Chicago Crusader 03/22/14 E-Edition

www.chicagocrusader.com

Blacks Must Control Their Own Community

To The Unconquerable Host of Africans Who Are Laying Their Sacrifices Upon The Editorial Altar For Their Race AUDITED BY

•C•P•V•S•

VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 48—SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014

PUBLISHED SINCE 1940

25 Cents and worth more

Lack of candidates leads to Black voter apathy

By J. Coyden Palmer This week’s primary produced one of the lowest voter turnouts in Illinois history, and the question looms: Have African Americans given up on the political system?

In African-American districts, most of the incumbents who ran for the state legislature or the U.S. House of Representatives ran unopposed. Those who ran for county seats faced opponents who were never heard of or who had little campaign money, thus, no change occurred.

With African Americans complaining regularly about the political system, Crusader asked: What can be done to change the current political climate which has fallen to a level of such apathy?

“I think we have to get it back down to the basic principle of organizing,” said Chicago resident Shawn Gowder, who, two years ago, ran unsuccessfully for state representative in the 31st District. “I know many diehard voters, who understand the importance of the act, that did not vote on Tues-

JAY TRAVIS BACKERS packed Room 43 as they awaited word on whether she had defeated first-term incumbent Christian Mitchell for the seat as the 6th District State Representative. That election was among the most heated in this week’s election.

Supporters on both sides are waiting for absentee ballots to determine the outcome of the election. (Photo by Ronnie Reese)

day. They said there was nothing to vote for.

They also said nobody even came out to ask them to vote. I think this is a result of there no longer being precinct captains.”

Former alderman and University of Illinois-Chicago political science professor, Dick Simpson, said low turnouts like the one on Tuesday, where less than 10 percent of registered voters came out, is bad for democracy. He said when people do not bother to vote, it symbolizes a society that has given up and warned things could turn very bleak in the next 20 years in America.

With there being only three referendums allowed, Simpson said it was a mistake to use one of those on limiting the amount of rounds someone can carry in a gun magazine when the law clearly states local municipalities have no say in the new Concealed Carry Law. “You have to question the political motives of them not putting an elected school board referendum on the ballot,” Simpson said.

“That is an issue that would have promoted (Continued on page 3)

Historic building set for revitalization

By Wendell Hutson The Unity Hall Building that once housed the office of the city’s first Black alderman is set to be redeveloped under a plan that would include housing for college students.

Built in 1881, the aging landmark building at 3140 S. Indiana Ave., is where Oscar DePriest, a former alderman and the country’s first Black elected to the U.S. Congress in the 20th century, used as office space.

DePriest was elected the first Black in the City Council in 1915, and in 1917, just as the building was renamed Unity Hall from the Lakeside Club Building, he established the People’s Movement Club, a Black political organization, in response to the city’s racially-split population.

Historian Timuel Black identified that from 1916 to 1919 about 500,000 Blacks moved to Bronzeville for better housing opportunities. The housing squeeze was due to the rise of industrialization and factory jobs in the North, resulting in an influx of Blacks from the South. All of this led to the infamous Chicago Race Riots of 1919.

DePriest was particularly interested in mobilizing voters of the rapidly growing “Black Belt” in the city’s second ward.

Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd), whose ward includes the building, said she is excited to see the building—one of eight key buildings on the National Registry’s Black Metropolis

Historic District—finally getting the attention it deserves.

“The building has sat vacant for the past few years and was the well-known home for a family of raccoons,” Dowell said.

On March 5, the Chicago City Council approved the necessary zoning change to begin converting the building to student housing.

The Chicago Fire Department marked the structure with the red “X,” which tells firefighters not to try to save the building if it catches fire, and the building was in danger of being demolished if left to deteriorate.

Developer Tom Boney plans to convert the building into 21, market-rate apartments for students and to maintain the historic legacy of the building in the common areas, according to Dowell.

Boney could not be reached for comment.

A deep building with meeting rooms and a 500-seat auditorium, Unity Hall was also used for other public gatherings before being converted into a church after World War II. The Moorish Science Temple of America operated an auxiliary at Unity Hall in the 1920s and held its weeklong national convention there in 1928.

The building also served for years as the (Continued on page 3)

A HISTORIC SOUTH SIDE building at 3140 S. Indiana Ave. that once housed the office of the city’s first, Black alderman, will be redeveloped after years of neglect.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE How Black Chicagoans Voted

CRUSADERNEWSPAPERGROUP

(See story on page 2 )

Region’s history greatly shaped by women (See story on page 11 and 19 )

@CRUSADERNEWSPAP

NEWS

Voting is not a priority for Chicagoans

By Glenn Reedus The lack of candidates that created dozens of uncontested Democratic races in this week’s primary elections was a key contributor to the record low turnout. The drop between the last gubernatorial primary, March 20, 2010 and Tuesday’s election was more than 139,000 voters.

The so-called “top-of-the-ticket” this time lacked the star power of the 2010 campaign when three high visibility candidates, former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Cheryl Jackson, who was the CEO at the Chicago Urban League then, and David Hoffman, former Chicago Inspector General, were on the ballot. More than 318,000 voters combined to try to send one of them to Washington – with Giannoullias leading the field with 120,947 votes – 35.6 percent of the total.

The race that saw the starkest differences was the Cook County Board President where the field dwindled from five well-known candidates in 2010 to one this week.

Current board president Toni Preckwinkle was the lone Dem seeking that post Tuesday compared to 2010 when the crowded ballot feted her, then-incumbent Todd Stroger, Clerk of the Court Dorothy Brown,

and Terrence O’Brien, former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner against one another.

Preckwinkle attracted 146,191 votes compared to the 158,000 voters she drew in 2010. There were 185 votes cast for the other three candidates.

Like this week’s race for governor Pat Quinn faced one challenger in 2010 – Dan Hynes. Then Hynes was state comptroller with more name recognition and a better funded war chest than Quinn’s 2014 opponent Tio Hardiman. Hardiman collected slightly more than 33,200 votes compared to Quinn’s 125,000.

The difference in the Quinn-Hynes race was 31,000 votes.

In her last two primary elections, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has run unopposed but garnered half the number of votes – 150,823 compared to 307,368 she recorded in 2010.

Although Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart faced three opponents this week, including nemesis Sylvester Baker, Dart registered a landslide win again. The closest any opponent came to Dart’s 105,329 votes Tuesday was Bill Evans’ 23,318 votes. Baker, the only Black candidate in that race had 17,750

16 Ward (2010) 3,962 (2014) 2,159

37 Ward (2010) 5,485 (2014) 4,093 29 Ward (2010) 6,844 (2014) 5,859 28 Ward (2010) 5,700 (2014) 3,927

3 Ward (2010) 6,382 (2014) 4,535 4 Ward (2010) 10,070 (2014) 5,810

24 Ward (2010) 6,416 (2014) 2,926

20 Ward (2010) 5,316 (2014) 2,873 5 Ward (2010) 8,770 (2014) 4,904 7 Ward (2010) 8,651 (2014) 5,180

15 Ward (2010) 4,397 (2014) 1,340

18 Ward (2010) 10,354 17 Ward (2014) 4,488 (2010) 7,193 (2014) 3,322 21Ward (2010) 11,746 (2014) 6,339 6 Ward 9 Ward 34 Ward (2010) 11,281 (2010) 8,184 (2014) 4,899 (2010) 10,482 n Ballots Cast In 2010 Primary Election (2014) 6,285 (2014) 5,699

Black Voter Turnout

n Ballots Cast In 2014 Primary Election voters back him.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s referenda registered a split decision as approxi-

mately 190,000 gave a thumbs down to an increase in taxi fares, while that same number said yes to a

ban on guns in pubs and as well as a ban on large magazine clips for guns.

New business program proposes economic growth

By Wendell Hutson On Monday, World Business Chicago (WBC) launched a new program aimed at strengthen Chicago’s economy by building ties between large institutions and neighborhood-based businesses in Chicago.

At a Monday news conference at the Parkway Ballroom, 4455 S. King Drive, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the goal for the Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy (CASE) is to help increase community and neighborhood vitality strengthening the region’s business-to-business

platform, generating jobs and helping grow the regional economy.

“Chicago’s businesses are the backbone of our economy, and by connecting them with the city’s largest institutions and providing them with training, we are giving them new opportunities to compete,” said Emanuel, who will serve as chairman of World Business Chicago.

“Such business-to-business relationships will provide ‘anchor’ institutions with another avenue to invest in competitive, local businesses, generate jobs, and help Chicago’s economy to thrive.”

CASE assesses anchor institutions’

product and service needs and compares those needs with neighborhood business assets to make connections for local suppliers of goods and services. Some of the businesses will also have the opportunity to participate in training to prepare them to respond to those procurement needs. CASE businesses will then have the opportunity to bid on contracts from any of the anchor institutions in the program.

The initiative will play matchmaker connecting the University of Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Rush University Medical Center, and others looking for

WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO recently launched several local business owners and government officials including: Chef Claude Ako (chef for Rome’s Joy Catering); Mayor Emanuel; Fidel Marquez (senior vice president, ComEd); Herman Brewer (Bureau Chief of Economic Development, Cook County); John Rogers (CEO, Ariel Investments); Julia Stasch (Vice President of U.S. Programs, MacArthur Foundation); William Burns (alderman, 4th Ward, City of Chicago); Robert Zimmer (president of The University of Chicago); Derek Douglas (vice president for Civic Engagement, The University of Chicago); and Cliff Rome (owner of Rome’s Joy Catering) gathered to discuss the program’s possibilities.

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Saturday, March 22, 2014

local businesses when it needs to buy some chairs or have an event catered.

“It’s maddening,” University of Chicago President Robert Zimmer said. “We have all these construction and business endeavors, and we needed a way to leverage these expenditures to catalyze growth on the South Side.”

To date, anchor institutions including the city of Chicago, Cook County, ComEd, Illinois Institute of Technology, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago, University of Chicago Medical Center, and University of Illinois Chicago, have committed to the program.

The University of Chicago is committing to adding 10 local businesses from south lakefront neighborhoods to its supply chain and will provide training in business skills.

The CASE program model was developed by the WBC team in close partnership with the University of Chicago, which approached WBC with an interest in pursuing a local purchasing initiative, according to Zimmer.

“The University of Chicago is committed to working in partnership with our surrounding communities to spur economic development and create new opportunities for local businesses on the midSouth Side,” explained said Zimmer. “CASE provides a new avenue to extend that model to major insti-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

tutions across Chicago, so that together, we can bring new opportunities to neighborhoods and local businesses throughout the city.”

Cook County will also play a role in shaping the program.

“Cook County’s participation in CASE signals our continued, active engagement in growing our region’s economy. With our annual purchases and vendor contracts representing millions of dollars annually, we recognize that we are indeed an anchor institution and an economic driver in northern Illinois,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, told the Crusader.

“The CASE initiative stretches far beyond the city’s borders to some of our most economically-challenged areas of the city and suburbs. As with our collaboration with the city of Chicago on workforce development, we expect to see small business growth emerge in these areas through this effort.”

“Investing in neighborhood assets that prepare us for the next economy is a major part of Mayor Emanuel’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs that we are currently implementing to drive growth in Chicago,” said Malehorn.

