Chicago Crusader 06/15/13 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 8—SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2013

PUBLISHED SINCE 1940

25 Cents and worth more

CTU says: show us the money to CPS plan When CPS CEO Dr. Barbara Byrd-Bennett released a long-term plan for improving city schools, the president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) responded that not only was the plan “done in the CPS silo,” it lacks appropriate funding to make the improvements that Byrd-Bennett is planning.

The new CPS plan – “The Next Generation: Chicago’s Children,” is a five-year initiative that according to Byrd-Bennett “is designed to provide every CPS student in every neighborhood across the city with a rigorous well-rounded instructional program that prepares them for success in college, career and life.”

The plan comes approximately three weeks after the Chicago Public Schools board voted to close 50 schools – an unprecedented number in the country. The CTU and at least two parents’ groups have filed lawsuits trying to stop the closings that are slated for the first day of school August 28.

Karen Lewis, CTU president, recently elected to a second term, said this is not the first new initiative CPS has offered in recent years, but the plans’ inability to succeed are rooted in the lack of funding. “It doesn’t matter what new initiatives CPS

Karen Lewis, CTU president concocts from year to year if it has no way to appropriately fund them (i.e., the longer school day). Chicago has to break its addiction to tax-breaks and find ways to generate revenue for our schools,” Lewis said.

Specifically, the CPS plan is rooted in what the CEO described as five pillars.

They address the needs for improvement

in the areas of student, family, community and fiscal matters.

Students are the focus of the first two pillars – high standards, rigorous curriculum and powerful instruction, and the second is systems that meet all students’ needs.

“CPS is raising standards and improving curriculum through a combination of transitioning to Common Core State Standards, setting more rigorous expectations, and putting in place new academic requirements that will provide children with a well-rounded education. In addition, enhanced professional development for educators and greater opportunities for student learning such as extracurricular activities, afterschool programs, and internships will help challenge students to think critically, spark their creativity, and support their diverse needs.

CPS recognizes that every student is unique and high expectations must be coupled with an approach that systematically supports the individual needs of every student. Through the action plan, a greater emphasis will be placed on assisting all schools, especially struggling schools, in providing a safe learning environment, expanding social and emotional learning, using data to inform decision-making, and

Dr. Barbara Byrd-Bennett ensuring every student not only graduates high school but graduates ready with a postsecondary plan.”

The president and the CEO are on opposites end of the spectrum regarding how this plan was developed as Lewis asked during a news conference ““When will (Continued on page 3)

Harper High students visit White House

By Andrea Watson More than two dozen students from one of Englewood’s public high schools shared moments they had with the president and First Lady Michelle Obama on their exclusive two-day visit to the White House.

After a difficult year of too much violence and shootings, 25 of Harper High School’s students were personally invited to meet privately with the first couple June 5 and 6.

President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama were aware of some of the challenges many of Harper’s students had experienced. The first lady had visited the school last April.

During the trip the students were able to view the original Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, said Principal Leonetta Sanders.

They were given a tour, chatted with Mrs. Obama for about an hour, visited the Smithsonian Museum, and even went to Howard University, she said.

“It granted them exposure. A lot of the students had not been outside Chicago.

The most important [part] was the opportunity to sit with America’s first lady and the president. To have such an honor is just awesome,” she said.

For many of the students, this trip was more than just a vacation, but a clear message that important people do care about them. They are not alone in their crimeridden communities and violent school.

This is how students expressed themselves when describing what the trip meant to them.

“I feel like people that’s out[side] the community see all the violence going on in the neighborhood [and] feel like we won’t be nothing. I see that’s not the case, people actually want to help us, so that’s a good thing,” said 18-year-old Charles Hallman, a senior.

He has always aspired to work with the U.S. Secret Service so for him, the visit was (Continued on page 16)

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA talks with students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, June 5. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CRUSADERNEWSPAPERGROUP

@CRUSADERNEWSPAP

Author encourages students to love themselves (See story on page 11)

NEWS

First STEM class at Harlan high school graduates

By Wendell Hutson Harlan Academy High School held its first graduation this week for students in its four-year-old science, technology, engineering and mathematics program (STEM), which the principal said was created to help attract more students to the South Side school.

“There are 3,500 students who live in Harlan's attendance zone, but too many students leave the area to attend other high schools,” contends Reginald Evans, principal of Harlan. “I wanted to change that trend and make Harlan a viable option for parents on the South Side.”

The neighborhood school also held its commencement ceremony for the first time at Chicago State University for 196 graduates including 26 from the STEM program.

“Normally we would hold our

cided to have it in our own community,” added Evans.

All STEM graduates were accepted into four-year colleges and universities, according to Kenneth Clark, engineering coordinator at Harlan.

“My students are going to the University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin, Morehouse College, Howard University, Ohio State University and beyond,” said Clark, a former engineer for Motorola Inc. “I never knew teaching could be so much fun. I have never been a teacher before but now that I am, I can truly say it is one of the best jobs one could imagine.”

One of Clark's students, Akilah Davis, 18, said she plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin this fall.

“The STEM courses were rigorous but necessary to push me to do above average work. Before I enHARLAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES applauds at their commencement ceremony June 11 at Chicago State University.

HARLAN COMMUNITY ACADEMY H.S. graduate Samuel Anum said he plans to study engineering this fall at the University of Illinois in Urbana after participating in the school’s science, engineering, technology and math program. graduations at Christ Universal tered the program I had no interest Church (in the West Pullman in becoming an engineer,” recalled neighborhood) but this time we de- the class valedictorian. “But after I

learned more about engineering and the countless contributions engineers make to our daily lives, I developed an interest. There's nothing like having a career that allows you to change the lives of everyday people.”

That is also why Janee Thompson, 18, said she plans to study engineering this fall at the University of Missouri.

“I would recommend the STEM program to any student. It was a great experience and you do not have to be a lover of math either,” said Thompson, a 2013 Gates Millennium scholar finalist. “We (STEM students) started together as freshmen and ended together as seniors. That makes us family and family sticks together even if we are separated for a while.”

But not all STEM students were tossing their hats in the air at the commencement ceremony.

Malik Sanders, a 16-year-old junior at Harlan, has to wait until next year before he can celebrate finishing the program.

“Next year is my time. I will be able to talk about what's next for me after high school,” Sanders said.

“Mr. Clark is a good teacher and the students in the program all have one thing in common and that's to succeed. Hopefully, when I go to college I can surround myself around a group of students like the ones in the STEM program.”

Students like Michael Harris, 18, president of the Student Council, was an exception among the grads.

“It (STEM program) was a great experience but I am taking a differ-

ent path from the program. I plan to major in political science at Tougaloo College (a historically Black college in Jackson, Miss) and return to Chicago to run for office,” Harris said. “For which office, I am not sure yet but I know I want to become a public servant.”

Former Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th) attended the graduation and said she may have had some influence on Harris' decision to study politics.

“I guess when you grow up around an aunt into politics it rubs off on you,” said Lyle, a Cook County Circuit Court judge. “Believe me, getting him to this point was a struggle but I am glad to see he hung in there despite all the things our youth must face nowadays.”

Former Country Club Hills chief set to plead guilty Former County Club Hills Police Chief Regina Evans and her husband, Ronald Evans, the former inspector general, were each charged this week with three counts of filing false federal income tax returns for allegedly failing to report all of their income during calendar years 200709. They were charged in a felony information filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

Regina Evans’ attorney authorized the government to disclose that she will be pleading guilty to the tax charges after the government files a request to transfer the case against her to the Central District of Illinois in Springfield for disposition. Regina Evans, 50, who was the Country Club Hills police chief from 2009 to 2011, and Ronald Evans, 46, are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Springfield on June 18.

The Evanses were charged with failing to report all of their income 2

Saturday, June 15, 2013

in 2009, when they allegedly converted to personal income more than $500,000 of a $1.25 million state grant. They also allegedly failed to report all of their income in 2007, 2008, and 2009 from Prime Time Limousine, a Chicago transportation and security services company that they jointly owned and operated.

According to the charging document, Regina Evans founded and ran an organization called We Are Our Brother’s Keeper that, in 2009, received a $1.25 million employment opportunities grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide pre-apprenticeship educational and vocational training for people employed in building trades, such as bricklayers and electricians. The couple allegedly used more than $500,000 for non-grant-related personal purposes, making that

Regina Evans money personal income.

On their federal income tax return for 2009, the couple stated that Prime Time’s gross receipts were approximately $150,000, knowing that its gross receipts totaled more than $201,297. They also allegedly

stated that they did not have any other income, knowing that they had converted at least $500,000 in grant money.

