AUSATM, 2-3, 2022

Africa USa Today MAGAZINE

Politicosocionomics of World Peace

www.issuu.com/jesmithphoto 312/937-4508, February/ March 2022 U.S.- $10.00 Canada- $10.00

“LOVE begins with our Illinois Families”

Stacey Keagle

Illinois Candidate for State Senate 49th District

Illinois “Sweetheart” Politician

EDITORIAL PUBLISHER OLAWALE IDREEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOHN E. SMITH JR. PUBLIC RELATIONS RAQUEL LACOUR REGIONAL EDITOR ADEMOLA LAWAL PR CONSULTANT WEALTH PRODUCER ADVISOR TINASTACEE WASHINGTON DR. LANG MARKETING/SALES MANAGER WILLIAM ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS LOGISTICS MANAGER MORGANNA WILLIAMS EDITORIAL ADVISOR DR. COLLINS AWOSIKA ADVISORY DR. ROBERT L. SCOTT SR. MARY L. SWOPES GANIYU BISIRIYU CONTRIBUTING WRITER JUANITA PRICE-CREAR

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Robert L. Scott Sr. Photography

Contents

Stacey Keagle Illinois Candidate for State Senate 49th District

JOHN E. SMITH JR. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Happy Valentines Day/ Black History Month In this issue we are celebrating Love & Black History Month. In addition, we are highlighting the passing of the Infrastructure Bill signed by President Joe Biden. We are paying homage to our heros and their legacies. Happy Valentines Day and Black History Month!

Investing in Infrastructure for a Better Illinois May 15, 2019 Embargoed/Draft

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Cover Story

“LOVE

begins with our Illinois Families”

Stacey Keagle

“Valentine’s Day is a day we celebrate the Love we have for one another. Love your significant other, love your family, love your friends, love your neighbor, love everyone. Love to all of Illinois.”

Stacey Keagle 4 AFRICA USA TODAY

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Cover Story

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Cover Story

KEAGLE FOR SENATE 49th District Meet Stacey Keagle My name is Stacey Keagle, and I am campaigning for State Senator in the 49th District. I was born in Joliet, Illinois and have spent a lot of my life in Will County. My family history in Will County dates back to the early 1900's with my greatgrandparent's farm sitting on Route 6 across from the Hollywood Casino. The reason I have decided to serve the citizens of Illinois as a lawmaker is because I, like so many others of my fellow Illinoisans, have grown frustrated with how this state is mismanaged. I’ve lost too many of my family members and friends that have fled this state, because of being overtaxed and the loss of jobs. Our Illinois families are battling to survive, deciding whether to buy groceries or to have a place to live. Many are losing their homes to foreclosure and there is no relief in sight. I am a mother of four, three daughters and one son, and a grandmother of two. I am a Christian, and I believe in strong family values and the importance of a good upbringing and education.

Furthermore, I have served the public in many areas. I have been in the Healthcare Industry for almost 30 years within various fields and practicing as a Nurse. I have had the pleasure of caring for individuals in different areas of the medical field along with working in management as a Director of Healthcare and in Administration. In the past, I've received specialized training with the Illinois Assisted Living Coalition, completed a Long-Term Care Administration Program, as well as receiving education in other specialized areas. I was deputized as a Deputy Sheriff and worked in the Law Enforcement Medical field. I am pursuing a dual Master’s program for an MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) and an MPH (Master’s in Public Health) at the University of Illinois, Chicago. It has always been my lifelong dream to help families, and I am happiest giving and helping others as well as using my education, skills, and strength to advocate for all populations. I have received several awards while caring for others, with one award being awarded to a community where I was a Director of Health Care and had direct oversight of patient care from “A Place for Mom,” for exceptional resident care. Families often sent me cards and letters of thanks for the care I provided their loved ones and continued to stay-intouch as well as visits with me even after the passing of their relatives.