“We are fortunate to have strong and engaged anchor institutions, and a diverse and robust local business community; uniting these key players will create jobs and economic growth throughout our region.” www.chicagocrusader.com

NEWS

Chicago aldermen call for minimum wage raise

By J. Coyden Palmer The cry to raise the nation’s minimum wage got a boost from several Chicago aldermen recently. Bob Fioretti (2nd), Roderick Sawyer (6th), Toni Foulkes (15th), and Ricardo Munoz (22nd) are just some of the City Council members who would like to see major corporations that earn $50 million in annual revenue pay their workers a wage of $15 an hour in the city of Chicago.

During a recent press conference at Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, 2550 W. North Ave., aldermen said paying workers a better wage will actually improve Chicago’s economy and make living in the city more affordable. Many of the alderman are concerned that Chicago’s blue-collar image is slowly eroding as many good residents are being forced to move elsewhere due to high taxes and fees.

“We must work on making sure that everyone in our city, state and country has minimum-wage levels that are respectful of the work they do,” said Sawyer, who has several major corporations in his ward.

“These are people who work hard for the companies that make millions and billions of dollars in profits and pay their CEOs enormous amounts of money, yet, if they can pay lower wages, they would.”

During this week’s election, the issue was placed on the ballot as a non-binding referendum. The refer-

endum appeared last on the ballot in 20 wards and 103 select precincts.

Raise Chicago, a grassroots organization, collected enough signatures during the winter to have the issue placed on the ballot. The group would also like paid sick days for workers even though that is not a part of the referendum.

“Chicago is a great city. It is also an expensive city. The people who help make it run deserve a living wage,” said a spokesperson for the group.

Ald. Foulkes shared she used to work a minimum wage job and that the people in these jobs work very hard and deserve to be paid more.

She admitted that while these jobs are not meant to raise a family on due to the bleak job outlook in the country, some people are being forced to take on minimum wage jobs because their unemployment benefits have run out and they do not want to go on welfare, which she thinks is admirable.

“There are a lot of people who work in these jobs who take pride in their work and they are not appreciated by the public or seemingly the government with how they are paid,” Foulkes said.

Opponents say raising the minimum wage will only cause for more jobs to be lost, thus, making the situation worse. But Sawyer said that is why the referendum is calling for only large corporations, not small businesses.

“Small businesses play an impor-

CHICAGO SIXTH WARD Alderman Roderick Sawyer is joined by members of the grassroots organization advocating for a change in the minimum wage in Chicago to $15 per hour. The question, in Tuesday’s Primary Election was overwhelmingly approved in all 103 precincts where it was on the ballot. It was a non-binding resolution. tary Thomas Perez, who has become tant role in any society,” he said. why is it not being addressed?

“Surely, a wage increase would devas“This referendum on the minimum the ambassador for the Obama adtate them, but these large corpora- wage is so important because it’s final- ministration’s calling for the minitions are making millions, if not bil- ly sparking the citywide conversation mum wage to be set at $10.10 an lions, in profit. They can definitely about tackling the growing inequality hour, about the issue when he was in afford an increase.” and poverty that we’re seeing in many Chicago a few months ago. He said Fioretti, who many believe is gear- of our wards,” Fioretti said. “The cur- American businesses have to undering up to announce that he will run rent minimum wage is keeping too stand that paying more to workers against Mayor Rahm Emanuel next many Chicago residents in poverty, will actually benefit companies.

“If you pay someone a fair wage, year, said the increase will make and that has widespread negative imChicago better. Acknowledging all pacts for the entire city. We are be- you engender loyalty. And when you the studies showing that crime is di- coming a city of the haves and have engender loyalty, people stick around and you don’t have turnover,” Perez rectly related to economics, he not’s. That can’t be good for us.” queried: If we know this is the case, Crusader asked U.S. Labor Secre- said.

Lack of candidates leads to Black voter apathy (Continued from page 1) a bigger turnout. But, the state remap process is built to protect incumbents and to make it impossible to challenge them effectively.”

“Effectively, we’ve had a non-election,” Simpson said.

A prime example of what Simpson is talking about is U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush (1st Dist.), who has won all of his elections rather handily, and won again on Tuesday, despite the fact he has not served in office in the past six months due to the health of he and his wife.

Last year when former U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. was being treated for an alleged bipolar disorder, there was a large uproar that the people of his 2nd Congressional District were not being represented. However, Rush has missed more votes than Jackson with his absence, yet, no effective challenger has stepped up, and people in his community do not seem to care.

“He’s established a base that is hard to challenge, and it was not clear, back in the fall, when petitions would have been gathered what his status would be,” Simpson said. “The congressional district of www.chicagocrusader.com

Mr. Rush has over 600,000 voters in it, and it would take about a million dollars to run a successful congressional campaign.”

The issue of campaign finances keeps many people from not challenging incumbents stated Simpson.

Jay Travis, candidate for the Illinois House for the 26th District, who is still involved in a heated race that is too close to call against incumbent Rep. Christian Mitchell said her lack of money never deterred her from running. Instead, she focused on an old-school, grassroots campaign.

“We still have to be able to mount people’s campaigns,” Travis began.

“It’s organized people against money, and hopefully, my running will inspire others that aren’t coming in with deep pockets to get into the political process because it should be about your track record in the community and not the billionaires you are beholden to. I think in my race, and in a few others where incumbents are being challenged, it has a lot to do with constituents wanting to see representatives that represent their interests versus money interest in Springfield,” Travis said.

One also cannot rule out Illinois’ history of political corruption as to why so many stayed home on Election Day. Carl Wilson said he and no one in his family voted, and he does not see that changing anytime soon.

Like the individuals that Gowder spoke of, Wilson said there was nobody challenging his state representative or congressman on the ballot, and he figured Gov. Pat Quinn would win in a landslide. He said he would have voted against Quinn had there been a realistic challenger.

“It would have been an exercise in futility and symbolism,” Wilson said. “The referendums were nothing of interest to me, so I didn’t bother, and I don’t feel bad about my decision. Besides, all of the people I voted for in recent years, Aren-

da Troutman, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Rod Blagojevich all ended up doing time in prison for corruption.”

Betty Robinson has been voting since she moved to Chicago in the 1950s from rural Arkansas. Now 90, Robinson voted on Tuesday with the assistance of her grandson, but said for the first time in her life, she felt voting was an act of futility.

“I can still see pretty well, and I kept looking for the opponents because I wanted to vote all the incumbents out, but I didn’t see anyone whenever I looked. I thought maybe I was going blind,” she said with a laugh. “I can’t understand why we are not being given any choices anymore. It seems like the election is already determined before you can even leave your house.”

Younger voters were also miffed at

the ballot box, including first-time voter RaQuil Henderson from the far South Side. He just turned 19 in February, and stated he was really excited about voting for the first time. He said he was not old enough to vote for Obama in 2012, so he was looking forward to Tuesday.

“I got my hopes all up, and then once I got in there, I was like, ‘this is it?’ It was disappointing. I voted Democrat, but it seemed like every one of them was running against themselves, so I had to ask the people at the place is this how it usually goes? They told me this was the primary, and that the election in November would be better. I hope so because this was not what I expected. Truthfully, I probably won’t even bother telling my friends that I voted,” he said.

(Continued from page 1)

history of Blacks.

As a designated city landmark, Unity Hall cannot be demolished.

However, the scourge of deferred maintenance and exposure to the elements could effectively cause its demolition by neglect. The building’s current owner—a small church congregation—has not occupied the structure in over a year

due to code violations, and the building is currently in receivership. Previously, the city attempted to get the owners to address public safety violations in housing court, but was unsuccessful.

Historic building set for revitalization headquarters of prominent Democratic political leader William Dawson before becoming a church after World War II. In 1998, it was designated a Chicago landmark as part of the thematic Black Metropolis District, which included several other buildings important to the

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

The building has been for sale, but attempts to close on the sale have not come to fruition.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

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EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2014 The celebration of women’s history goes back 157 years when women from New York City factories protested working conditions. In 1909, International Women’s Day was first observed. In 1981, Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated the second week in March, and in 1987 the week was extended to a month.

Some people have questioned the need for an observance of the contributions of women to society. This is absurd looking at the challenges that women have had to face and overcome in America. At one time, women were not allowed to own property, they were not allowed to vote, and they endured many other unfair situations. Even today, many women who work side-by-side with their male counterparts are paid a fraction of what the males earn in wages. This is particularly galling in the African American community where a majority of households are headed by female wage earners. This exacerbates poverty in many of these families.

Not too long ago, a well-known African American metaphysician wrote a book entitled “The Wounded Womb.” In it he paints a bleak picture outlining the origin of illnesses suffered by African American women and the impact on society.

In a related video, he went as far as saying that Black women shouldn’t learn to read because it is deleterious to the female brain, and has said that women have not contributed anything of significance to society! Also, on a recent call-in radio talk show, another African American male caller blamed “out-ofcontrol” women for most of the ills in Black society.

Now, whether you believe these ideas or not, they represent a mindset that clearly shows a need for the enhancement of the status of women. Women are crucial to the world in general and to the Black community in particular. It is no secret that many Black males are said to be at risk as a result of being disproportionately represented in jails and prisons and with rising mortality rates connected with Black-on-Black crime. They also exhibit a significant number of malevolent health indicators.

Because of this, it remains for Black women to help save the community; they are in an excellent position to make a difference.

It must be said that celebrating the contributions of women does not mean the denigration of Black men, though many erroneously seem to think this is the case. The fact is that it takes both Black men AND Black women to ensure that the community becomes and remains viable. When looking back in history, Black women have played a major role in this regard.

Two names that immediately come to mind are Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, though they are far from alone.

Unsung strong Black women have suffered all types of indignities in the fight to help ensure that their offspring survive.

In addition to the obvious success that many have achieved, one of the most important contributions that women have made is that of “mothers.” This is an institution whose importance should not be overlooked, especially in this age wherein there are so many female-headed households. The contributions of women to America and to the Black community are enough to justify the acknowledgement of these contributions.

To do otherwise would be a disservice to at least one half of the community’s population. Today, women are reaching incredible heights in many arenas. They are to be commended for this.

In 2014, their accomplishments are being celebrated Saturday, March 1 through Monday, March 31. Let’s give them the honor that they are due.

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Saturday, March 22, 2014

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Will these preachers make a difference?

Dear Editor: I read in the Crusader that now we have another group of preachers looking to take on the violence issue in the city. Surprisingly it looks like this group, which calls itself Mobilizing Preachers and Communities – MPAC might have the right approach.

If they live by what they said in the news story, then they will attract some other anti-violence advocates and organizations and create a well-rounded and force group.

There is no doubt this problem needs continued attention and action. The MPAC preachers are talking about coming together across congregational and geographic lines. This is a huge statement as it is rarely done here. A rabbi is more likely to join a West Side cause than a South Side Black preacher is. The other barrier the MPAC pastors want to see disappear will be a bigger challenge. That one is preachers putting their egos down and working for the good of the organization. I truly hope they can achieve all of the above.

Personally, the bigger challenge is to get all of us everyday people to finance their mission. I think far too many good ideas and plans have failed because the people behind them didn’t understand the need for money to fuel the idea.

Some were probably just reluctant

to ask for it. The truth is no organization can be sustained without a regular funding stream.

If we are serious about curbing or stopping violence, we need to be willing to write checks and help raise money. We cannot get caught up in whether we THINK someone is making too much. First and foremost we need to ensure there are ample funds to get the job done.