In 2007, the defendants allegedly filed a false tax return by reporting Prime Time’s gross receipts were approximately $205,290, when the business actually had gross receipts totaling more than $360,649, and they allegedly filed a false 2008 tax return stating Prime Time’s gross receipts were approximately $150,630, when it actually had gross receipts of more than $291,414.

The charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and James C. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation participated in the investigation.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Filing a false federal income tax return carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, a defendant convicted of tax offenses faces mandatory costs of prosecution and remains civilly liable to the government for any and all back taxes, as well as a potential civil fraud penalty of up to 75 percent of the underpayment plus interest. If convicted, the court must determine a reasonable sentence to be imposed under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Hammerman.

An information contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.

The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. www.chicagocrusader.com

NEWS

Bike tour offered through South Side neighborhood

By Wendell Hutson The alderman who represents the South Side community of Englewood wants Chicagoans to get a close look at the neighborhood she said has been repeatedly mis-represented by the news media and many outside of that community..

Fifteenth Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes said she is hoping a bike tour through the community will help change people’s perception about the place she calls home.

“Englewood is not a bad place to live or visit but you wouldn’t know that by the negative media coverage it gets day in and day out. This bike tour allows me to show people the good places in Englewood that get overlooked,” Foulkes said. “Everything about Englewood is not bad.

There are plenty of good things happening in my ward. And besides, bike riding is good exercise.”

Veronica Goodman, a spokesman for Foulkes, said while an exact bike route is still being finalized, riders could expect to visit a fire station, park, library and new homes. There will also be rest areas along the route where riders will receive bottled water and have bathroom breaks.

The only requirement for the tour is that participants have their own bikes and an adult, at least age 18, must accompany children. The tour is set to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at the Bread of Life Missionary Baptist Church, 1924 W. 63rd St. Riders do not need to be a resident of Englewood to participate Mario Lewis said he is thinking about riding along.

The 39-year-old resident of Roseland has a four-year-old son who lives in Englewood. “Maybe I will go just to see the ‘good parts’ of Englewood,” Lewis said. “From what I know there are no good parts but I could be wrong.”

And Englewood resident Farris Nelson, 37, and her nine-year-old daughter Heaven also plans to join the tour.

“We are regular riders anyway.

Normally we ride the bike trail along Lakeshore Drive but are curious what route will be taken through Englewood,” Nelson said, who lives in the 6700 block of South Winchester Avenue. “Who knows, maybe the route will go past our house.

A continental breakfast and lunch

AN UPCOMING BIKE TOUR is expected to attract more than 50 participants as riders journey through the Englewood community on the South Side.

ALDERMAN TONI FOULKES is hoping a bike tour through Englewood will change the perception some people have about one of the city’s most violent communities.

“A local, sit-down restaurant with the shootings that occurs. after the tour will be provided at the good food prepared by culinary stuchurch, according to Goodman.

“Every community has it s probdents.

That’s Sikia,” Jones said. lems and Englewood is no differTo ensure safety and the ability to quickly get through traffic lights “And soon a senior housing com- ent,” Foulkes states. “But the real with the 50 or more people Foulkes plex for low-income veterans will be difference here is that people really said she hopes to participate, a po- built in Englewood.” don’t know that there are $250,000 Ultimately Foulkes said she wants homes in Englewood and that not lice escort from the 7th District will to better expose the good about En- all households live below the poveraccompany the tour.

John Paul Jones, president of Sus- glewood and not concentrate on all ty level.” tainable Englewood Initiatives, a local nonprofit, explained that a bike tour of Englewood each month with ramping up professional develduring the summer would really (Continued from page 1) opment opportunities. Byrd-Benhelp change the way people think CPS understand that having a nett described the final pillar as “A about the South Side community.

“Englewood is rarely judged by its ‘plan’ that never includes the voices comprehensive accountability sysmerits but rather by its downfalls. of parents, students, CPS workers, tem will be put in place to measure People read the papers and see the and a realistic blueprint on how to performance and progress throughTV news bashing Englewood and generate revenue will continue to out the District, including in all think it is a bad place to live, work foster mistrust, alienation and low- public schools – neighborhood, or visit,” said Jones. “But actually ered expectations, especially after charter and contract – and at CPS Central Office. To support the there are a lot of good things about the tragic closing of 50 schools?”

CPS held dozens of town hall plan’s overall goals, CPS will issue Englewood you really wouldn’t meetings across the city, as well as an annual district scorecard that inknow unless you come here.”

One thing he pointed to was Sikia convening a blue-ribbon commit- corporates multiple performance restaurant, which is operated by tee led by former ComEd CEO metrics, including evaluations of Kennedy-King College, as being a Frank Clark. It was Clark’s commit- school climate; feedback from parneighborhood gem not many peo- tee’s recommendation that CPS ac- ents, school staff, and students; recepted not to close any high tention rates of high-performing ple know exist. schools. That committee was delib- employees; student attendance; acaerating over a list of more than 130 demic growth; graduation rates and schools to close. Ultimately the college enrollment.”

Governor Quinn signed into law committee recommended no more CPS faces a projected $1 billion Senate Bill 1884, allowing the than 80 schools be shuttered. After deficit. When the district initially four advance deposit wagering the board voted to close the 50 announced the closings district offiproviders licensed by the Board in schools, a panel of judges suggested cials maintained the closings would 2012, to resume accepting wagers that 10 of those remain open. The result in a $650 million savings. from Illinois residents,” read a CTU and a group of parents filed a Later the district announced it overstatement by Ezzo. “TVG, Twin- lawsuit that is pending in federal estimated the savings by as much as Spires, Xpressbet and Betzotic court. There will be no ruling until 25 per cent. This week Mayor were issued temporary licenses a new judge is appointed to the Rahm Emanuel suggested raising until the board meets on June case. If CTU prevails in the suit, 10 property tax to reduce the deficit 25th to consider permanent li- other schools would be given a stay might be a solution. CPS also is bilcensure for calendar year 2013.” and not closed. lions of dollars in arrears when it Representatives from those Another CPS pillar calls for more comes to payments to the pension businesses were also thankful Illi- outreach to parents, community or- plan that covers teachers and adnois lawmakers passed the new ganizations, faith-based organiza- ministrators. The state legislature legislation. It was passed in time tions, universities and governmen- adjourned its latest session without for last Saturday’s big Belmont tal entities, as well as increase the granting CPS another “holiday” Stakes derby race. flow of information to these groups from paying the full amount due “We would like to thank the in hopes of raising students’ perfor- the pension fund. District officials Illinois General Assembly and mance levels. More rigorous evalua- said previously if it is required to Gov. Quinn for their timely ac- tions of existing teaching personnel, pay the full amount layoffs of teachtion on this very important is- as well as conducting national ers and administrators might be (Continued on page 16) searches for new personnel, along necessary.

CTU says: show us the money

Internet horse gambling is back online

By J. Coyden Palmer After a nearly five-month suspension because lawmakers in Springfield allowed for Advance Deposit Wagering [ADW] to expire, horse gamblers in Illinois are again able to wager online. Before lawmakers ended their spring session, they approved the new gambling law, which will allow some of the money to go to horsemen and Chicago State University.

The legislation allows for the redistribution of money from casino gambling helping shore up the struggling horse racing industry in the state. Previously that money had been languishing in a state account.

“There was a long, long, long, drawn-out debate and negotiation over this. The horsemen supwww.chicagocrusader.com

port this bill,” said Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), chief sponsor of the bill.

Online wagering companies like Twinspires.com and TVG.com said their businesses were hurt when the law in Illinois expired Dec. 31, 2012. That same year, according to Mickey Ezzo, spokesperson for the Illinois Racing Board, there was more than $120 million bet on horse racing in the state. Ezzo said the state benefited from online gambling to the tune of $1.8 million in tax revenue. The IRB said the state was losing money every day there was no updated ADW law. Horse players were frustrated as well, as many had to venture out to off track betting facilities to place a wager.

“We are extremely pleased that

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, June 15, 2013

3

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL CELEBRATING FATHERHOOD Father’s Day is here once again, and there is a flurry of activity in anticipation of the celebration of paternal bonds.

Father’s Day was implemented as a complement to Mother’s Day. It was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd at the YMCA in 1910. Her father was a Civil War Veteran who raised six children as a single parent. In 1909, after hearing an inspirational sermon by Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, she felt that there should be a similar day to honor fathers.

After enduring significant obstacles, Father’s Day has now become a time-honored tradition.

Father’s Day, unlike Mother’s Day, did not always have the automatic respect given to mothers because of notions of paternity and masculinity. Even today, many people tend to think that the nurturing role exclusively belongs in the maternal domain. But this is an error in thinking; children need nurturing from both fathers and mothers.