I have opened two brand new, lease up Assisted Living Memory Care Communities and provided troubleshooting measures and education to several other communities in Illinois. Before becoming a Nurse, I also served the younger population within the education sector as a Substitute Teacher and moving on to accept a position with the Special Education Department. Within this role, I served and provided support to Administration, the Faculty, and the students.

Like my healthcare background, I again received awards for Exceptional Contribution and dedication to the improvement of children, recommendations from School District Administration, but, most importantly, letters from students thanking me for being a role model and providing the assistance they needed. I have volunteered to coach sports teams and served as a referee. I also volunteered for homeless citizens, an animal shelter, provided pageant coaching services to girls in natural beauty pageants, and a Hospice organization. Furthermore, I am ready to perform in another capacity, as a lawmaker. Not only that, but I feel it is my calling to serve this community, the citizens, and their families, to help restore the state of Illinois. Likewise, I will not be doing this alone, I will need your help. Thank you!

wwwstaceyforstatesenate.com

Phone: 815-514-9143

p.O. Box 711 Plainfield, Illinois 60544

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Cover Story

Meet Stacey Keagle

Stacey Keagle has served as a Nurse, Director of Health Care, an Administrator, Teacher, Soccer Coach and as a Pageant Coach.

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Meet Stacey Keagle

Cover Story

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Holiday Special

Ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day Solo

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Holiday Special

Celebrate With Your Single Friends While it may seem like everyone in your life is happily partnered up, this probably isn’t true. When couples are celebrating together, gather a few of your single friends and get ready to have some fun.

Since Covid is still a concern, talk about what you’re all comfortable with. If you all feel that going out is safe, figure out what type of vibe you’re going for.

Looking to revel in the romance of dim lights and moody velvet? Head to a top-tier restaurant with friends. While high-end candlelit restaurants may be filled with hand-holding couples, that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the fun. Reserve a table, share some appetizers and chat the night away while sipping a few cocktails.

If you’re feeling something a bit more lowkey, take a trip to your favorite brewery or pizza joint – bonus points if you can find a place with board games or some pinball machines.

If you’d rather stay away from crowds, invite a few single friends over. Plan a menu (we love the idea of an interactive dinner like a taco bar or hot pot), set up a cocktail station, and gather up your favorite board games. You can spend the night talking about the difficulties of dating during Covid or keep talk of romance off the table.

Love on Your Community by Volunteering Rather than feeling down on yourself during Valentine’s Day, use this as an opportunity to give back to your community! Volunteering not only helps others, but it can also boost your mood.

Some organizations host special Valentine’s Day events that may require volunteers. Check to see if any homeless shelters or community kitchens are hosting Valentine’s Day dinners. If so, they would probably love an extra hand.

Another way to volunteer is by heading to your local animal shelter. Loving on some doggos and cats will surely bring a smile to your face. Plus, they’ll appreciate the affection.

If you’d like to volunteer but are quarantined at home or playing things safe, don’t fret! There are lots of ways to volunteer without leaving your house. One idea is to make some valentines and then send them to residents at a local nursing home or to emergency room workers.

Log Off of Social Media Let’s be real. No matter how much you love yourself, sometimes being single can be tough. Looking at couples snuggling on the couch or seeing the seafood dinner your BFF’s significant other made for them can lead to some major feels.

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Holiday Special

Ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day with our Family, & Love Ones Spend Some Time in Nature Sitting in an empty home or walking through stores filled with heart-shaped everything can quickly get old. If you’re looking for a way to escape, put on your shoes and head outside. The local park or river will do the trick, but you can also plan a bigger trip to a nearby state park or national park.

Spending a day hiking to the top of a mountain or watching the waves hit the shore reminds us how small we are. While this may sound like a downer, it can be a refreshing change from self-centered thoughts that seem to take over in times of stress. Time in green space can also help us calm down and rejuvenate.

Get Groovin’ Ditch those slow songs for upbeat tunes to transform your living room into a dance floor! Dance like no one is watching (because nobody is) and don’t be afraid to sweat a bit. After a few songs, you’ll be feeling good.