On the other hand the MPAC people, if they really want our support, must be willing to share financial details of any fundraising.

Sure it is not a publicly held company, but believe me, if people know what is going on with the money there will be far more contributors than detractors.

I also hope this group will develop a website and send out newsletters and continue to have rallies to let us know what progress is being made as well as informing us how we can help.

Tyrone Spirle

Chicago should follow Denver’s lead Dear Editor: It’s no secret that there is a tremendous amount of distrust in the Chicago Police Department among the city’s minority residents. The cops now have a great opportunity, thanks to technology, to show they are not discriminatory as has been correctly reported over the decades.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

If CPD cares about its image and reputation, the department will follow the lead of the Denver Police Department and start equipping officers with what are called body cams. This technology means that officers can wear a miniature camera that records all of the interactions with civilians. The body cams would help cops too as they oftenaccused civilians of being the aggressors. If that is the case, the cams will show such.

One of the many beauties of the body cams is that whatever is (Continued on page 17)

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COMMENTARY

Black Pride is now Codified – Hallelujah!

Beyond The Rhetoric

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist The African American story is indeed one of the most unique tales of human struggle, uplifting and success. One of my professors at the University of Wisconsin told me, “It is a miracle that as a people, Blacks in America are alive and improving year by year. You went through over 400 years of pure hell and here you are today almost 40 million in number - such resilience!” Yes, it is and many never wanted the positive story told. I remember all of the negative propaganda about “negroes” that was in our text books; plus the derogatory films we had to see. It would program young Blacks to believe that our plight was because of our inferiority. The fact is we are some of the greatest group of people on earth.

We are truly blessed and the whole world should realize our, collectively speaking, wonderful story. Our best Christmas gift came on December 16, 2003. That was the day that Public Law 108 – 184 was signed into law. This was The National Museum of African American History and Culture Act. Finally, African Americans will get their

Harry C. Alford museum of history. The law starts off saying: “Since its founding, the United States has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the world, and the legacy of African Americans is rooted in the very fabric of the democracy and freedom of the United States.”

Word!

Here are quotes from the key three architects of the Act: 1. “Until we understand the full African American story, we cannot understand ourselves as a nation, as a people,” Representative John Lewis (D – Georgia). 2. “We have an extraordi-

nary opportunity before us – a chance to learn, understand, and remember together our nation’s history and to honor the significant contributions of African Americans to our history and culture,” Senator Sam Brownback (R – Kansas).

3. “We all need to learn more about the men and women whose determination and persistent eloquence forced Americans of all races to examine our hearts, revise our Constitution and laws, and make America into the nation it was always supposed to be,” President George W. Bush.

Here is the mission of our museum: “The National Museum of African American History and Culture was established in 2003 as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex and research organization in the world. Its mission is to provide for the collection, study, and establishment of programs and exhibitions relating to African American life, art, history, and culture.

Enacted through Congressional legislation, this museum represents a national initiative of profound cultural importance, one that will impact this nation for generations to come.

The Museum will bridge a major gap in our national memory by cre-

ating exhibitions and programs focusing on a wide arc of history – Slavery, Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migrations to the North and West, Segregation, the Civil Rights movement and beyond, including issues of the 21st century. It also will celebrate African American creativity and cultural expressions through art, dance, theater, and literature.

The Museum will be located on a five-acre site adjacent to the Washington Monument on the national Mall in Washington, DC – home to the world’s largest collection of museums and at the center of one of the most public spaces in the nation, visited by millions annually.

Scheduled to open in 2015, the Museum exists today through a vast array of programs nationwide, including special exhibitions, an online presence at its Museum on the Web, and numerous educational programs and workshops for youth and adults alike.”

Yes, it is a blueprint for success and we should all be grateful. The Museum is a public/private partnership which means the funding comes from the federal government and private citizens like you and I. Donations start at $25. Many have given much more. Some of the notable contributions as of the writing

of this paper are: The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation – over $10 million; Robert L. Johnson – over $2 million. The following have donated more than a million dollars each: Kenneth I and Kathryn Chenault, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Inc., The Links Foundation, Inc., Colin and Alma Powell and Franklin D. Raines.

These African Americans are to be applauded.

Let us all give something. Those contributing between now and the opening will be honored as “Charter Members.” Don’t you want to carry this distinction? It’s a tribute to our forefathers. Simply go to www.AfricanAmerican.si.edu to review the details and levels. Send something in honor of our heritage. Kay and I will be sending something and we feel if it doesn’t hurt a little bit it is not enough (smile). Give and attend the grand opening at the end of 2015. I can’t wait to strut around with pride wearing a contributor’s name tag and ribbon.

Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.

Website: www.nationalbcc.org.

Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

President Obama’s Surprising Jobs Record

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Although unemployment rates are unacceptably high, especially for African Americans, President Obama has done a better job improving the jobless rate than most critics are willing to concede.

That becomes abundantly clear when reading FactCheck.org’s dismantling of Senator Rand Paul’s attack on the president’s unemployment record. Just as he was caught plagiarizing, Paul has been caught again, this time for providing misleading information about Obama’s accomplishments.

FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.

“Sen. Rand Paul says ‘Black unemployment in America is double white unemployment’ and ‘hasn’t budged’ under President Obama,” the research group recounts before adding: “Actually, the Black unemployment rate is lower now than when Obama took office, and the gap between the races is below the historical average. The Black unemployment rate has averaged more than double the www.chicagocrusader.com

white rate for several decades.”

Like most believable lies, Paul’s charges are wrapped in partial truths.

“It is true that the Black unemployment rate for November was double the white unemployment rate. The rate in November was 12.5 percent for Blacks and 6.2 percent for whites, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately, this is not new,” FactCheck.org noted.

However, it pointed out, “The current 12.5 percent unemployment rate for Blacks is unquestionably high. But by historical standards, the current Black unemployment rate is consistent with the average from 1972 to 2004, and the ratio of Black-to-white unemployment rates is actually below the historical average.”

The deeper the researchers dug, the stronger they made Obama’s case.

“We looked at the average rate of unemployment for Blacks and whites in the first 58 months of the last four presidents who were reelected to a second term: Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. (We averaged the monthly unemployment rates from the first February in office to the first November in their second term.),” FactCheck.org stated.

And what did they find?

“Obama had the lowest average

George E. Curry ratio (1.9), followed by Bush (2.1), Clinton (2.2), and Reagan (2.3).”

Seeking to further clarify, researchers acknowledged, “Paul was talking about the November unemployment rates and ratio – not the 58-month average unemployment rate and ratio – but even by that measure, the Black-to-white unemployment ratio is lower under Obama (2) than it was under Reagan (2.6), Clinton (2.4) and Bush (2.5) at this point in their second terms.”

Further dismantling Paul assertions, FactCheck.org stated, “Paul also said that the Black unemployment rate ‘hasn’t budged’ under Obama, but it has. It reached a

high of 16.8 percent in March 2010 and dropped to a low of 12.5 percent in November – lower than the 12.7 percent rate when Obama took office. That wasn’t the case for two of his recent predecessors, Reagan and Bush.

“Under Reagan, the Black unemployment rate went up a full percentage point from 14.6 percent in January 1981 to 15.6 percent in November 1985 – even as the white unemployment rate fell from 6.7 percent to 5.9 percent.

Under Bush, the rates went up for both Blacks and whites. But it went up faster for Blacks, from 8.2 percent in January 2001 to 10.6 percent in November 2005 – the biggest increase in the Black unemployment rate of any of the four presidents at that point in their second terms. The white unemployment rate went up more than a half percentage point, from 3.6 percent to 4.3 percent.”

Paul is a likely Republican presidential candidate in 2016. Last week, one of his chief rivals for the White House, Rep. Paul Ryan (RWisc.), created a controversy when he said on former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett’s radio show: “We have got this tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work, and

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

so there is a real culture problem here that has to be dealt with.”

The comment was immediately criticized by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) as “a thinly veiled racial attack and cannot be tolerated.”

Ryan refused to apologize for his comments, saying in a statement later, “After reading the transcript of yesterday morning’s interview, it is clear that I was inarticulate about the point I was trying to make. I was not implicating the culture of one community – but of society as a whole.”

Whether a brazen affront such as Ryan’s comment about “inner city” Black men or Rand Paul’s more subtle attack on Obama’s record dealing with unemployment, the Republican Party keeps proving it has done nothing to deserve the support of African Americans.

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach.

Curry can be reached through his website, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

5

COMMENTARY

EDUCATION AND SELF-DETERMINATION Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director/Professor, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) located at 700 East Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, Illinois, 60653, 773-268-7500, Fax: 773-268-3835 E-mail: c-worrill@neiu.edu, Website: www.ccicschicago.org, Twitter: @CCICS_ Chicago.

Dr. Conrad Worrill Throughout most of our lives, African people in America have been told if you get a good education you can get a good job. African people in Africa were told something similar. If you get a good education your condition in life will improve.

In the early part of the twentiethcentury until the late 1960s and early 1970s, the thrust was to encourage

African people in America to at least get a high school diploma so that they could be eligible for a job in a significant segment of the work force.

The explosion of the 1960s Civil Rights and Black Power Movements forced colleges and universities to admit Africans in America to their predominately white colleges and universities in large numbers.

Today, African people in America are encouraged to get college education so they can get a good job. The education market has been saturated to the extent that a high school diploma of the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, in most instances, has the same meaning as a college degree today.

That meaning is one of a college degree, qualifying people for entry-level jobs in the U. S. labor market, except for those instances where people have been trained in specialized fields at the undergraduate level.

What we hear repeatedly today is that we must concentrate on African people in America reading, writing, and math skills at the elementary and secondary levels so they can compete for the jobs that will be available in U. S. multinational corporations in the twenty-first-century, driven by the world of technology and computers.

Many of our ancestors in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth-centuries, who were concerned with the issue of education, asked the question— education for what? It is

quite clear that the major direction of U. S. educational policy has been to train and educate African people to work for white people. That is, to teach them to read, write, and compute, so they will be prepared to work for us.

In a paper written by our great ancestor Dr. Jacob Carruthers several years ago, entitled, “Black Intellectuals and The Crisis In Black Education,” he observed, “When the chattel slave system was destroyed by the Civil War, one of the first acts of the victors was to provide for Black schooling on a wide scale. The northern industrialists through their philanthropic alter egos began finding and establishing Black colleges.

These colleges were intended to sit atop a Negro education system.”

Further Dr. Carruthers wrote, “By the turn of the century, even southern whites were making use of this Negro education system to facilitate the transition from the old chattel to a new, but equally effective, system of Black exploitation.”

Carruthers explains, “The new system depended upon the cultivation of a Black elite to serve as examples for the masses of Blacks and to demonstrate the rewards of obedience.”

The educated Black elite, Carruthers points out, “demonstrated time and time again their ability to do what they had been trained to do.

Eventually, a few of them were invited to manage the segregated colleges that were established to train Black teachers. In this manner, a small, educated Negro elite became overseers of the educational affairs of millions of Black people.”

This model of education, that continues today, was established by socalled leading white educators in this country who met at Lake Mohonk, New York (a resort area) on June 4-6, 1890, and June 3-5, 1891 to read and discuss papers on what they officially called the “Negro Question.”