The need for nurturing fathers becomes obvious when we look at the African American community in America where more than 70% of all children are raised in families without fathers. Gang violence, teen pregnancy and the disproportionate amount of Black-on-Black crime are just a few indicators of this fatherhood dearth. Too many fathers play the role of sperm donor and not much else. This is not to say that there are not loving, caring fathers in the Black community. They do exist, but they are too few in number to make a real difference in the life of the community. For example, it could be argued that the dismal economic state of the Black community can be connected to the absence of viable, hardworking men serving as the glue that holds families together. Certainly, we can look at the broader society and the oppression of Black males as a key factor that is helping to decimate the community. All we have to do is to look at the unemployment rate among Black males to see the depression and consequent destabilization of Black families. This is an old story, however. We know that oppression exists. What we need is a paradigm shift in thinking. Fathers can remain with their families in spite of economic hardship. They can provide other supports, i.e., values relating to self-discipline and how to navigate the very difficult waters of life in a hostile environment. Of course, this means that they will, themselves, have to demonstrate self-discipline, integrity, and strength in the face of overwhelming odds. If they are able to model these traits, it might just compensate for the lack of “traditional” success indicators, which can go quite a way to help our youth find their way to brighter days and to help mend fractured Black families.

A few of the challenges that families face in this regard are connected with the notion of what is considered to be “masculine.” Fathers are the breadwinners; it is thought that their work is outside of the home. Because of this, some “stay at home dads” catch a lot of flack. Times are changing, however, and so are notions of what is considered to be masculine or feminine. Women are increasingly finding themselves as leaders in corporate board rooms. Conversely, men who decide to nurture their own offspring can only have a positive impact in a society, and this does not mean that they are less masculine than they should be. We need caring, nurturing men in our families. With this said, the Crusader wishes every father a warm and Happy Father’s Day! 4

Saturday, June 15, 2013

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Quinn’s support for Roseland isn’t altruistic Dear Editor: It was good to hear that Governor Pat Quinn dug into the state’s sofa cushions and found some loose change to help keep Roseland Hospital open for a little while longer. Who knows how much longer though?

It also was good to see that the hospital’s CEO was finally forced to step down. Healthcare is a complex business and running a hospital, regardless of how large or small, should be done by those who have a track record in the industry. In my opinion, the ousted CEO should not have been in the job in the first place.

So after the board mis-managed policy and the administration screwed up the day-to-day operations the Governor comes in like the white knight (no pun intended) to save the day. It is truly beneficial to the hospital as it forces the board to adopt some policies toward long term solvency.

But no one should be fooled into believing that the primary reason Quinn found $350,000 last week was to help Roseland.

Quinn needs the Roseland community’s demographics for his reelection bid next year. Saving the hospital temporarily makes him look good to a lot of Black folks who might not realize what is really going on. Of course his people will tell the public that poli-

tics was not at the root of Quinn’s intervention. The governor knows that he faces a tough re-election road and his potential opponent Attorney General Lisa Madigan is extremely popular in the African American community.

We should expect to see more moves like the Roseland one from the governor. It allows him to use state money to ingratiate himself with voters. It is the privilege of incumbency. It also is a move that may cause voters to believe Quinn has the best interest of Black folks as a top shelf concern.

His interest, plain and simple, is Black votes. I don’t blame him – few people give up their jobs voluntarily. But voters need to be aware that the governor’s moves are not altruistic.

Benny Shephard

Brookins anti-littering proposal is wrong

this latest suggestion contradicts that notion.

There are tons of research available that substantiate when one wants a behavioral change the best place to start is with education. When health officials across the nation wanted to reinforce the dangerous side effects of smoking, they launched a campaign that addressed smoking’s negative side. The anti-smoking campaign was broad and frequent. The folks who oppose smoking still haven’t let up even (Continued on page 16)

CHICAGO CRUSADER (U.S.P.S. 596080)

Editor-Publisher

Dorothy R. Leavell Advertising Director

J.L. Smith 6429 South King Drive Chicago, Illinois 60637 773-752-2500 An independent newspaper serving the Southside Westside and Northside, printing the news impartially empowering what it believes to be right and appealling what it believes to be wrong without regard to party politics. Devoted to the Industrial, Educational, SocioPolitical and Educational advancement of Black people. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Editor:

VOL. LXXIII NO. 8 JUNE 15, 2013 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Sometimes we give credit to people just for trying. At other times we wonder what was a person thinking about when they did try a particular thing. The latter is the case with 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins.

The long-time alderman recently proposed that motorists who throw trash from their vehicles be fined up to $1,500 per incident, as well as have their vehicles impounded. Brookins, a lawyer, is supposedly an educated man; but

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Published Weekly NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

New Concept Media Service P.O. Box 377946 Chicago, IL 60637 Member National Newspaper Publishers Association __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subscription Rates - $25 Per Year $14.00 for 6 months $44.00 for 2 years

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Periodicals Paid at Chicago, IL POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE CHICAGO CRUSADER 6429 South King Drive Chicago, IL 60637

www.chicagocrusader.com

COMMENTARY

Why Black Business Programs Aren’t Working BEYOND THE RHETORIC

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist Last week I wrote about why we have Black business programs. The evolution of them from the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the cause for their existence. Title VI of the Act and along with the U.S. Supreme Court decisions justifies their existence. The most frustrating thing about it is the fact that most of them don’t work too well. Our collective gains in the public and corporate marketplace have been little and slow in coming. If we had genuine efforts and very positive results after 49 years of law there would be no need for affirmative action and participation programs.

In other words, there would be no more discrimination in the business marketplace. But unfortunately, racism still raises its ugly head.

Let’s look at some examples.

The most important part of making someone eligible for participating in these programs is certification. For some reason, in 2008, the Small Business Administration ceased certifying Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB). This will

Harry C. Alford open the door for false claims and fraud. The federal programs will become littered with “front” businesses participating as if they are small and disadvantaged. A million dollar white owned business could now claim the company to be an SDB. Thus, there will be participation reports that are terribly inflated and misleading. Maybe that is what the SBA’s intent is since their current level for Black participation is 1.5% (in 2012).

State departments of transportation are required under Title VI to

have diversity programs. The Los Angeles International Airport, LAX, chooses to have a strange version of a program. It’s the race neutral program. Programs that address racial discrimination by having a race neutral program are shams. In essence, race neutral means “white men companies only.” It doesn’t work and their numbers show it.

In fact, the whole state of California is 54% ethnic minority but their procurement programs are virtually void of any acceptable measurement of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans. On the corporate side, Silicon Valley is a wasteland in terms of procurement diversity. It doesn’t do much better in its hiring practices also.

Old Mississippi still lives – it’s in California.

Every five years, states and cities are supposed to perform a Disparity Study to determine if discrimination among businesses exist (U.S. Supreme Court). The state of Illinois has recently done a study. The study shows that Blacks are the most discriminated group among all contractors (duh!). It calls for strict improvement in the goals.

Funny, the governor’s office is trying to suppress the study due to pressure from white women groups

who are over-utilized according to the study. The truth sometimes hurts and this state needs to come to terms with its ongoing discrimination of Black businesses. The Illinois Black Legislative Caucus should block all legislation until this study is implemented.

In the city of Milwaukee there is a similar situation. The city’s recent Disparity Study shows Black businesses being heavily under-utilized while Hispanics and white women seem to have no discrimination against them. Guess who is suing the city to stop the implementation of this program? The Wisconsin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce! They want a race neutral program. I don’t know what kind of kool-aid they are drinking. Their law firm has an anti-affirmative action past. Go figure.

Then there is Jacksonville, Florida. Their recent Disparity Study is being held up by the city council.

Black and Hispanic groups have come together to demand the implementation of the study which clearly shows Blacks and Hispanics terribly under – utilized. I think the city’s Black mayor ought to step up – sooner rather than later.

There are many cities and states which are recalcitrant in complying with Title VI and the two rul-

ings of the U.S. Supreme Court.

We have run out of patience. The National Black Chamber of Commerce, led by our Chair, Dorothy Leavell, is going to go on the offensive. We are going to call out entities such as the few above and put public exposure and pressure on these elected officials who are timid about addressing discrimination.

My Lord! It has been 153 years since the Civil War began and slavery was finally condemned. Full citizenship is our demand.

Most cities with the biggest problem are without a functional Black chamber of commerce. If they do have one it needs to step up its value to the local community and get involved or just shut itself down.

The three poorest big cities with large Black populations are Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati. That makes sense since none of these cities have a really functional Black chamber of commerce whose focus is on Black business development.

Let’s stand up and make these programs work. It is on our shoulders and it is time to march.

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

Website: www.nationalbcc.org.

Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

The Jury is out on Obama’s Fight to Confirm Judges

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist The next major showdown in Washington may not be over how best to reduce the deficit or involve another Obama cabinet appointment. Look for sparks to fly over the president’s constitutional prerogative to nominate federal judges and the Senate’s responsibility to either confirm or reject those nominees.

The latest manifestation of this is President Obama’s decision to fill three vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a frequent stepping stone to the Supreme Court. The president said he is merely fulfilling his constitutional responsibility as president, but Republicans are accusing him of “packing the court.”

Clearly, the courts are anything but packed. In fact, more than 10 percent of all judgeships are unfilled. There are 87 vacancies, up from the 55 when Obama first took office.

To fully appreciate the significance of this standoff, it is important to remember that in their effort to radically shift the nation to the right over the past two decades, Republicans have gone all out to control the federal judiwww.chicagocrusader.com

ciary by placing young, arch conservatives on the bench.

According to a March 5 report by the Alliance for Justice titled, “The State of the Judiciary: Judicial Selection At the Beginning of President Obama’s Second Term,” Republican appointees still control the federal judiciary.

However, the study found, “Since the end of the Bush Administration, the percentage of Republicanappointed circuit judges dropped from 61.3% to 51.2%, and the percentage of Republican-appointed district court judges dropped from 58.6% to 53.6%.”

Political affiliation isn’t the only thing that is changing.

“President Obama’s nominees have been the most diverse in terms of race and gender in American history,” according to the report.

“Forty-one percent of his appointees have been women and 36% have been people of color, a far higher percentage than any of his predecessors.”

Bill Clinton had the second-best record, with 29 percent of his appointees women and 24 percent people of color.

Obama’s record would have been even more impressive had he made nominations at the same pace of his immediate predecessors.

The Congressional Research Ser-

George E. Curry vice (CRS) issued a report on May 2, titled, “President Obama’s First Term U.S. Circuit and District Court Nominations: An Analysis and Comparison with Presidents Since Reagan.”

It noted, “President Obama is the only one of the five most recent Presidents for whom, during his first term, both the average and median waiting time from nomination to confirmation for circuit and district court nominees was greater than half a calendar year (i.e., more than 182 days).”

There is plenty of blame to go around for such a slow confirmation pace, beginning with Obama. “… Of the 81 circuit or district

court vacancies that existed at the end of President Obama’s first term, 50 (or 61.7%) were vacancies for which, as of January 19, 2013, the President had not selected a nominee,” the CRS study found.

And even when Obama did submit names, the study found, his confirmation rate was lower than most of his immediate predecessors.

“Among the first five Presidents during their first terms… President G.H.W. Bush had the greatest number of circuit court nominees confirmed, 42. President Reagan had the greatest percentage of circuit nominees confirmed during his first term (86.8%). In contrast, President Obama had the secondlowest percentage of circuit court nominees confirmed (71.4%) and is tied with President Clinton for having the lowest number of circuit nominees confirmed, 30.”

There was a similar pattern with district court nominees, with Obama having the second-lowest number and percentage confirmed.

Although Obama has done an impressive job appointing nominees who reflect racial and gender diversity, he has not done as well with professional diversity, according to the report by the Alliance for Justice. While Obama has appointed 99 ex-prosecutors, he has nominated only 33 former public de-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

fenders and 16 former academics. Á professionally diverse judiciary better reflects the range of legal and societal experiences that judges bring to the bench,” the report observed. “A judiciary heavily slanted toward former corporate attorneys and prosecutors lack the perspective of lawyers who have represented clients in criminal defense, consumer and environmental protection, personal injury, and other public interest fields.”

Unlike Republicans, Obama has tended to nominate older candidates to the bench, averaging 51.3 years old. That’s typically 2-5 years older than Republican appointees.

And that could come back to haunt Democrats in the future.

“Because federal judicial appointments are for life, Republican presidents have repeatedly nominated people under 50 to circuit court seats, and in fact have placed a premium on selecting young nominees,” the Alliance for Justice study stated.

“As for district court seats, President Reagan nominated over 30 people under 40 years old to the district court bench, while President Obama has nominated only 5.

“Since young district court appointees are often prime candi(Continued on page 17) Saturday, June 15, 2013

5

COMMENTARY

TO MY AFRICAN AMERICAN GRADUATES

(Dr. Conrad Worrill, National Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front (NBUF), located at 1809 East 71st Street, Suite 211, Chicago, Illinois, 60649, 773-493-0900, Fax# 773-493-9819, E-mail: nbufchic@sbcglobal.net, Web site: nbufront.org)

Dr. Conrad Worrill Once again, I am sharing my annual graduation speech in hopes that it will help African people in America understand the real meaning of these rites of passage for thousands of our young people who will be participating in commencement exercises affirming their graduation from elementary, middle school, high school, and college in the next few weeks.

Your life has just begun today brothers and sisters. This is probably one of the most important days in your life as you make this transition, this rite of passage in moving toward another stage in your development as young Africans in America.

I’d like to congratulate your teachers, parents, guardians, and extended family members who are with you today and who have supported you in reaching this critical stage of your life at this critical hour in history.

I want to have a brief but serious talk with you today brothers and sisters. It has been predicted that within the 21st century, if current trends continue, 70% of African men in America between the ages of 16 and 28 will be either in jail or addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. Increasingly, this same trend is occurring with African females in America. One of the purposes of our educational pursuits is to turn this devastating trend around.

What does all this mean today as you graduate from this educational institution that professes to be dedicated to the academic and cultural development of young people like you? As young Black people, or Africans in America, about to enter a new stage in life, let me define what being Black

and African really means.

First, it is the color of your African ancestry.

Second, it is culture: practicing a lifestyle that recognizes the importance of our African and African in American heritage and traditions. I am speaking of an African culture that is geared to the values that will facilitate the present and future development of our people.

Third, it is consciousness. We should always be conscious of our strength, beauty, and potential as African people. In this connection, we should always interpret all situations from the standpoint of the greatest good for the greatest number of Africans in the world. This is called the African principle.

Fourth and finally, Black or being African means commitment.

It means a willingness to work tirelessly in the interests of African people and all oppressed humanity.

So it is today that I am challenging you to continue on the path of becoming independent African people who are not dependent on others outside of our communities for the things we can do for ourselves.

I am challenging you as you make this rite of passage to prepare yourselves to become com-

mitted to the struggle for the just and common cause for the liberation and redemption of African people worldwide.

This dedication to the common cause goes beyond the resources of one generation. It means we must always learn from previous generations. We must always learn from the wisdom of our ancestors using this knowledge as a way of seeking and struggling for a better way of life for African people based on goals and objectives in our own best interests.

In other words, we must stop killing each other over bruised egos, over material items and drugs that other people manufacture and bring into our communities. We must stop the killing!

We must seek to prepare the generations to come to develop the skills and resources for making our ultimate freedom and liberation a reality. As Malcolm X always said, “education is the passport to freedom.”

As the late, renowned, African in American educator, psychologist, and historian Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, III writes in SBA: The Reawakening of the African Mind, “We Africans… have not viewed our problems holistically.

After years of living under conditions of extreme oppression, we have settled for limited defini-

tions of our problem.”

Dr. Hilliard explains; “A classic example may be taken from the period of the Civil Rights Movement. The evil and gross injustice of slavery and segregation violated the civil rights of African people and had to be addressed.

However, the necessary task of fighting for civil rights was insufficient to allow for the healing of a people. Our healing requires a greater conceptual frame than that provided by civil rights.”

Dr. Hilliard continues with this insight: “First we must see ourselves as an African people, or we will be unable to develop this critical frame. Second, we must understand not only the role that white supremacy has played in our subjugation, but also the role that we ourselves have played by not practicing self-determination in our struggle to counter the MAAFA (this is a KiSwahili term that means disaster or as Marimba Ani has conceptualized it to mean the African holocaust of Eurasian enslavement/colonialism).”

Remember parents, teachers, and students as our esteemed ancestor Dr. John Henrik Clarke repeatedly warned, “Powerful people never teach powerless people how to take power from them.

(Continued on page 16)

DOES BIG BROTHER HAVE A RACIAL BIAS?

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist When George Orwell wrote the novel 1984, he envisioned a character, a real or imagined “Big Brother” who was a know-all, see-all, omnipotent and elusive presence that intruded into lives because he could. Those who knew about “him” were told that they did not exist, but in many ways, Big Brother may not have existed either. The omnipotence had taken on a life of its own.

Orwell’s book was a book ahead of its time. At a different point in time, his book could have been dismissed as psychedelic fantasy.

