Africa USa Today MAGAZINE
Raquel LaCourMarsh
Mrs.Illinois America Nation 2022
Mrs.Illinois America Nation 2022
Politicosocionomics of World Peace www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto 312/937-4508, November/ December, 2022 U.S.- $10.00 Canada- $10.00
EDITORIAL PUBLISHER OLAWALE IDREEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN E. SMITH JR. EXECUTIVE VIDEOGRAPHER/ EDITOR RAQUEL SANTIAGO REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL EXECUTVE MARKETING MANAGER WEALTH PRODUCER ADVISOR JUANITA CREAR-PRICE DR. STACEE LANG It’s been 65th
MARKETING/SALES MANAGER WILLIAM ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS LOGISTICS MANAGER MORGANNA WILLIAMS EDITORIAL ADVISOR DR. COLLINS AWOSIKA ADVISORY CHARLIE MILES, EXECUTIVE MARKETING STRATEGIST
The New Mahogany Heritage Awards Winners 2022, Congratulations!
2 AFRICA USA TODAY
DR. ROBERT L. SCOTT SR. MARY L. SWOPES GANIYU BISIRIYU PUBLIC RELATIONS RAQUEL LACOUR-MARSH
Raquel LaCour-Marsh, Mrs. Illinois America Nation 2022
Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography
Contents
JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Celebrating Harvest time and giving Thanks In this issue we are celebrating Fall Festivals and the upcoming Holidays. Mary Louise Swopes 46th Year Celebration Sunday, December 4th, 2022 held at MARTINIQUE ELEGANT BALLROOM, 8200 S. Cicero Ave. 60459 Burbank, IL
5 p.m.- “Pictures and Interviews on the Red Carpet” 6:30 p.m.- Dinner/ Open Bar Acknowledge Honorable Chairperson, Congressman Danny K. Davis “ Mary L. Swopes SPECIAL SALUTE” (SHOWSTOPPNG ENTERTAINMENT), MAHOGANY HALL OF FAME AWARDS” Black Tie Donation-$100.00 Contact Thelma Ware, Committee Chairman for tickets, (773)637-0646
Summer is winding down it seems relatively fast and with it the signal to enjoy the season of harvest days & nights. We celebrate and give thanks with families and friends for our blessings and being able to appreciate our love ones.
AFRICA USA TODAY 3
Cover Story
Raquel LaCour-Marsh
Photography- Raquel Santiago
4 AFRICA USA TODAY
Mrs.Illinois America Nation 2022
Mrs.Illinois America Nation 2022
Raquel LaCour-Marsh
Cover Story
Mrs.Illinois America Nation 2022
Raquel LaCour-Marsh is a wife, mother of two daughters, Megan and Maysen, journalist with Africa USA Today Magazine, manager for Bond, no.9 fragrances, and currently holds the title for Mrs. Illinois America Nation 2022. Raquel received her degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College, and soon became an award winning journalist, winning two awards for Women of Distinction and Journalist of the Year. In her spare time, she enjoys helping her community, and has been active with many non-for-profits, including Fathers Who Care, to help the homeless and underprivileged. She had held her own personal rally to stop gun violence. Besides writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going to the gym, and dancing. In June 2023, Raquel will represent Illinois in the Mrs. USA Nation pageant. She plans to use her platform to further help those in need, such as the homeless, helpless and hungry. Her favorite quotes in life are “Lessons in life will be repeated until they are learned.” by Frank Sonnenberg and “Legacy is not leaving something for people, but leaving something in people.” by Peter Strople.