Again, Dr. Carruthers writes that at the end of the second conference “they had decided that the primary things that Blacks had to be taught were morality and the dignity of labor (i.e., working for white folks).”

African people in the United States have a rich tradition of leaders who have taken issue with the white conceptualization of the mission of education of African people in America.

David Walker, Henry Highland Garnet, Henry McNeal Turner, Martin R. Delany, and Edward Wilmot Blyden were nineteenthcentury advocates that the education of African people should be designed to assist us in doing for ourselves.

In the twentieth-century, leaders such as Marcus Garvey, Carter G. Woodson, Elijah Muhammad, and Malcolm X, all spoke and wrote consistently about the need for African

people to develop an education program aimed ant developing African people “to do for self.”

In other words, we are still challenged today to create an education climate that inspires African youth in America to understand that the purpose of education is to develop the skills and historical understanding of the past as it relates to the present and future in preparation for working for self and the liberation of African people. This is the challenge of the twenty-first-century— to defeat the one hundred year tradition established by white educational leaders who created curricula for Africans in America designed to prepare them to work for white folks.

Our esteemed ancestor, Dr. John Henrik Clarke reminded us repeatedly, that, “history is the clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a clock that they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. The role of history in the final analysis is to tell a people where they have been and what they have been, where they are and what they are. Most importantly, the role of history is to tell a people where they still must go and what they still must be. To me the relationship of a people to their history is the same as the relationship of a child to its mother.” The purpose of education must always be “for us to do for ourselves!”

USING PEN POWER FOR WORKING PEOPLE

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist During his State of the Union address, President Obama promised to use the power of his pen to achieve the policy objectives that Congress continues to block. After advocating fairness and being rebuffed by Congress, the President chose to use the power of his pen to require federal contractors to pay workers at least $10.10 per hour, or $21,800 per year. That puts a single parent with two children below the poverty line.

Now the President is using the power of his pen to ensure that workers receive overtime pay. Currently the only workers required to receive overtime pay are those who earn $445 a week, about $11 an hour or $23,000 per year. The President has proposed that that amount be raised to somewhere between $550 and $970 a week. Splitting the difference means that those who earn about $760 a week or $39,500 a year would be entitled to overtime.

Already the business lobby has 6

Saturday, March 22, 2014

said that both a higher minimum wage and mandatory overtime cuts into their profits. Already they have talked about cutting the number of workers they will employ, and the number of hours they will employ people. These greedy corporate giants fail to note that while wages and salaries for the top one percent soared by nearly a third in the past three years, the wages of those in the remaining 99 percent rose by a fraction of one percent in three years. A worker earning $30,000 a year saw her wages rise to $30,300; someone earning $300,000 a year saw his wages rise to $396,000.

Clearly, those who earn $30,300, if not poor, are a stone’s throw away from poverty. These are the folks who struggle from paycheck to paycheck, who make decisions about whether to buy their children new shoes or pay the cable bill. These folks aren’t trying to purchase luxuries, and they aren’t looking for handouts. They just want to live decently, with enough food on the table, with bills paid, and with a little breathing room. These are folks who don’t take vacations. Luxury

Dr. Julianne Malveaux for them may mean a couple of days off to visit neighborhood parks.

Summertime, when the living is easy for children, may be a burden to those parents who can’t afford childcare.

With his effort to reduce income

inequality and improve the lives of those folks, at least the President is moving in the right direction. Unfortunately he can’t get enough members of Congress to follow, because they are committed to obstructionism. Aren’t there poor people in these Republican districts?

Are they willing to sacrifice the well being of their constituents to hold fast to party principles? Researchers should look at the levels of poverty in each Congressional district and shame these miscreants into doing the right thing.

Republicans forget, and some Democrats fail to argue, that increasing the economic well being of those at the bottom improves the nation’s economic status. Those at the bottom will use added wages to pay bills, to buy some of the things they’ve put off purchasing, to pump money into the economy. In contrast, those at the top are likely to save their money or invest it, failing to spend enough to trickle down their spending to benefit those at the bottom.

It is said that a rising tide lifts all boats. But some folks are riding a

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

luxury yacht, while others are struggling to survive on a raft. The rising tides argument only works for those at the top who have seen their wages grow dramatically. Those at the bottom are barely floating on a tottering raft that has dozens of holes, as evidenced by their small pay increases, low wages, and lack of overtime.

To the extent that President Obama has the power of the pen, he can both improve the lives of those at the bottom, but also remind us of the meaning of fair labor standards.

This is a conversation our nation has not had in awhile. We have been content to let the wages of those at the bottom continue to drift downward, while using tax policy and fiction (rising tide) to enrich those at the top. What does it take to sensitize those at the top to the plight of those at the bottom?

The Occupy movement looks better by the day.

Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women. www.chicagocrusader.com

GOSSIPTARY

By Ima Gontellit EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is published as political satire, street gossip and humor, and therefore should not be considered as fact but rather as matter of opinion. None of the items therein are collected by the news gathering staff of the Crusader Newspaper Group. Items forwarded to The Chatterbox are kept confidential unless otherwise requested by the author in writing. For submissions please forward to: AChicagoCrusader@aol.com. Original photography and artwork are permitted.

Thank you for reading!

HE BE MALCOLM X

Willie Delgado Furthermore, he most certaintly won’t be prepared for when another short Puerto Rican elected official who is said to be all up the mayor’s tiny behind, attacks him and calls him out publicly. This won’t stop the Negro Committee to Find Anybody for Mayor. They say Willie Delgado is as good as any.

DE PLANE! We hear negro influence in this town is disappearing faster than Malaysian airplanes.

-Ima-

Rahm Emanuel

SOMETHING STRANGE

ers united for some change were said to have attended a secret meeting downtown with the operatives who hold the purse strings for soon-to-be Republican governor Bruce Rauner and acting like a Republican while pretending to be a Democrat Rahm Emanuel. These ministers who are united for some change have been ordered to split the Negro vote, stomp for GOP-approved candidates and wear red lipstick and high heels on Sunday mornings. One 87-year-old who attends one of the preacher’s private religious hustles (also known as a church) said people on Cottage Grove where the church be located hate his big lipped self and don’t hardley believe nothing coming out the man’s mouth.

When asked “why you still going there,” he said, “‘cause they make some good greens.”

The old folks at the Great Byeand-Goodbye Convalescent Home got into an argument about a new organization of preachers that’s popped up. They want to know what in de wurl would possess a bunch of Negro preachers to organize themselves over a piece of change? The senior citizens are mad already that most of the Afro-American clergy in the city is in de pockets of de white folks. Now it seems a group of mostly South Side jack legs are calling themselves “United

-Ima-

der, loving, kindness. Recently this group hosted a whole bunch of politicians seeking office with the promise that if these broke politicians will give them some “street money,” these preachers will “turn out the vote,” by ordering their sheep to rush to the polling place and cast dey paid for vote. Now some of these preach-

We done heard through Pookie and ‘em dat little congressman Jesse JUNIOR is walkin’ round federal prison with a tam on, spouting verses and talkin’ like he’s H. Rap Brown. We hear he is not making any friends in the pen among the guards who love taunting him because he has the name of a Country Preacher who once bragged about spitting in white people’s food. Is dat why they been moving him from place to place—like dey does with all Black federal prisoners. They just move you around like you a checker piece and can’t nobody do nothin’ bout it cause according to

-ImaLAUGH IN IS BACK Not on TV but its back in time for the upcoming city elections.

Last week, the bad wig-wearing Robert Shaw announced he will stop being obscure, passe’ and irrelevant and run for mayor of the city. He is the first major Negro to announce his intent to help Rahm Emanuel retain his seat as Emper-

-Ima-

Jesse Jackson de law, people in jail and prison are officially slaves. Now Pookie say he also heard that JUNIOR is teaching inmates how to read the U.S. Constitution and file legal claims about dey poor treatment—something that isn’t sitting well with the White House.

His frienemies and out-right enemies in Illinois were praying dat this man have a total collaspe so much so dat he can never return to public life. Dey might as well

give up on dat one. Pookie say whatever medicine dey got JUNIOR on its turning him more into Malcolm X than Mike Epps and even if de whites in the prison yard don’t like him, the Negros are uniting behind him to “protect his short ass” from “getting his ass whupped up in here.”

-ImaGREAT WHITE HOPE Word at Aldi’s be dat the only reason they pushed Shaw out there now is because they is trying to get in front of an announcement from 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti. Known as the great white hope, Fioretti ditched an effort to run against Danny Davis for congress in order to run for mayor only to get sick and quit. With the 50th Foot Woman playing coy about trying out for the job, the former civil rights attorney and City Hall spoiler might accidentially galvanize the Negro community who is always fond of kind white people who don’t beat them with whips and make them pick 500 bails of cotton—mo’ dan any man. Now folks creeping ‘round the 2nd Ward say its almost certain that the golden haired Fioretti is going to get froggy and jump and das why people like Shaw and three more Negroes are making their plans to spoil thangs. We is now hearing that Fioretti is so serious about taking on the Tiny Dancer that he is pulling together a team of political hitmen, all the way from New York and Washington, D.C., to come to town and help him out.

Now that folks is knowing about the 2nd Ward alderman’s plan, look for him to be the subject of some sort of investigation real soon. That is how it work —ain’t it?

-Ima-

ANYONE WILL DO Bruce Rauner for Some Change.” Led by a portly preacher who is fond of Easter suits, one 92-year-old claims that the coalition was organized by the little, mean-spirited mayor personally and that these preachers are paid to do the bidding of the Irish, Jews, Italians and Polish people who seem to control everythang ‘round here. They say these preachers united for some change are all about the money and will do whatever they is ordered to do to their own brown-skinned people and they will do so with tenwww.chicagocrusader.com

That’s what one group is saying now that they can’t seem to trust no Negro to run for mayor. That is why these people have turned their sights to State Senator Willie Delgado, a Puerto Rican who likes to talk trash and talk fast.

They say he’s “sorta Black” and “he ain’t scared of no Rahm Emanuel.” This remains to be seen, as the short Puerto Rican who couldn’t find a single Negro in Springfield to stand with him against school closings, has not said he wants to go to the 5th Floor or ascend any higher than the office he’s already elected to.

Robert Shaw or of the city. Soon after he made his announcement at a broken down motel, Shaw ran to the West Side to eat some catfish and wait for cash to be delivered by believing fans. When no contributions showed up, we hear he scurried back to the South Side where he got angry phone calls from (names with-held) who probably were mad because they thought they was supposed to announce they was running first. Prediction. Robert Shaw vs. Rahm Emanuel = Second term.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, March 22, 2014

7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

YOUNG LAKOTA SCREENS AT THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER: On Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Community Cinema Chicago presents a FREE screening of the documentary film “Young Lakota” which depicts a battle for reproductive rights on the reservation which sparks the political awakening of a young Lakota woman. It will be screened at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, in the Claudia Cassidy Theatre. “Young Lakota,” follows the emotional journey of Sunny Clifford, a young Lakota woman who returns to the Pine Ridge Reservation with a dream to change the world around her. Her political awakening begins when the tribe’s first female president, Cecelia Fire Thunder, defies a South Dakota law banning abortion by threatening to build a women’s clinic on the reservation. Embroiled in a controversial political season that hinges on reproductive rights and tribal sovereignty, Sunny, her twin sister Serena, and their neighbor Brandon are drawn into a political firestorm that changes the course of their lives. The film is directed and produced by Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt. After the film there will be a discussion with tribal elders based in Chicago Susan Power and Clovia Malatare, along with young leaders Janie Pochel and Lisa Bernal. The moderator is Dr. Dorene Wiese, President, American Indian Association of Illinois. This event is free and open to the public.