Today, he is just a step behind the reality in which we live. Verizon is sharing telephone records. The Department of Justice is monitoring journalists, and the IRS is playing games with those who seek nonprofit status. People pulled over for a minor traffic violation will have to submit fingerprints to find out if they have broken other laws. Big Brother is 6

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Julianne Malveaux alive and well in too many layers of our lives.

Meanwhile, market researchers are segmenting populations by zip code and consumer patterns.

They can tell you what percentage of whites; African Americans or Latinos live in a certain zip code. They can tell you what you

earn, what you are worth, and how many of your neighbors have criminal records. The zip code data drives marketers. Does it also drive law enforcement?

A recent study indicated that African Americans are between 2 and 6 percent more likely to be arrested for marijuana violations than whites are. I guess it is easier to arrest from a corner than from a country club! The rate of arrests for marijuana possession is 716 per 100,000 for African Americans, compared to 192 per 100,000 for whites. The disparity is much higher in some counties.

Does this mean that African Americans are breaking more laws, or that law enforcement officers are targeting some zip codes or communities more regularly?

It is a lot easier to pick up a few citizens enjoying marijuana in a park than banging down the doors of an elite country club.

Yet data about marijuana usages suggests that there is little to distinguish the habits of African Americans from those of whites.

The only difference is the arrest rate.

Big Brother knows.

Big Brother has driven the kind of demographic that will tell you where you can find low-income, highly unemployed individuals, no matter of race. Big Brother can tell you who can afford lawyers and who cannot. Big Brother can drive police to investigate the least and the left out, those who are most vulnerable, while deciding to allow others to slink behind their space of class and privilege. Big Brother can play bang for buck games that make it more profitable to arrest those with few resources in the hood instead of those with homebased protection.

Data collection seems to be a race-neutral process. While data collection is an input, arrests are an output. Between input and output there is the opportunity for racial bias to show up. If white folk and Black folk take an equal toke, why are Black folk more likely to be arrested? Are zip

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

codes driving public safety officers to one place and deterring them from another?

Differences in marijuana arrests raise real questions about the many ways that data may be used to discriminate. Instead of structural racism, intrinsic racism, and other forms of racism, we now have a data-based racism that is only logical when we ask how data is collected. Simply put, the zip code data leads people to discriminate, if only because they are being led to single out a certain population.

In other words you can be a non-racial racist. You can let the data, warped though it may be, lead you to biased conclusions.

Data-based racism is as corrosive as emotion-based racism. Big Brother’s racial biases is nothing more than par for the course.

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. www.chicagocrusader.com

GOSSIPTARY when Sammy Sosa got tired of being cullid, he got some bleaching cream and turned he self damn near white. This here is a puzzlement for Ima when it comes to Bill Cosby.

How this man, who can buy all the bleaching cream in the world aint done call Sammy and find out where to git it. Bill is talking about what’s wrong with Black folks again and what we ain’t doing right according to him. Cosby sound like some old cracker trying to splain how he would be fo the Neegra but dey ain’t for deyselves, so he can’t do nothing for em. And to make sure

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!

ALDERMAN LITTERBUG DON’T GET IT Ima knows if she ever need a new lawyer the city council ain’t the place to go git one. It ain’t just dat dey don’t have enough sense to vote against what da Mare want, dey got in da wrong line when the Lawd was handing out common sense.

Howard Brookins must be the one who ran de farthest away cause he be telling folks he wanna fine peoples for throwing trash out dey car.

www.chicagocrusader.com

Howard Brookins Ima all for a spiffy clean Chicago but ain’t nobody need to be paying no $1,500 cause when they throw stuff out their car window, Brookins said dey even be throwing used condoms out da car. Can somebody tell me if Brookins bees stopping and checking condoms on the street to see if he needs to stamp ‘em new or used?

Dr. Cornel West

the white folk know he siding with them Cosby wrote his latest I-aintreally-Black drivel in the New York Post.

Obammy is the biggest disappointment since Shirley Temple found out Bojangles wasn’t her daddy. Cornel say now he want a white president cause Obammy ain’t helping poor people enough.

And he real POd that he thought Obammy was gonna be like Martin Luther King, Jr. cause the prezdent talked about him all the time in the campaign. Well Cornel and Travis must be scared of Dubyah cause dey was lip-locked when da old sober drunk was at de White House. Now Ima thinking maybe Cornel gonna tell us he can do it the right way and run for prezdent. Where is Dick Cheney when you need him?

PRESIDENT CORNEL?

BILL COSBY CALLING SAMMY SOSA When credit is due Ima aint got no problem passing it along. Like

Sammy Sosa

Bill Cosby

What is this, the week for smart people talking dumb or maybe dumb people jist talking? Slowly but surely Ima been reading some new Internet newspaper since dey done made Jet thinner than twoply toilet paper. One of dem newspapers I found musta been pretty desperate since they run a column

by Dr. Cornel West all about President Obammy. From what Cornel, Travis Smiley’s roommate say,

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, June 15, 2013

7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MARQUETTE BANK EVENTS: Free Kids Party – On Saturday, June 15, Marquette Bank will host a free kids party at the Marquette Bank located at 7560 W. 159th Street in Orland Park. Enjoy family fun, games, prizes and refreshments between 11 AM and 2 PM. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 708-614-4721. Free Neighborhood Summer Kickoff Party – On Saturday, June 15, Marquette Bank will host a free neighborhood summer kickoff party at the Marquette Bank located at 2570 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox. Enjoy family fun, games, prizes and refreshments between 11 AM and 1 PM. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 815-463-9445. Free Ladies’ Day Event – On Saturday, June 15, Marquette Bank will host a free ladies’ day event at the Marquette Bank located at 8020 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Enjoy a day of refreshments and fun between 1 PM and 3 PM. Shop and meet local vendors, including: Dove Chocolate, Essential Chiropractic, Home Bound Candles, Lia Sophia and more. Bring your girlfriends and treat yourself, mingle and have fun. Door prizes and deals from vendors will be available. The event is open to the public.

For more information, call 773-9184504. Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day – On Saturday, June 15, Marquette Bank will host a Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day at all 23 bank locations. Neighbors are encouraged to join the movement and help strengthen the local economy by switching to a local bank. Stop by any Marquette Bank location for new customer specials and free credit history reports. For more information, visit www.emarquettebank.com or call 1-888-2549500.

ART SMART: What are hidden messages to which abstract art lends itself? On Saturday, June 15, from 2 PM – 4:30 PM at the South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Avenue, Artists Felicia Grant Preston and Dwayne Preston will address this topic. Felicia Grant Preston is one of the founding members of Sapphire and Crystals, a collective of African American women artists. A graduate of Chicago State and Governor’s State Universities, Felicia has exhibited throughout the country. Her work is included in the prestigious Paul R. Jones Collection.

Eldest son Dwayne has emerged as a sculptor in his own right. His metal works have been shown around the city, most recently at the Black Creativity juried exhibition and at Gallery D’Estee. The event is Free and open to the public, though donations are appreciated. This event is sponsored by Diasporal Rhythms.

8

Saturday, June 15, 2013

For more information or to rsvp, visit www.diasporalrhythms.net/events.

BANG PRESENTS SOULFRICA AT THE SHRINE: Bang presents Soul-Frica featuring Louie Vega and Terry Hunter, along with resident Greg Winfield at the Shrine on Sunday, June 16, from 6 PM – 2 AM. There will be EOL Eclipse CDs and vinyl for sale. The Shrine is located at 2109 W. Wabash Avenue.

HALE WOODRUFF EXHIBIT: This exhibit is continuing at the Chicago Cultural Center through Sunday, June 16. “Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at Talladega College” features six monumentallyscaled murals painted in 1939-42 by African American artist Hale Woodruff. Never before seen outside of Alabama’s Talladega College, the murals depict the 1839 mutiny by slaves on the Spanish ship La Amistad and its aftermath. Newly restored to their original, vibrant colors, the murals are accompanied by 30 paintings and prints that document Woodruff’s work from the 1920s to the 1940s, making this exhibition a rare opportunity to see this important Harlem Renaissance artist’s work in depth. The exhibit is at the Chicago Cultural Center’s 4th Floor Exhibit Hall, 78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. Admission is Free.

SUMMER BRAIN GAMES ARE BACK AT MSI! The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) is offering families the opportunity to keep kids engaged and have some fun together with its Summer Brain Games program, which kicks off for its second year on Monday, June 17 and continues through August 12.

