / central amexem adjoining atlantis and americana Islands ~ temple of the moon and sun ~ the true and de jure natural peoples - heirs of the land ~ i.s.l.a.m. ~ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ lawful notice!

- appellation declaration, correction proclamation and publication i, haziq bey, being a direct descendant of the ancient canaanites / moabites, assert my birthright claim of right and of title. standing squarely and duly affirmed, i do declare, and proclaim, upon divine law; upon nature's law; upon universal law; upon my moorish birthrights; upon international law; and by treaty and constitutional law; declare, proclaim and say: i, haziq bey, being previously misclassified and misidentified by persons of the union states society, u.s.a - doing business at north america, was falsely - designated under the colorable, wardship name, BRANDON DJON EVANS, and do hereby refute the said misclassifications and frauds; making it known to the public; and publish my corrected free national appellation, attribute and title. i declare and affirm my true, 'proper person status and estate' and assertively reclaim my rightful social and cultural life of the state. my declaration, correction, proclamation and publication are in sanguineous and harmonious accord with my moorish nation of northwest amexem / north america - acknowledging my

birthrights. having lawfully, dutifully, and legally obtained and proclaimed my moorish nationality and birthrights, appellation and title; in harmony with, in association with, and in accord with divine law; the archaic customs; and the laws, rules, and usages of the "the moorish divine and national movement"; being aboriginal and indigenous, and bound to the north american continent by heritage, by primogeniture; by birthright; by natural birth; by freehold; and by heirship inheritance. my right of claim is 'declared' for the public record, and i am returning the european cognomen, brands, and fictitious misnomer(s) back to the colonial possessors of their construct and pedigree. i am now rightfully and correctively declaring, publishing, and proclaiming my own free national appellation and title; affirming my actual, rightful, and 'in full life' status; conjoined to my moorish american consanguine pedigree and national honor. let it be declared, known, published, and resolved that: i am haziq bey, 'in propria persona' sui juris, sui heredes, in solo proprio (being in my own proper person), by birthright; and by heirship inheritance and without imposition of the foreign, imposed color-of-law, color of authority, nor by any assumed or colorable jurisdictions or due processes of the foreign union states society persons doing business at north america / northwest amexem; pursuant to, but not limited to: 1. free moorish american zodiac con stitution: 2. (zodiac constitution and birthrights of the moorish americans) - being ali, bey, el, dey and al, affirmed and supported by article two (2), paragraph two (2).

3. united states republic: department of jutice: 4. moorish american credentials: copyright aa 222141 truth a-1.

5. united states supreme court: supreme law - acts of state.

6. UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION: Article III (3), Section two (2), Amendment V (5) (Liberty Clause) and Amendment IX (9) (Reservation of the Rights of the People) 7. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: RESO LUTION NUMBER SEVENTY-FIVE (75): Dated April 17, 1933 A.D. TITLED, "MOOR ISH-AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PHILADE PHIA AND THE USE OF THEIR NAMES".

8. UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS UNITED NATIONS 9. HUMAN RIGHTS [Article Fifteen (15)].

10. RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES UNITED NATIONS: GENERAL 11. ASSEMBLY - Part 1, Article 4, Article 5 international law: moorish americans, being the rightful heirs and aboriginal and indigenous natural peoples of the land, have and exercise the divine and natural rights to proclaim our attributes, appellation, titles and nationality.

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moors / muurs have and exercise our divine and natural rights to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct people and to full guarantees against genocide or any acts of violence, including the removal of our natural birthed seed or offspring from our families and communities under any pretext. in addition, moors have the individual rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person.

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moors / muurs have and exercise the divine and natural rights to revitalize, use, develop, and to transmit to our future generations their histories, their languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and person. states shall take effective measures, whenever any rights of moors / muurs may be threatened, to ensure this right is protected, and also to ensure that they can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings, where necessary through the provision of interpretation or by other appropriate means.

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

wherefore, i, haziq bey, being heir to the land and 'part and parcel' herein, by birthright, by freehold, by primogeniture, and by heirship inheritance, stand with assured competence, and make a lawful entry of affidavit and public notification of nationality proclamation; appellation correction claim; declaration; affirmation; and application herewith made known and published for the 'public record'

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island, South Holland, and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

sovereign personam jurisdiction proclamation i am haziq bey, in propria persona, sui juris, in proprio solo, in proprio heredes at all times and all points in time.

"No UNITED STATES SERVICE CORPORATION CITIZEN or U.S. citizen has personam jurisdiction over the aboriginal indigenous sovereign moorish american nationals". all corporate/ corporate/ corporate contracts with BRANDON DJON EVANS, and all derivatives thereof are now publicly revoked, terminated, cancelled and abolished forever as all contracts that begin in fraud remain in fraud.

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Bloom Township, Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Homewood, Lansing ,Lynwood, Olympia Fileds, Park Forest, Sauk Village, South Chicago and Steger Citizen Newspaper Group Inc., (CNGII), Publisher of the Chatham-Southeast, South End, Chicago Weekend, South Suburban and Hyde Park Citizen and Citizen Suburban Times Weekly. Our weekly publications are published on Wednesday’s (publishing 52 issues annually). Written permission is required to reproduce contents in whole or in part from the publisher. Citizen Newspaper Group, Inc. does not assume the responsibility for nor are we able to return unsolicited materials, therefore they become property of the newspaper and can or will be discarded or used at the newspapers disgratation. Deadlines for advertising is every Friday at noon. Deadlines for press releases are Thursdays at 10 am prior to the next week’s edition. Please send information for the calendar at least three weeks prior to the event. Send to: editorial@citizennewspapergroup.com. For more information on subscriptions or advertising, call us at (773) 783-1251 or fax (872) 208-8793. Our offices are located at 8741 South Greenwood Suite# 107, Chicago, Illinois 60619.

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They are a legacy. It’s the place you become, where you’re uplifted by past generations. It’s your family’s history and newfound family’s future. It’s your HBCU. That’s why Xfinity recognizes the legacy, community, and importance of HBCUs. And now that gatherings are a little different, it’s time to reconnect to the culture. Just say, “HBCU,” into your Xfinity Voice Remote to experience more HBCU. Visit xfinity.com/blackexperience to learn more.

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