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER: Gypsy continues at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through Sunday, March 23 in the Courtyard Theater. Boasting one show-stopping song after another like “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Let Me Entertain You,” this classic musical is inspired by memoirs of the burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee; and it marks Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin’s continued exploration of the Sondheim canon. Also, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” is transformed into a 75-minute abridged version Saturdays at 11 a.m. through March 22. This Short Shakespeare! production serves as an ideal introduction to the Bard for audiences of all ages and special opportunities for audiences to interact with the actors at every performance. Visit www.chicagoshakes.com for more information and to buy tickets.

CITY OF CHICAGO TO HOST PUBLIC ART TOWN HALL MEETINGS: Advancing the Chicago Cultural Plan and coinciding with the “35 Years of Public Art” exhibit, town halls on Wednesday, 8

Saturday, March 22, 2014

March 26 and April 30 will solicit feedback about public art in Chicago.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will host two Public Art Town Hall Meetings this spring, advancing the goals of the Chicago Cultural Plan. The first town hall is Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m., at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Street) – and the second meeting is Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m., at the Washington Park Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. Attendees at the town hall meetings will learn about the Chicago Cultural Plan and the City’s public art program as well as best practices from other cities. Participants will also have an opportunity to brainstorm ideas in a smaller group setting, discussing the role of public art in our city, temporary public art projects, new genres of public art, funding ideas for public art and other relevant topics. Chicagoans are encouraged to RSVP at cityofchicago.org/dcase. Residents may also share their thoughts about public art via civic dialogue platform Textizen by texting “public art” to 773-769-7987, then answering nine survey questions.

(Standard text rates apply. DCASE will not sell or share phone numbers.

For more information, visit textizen.com/privacy.) The “35 Years of Public Art” exhibit features sculptures, paintings, murals and more that represent an overview of more than three decades of public art in Chicago. The exhibition includes a selection of artwork from various satellite locations including libraries, police stations and other public buildings. Highlights of the installation include maquettes, sketches and other materials related to Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, Jacob Lawrence’s mosaic, Events in the Life of Harold Washington, and Mary Brogger’s Haymarket Memorial. The exhibition also features a chair and ottoman from Suite Home Chicago and a mural from the Legler Branch Library by Kerry James Marshall. The mural celebrates the library as a source of mystery and wonder. The exhibition is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Gallery hours are Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m. –7 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Admission is FREE. For more information, visit chicagoculturalcenter.org, AFRICAN ACTIVISTS TEAM UP WITH LOCAL CLIMATE JUSTICE ACTIVISTS: Please save the date for the visit of two activists from the African continent who are touring 8 cities in the U.S. to collaborate with local climate justice activists here. They will be in Chicago at the First Church of the Brethren, located just off the Eisenhower at 425 South Central Park Blvd, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28. Activists Mithika Mwenda from Kenya, a

THE CHICAGO PARK District’s Central Region recently held its Junior Citizen Award competition banquet at the Columbus Park Refectory. Nine (9) finalist and park staff pictured here attended along with parents and friends: (from L to R), back row: Arthur Richardson, Central Region Manager; Elijah Kemp, Cornell Square Park; Michael Gaston, Humboldt Park; Lorenzo Harmon, Columbus Park; Jamal Berry, Fosco Park, Jeremy Sanicki, Wilson Community Center; Michael Scott Jr., Central Region Area Manager. Front row: T’Kia Dean, Franklin Park; Alexandra Kavalaukas, Wilson Community Center; Monica Haslip, Founder and Executive Director, Little Black Pearl Arts and Design and Keynote Speaker; Sydney Feliciano, Commercial Park and Ninfa Lujano, Davis Square Park. All the youths will be honored again later in March at a banquet at Soldier Field. The Junior Citizen program recognizes and honors youth who contribute to schools, parks and the community. founder of the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance, and Emem Okon from Nigeria, executive director and founder of the Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, will be featured. They are coming from Kalamazoo, Michigan and will be moving on to Oakland, California. On Friday, March 28 they are teaming up with the Little Village

Environmental Justice Organization, which has done great work in Chicago in leading the fight to shut down dangerous polluting coal plants, and continues to educate and involve people in the fight for our childrens’ well-being. For your information, the website for the USAfrica Network is www.usafricanetwork.org.

FEEDING TOUR - BEHINDTHE-SCENES TOURS IN WILD REEF AT THE SHEDD AQUARIUM: Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Shedd’s Wild Reef? With Shedd’s behind-the-scenes tours, guests witness a day in the lives of ani(Continued on page 14)

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It’s smart to take stock of everything in your residence, from laptops to furniture and TV, then figure what it would cost to replace it all. Add more; prices only go up. *** You want to be covered in case something terrible happens—a catastrophe where the house burns down or thieves come in while you’re away and take everything. *** And because you don’t own the building, it won’t cost a lot. You’re only covering what’s really important, the big things. Check the costs; you may want to raise the deductible. Bonus: you get liability protection, too.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

BUSINESS

States shrink and shift higher education costs to families

By Charlene Crowell Growing student debt tied to shortage of public support, says study As the nation’s trillion-dollar student debt continues to rise, a new analysis of public higher education’s funding finds dwindling state support is the key factor driving rising tuition costs and deepening student debt. According to Demos, a public policy organization advocating economic opportunity and inclusive democracy, over the last two decades state support for higher education funding shifted to a new paradigm.

As government support of higher education dwindled, public institutions raised tuition costs to recover those lost funds. These increases occurred at both four-year and two-year public institutions.

And in that process, families were handed a larger financial burden to fund their children’s college education.

“The shift from a collective funding of higher education to one borne increasingly by individuals,”

states the report “has come at the very same time that low-and-middle-income households experienced stagnant or declining household income.”

A quarter of a century ago, according to Demos, tuition costs at public colleges and universities were only 20 percent of the actual cost of studies. By 2012, however, tuition paid for 44 percent. Since the Great Recession, 49 states – all but North Dakota – spend less per student on higher education. Among these 49 states, 28 have cut higher education funding by more than 25 percent.

States reduced support for higher education for a variety of reasons including the desire to lower taxes, cut spending, or deal with constrained budgets that resulted from the financial downturn.

In the meantime, families are increasingly finding themselves priced out of higher education. Demos found that the average total cost of tuition, room and board for one year consumes more than onethird of the median household income in 23 states.

Nationwide, the average amount of state funding for full-time en-

Charlene Crowell rollment in the 2011-12 school year is $6,796, a 26.7 percent drop in funding since the 2008-09 school year. A total of 23 states have higher education funding cuts higher than the national average. The most severe cuts by state include: Arizona (51.1 percent); Oregon (45.9 percent); South Carolina (43.5 percent); Louisiana (40.6 percent); Massachusetts (37.3 percent) and Florida, (37.0

percent).

Similarly, the national average cost of state tuition for the 2011-12 school year was $7,701 at a fouryear institution. Even so, several state tuition rates surpassed the national average and include: Pennsylvania ($11,818); Illinois ($11,252); Massachusetts ($10,104); Michigan ($10,527); and California ($8,907).

Among two-year public institutions, the average cost of tuition was $2,647; but over 30 states charged tuition higher than the national average. Some of the highest costs at these schools were found in Minnesota ($5,198); New York ($4,146); Massachusetts ($4,009); Tennessee ($3,380); and Alabama ($3,868).

“The result has been the debtfor-diploma system in which most students fill the gap between what their parents can pay, available grant aid and their earnings from part-time work, by taking on student debt,” states the report.

If anyone would wonder what happened to federal financial aid – beyond loans -- Demos’ findings are equally dim.

“Federal financial aid no longer

provides grants robust enough to defray the rising cost of college: the Pell grant once covered $7 out of every $10 in college costs; today it covers only $3 out of every $10 needed to attend a public college or university.”

Later this year, lawmakers will set federal priorities in education funding through a reauthorization act. Funding levels for both federal student loans and Pell Grants will be included. But it will be left to each of the 50 states to decide whether higher education funding will become a budget priority.

“Higher education remains a public good – with all of us relying and depending on the system not just for the education of doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants and other professionals,” concluded Demos, “but to provide the critical thinking, that is the lifeblood of our democracy.”

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

Nadia’s Gourmet Grapes taking a Sweet Taste out of Dessert Business

By J. Coyden Palmer In September of 2011, Tamara Brown, owner of Nadia’s Gourmet Grapes, came up with the idea to offer a different kind of desert table. An event planner by trade, Brown’s grapes are being talked about all over town as a sweet delicacy that pleases the taste buds.

She never anticipated two and a half years later that she would have dipped over 80,000 grapes in toppings such as vanilla and raspberry. Starting at $15 an order, Brown said the gourmet grapes now make up a big part of her business.

“On average I sell between 10 and 15 orders per week and they vary in size,” Brown said. “We are partnering with a few other businesses where we will distribute on a weekly basis. So not only do we

fill personalize orders, we are also setting up in cafes and salons as well.”

Brown said people are reluctant to try her tasty treats, which at one recent event in Blue Island people could not stop eating them. But she said once people taste them she knows she has a new customer. She is so confident in her product that she has nicknamed the grapes “her gourmet addiction.”

The grapes consist of a vanilla mixture with a secret recipe added to it to enhance taste along with several different toppings. Toppings include: -Honeybun - Nutty - Toffee Delight - Cookies n Dream - Red Velvet - Gourmet Butter Cookie

COLORED CHOCOLATE GOURMET grapes is a new product at Nadia’s Gourmet Grapes. www.chicagocrusader.com

A small order will consist of 45 to 50 grapes with two toppings.

Brown also offers spirit-infused grapes to add some kick to her

product. There is also a special chocolate covered gourmet grape she offers at a separate price.

Brown said she wants it to be

BUSINESS EVENT PLANNER and food entrepreneur, Tamara Brown, offers customers unique selections of gourmet grapes through her online business Nadia’s Gourmet Grapes.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

known that the grapes being served at the Harold’s Chicken on 87th and Dan Ryan do not come from her company. She called them imposters and said with a laugh that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

“It means I must be doing something right,” said the graduate of Southern Illinois University and Hirsch Metropolitan High School in the Grand Crossing community.

She said the difference in her product is that she offers several toppings and that her imposters only offer one. She also caters to large events and says her products are the “real” gourmet grapes. She also thinks how she markets herself and brands her product sets her apart from others who want to copy.

“This is my business. That might just be their hustle,” said a confident Brown.

She said she is up for the challenge of seeing the business grow.

Although she never expected it to take off the way it has, Brown said she is expanding as she is now shipping orders worldwide and sees the product becoming a household name in the future.

She wants to take the image of the green grape to a different level.

To place an order, you can reach Brown via her website www.nadiasgourmetgrapes.com where you can also see her creations. You can also place an order by phone or text at (443) 29NADIA. Saturday, March 22, 2014

9

EDUCATION

Disney Dreamers Academy pushes teens toward success

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen

During the 2014 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine, students from the Chicago area participated in many activities that aim to help set the students on a clear, straight path to academic success.