The program offers eight weeks of free and fun at-home science experiments designed to combat the “summer brain drain,” when kids lose months of critical learning. Summer Brain Games features a FREE online activity guide with weekly experiments that explore “summery” science themes and allow families with kids of all ages to stay active and enthused as they learn more about the world around them. This summer, families can watch plants grow without soil in a hydroponic garden, explore engineering skills and simple machines by building a Rube Goldberg machine, and even make their own weather station! Activities can be easily done using items found around the house or inexpensively purchased; the Summer Brain Games activity guide is available in both English and Spanish. Families who register to be “summer brainiacs” at msichicago.org/summerbrain will receive a voucher good for a FREE Museum Entry ticket to MSI (one per household) and weekly

emails with tips and hints about each experiment. And, each week, one lucky winner will receive a household membership to MSI to experience a whole YEAR of science. Participants also will be invited to share their Summer Brain Games experiences with at least one photo and a brief essay about what they learned for a chance to win a family tech package—a notebook computer, iPad and digital camera! Visit msichicago.org/summerbrain to learn more.

Registration is taking place now at msichicago.org/summerbrain. For more information, contact Julie Parente at julie.parente@msichicago.org or at773-753-6249.

ADOPT-A-BEACH: Summer means Adopt-A-Beach™. The Alliance for the Great Lakes’ beach stewardship program, is back and looking for volunteers to donate their time and talents. Armed with tally sheets and bags, committed volunteers comb the beach for garbage and recyclables which are then disposed of appropriately. The annual AdoptA-Beach™ program will continue to run through October to help keep beaches clean and safe. Adopt-ABeach™ events are held once a

CHICAGO HUMAN RHYTHM project presents 2013 Rhythm World. Guests from Brazil and top U.S. Tap talent highlight 23rd Festival July 22-Aug. 4. Presented in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art. month on Wednesdays at noon at 12th Street Beach. The next one will be held on Wednesday, June 19.

For more information, please call 312-939-2438 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

Extended Coverage long as you’re wearing a seat belt.

It’s pretty easy to adjust your rear-view mirror. Once the seat is adjusted, can you see out the whole back window? Side-view mirrors are a little trickier.

***

*** On the driver’s side, place your face right against the window and adjust the mirror until you can barely see the left side of the car; you’ll have a good view of oncoming traffic. ***

Milton E. Moses

It’s true: the best service and prices on auto insurance areat Community Insurance Center, Inc., 526 E. 87th Street, your insurance headquarters. We have been serving the community since 1962. For more information about the services we provide, call (773) 651-6200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins. com.

To adjust the passenger side, move to the center of the seat, and move the mirror so you can barely see the right side of your car. Ideally, vehicles should be seen in the side-view mirrors before they leave the rearview mirror. *** Use the “three-second rule” to avoid collisions. As the car ahead of you passes a landmark, count 1,001 ... 1,002 ... . If you don’t pass the same spot before 1,003, you have a safe gap. *** It’s true: the back seat of a car really is the safest place to sit, as BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

BUSINESS

Strolling down the beauty aisles

By Cheryl Pearson McNeil NNPA Columnist When it comes to looking good, staying on top of your game, and making sure your pursuit of beauty is on point, you know the AfricanAmerican community has that covered. Nielsen’s latest insights highlight hair and skin beauty purchases and behavior, by the numbers among African-Americans and other ethnic groups in the U.S. and Canada in a recent NielsenWire Post titled. “Looking Good: Appealing to Ethnic Consumers in the Beauty Aisle.”

Ladies, I’m talking to all of us here. Whether we wear our lovely tresses straight, in locks, curled or rock a natural, cute afro-puff – God-given or store-bought – we all want to make sure we look presentable and feel good about ourselves, and will spend our last dime to do so. And, no, even though we usually think of women when we talk about hair care and beauty, women don’t corner the market on giving attention to good looks.

You’ve likely heard the word, metrosexual, coined about 10 years ago

www.chicagocrusader.com

to describe men who pay attention to the way they look. It’s ok to ‘fess up, guys. And, I think most women appreciate a man who takes care of himself in this department, right ladies?

As African-American consumers, we are 43 million strong, representing just under 14 percent of the population, and we spend more

than 900 percent more on ethnic hair and beauty products than any other ethnic group in the U.S. More and more companies are beginning to pay attention. Have you noticed the increase of non-ethnic brands that now offer a “natural” hair care line?

We also pay close attention to our skin, according the post. African-

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil

American consumers purchase skin bleaching products at a rate of a whopping 434 percent more than the general population. And before you jump to conclusions, this isn’t necessarily about reinventing ourselves. This is primarily about erasing blemishes, lightening age spots or even out skin tones. We purchase more hand lotion, body lotion and all-purpose skin creams than the general population: 54 percent and 40 percent respectively. We are 58 percent less likely to purchase suntan preparations or sunscreens and sunblock products. Here’s an instance where there are opportunities for marketers in some of these categories because there is opportunity for market growth, particularly in the suntan preparations category.

I have girlfriends who slather themselves with baby oil before baking in the sun – unprotected.

Most of us now know (but still may ignore) that Blacks are not immune to sun damage – and that all skin can burn – this could be an opportunity for a wide-reaching education campaign for the companies that manufacture sunscreens and sunblocks. (Even if you’re not afraid

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

of sunburn or skin cancer, what about premature wrinkling or skin that could turn to a consistency that feels like leather from years of overexposure? I’m just saying). As a matter of fact, now I can get a tan right in my bathroom –without even being exposed to sunlight. I use gradual tanning lotions which have SPF already included. This way, I can protect my skin and have the luxurious bronzing color highlights that I want.

So, you see, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It is imperative that you choose companies who have your best interests, needs front and center. You’ve got to make sure you have nothing but the best with you in your pursuit of beauty. Please take this into consideration the next time you stroll down those beauty aisles. This time, you’ll just be better equipped with additional knowledge in tow.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com

Saturday, JUNE 15, 2013

9

EDUCATION

“Welcoming” schools register 78 percent early enrollment CPS Moving Forward on a Smooth and Safe Transition for All Students in Underutilized Closing Schools; Parents Can Continue to Enroll Throughout Summer Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced recently that 78 percent of students from underutilized closing schools have already enrolled early for the 2013-14 school year. CPS recently launched a comprehensive enrollment campaign to encourage parents to sign their children up to ensure students are ready to start learning on day one.

Of the 11,800 students currently attending closing schools in grades K-7 and current 3-year-olds in preschool, over 9,200 have enrolled in their new school with nearly 83 percent of those students choosing to attend their designated Welcoming School. CPS continues to make progress on their focused efforts to ensure a smooth and safe transition for all affected students and their families.

“I am encouraged to see so many parents from closing schools already choosing to early enroll their children in their new school,” said Byrd-Bennett. “Every child must have equal access to a high-quality education and taking the necessary steps to enroll our children in higher performing schools will help put our children on a path towards a brighter future.

CPS launched the early enrollment campaign on May 23, making 200,000 reaches to parents through phone calls, text messages, emails, letters and flyers encouraging them to sign their children up for school in the fall. Parents who have not registered their children will still be able to do so throughout the summer.

CPS worked to enroll as many students as possible prior to June 1 to gain as accurate an assessment as possible of the number of students attending each school in the fall.

These projections will help inform the school-based budgets that will be provided to principals in June so they may properly prepare their schools with all the resources, in-

WELCOMING SCHOOLS WILL open this fall to students whose former schools were shuttered as a part of a CPS plan to elevate learning for all students. Parents have been promised there will be better technology equipment available at these schools. cluding staffing, that they will need school staff to continue to enroll registered and work with families students. Students from closing to get them registered. This will be in the fall.

CPS, Network Offices and school schools are guaranteed a seat in their done through various means, instaff will begin targeting outreach designated Welcoming School, and cluding letters, phone calls and poefforts to parents who have not reg- parents must enroll their children in tentially home visits. istered their child and school com- person in either their dedicated Chicago Public Schools serves munities with low enrollment. Welcoming School or at another 403,000 students in 681 schools. It The enrollment tool will remain school with available seats.

This summer, CPS will continue is the nation’s third-largest school open at welcoming and closing schools for two weeks to allow to identify students who haven’t district.

Chicago Gary Comer College Prep Principal receives prestigious Ryan Award James Troupis, founding principal of Gary Comer College Prep, learned at a surprise ceremony recently that he is a Ryan Award recipient, which includes a $25,000 honorarium and the opportunity to teach the next generation of school leaders.

On Wednesday morning, June 5, surrounded by students whose lives have been deeply enriched under his guidance, James Troupis, founding principal of Gary Comer College Prep, was surprised to learn he was named a recipient of the Ryan Award for exceptional leadership in closing the achievement gap in ur-

ban K-12 schools. Along with the prestige of the award comes a $25,000 honorarium and the opportunity to teach his successful methodologies at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Founder of Accelerate Institute Pat Ryan, Jr., presented Mr. Troupis with an over-sized $25,000 check, explaining, “We created the Ryan Awards to highlight the leaders of the most successful transformational schools in the U.S. We want to honor these heroes and to enlist them as role models, and help current and future principals learn from their

successes. James Troupis is the embodiment of excellent school leadership.” This is the first year these national awards will be conferred.