While solo dance parties are something everyone should experience, you can also opt to invite a few of your friends over for a night of moves. Create a shared playlist a few days ahead, and make sure everyone adds a few songs or two. When it’s time for a break, have some refreshing mixed drinks on hand. Seltzer water with a splash of cranberry juice, squeeze of lime, and an optional shot of vodka will do the trick.

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Holiday Special

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Holiday Special

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Holiday Special

Ideas to Virtually celebrate Valentines Day

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SIDNEY POITIER

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Africa Business

Mission

The story of Africa International The mission of Africa International House USA, House is to serve as a center that Inc. (AIH) exposes and educates all peoples to begins at the individual works and collective Window to contributions of African cultures.

Africa (WTA) Our mission is addressed through an African our flagship program, the African art and gift Festival of the Arts, and through store in Harper other activities that promote Court, Hyde African-based culture. Africa Park - owned International House is an umbrella

by Dr. Delores for linkages and exchanges of (Dee) Parmer people from Africa and the African and Patrick Diaspora.

Woodtor who returned from Liberia in CONTACT 1982. WTA was operated by art & cultural enthusiasts: Joanne Scott, Shionah Chancellor, Steven B. Jackson, Dayo Laoye, Gwen Luster and Curtis Chancellor. Programs at WTA drew large crowds and included exhibitions, fairs and fashion shows. The Bahamas National Dance Troupe premiered in Chicago as one of these events. In 1989, WTA convened a group of cultural supporters to manage the WTA activities which became the African Festival of the Arts (AFA).

In 1994, the Woodtor family incorporated Africa International House USA, Inc (AIH) as a nonprofit organization to manage the AFA, with the mission: "To serve as a center that exposes and educates all peoples to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures." AIH, governed by a board of directors, combines community support with corporate sponsorship to present Chicago audiences with art and cultural programs through our Center for Contemporary African Art and Culture.

Board of Directors

Shaffdean Amowu, MPH, P…

Julian T. Roberts - Vice Chair

Jan Austin - Treasurer

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Welcome to our market!

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NATIONAL NEWS

T�� B���� B��� B����� F�������� PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PLAN TO REBUILD THE MIDDLE CLASS

P

resident Joe Biden believes that there’s no greater economic engine in the world than the hard work and ingenuity of the American people. But for

too long, the economy has worked great for those at the top, while working families get squeezed. President Biden promised to rebuild the backbone of the country – the middle class – so that this time everyone comes along. The Build Back Better Framework does just that.

This framework will set the United States on course to meet its climate goals, create millions of good-paying jobs, enable more Americans to join and remain in the labor force, and grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out.

Here’s what the Build Back Better Framework will mean for Linda from Peoria, IL:

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Read more about the Build Back Better Framework:

NATIONAL NEWS

WE’RE INVESTING IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

B������� B��� B����� Read about the Build Back Better Framework Read About the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Read the Vaccination Requirements Report Read President Biden's COVID-19 Action Plan

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Investing in Infrastructure for a Better Illinois

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May 15, 2019 Embargoed/Draft

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Book Club

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Book Club

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Book Club

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Book Club

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Book & Film Club

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Book & Film Club

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Book & Film Club

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Let's Do It Again!

We invite you to L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Weekend 2022, a 3-day event, “Celebrating the Impact of Black Entrepreneurs.” The L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards has become aspiring and established entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and celebrate each other. This event is one of the top celebrations for Black Entrepreneurs in attracting over 700 businesses annually, with an anticipated attendance of 1,000 entrepreneurs this year. The event features a Black Restaurant Showcase, Contest, an Awards Gala and added this year a POWER Conference to support the growth of Black-Owned businesses. One of the highlights of the weeken Entrepreneur a prize worth over $15,000. Buy your tickets now for the POWER Conference, Awards Gala or the entire weekend!

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Tesla 2022