One Chicago youth who also has aspirations to work in the entertainment industry is Richard Wright III, who attends Muchin College Prep downtown and who says he has been singing and performing since he was a toddler. “I have always been performing in some fashion, either in school or at church,” said Richard. “I love writing as well.”

Richard participated in the Deep

he is the founder and director of Every Kid Deserves Better, an organization that helps kids with school, health and their self-esteem.

South Holland resident Brittany Joshua is a 17-year-old senior who enjoys science and wants to be a trauma surgeon. During the Deep Dive session in general surgery facilitated by Dr. James Rossner, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons at Florida Hospital Celebration Health, Brittany was excited because she learned how to tie a surgical knot. “I learned how to tie a surgical knot, which is used to connect blood vessels. I also learned that surgeons often perform surgeries while looking at a computer monitor, as well as the patient on whom they are working,”

JORDYN SMITH AND Entertainment Tonight correspondent Rosci Diaz.

Dive titled “The American Idol Ex- Brittany said.

Brittany, who said she is normally perience,” where he pretended as if shy, managed to break out of her he were auditioning for the popular shell at the Academy and had advice talent show. Richard says that “mufor other teens. “I would tell them to sic will always be my life.” believe in themselves and in their Anthony Davis is a 16-year-old dreams.

If others try to discourage sophomore who attends Homethem, they need to disconnect wood-Flossmoor High School. One themselves from them and find posprofound bit of advice that he reitive people who will encourage ceived during the sessions was: “Peothem.

Also, it’s okay to fail as long as ple who are crazy enough to believe they don’t give up.” they can change the world are the Merrillville, Indiana, resident Jorpeople that do.” He added that he dyn Smith is 18 years old and plans took something from all of the to attend Ball State. She wants to speakers and reformatted it so that eventually become a nurse aneshe can use it to get closer to his goals thetist, and during her Deep Dive, of becoming an attorney. “I learned she also learned to tie a surgical knot. that I am capable of more than I give “I learned to tie a surgical knot in myself credit for, and I also learned less than 20 seconds, which is amazthat my true gift is helping people in ing for a first timer!

I also participatmultiple capacities,” he said. “I will ed in several timed medical activilet other students know that you ties, and I won first place and cannot do anything without Christ received a $25 gift card,” Jordyn Jesus, who is your refuge and truly cares for you.” He added: “I give all said. She is yet another participant at credit to God for Disney Dreamers 2014 DDA who learned much about dreaming. “I learned that to and my gift!”

However, Anthony isn’t waiting to achieve ANY dream, I have to be a finish high school to help others, as positive person and speak it into ex10

Saturday, March 22, 2014

RICHARD WRIGHT III participates in his Deep Dive activity. istence,” she said. “As soon as I got ified myself as a talent who is defi- sacademy.com. back to my hometown I told all of nitely thriving in the entertainment Correction: In the March 15 issue, my friends about my experiences. I industry.” an article titled “Disney Dreamers told them like one of the speakers For more information about this Academy and Steve Harvey help told me that no dream is too big. year’s event and to learn about how youth” should have read that the The sky is not the limit, because the to have your teen submit an essay to Steve Harvey Morning Show on Friuniverse is infinite.” be considered for next year’s pro- day, March 7, was broadcast at ESSteve Harvey’s youngest son, bud- gram, visit www.Disneydreamer- PN at Walt Disney World. ding artist Wynton Harvey, who presents himself in such a manner that he seems to be a clone of his dapper father, hosted some of the sessions in which the teens participated, and he found a few minutes to share his perspective about DDA. “I am excited to have the opportunity to interact and share wisdom with other teens,” Wynton told the Crusader. And while his father is a mega celebrity, Wynton says that his dreams aren’t much different from others who met in Orlando. “My dad always told me to be myself and follow my dreams…no matter what I do to be the best at it.” Wynton says he would like to attend Morehouse College to study communications, business or fine arts—whatever it takes to finally achieve his goals.

And those goals? “In 10 years, I ANTHONY DAVIS RECEIVES help from David Mann during would like to think that I have solid- one of Davis’ sessions.

BRITTANY JOSHUA, SECOND from, left, participates in Career Open Mouse during the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine 2014.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

IN OBSERVANCE OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Region’s history greatly shaped by women From Ida B. Wells to Karen Freeman-Wilson to Katie Hall to Michelle Obama, Black women have played a major role in the history, development and evolution of our region. During Women’s History Month, the Crusader Newspaper Group wants to recognize some of the women who have made a difference in the lives of countless people.

Women from all walks of life have influenced, observed or been immersed in the issues and policies that shaped who we are today.

Some of them have been in business, others in politics and many

in the non-profit community.

Many of the women we recognize this month overcame what seemed like insurmountable odds, while others chose a career and through long hours and hard work rose to the top of their respective profession. It is not possible to acknowledge every women who has positively impacted our environs so we encourage you to submit the name(s) of the women you know who have made a significant contribution. We will post their names on our website and share them with the rest of the world.

Karen Freeman-Wilson

www.chicagocrusader.com

Swin Cash Among those we would like our readers to know more about are: Gary Mayor Karen FreemanWilson, after being included in several White House initiatives in the last two years, this Gary native was recently appointed vice chair of the National League of Cities public safety and crime prevention steering committee. The committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions involving crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness and relief, as well as domestic ter-

rorism. As vice chair of the committee, Freeman-Wilson will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the Administration and at home.

More recently Freeman-Wilson represented Gary at the announcement of a joint project between the U.S. Department of Education and the NLC. Gary will be one of 14 cities holding conversations with residents to develop new strategies on solving educational issues. The first-term mayor and former Indiana Attor-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

ney General has forged partnerships with federal agencies as well as state of Indiana departments to bring several initiatives to Gary.

Swin Cash, a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) all-star and current member of the Chicago Sky team. Off the court, the 2004 Olympics Gold Medal winner has worked as a studio analyst on ESPN’s Fastbreak program. Besides the Sky, Cash has played for the Detroit Shock and Seattle Storm.

Washington and Jefferson College awarded Cash with an honorary degree in Doctorate of Public Service at their commencement ceremonies in May 2011 to honor her charity work. Cash is the founder of the Pennsylvaniabased Cash for Kids charitable organization.

Sheila Morgan, has made an indelible mark on the Chicago business community having served as the associate director of supplier diversity for Kraft Foods, manager of business diversity for Johnson Controls. She is widely recognized for her significant accomplishments in promoting supplier diversity and business (Continued on page 19)

Saturday, March 22, 2014

11

ENTERTAINMENT

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ

By Raymond Ward PURPLE PASSION: Make your plans NOW to attend the 20th Anniversary Celebration of The Essence Music Festival, July 3 through 6, 2014 at The Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme of this year’s event is “Let’s Come Together,” however this year will not be a red, white and blue holiday...it’s going to be a purple one because his “Purple Highness” Prince is headlining the celebration which will take place on 20 stages all weekend long!

Other music legends appearing on the Main Stage (which we be hosted by Nephew Tommy from The Steve Harvey Morning Show) will

Dessa Rose musical set during slavery plays at Bailiwick Chicago

So, make plans now to join me in the “Big Easy” for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of The Essence Music Festival. Get tickets, talent updates and more weekend information at EssenceFestival.com. For ticket information please visit Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000.

Let’s Come Together this summer in exciting New Orleans.

JAYSON “JC” BROOKS, Harmony France, Sydney Charles and Steven Perkins with the cast of Bailiwick Chicago’s production of DESSA ROSE. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Bailiwick Chicago is pleased to different kinds of freedom in an era Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit launch its 2013-14 season with the defined by men. Ruth Sutton is a professional company with a misChicago premiere of the thrilling white woman abandoned by her sion to produce contemporary mumusical drama Dessa Rose, by Lynn husband and living on an isolated sicals and plays, reinvent classic muAhrens and Stephen Flaherty, the farm. Dessa Rose is an escaped slave sicals and develop new work, while Tony Award-winning team behind on the run from a bloody slave rebel- sharing a powerful and authentic “Ragtime,” among other plays. Dessa lion, with a newborn infant to pro- theatrical experience. The company Rose plays through April 5 at the Vic- tect, who seeks refuge with Ruth. celebrates and engages our commutory Gardens Richard Christiansen Hidden in this Alabama backwater, nity through diverse programming, Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in the two women’s uneasy alliance ul- artistic partnerships and outreach Chicago. Tickets are available at timately transcends any racial barri- opportunities. In its first three seawww.victorygardens.org or by call- ers as they find the strength to con- sons, Bailiwick Chicago has garfront the world on their own terms. nered 54 award nominations, ining (773) 871-3000.

Leading the cast of Dessa Rose are Their dangerous journey to freedom cluding 10 Non-Equity Jeff Award Sydney Charles as Dessa Rose (“The and self-realization makes for a mu- Nominations in its first Jeff-Eligible Color Purple,” The Mercury The- sical that is by turns comic, tragic, season (2011-12). For additional inatre; “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Theo uplifting and inspiring. formation, visit bailiwickchicago.Ubique) and Collective Member com.

Harmony France as Ruth (“Violet,” Bailiwick Chicago—Jeff nomination; “Tell Me on a Sunday,” Bailiwick Repertory) with special guest artist Jayson “JC” Brooks. The production also features Brigitte Ditmars, Gilbert Domally, Jasondra Johnson, Jaymes Osbourne, Steven Perkins, Pavi Proczko, David Schlumpf, Sasha Smith and Eunice Woods.

Dessa Rose is a stirring musical drama based on the noted novel by Sherley Anne Williams. Told as an oral history and related by two MORE OF THE “Dessa Rose” cast in the musical production women, Ruth and Dessa Rose, this playing at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater. powerful tale of an unlikely friendFront row, l to r: Harmony France, Jayson “JC” Brooks and ship takes place in 1847, 14 years before the outbreak of the American Syndey Charles (second row, l to r) Jasondra Johnson, Eunice Woods and Sasha Smith, (back row, l to r) Gilbert Domally, Civil War. Based on both fact and fiction, the Steven Perkins and Jaymes Osbourne in Bailiwick Chicago’s musical weaves together the stories production of “Dessa Rose”, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen of two legendary women, one white Flaherty, directed by Lili-Anne Brown with music direction by and one Black, who struggled for James Morehead. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

12

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Prince be: Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie, Charlie Wilson, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, The Roots and Ledisi.

Handling the entertainment in the Super Lounges will be: 112, Amel Larrieux, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Doug E. Fresh, Elle Varner, Eve, K. Michelle, King, Kourtney Heart, Leela James, LIV Warfield, Marsha Ambrosius, Naughty By Nature, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, PJ Morton, Raheem DeVaughn, Robert Glasper, Sebastian Mikael, Sevyn Streeter and Stephanie Mills.

If you just want to come to New Orleans to expand your mind and not your musical experiences, then you can enjoy the FREE Essence Empowerment Experience at the Ernest Morial Convention Center.

Participating will be: Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Iyanla Vanzant, Reverend Al Sharpton, Yolanda Adams and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Plus on May 3 there will be a special sneak preview of the Festival at a Chicagoland Walmart store. You’ll be able to experience a FREE fun day of live music, celebrities, great conversation, cool giveaways and much, much more. Visit EssenceFestival.com for more information.