They are distributed through the Accelerate Institute, a Chicagobased non-profit dedicated to the development of achievement accelerating urban school leaders.

Troupis confessed he was overwhelmed at the honor, stating, “This award really belongs to the students and staff who have done the hard work to make this school so successful. This is the greatest place on earth that I know.”

James Troupis is the founding

principal of Gary Comer College Prep, which opened its doors in 2009, a campus of the esteemed Noble Network of Charter Schools.

The school’s mission, as stated on its website, is to be “the best high school in the country at graduating low-income minority students from college.”

Under the leadership of Troupis, one year ago, June 2012, the founding class of 101 seniors graduated with a 100% acceptance at four-year universities, accepted over $2 million in institutional and federal grants, and are attending 49 colleges across the country in a total of 17

2013 RYAN AWARD recipient, James Troupis, founding principal of Gary Comer College Prep, is surprised to learn about the award, which also includes a $25,000 honorarium.

10

Saturday, June 15, 2013

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

states. More than 80% of them will be first generation college graduates. Gary Comer College Prep’s first graduating class had an incoming ACT score of 13.4 and finished with a 20.1. These same students had a 100% college enrollment rate and a 96% persistence rate in college.

Troupis was called to an assembly that was actually a ruse to surprise him with the announcement. Helping him celebrate the moment were his wife, Colleen Troupis, and their one-year old daughter Addie. Noble Network colleagues, Gary Comer teachers and students, and Rob Birdsell, CEO of Accelerate Institute, were also in attendance.

James Troupis is the second of three Ryan Awardees. Ben Marcovitz of Sci Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana was the first Ryan Award recipient, named at a May 30, student award ceremony. A third recipient will be named within the month.

This first class of three Ryan Awardees will be celebrated at the Accelerate Institute’s Ryan Award Dinner in Chicago on September 26.

Among those praising the Ryan Award is U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, “I commend the Accelerate Institute for undertaking this innovative initiative to increase and support talented school leaders, as well as recognizing the nation’s greatest school leaders through the Ryan Award. These are areas of critical need that must be filled.” www.chicagocrusader.com

COMMUNITY

Author encourages students to love themselves Author Annie Ruth urged students to look in the mirror every day and say, “I love myself!,” during the Institute for Positive Living’s Open Book Author Event recently at Drake Elementary School, 2722 S. King Dr., in Chicago. Ruth’s advice was based on her own experiences as a child. “Sometimes people around you will not tell you,” she said, “so then you have to tell it to yourself.”

Open Book Students from Drake, Henderson, Mayo and Williams elementary schools exhibited their reading, writing and critical thinking skills by performing original skits based on Annie Ruth’s book Conversations With A Sisterfriend.

The students worked with professional performance artists who

etry and prose to relay a positive message. Although she’s known for addressing heart-felt topics that bring up deep emotions and often painful experiences, the essence of her message is “triumph over adversity,” “love of self and self-acceptance,” and “universal sisterhood.”

Following the performances, Annie Ruth interacted with the Open Book participants. “You have blown me away with your interpretation of Conversations With A Sisterfriend,” she told them. Ruth, who confided that she had seen verbatim performances of her poems, but never original interpretations, urged the Open Book students to look in the mirror each morning and say to themselves, “I love myself!” She also

OPEN BOOK STUDENTS from Williams Prep Academy Middle School began their First Place Trophy winning interpretation of Annie Ruth’s Conversations With A Sisterfriend with a celebration of the power of words. helped them create their skits. A had the crowd shout out the James book of poems, Conversations with Brown refrain: “I’m Black and I’m a Sisterfriend uses straight talk dia- Proud!” log to prompt the reader to positive Ruth confided that she had not alaction. Utilizing the oral tradition of ways been Black and Proud, but had storytelling, Annie Ruth candidly, walked to and from school with her but in a life-affirming and positive head down when she was little. That way, discusses many of the issues im- changed when a woman in the pacting girls, young women, and neighborhood began saying to her adult women. each day that she was beautiful.

Open Book participants from “Slowly,” said Ruth, “my head beWilliams Prep Academy Middle gan to rise.”

School took home the First Place Ruth told the young people that trophy. the great thing about poetry is that The Second Place Trophy went to you can tell a whole story in one Mayo Elementary School and the page. Her poems, she said, were Third Place Trophy went to Drake. based either directly on her own life Henderson Elementary took home experiences or of those around her. a medal.

The Open Book participants also Author Annie Ruth uses both po- got a chance to get their books

ANNIE RUTH, AUTHOR of Conversations With A Sisterfriend, is pictured with Allyea Harris from Elementary School and her mom, Darlene Harris, during the Institute for Positive Living’s Open Book Author Event on June 1, 2013. www.chicagocrusader.com

OPEN BOOK STUDENTS from Williams Prep Academy Middle School as they are congratulated by Author Annie Ruth (3rd from left) congratulates them on taking home the First Place Trophy for their interpretation of Conversations With A Sisterfriend.

The Open Book Program focuses on stimulating interest in reading quality, culturally relevant children’s literature through a variety of activities including literary circles, drama, and Internet experiences. During each program segment, participants do an in-depth study of one or two books. Authors and author/illustrators have included Sandra Belton, Ashley Bryan, Debbi Chocolate, Sharon Flake, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Nikki Grimes, Catherine Ingram, Jewell Parker Rhodes, M. LaVora Perry, Harriette Gillem Robinet, AUTHOR ANNIE RUTH signs copies of Conversations With Earl Sewell, Charles R. Smith, Jr., Hope Anita Smith, Glennette Tilley A Sisterfriend for Nakiyah Powell, Capri Booker, Iesha White, Turner, Darwin MacBeth Walton, Maliyon Williamson and Donyea Pitts from Henderson Walter Dean Myers, and Camille Elementary School during the Institute for Positive Living’s Yarbrough.

Open Book Author Event on June 1, 2013.

The Open Book Program is part signed by Ruth. and become proficient in reading This year’s Open Book partici- and writing. Because of their dedica- of the Institute of Positive Living. pants come from Drake Elementary tion to focusing on programs that The Mission of the Institute for PosSchool, 2722 S. King Dr., Hender- promote non-violence and violence itive Living is to promote the quality son Elementary School, 5650 S. prevention, the Institute for Positive of community life with special focus Wolcott Ave., Mayo Elementary Living’s Open Book Program, along on helping families solve educationSchool, 249 E. 37th St. and Will- with their Health Initiative and Par- al, social and economic problems.

For information on the Open iams Multiplex Elementary School, ent University, were recently selected 2710 S. Dearborn St. to receive funding from Chicago Book Program or the Institute for The Institute for Positive Living’s Area Project’s Bridges to the Fu- Positive Living, contact Marrice Open Book Program focuses on de- ture/Special Projects grant program, Coverson at 773-924-9802 or on veloping critical thinking skills by a collaboration with the Illinois Vio- the Internet at www.openbookprogram.org. inspiring young people to both love lence Prevention Authority.

OPEN BOOK STUDENTS from Mayo Elementary School are all smiles as they receive their Second Place trophy for their performance of a skit based on Annie Ruth’s Conversations With A Sisterfriend.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, June 15, 2013

11

ENTERTAINMENT

By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ SUMMER SIZZLES: “Come hear the music play...” this summer at the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University, located at 50 East Congress Parkway, and the Katten/Landau Studio, located at 425 South Wabash, when both spaces are transformed into an intimate cabaret hosting some of the city’s most talented performers.

The series kicks off in the Katten/Landau Studio on Saturday, July 20, 2013 with “Life is a Cabaret-The Music and Words of Kander and Ebb” featuring Scott Gryder, Nick Sula and Phil Martin and continues on Saturday, August 10 with “The Greg Spero Trio,” as Spero treats the audience to both original songs from his new album as well as everyone’s favorite jazz tunes. The series culminates on Saturday, August 24 when the audience sits on the Auditorium’s world-famous landmark stage to hear “Chicago Music Legends” featuring Frank D’Rone, Judy Roberts and Denise Tomasello.

The Performance Schedule is as follows: “Life is a Cabaret - The Music and Words of Kander and Ebb” Saturday, July 20 at 8:00 PM Katten/Landau Studio Tickets: $25/$35 for VIP Tables “The Greg Spero Trio” Saturday, August 10 at 8:00 PM Katten/Landau Studio Tickets: $25/$35 for VIP Tables “On Stage With...Chicago Music Legends” Saturday, August 24 at 8:00 PM Auditorium Theatre’s Solitt Stage Tickets: $50/$75 for VIP Tables Tickets are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling 1-800982-2787, or in person at The Auditorium Theatre Box Office located at 50 East Congress Parkway in Chicago.