AFRICA USA TODAY 5
EVENTS
Mary Louise Swopes 46th Year Celebration Sunday, December 4th, 2022 held at MARTINIQUE ELEGANT BALLROOM, 8200 S. Cicero Ave. 60459 Burbank, IL
5 p.m.- “Pictures and Interviews on the Red Carpet” 6:30 p.m.- Dinner/ Open Bar Acknowledge Honorable Chairperson, Congressman Danny K. Davis “ Mary L. Swopes SPECIAL SALUTE” (SHOWSTOPPNG ENTERTAINMENT), MAHOGANY HALL OF FAME AWARDS” Black Tie Donation-$100.00 Contact Thelma Ware, Committee Chairman for tickets, (773)637-0646 6 AFRICA USA TODAY
EVENTS
AFRICA USA TODAY 7
EVENTS
8 AFRICA USA TODAY
EVENTS
AFRICA USA TODAY 9
AFRICA NEWS
10 AFRICA USA TODAY
BOOK CLUB FEATURE
ANCIENT EGYPTIANS
AFRICA NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 11
AFRICA NEWS
WERE THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS REALLY BLACK
12 AFRICA USA TODAY
AFRICA NEWS
THE 25TH DYNASTY
AFRICA USA TODAY 13
AFRICA NEWS
114 Africa USA Today
AFRICA NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 15
AFRICA NEWS
16 Africa USA Today
AFRICA NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 17
CHICAGO NEWS
Yoruba Cultural Exchange Festival Chicago 2022
18 AFRICA USA TODAY
CHICAGO NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 19
CHICAGO EVENTS NEWS
Photography- Tonika Johnson 20 AFRICA USA TODAY
CHICAGO NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 21
CHICAGO NEWS
22 AFRICA USA TODAY
CHICAGO NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 23
CHICAGO NEWS
24 AFRICA USA TODAY
CHICAGO NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 25
Reason to celebrate Christmas by Michelle Rachzel
28 AFRICA USA TODAY
AFRICA USA TODAY 29
CHICAGO NEWS
30 AFRICA USA TODAY
Welcome to our market!
ART NEWS
32 AFRICA USA TODAY
ART NEWS
Sharon Sprung
AFRICA USA TODAY 33
ART NEWS
Sharon Sprung & Robert McCurdy
34 AFRICA USA TODAY
ART NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 35
CHICAGO NEWS
36 AFRICA USA TODAY
CHICAGO NEWS
AFRICA USA TODAY 37
Fall Fashion
Photgraphy- John E. Smith Jr. 38 AFRICA USA TODAY
Fall Fashion
Photgraphy- John E. Smith Jr. AFRICA USA TODAY 39
Holiday Glam
Photography- John E. Smith Jr. 40 AFRICA USA TODAY
Holiday Glam
AFRICA USA TODAY 41
MEDIA
42 AFRICA USA TODAY
MEDIA
Ryan Coogler, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Cast on Landing Rihanna and Honoring Chadwick Boseman Stars Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira and Tenoch Huerta discuss visiting Boseman's resting place before shooting and overcoming questions of "how are we going to do this, go on without him?" BY KIRSTEN CHUBA, EVAN NICOLE BROWN OCTOBER 26, 2022 10:01PM
Ryan Coogler and Rihanna at the 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' premiere
VALERIE MACON/AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY
AFRICA USA TODAY 43
EVENTS
44 AFRICA USA TODAY
EVENTS
AFRICA USA TODAY 45
Book Club
46 AFRICA USA TODAY
Food
Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey This Thanksgiving turkey recipe was passed down to me by my mother and grandmother. Orange wedges and aromatics add flavor while cooking inside the bird while a simmering mixture of champagne and chicken broth work their magic to keep the meat moist and tender. We would change the recipe a little every year since we never had it written down, but it always turned out incredibly juicy and succulent! Recipe by Kirsten Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs Additional Time: 10 mins Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 tablespoons ground dried rosemary 2 tablespoons rubbed dried sage 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves 1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning 1 tablespoon salt 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed 1 medium orange, cut into 8 wedges 1 medium onion, chopped into large pieces 1 medium carrot, cut into 1/2-inch slices 2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
Directions Step 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a roaster with sheets of aluminum foil long enough to wrap around turkey. Step 2 Stir together parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salt in a small bowl. Step 3 Rub herb mixture into the turkey cavity, then stuff with orange wedges, onion, carrot and celery. Tie the legs together with kitchen string, then tuck the wings under the body. Place turkey on the foil in the roasting pan.
AFRICA USA TODAY 47
50 AFRICA USA TODAY
BOOKS & MEDIA
AFRICA USA TODAY 51