Yolanda Adams

Saturday, March 22, 2014

www.chicagocrusader.com

www.chicagocrusader.com

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, March 22, 2014

13

ARTS AND CULTURE

Symphony Center Presents Jazz series with Mavis Staples and Regina Carter The 20th anniversary celebration of Symphony Center Presents (SCP) Jazz continues with two concerts in March and April. Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), a fixture on the SCP Jazz series since the group’s first appearance in 1998, return to Symphony Center on Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m. An SCP Jazz double-bill on Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. includes Mavis Staples, in her first Symphony Center appearance since 2007, and acclaimed jazz violinist Regina Carter, who has appeared on the SCP Jazz series many times since her debut in 1997.

Led by Marsalis, renowned trum-

Marvis Staples

Regina Carter peter, bandleader and composer, and the Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performs a set featuring works by jazz legends Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Charles Mingus. The program is inspired by the CSO’s spring 2014 Truth to Power Festival, as it features works by composers whose music energized and inspired listeners during challenging periods of history such as World War II and the post-war years, as well as the Civil Rights movement.

Renowned soul and gospel singer

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Mavis Staples, a Chicago native, performs at Symphony Center for the first time since 2007, making this the first opportunity to hear music from her 2011 Grammy® Awardwinning album You Are Not Alone and its successor One True Vine at Symphony Center. Preeminent jazz violinist and MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter opens this concert with Southern Comfort, her exploration of her father’s past and the

music of the southern states that is highlighted in her acclaimed March 2014 release of the same name.

Carter’s 2010 Symphony Center appearance “illuminated the questing intellect and joyous sensibility of her best work. First-rate practitioners such as Carter remain an endangered species” (Chicago Tribune).

Program and Ticket Details Tickets for all CSOA concerts can be purchased by phone at 800-223-

7114 or 312-294 3000; online at cso.org, or at the Symphony Center box office: 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604.

Discounted student tickets for select concerts can be purchased, subject to availability, online in advance or at the box office on the day of the concert. For group rates, please call 312-294-3040.

Artists, programs and prices are subject to change.

Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Institute to perform in Cuba Musicians from Steans Music Institute (RSMI), the summer conservatory run by The Ravinia Festival, will become one of the first U.S. chamber ensembles to perform in Havana, Cuba on March 28 at the Basílica Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís as part of Festival de Música de Cámara.

Ensemble members are selected from past participants in RSMI, which each year awards about 70 of the best young professionals from around the world full fellowships to study and perform with Ravinia’s headliners and topnotch educators.

The touring personnel changes annually. Violinist Miriam Fried, director of the RSMI Piano and Strings Program, will lead the ensemble that features violinist Alexi Kenney of San Francisco, CA; violist Matthew Lipman of Chicago, IL; cellist SuJin Lee of Boston, MA; and pianist Henry Kramer of Cape Elizabeth, ME. The program will feature David Ludwig’s “Aria Fantasy” for Piano Quartet, which was commissioned by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman to celebrate the 25th anniversary of RSMI and was premiered at the festival last summer.

“How proud and excited I am that these extraordinarily talented players from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute will have such a unique experience as cultural ambassadors. RSMI is designed to be a bridge from the conservatory to 14

Saturday, March 22, 2014

the professional stage,” Kauffman said. “RSMI has always been international, with faculty and fellows hailing from 65 countries.

This Cuban trip deepens Ravinia’s connection to the rest of the world, and helps us spread the classical conversation.”

The performance in Cuba marks the first international appearance of the ensemble, which kicks off its annual spring tour at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22 in Bennett Gordon Hall. The program will include Haydn’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major and Schubert’s String Quartet No. 15 in G Major along with Ludwig’s “Aria Fantasy.”

Two days after the Ravinia performance, the ensemble will arrive in Havana.

The Cuban trip—made possible through the support of the U.S. State Department, the Cuban Ministry of Culture and Ravinia donor Madeleine Plonsker—will include a reception with U.S. choreographer Ron Brown and jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill, a master class by Miriam Fried, a musical encounter between RSMI and a Cuban ensemble, and a tour of Old Havana.

The tour which ends April 12 will also take the ensemble to Boston, New York, Providence and Stamford. Reserved-seat tickets for the March 22 concert at Ravinia are $10 and are available now at Ravinia.org..

Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans

mal care experts, and watch them prepare meals for the sharks and rays and conduct training sessions. These 50-minute tours allow up to 10 individuals, and all participants must be at least 10 years old. Tours are available Sundays at 9:45 am. Tickets are available online for $89.95 per person.

The Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605. Call 312-939-2438 for more information.

KIDZ KORNA CITY-WIDE SINGING AND YOUTH CHOIR COMPETITION: The next Kidz

(Continued from page 8) Korna event is America’s Young Voices Against Abuse Kick Off, a citywide singing and youth choir scheduled to take place onApril 17, 2014 at Daley Center under the Picasso. The mission: City-wide choirs and singers will come together to lift up their voices on behalf of young people who cannot speak up for themselves when it comes to child abuse. Goal: To bring awareness to the silent cries of Child Abuse during the month of April (Child Abuse Prevention Month) and to promote positivity amongst our young people. Call to Action: We are looking for as many youth singers and Choirs to sign up as soon as possible. For more information,

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

visit www.kidzkorna.com or www.americasyoungvoices.com or call 773-9576422.

Scan this QR (quick response) code to be taken to the Chicago Crusader’s web site. www.chicagocrusader.com

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking

By Effie Rolfe Live Like There’s No Tomorrow. I thought about this when I heard radio personality, Angela Martin pray during New Life Covenant Southeast Chicago and Pastor John Hannah’s 10th year anniversary service. She reminded the audience that this service is not about you, but it’s about all God’s faithfulness over the last decade. So it is with your life. Your purpose is so much bigger than you could ever imagine. Immediately, the scripture comes to mind, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself…”

(Matt 6:34). The next 10 minutes of your life is not promised—the next 5 hours—2 days or even the next breath cannot be guaranteed.

Right now is all you have—so learn to enjoy and take full advantage of this moment. Live every moment.

Not recklessly, but with praise and purpose. Seize each opportunity you have.

Your life is not your own. I was watching OWN Network and ran across Super Soul Sunday series in-

Effie Rolfe terview with Thich Nhat Hanh. He is one of the most respected Zen masters and good friends with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He mentioned the principle of ‘detachment’ a practice he learned as a monk. (Wait, before jumping to conclusions). They believe nothing belongs to them—which is probably how monks are able to sustain and accept the bare necessities of life.

This Buddhist teaching is parallel to

the Christian life. We often claim ownership of our bodies, children, careers, yet we are mere vessels of clay. Our prayer should be, “God mold us and make us as you will.”

No, we aren’t robots or puppets on a string, but yield servants. As a believer—I belong to God. Have you ever planned to do something but then the Lord prompted you to go a different way? Instead of shopping for yourself, God put on your heart to give $100 dollars to someone unemployed or who was just released from the hospital. Perhaps you saw a member in the church parking lot and gave them a ride to the bus stop.

Many times, I’ve offered my seat to someone with child, elderly or that had a physical handicap. Additionally, many preachers have said after preparing a sermon—at the last minute, the Holy Spirit directed them to put the notes aside and to go a different way. Just as you were about to watch Scandal there was a pulling on you to study a scripture or call someone and have prayer instead. These are examples of a life of service.

The Crusader Gospel Corner South Park Baptist Church celebrates their leader and Pastor, Rev. Dr. E.R. Williams, Jr. on his 17th year anniversary, “Living Each Day in Faith, God Is, God Can and God Will.” The members invite you to celebrate nearly two decades of dedicated preaching, teaching, leadership and counsel. The services began last Sunday and continues March 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and climaxes on Sunday, March 23 at 11 a.m., 3722 S. MLK Drive. All are invited to attend. *** Marvin Sapp will stop by the historical Mount Pisgah for Gospel Night in Bronzeville-Chicago on Saturday, March 22 for a concert.

The Grammy and Stellar Award winner and Pastor will mesmerize the audience with gospel favorites and classics including “Never

Marvin Sapp www.chicagocrusader.com

Would Have Made It,” “Praise Him In Advance,” “The Best in Me,” and “He Has His Hands on You.” The concert will be held at the church, 4600 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive at 6 p.m. For more information call 773-373-0070. *** The concert will take place the same time as the All State Gospel Superfest scheduled at the House of Hope. Many of America’s top inspirational gospel, jazz and mainstream recording artists are being scheduled to take part in the national recording session, which has become highly acclaimed and recognized as an industry leading TV production and live event. A huge musical line up includes Mary Mary, Tye Tribett, Jessica Reedy, James Fortune & Fiya, Ricky Dillard & New G, Angel (of Trinitee 5:7), Ben Tankard, Paul Porter, Stephen Hurd, Joshua’s Troop, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Harvey Watkins, Jr., Chicago Mass Choir and more. The television show will be hosted by Wendy Raquel Robinson of BET’s popular series “The Game.” *** This year will commemorate 15 years in television production and national syndication for The Allstate Gospel Superfest live event and TV series. Past shows have been recorded in New York City, Baltimore, MD, Atlanta, GA, Cincinnati, OH and other major U.S. cities. “We are truly excited and ready for this new chapter in our show’s history. Chica-

go has a very rich gospel music heritage that we are honored to celebrate. We are planning to recognize many of Chicago’s pioneers during the event,” stated show founder and executive producer Bobby Cartwright, Jr. “We are also extremely elated by this great opportunity for the City of Chicago’s faith-based community, the performers and the thousands of fans who’ll get an opportunity to take part in our live TV recording session.” Chicago has a rich gospel heritage music history and we are planning to recognize many of Chicago’s pioneers during the event. The event will take place Saturday, March 22, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. CST at the House of Hope Arena at 752 E. 114th Street, Chicago. *** Timeless Gifts, a youth mentoring company for the performing arts, invites you to celebrate Women’s History Month for “The Timeless Woman Awards,” Sunday, March 23, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at The DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place in Chicago. Featured musical guest are Chicago’s Eleven Jazzy Divas.

Joan Collaso, founder of the organization and the program will honor nine incredible women who are affecting history today including Dr. Carol L. Adams, Lauren, Doris Ford, Theresa Fambro Hooks, Jacqueline L. Jackson, Juanita Passmore, Gamilah “Nikki” Pierre, M.D., Melody Spann Cooper and Faye Watson.

When we live like there is no tomorrow—we ultimately become less detached and realize nothing is permanent. Thus, you, me, the world and all around us is constantly changing. Don’t hold on to the past, our mission should be to forge into newness of life and possibilities. I’m not implying to forget your past, but rather don’t be stuck there. There is more to life than past experiences.

You can’t move forward looking in the rearview mirror. Also, I believe if we practiced living like there is no tomorrow—we would find it less difficult to forgive, hold grudges, say goodbye to a loved one that transitioned or to a career or relationship that needed shifting. I’m not saying it will be easy—but when you understand nothing is permanent and trust God, life adjustments should be a lot easier.

Sometimes we must be removed from our comfort zones to establish complete trust in God. Is the job more important than your Heavenly Father? What about the house, the car, the savings—would you still trust God if he tested you like Job—or would you curse God and die? God doesn’t want your money—he wants your heart. But in or-

der to get to your heart, He has to get past the possessions and to do this often requires major shifting.

Loving is to let go. Rather than being so attached, practice being detached. You will eventually see it’s not always about having your way because it’s not your life. Let go of offences. Give away those clothes in your closet to someone who desperately needs them. Share your encouragement, smile or idea that could be life changing. Use your car to give someone a lift or to get groceries—always use wisdom and discernment. Release your praise—it will bless you and give God glory.

Everything you have belongs to God—so trust Him with Everything. Your life’s purpose is much bigger than you. Live, Love, laugh, forgive, bless, encourage, help, pray, praise, smile, use wisdom, trust today. Tomorrow isn’t promised.

What are you holding onto…? ©Effie Rolfe is the author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” a Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can visit my website: effierolfe.com or follow me at twitter.com/effiedrolfe.

Matteson’s Marquise Black knows God and accepts God’s plan for his life

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen Marquise Black recently completed the 2014 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine at Walt Disney World and dreams of becoming a criminal justice attorney. “I look at the society of young, Black men shooting and killing one another, and I want to make a difference,” he said. This may truly be the 17-year-

helps clear any obstacles—or failures—that are in the way of my success,” he said.

The young man grew up on the South Side of Chicago within a crime-infested neighborhood while battling a hearing loss. “I used to get teased and talked about because I wore a hearing aid. I was also teased about the way that I used to speak, but I didn’t let hatred stop me from doing what I was supposed to do, in

DDA 2014 PARTICIPANT Marquise Black offers prayer before graduation ceremony. old Rich South High School student’s career, but he also has a demonstrated calling in the ministry, as he led hundreds of attendees at the Academy’s graduation ceremony in a prayer before breakfast was served.

Marquise attends a prayer group at school each morning, because “God

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

order to push forward to the blessings that God has in store for me,” he said. “My pastor, mom and grandmother are my biggest motivators, because whatever I was going through, I knew that I could count on them to uplift and push me toward positive things.”

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HEALTH

Sign up for health insurance at South Side With the approaching March 31 deadline to sign up for health insurance under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, local legislators and hospital officials are making a final attempt to draw residents to sign up.

Governor Pat Quinn, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and 34th Ward Alderwoman Carrie Austin are among the political leaders expected to be on hand for a March 29 Community Health Fair and Affordable Care Act event at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, 1250 W. 119th St. The event is from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and is sponsored by “A New Roseland” coalition.

Health care navigators will be present to enroll residents in the health insurance marketplace offered through the Affordable Care Act. Navigators also will be able to enroll residents in County Care, a Medicaid program operated by Cook County Health and Hospital Systems for residents who meet certain income limits. Free health screenings also will be available.

“Roseland Community Hospital has gone from crisis to sustainability,” said CEO Tim Egan, who will be present to give residents an update on the hospital, which nearly closed last year and was saved after an outcry from the community. “It’s critical for everybody to have health insurance, but even more critical that hospitals like Roseland are around to provide the critical care.”

He announced that the hospital is building a new clinic and has acquired a mobile dental clinic to deliver care to children.

The goal of the health fair is to boost health insurance enrollment, particularly among the 1835 age group, organizers said. Enrollment, nationally, has lagged for this age group, a segment needed to make the healthcare plan successful.

SIGN UP FOR affordable healthcare will be the theme of a health fair in the Roseland Community. Several community and political leaders including Roseland Hospital CEO Tim Egan, Ald. Carrie Austin, State Sen. Emil Jones III, State Rep. Bob Rita, County Commissioner Deborah Sims, and State Rep. Will Davis attended a Save Roseland Hospital Town Hall meeting in 2013 sponsored by A New Roseland coalition. that are acceptable are immigraWhile health screenings and special program will be held from dents on local issues. tion paperwork or Certificate of health insurance enrollment will noon to 1 p.m. where legislators For more information, please Naturalization. take place throughout the event, a and special guests will inform resi- call (773) 231-0724.

“More than 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to the Medical Committee for Human Rights, saying, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’ Today, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, is creating a path to health justice for millions of African-Americans, Latinos, members of LGBTQ community, and for every human being in the U.S.,” said Dr. L. Toni Lewis, chair of SEIU Healthcare, a national union of healthcare workers, who will be in attendance.

To apply for coverage, you must bring a social security number, date of birth and income information for everybody seeking coverage. Other forms of identification 16

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Matteson’s Marquise Black knows God’s plan . . .

(Cont’d from page 15) Marquise and his mother, Myee Carrington, live in Matteson, IL, and they considered the Disney trip one of those positive things. “My mom thought that the DDA experience was life changing, and she really enjoyed every moment of it,” Marquise said.

“In the Deep Dive [Behind the Robe] with local Florida Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Marquise learned to dream big, just as he had learned during the welcoming ceremonies. “I’ve learned that you can dream as BIG as you want to and to never lower your expectations on achieving your goals, based upon what your peers may be throwing your way. I also learned to never let fears overcome your goals.”

But he also admits that getting lazy can change the course of things—you always have to sharpen your skills. “I have learned how to remain hungry for success and to humbly be confident in myself, carrying a positive atti-

HOUSES FOR SALE

MARQUISE BLACK PARTICIPATES in the Open Mouse seminar at DDA 2014. tude so others may think pos- And I also implore them to put God first in everything itive about me.”

Marquise has grown from a they do, because with Him Junior Deacon at his church, ALL things are possible.”

True Fellowship Missionary HOUSES FOR Baptist, into a Youth MinisSALE ter. “I feel that God speaks to me through my pastor, and this guides me every step of the way,” he said. “I encourage other teens to find out what interests them most in school and to go after that with a passion.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Continued from page 4) recorded is automatically uploaded to a server at police headquarters and cannot be deleted. Surely there will have to be several criteria and sanctions put in place demanding that the cameras are on whenever there is any interaction with civilians.

Like Denver the CPD could start the use of body cams on a limited basis and later start using the body cams department-wide.

No doubt the mayor and the police superintendent – super protectors of bad cops – will start whining the city can’t afford it. Some of the

mayor’s lackey aldermen when chime in with the same excuse. The question we need to ask then is whether it is less expensive to continue to pay dozens and dozens of multi-million dollar lawsuits for police brutality or fork over $700 or $800 per body cam. I really believe if the city and CPD wanted to do this badly enough, there would be some funding available from the U.S. Department of Justice or an organization like Open Society.

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Carter Hodge

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HOUSES FOR SALE

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IN OBSERVANCE OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Region’s history greatly shaped by women (Continued from page 11) opportunities for minority small businesses. Morgan said her ultimate professional goal is to help minority businesses grow and thrive on a domestic and global scale. Morgan also is in charge of the annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair, and even that brings more than 250 minority businesses and 1,100 businesses and government agencies together for networking and business development.

Gladys Bufkin Johnson is a treasure trove of information about Gary during the turn of the last century. Her arrival on Earth coincided with Gary’s eighth birthday. With a June birthday looming, she is on the cusp of joining the ranks of about 56,000 U.S. residents who have lived to be 100 years old. The former Gary schools principal is still active in the St. Augustine Episcopal Church. One of her favorite recollections of a young Michael Jack-

versity’ s Hall of Fame. In 2006, she was inducted into the PR News Hall of Fame for her distinguished career in public relations.

Sheila Morgan than 10 Spectra Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators and two CIPRA Awards from Inside PR magazine. She has been named one of Chicago’s Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women, one of the Chicago Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Citizens, recipient of the Woman of the Year Award given by the National Council of Negro Women, Chicago Urban League Beautiful People honoree, and was a charter inductee into Northwestern Uni-

U.S. Representative Robin Kelly is a first-term Congresswoman with a wealth of legislative experience. She is a former state legislator who mentored progressive candidates and encouraged new leaders, including one of her colleagues, former state Senator, now President Barack Obama, in his successful 2004 bid for U.S. Senate. Most recently, Kelly was Chief Administrative Officer of Cook County. She was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and implementing pol- icy for the second largest county in the United States. Kelly also was the first African American woman to serve as chief of staff for a constitutional officer in Illinois. The native New Yorker also helped to transform the Treasurer’s Office – an agency that manages as much as $17 billion in state funds – by improving efficiencies, streamlining expenses and demanding stronger ethical guidelines. Kelly lives in Matteson with her husband, Dr. Nathaniel Horn and has two adult children, Kelly and

Ryan.

Anna Black does not fit the image many have of a 100-year-old woman. A fan of the theatre she recently attended the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe’s performance in Chicago. The outing was only a smidgen of a month-long celebration of her March 12 birthday.

When she isn’t attending performances or hanging out with friends, “Momma Black” as she is affectionately called is participating in services at the Mission at St.

Anna Black

Robin Kelly

John Church. She began celebrating hitting the century mark at the beginning of the month.

She has adopted the Golden Corral as her favorite restaurant and according to her daughter the restaurant’s staff spoils her on every visit. Her fondness to restaurants may be connected to her working days when she held jobs as a server or manager at several Gary restaurants, including Louise’s Kitchen, once an anchor at 25th and Madison streets.

Bulls honor CPS clerk for her commitment to students

Michelle Flowers-Welch son who got in trouble in school one day and explained to her that he was bound to grow up to be rich so his not excelling at math wasn’t important.

Michelle Flowers-Welch took the time-tested road en route to building one of the Midwest’s most renowned communications company – Flowers Communications Group (FCG). Since opening shop in 1991, she has been a magnet for communication and public relations industry awards.

Flowers-Welch holds a master’s degree in advertising from Northwestern University and is a magna cum laude graduate of WinstonSalem State University. She has received more than 100 industry awards for communications excellence, including more than 25 Gold and Silver Trumpets and 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago. She also holds more www.chicagocrusader.com

The Chicago Bulls recently named Ashley Turner, a school clerk at Caldwell Math and Science Academy, as the March Educator of the Month. Turner’s award was presented during a Bulls-Oklahoma Thunder game at the United Center.

The Bulls partnered with Kia Motors to recognize a Chicago Public School (CPS) instructor for her hard work and achievements in and out of the classroom. “I was stunned when I first learned that I was nominated for the Kia Educator of the Month,” said Turner. “I am such a shy person who avoids the spotlight but once I finally let this settle in, I was truly honored that someone noticed all of the hard work I put into my job every day.”

In addition to her role as the school clerk, Turner serves as a role model and mentor for the students at Caldwell Math and Science Academy. She has built strong relationships with students over the years by listening to those going through challenging situations in the classroom and at home. Turner continues to give of her time and talent by feeding the homeless and tutoring a small group of students who live in her neighborhood.

“I am a firm believer in fostering a student’s self-esteem so they are successful in school and grow up

THE BULLS HONOR Ashely Turner of Caldwell Math and Science stands with Michael Bland, Regional Dealer Development Manager of Kia Motors, to receive her award as the Chicago Bulls and Kia Motors March Educator of the Month.” pursuing their biggest dreams,” recognizing one teacher a month and improvements. said Turner. “I hope to someday at a home game during the 2013The Kia Educator of the Month open my own inner-city youth 2014 regular season. Each hon- is open to elementary school center to inspire and help more oree receives two tickets to a home teachers in the CPS system. children within the community.” game, an official Kia Educator of Teachers can be nominated by As part of the Bulls’ commit- the Month award, Bulls and Kia students, parents, fellow teachers, ment to actively improve and raise promotional items, a teacher pro- administrators and parents. Please awareness around youth educa- file on Bulls.com, and $1,000 to visit Bulls.com/community to tion, the organization joins Kia in be used for classroom supplies download an application.

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