Breezes Resort and Spa-Bahamas SUMMER GET-AWAY!: Looking for a quick summer get-away? Then make a quick trip to Breezes...the only Super-Inclusive resort in the Bahamas and enjoy every third night free. That’s right! Pay for just two nights and stay for three.

At Super-Inclusive Breezes Resort and Spa-Bahamas, virtually everything you can eat, drink and do is included in one simple, upfront price with NO TIPPING allowed. SO leave your wallet behind and bring a healthy appetite for great food and endless fun. All on the best beach in The Bahamas.

At Breezes, you’ll find an abundance of land and water sports. Everything from sailing and windsurfing to tennis and rock-climbing and so much more. Included are the following: Tropically elegant accommodations...

Unlimited dining in a variety of restaurants...

Unlimited premium brand drinks and cocktails...

Endless list of Land and Water Sports...

Daily activities...

Nightly entertainment...

Fully equipped fitness center and classes...

NO TIPPING ALLOWED. Book this unbeatable deal now and only $410 per person and travel anytime before August 9, 2013. Book online at breezes.com,call 1-877-2733937, or call your favorite travel agent.

12

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Make Music Chicago presents free music on June 21 Presented by Rush Hour Concerts, Make Music Chicago, a completely free musical celebration across Chicago, returns for its third annual event taking place on the first day of summer, Friday, June 21. Chicago joins more than 500 cities across the world celebrating music with free performances, all on the longest day of the year. Tishman Speyer is proud to be Presenting Sponsor of Make Music Chicago 2013.

Make Music Chicago celebrates the ability of everyone to participate in music-making. Throughout the day, people of all ages and backgrounds – beginners, amateurs, professionals and marquee artists – gather in Chicago’s public spaces to perform live music of all genres.

This year, over 25 sites host music events, including Daley Plaza, the Driehaus Museum, The Poetry Foundation, Midway Plaisance, Lincoln Park Zoo, Old Town School of Folk Music, Roosevelt University and more. The Grand Finale takes place in the historic St. James Cathedral (65 E. Huron St. at Wabash) in River North, followed by an outdoor street party at the St. James Commons. A complete list of performance sites can be found at www.makemusicchicago.com.

In related news, Rush Hour Concerts is pleased to announce that pianist Kuang-Hao Huang has joined Creative Director Deborah Sobol on the Make Music Chicago Creative Team. A renowned pianist and frequent artist on the Rush Hour Concerts Summer Concert Series, Huang is collaborating with Sobol to program several locations for the June 21 celebration. “I’m excited to join Rush Hour’s creative team for Make Music Chicago,” said Huang.

“We are planning a range of programs across the city, from large participatory events like Play the Plaza to a full day of live broadcasts on 98.7 WFMT.” Make Music Chicago 2013 Events Play the Plaza Make Music Chicago invites anyone and everyone to Play the Plaza, beginning in the morning at 9 in

PROVIDENCE ST. MEL STUDENTS after performing at last year’s Make Music Chicago Grand Finale. Photo courtesy of Make Music Chicago.

Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington multiple Family Concerts throughSt.). The fully participatory event out the day. In Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes all orchestra, chorale and (2001 N. Clark St.), woodwind enconcert band musicians of any age. semble Quintet Attacca, along with Play the Plaza opens with the Rise special guest narrator Mark George, and Shine Orchestra and continues President of the Music Institute of with two popular lunchtime events Chicago, perform their interactive returning from prior years, the “Peter and the Wolf” show. Also, Broadway and Opera Sing-Along the young musicians of the Suzuki and Sousapalooza. Any musicians Music School of Lincoln Park perinterested in participating in Play form favorites in “SuZOOki.” the Plaza events can learn more, Lincoln Park Zoo: Quintet Attacdownload repertoire and sign up at ca with Mark George, “Peter and www.makemusicchicago.com/play- the Wolf:” 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.; the-plaza.

“SuZOOki” kids play-along: 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Live Broadcasts on 98.7 WFMT Chinese Fine Arts Society Young Chicago’s only classical music ra- Artists: 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. dio station, 98.7 WFMT, devotes a Additional Sites Hosting Music: full day of broadcasting beginning Chant Restaurant (starting at 9 at 10 a.m. on June 21 to Make Mu- p.m.), 1509 E. 53rd St. sic Chicago, featuring live perforChicago Cultural Center, 78 E. mances from the Music Institute of Randolph St. Chicago (1490 Chicago Ave., International House (2 – 8 p.m.), Evanston), the PianoForte Founda- 1414 E. 59th St. tion (Fine Arts Building, Studio Joan’s Music Studio, 1438 E. 57th 825, 408 S. Michigan Ave.) and the St. Reva and David Logan Center for Midway Plaisance, 731 E. 60th St. the Arts (915 E. 60th St.). The Millennium Park, 201 E. Ranbroadcast is produced by 98.7 dolph Drive.

WFMT’s program director, Peter Nichols Park, 1355 E. 53rd St. Van De Graaff, who said, “Make The Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Music Chicago is one of the city’s Superior Street. most unique musical events, and Old Town School of Folk Music, WFMT is excited to feature a day of 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue. live broadcasts from around the city Resurrection Project Plaza, 1818 on June 21st.”

S. Paulina St. Roosevelt University, 430 S. Family Concerts Michigan Ave. Make Music Chicago includes (Continued on page 16)

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

ENTERTAINMENT STYLE

Relive the 60s with Motown the Musical MOTOWN THE MUSICAL’s creative team features choreography by Patricia Wilcox (Blues in the Night) and Warren Adams (Toy Story), scenic design by David Korins (Bring It On: The Musical, Annie), costume design

by Tony Award® nominee ESosa (The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, “Project Runway”), lighting design by Tony Award® winner

“More Than A Broadway Show, A Celebration Of Music That Transformed America!”

– CBS Sunday Morning Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that MOTOWN THE MUSICAL has chosen Chicago as the first stop on its national tour. The hit Broadway musical features music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and a book by Berry Gordy.

Crowned the biggest box office hit of the season by the New York Times, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will launch its national tour at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph) from April 22 to July 13, 2014.

Since it began performances on Broadway in April 2013, the show has sold every single ticket available and grossed more than $1 million dollars every week.

“It’s an honor to launch the tour

chestrations by Tony Award® nominee Ethan Popp (Rock of Ages), who also serves as music supervisor in reproducing the classic “Sound of Young America,” with co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Tony Award® nominee Bryan Crook (“Smash”) and dance arrangements by Zane Mark (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels).

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is produced by Tony Award® winning producer Kevin McCollum (Rent, In the Heights, Avenue Q), Chairman and CEO of SONY Music Entertainment Doug Morris and Motown founder Berry Gordy.

TICKET INFORMATION

Doug Morris and to hear some of the greatest pop songs of all time, before the musical travels across the country.”

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will be featured on the CBS Tony Awards telecast airing live from Radio City Music Hall aired on Sunday, June 9.

Directed by Charles RandolphWright, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever. The show charts Motown Founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael

Diana Ross

Michael Jackson Natasha Katz (Once, Sister Act), sound design by Tony Award® nominee Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages, The Scottsboro Boys), projection design by Daniel Brodie (Jekyll and Hyde), hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe (Memphis) and casting by Telsey + Company.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL features arrangements and or-

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is part of the Broadway In Chicago 2014 Spring Season. Group tickets for 10 or more are now on sale by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Individual tickets for MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will go on sale at a later date. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or www.MotownTheMusical.com/Chicago.

Berry Gordy of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL in Chicago – I attended Deerfield High School, and it’s where I developed my love for Broadway!” says Tony Award®-winning producer Kevin McCollum. “Chicagoans have always had a deep appreciation for great music, great theatre, and great history, which makes it the perfect place to be the first city outside of NY to host Berry Gordy’s incredible story and the legendary Motown catalog. It is a credit to the State Legislature’s support of theatre for the Illinois Live Theatre Production Tax Credit, which made MOTOWN THE MUSICAL launching in Chicago possible.”

Producer Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO of SONY Music Entertainment, said “Berry Gordy is a true American pioneer, and this is a wonderful opportunity for Chicago audiences to be the first city to experience the Motown phenomenon through the eyes of the man who lived it, www.chicagocrusader.com

Kevin McCollun Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America.

The music that shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat has finally arrived on Broadway and has launched its national tour in Chicago.

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, June 15, 2013

13

WORLD OF MUSIC

IN MEMORIAM – Dr. Florence Madison Stith Dr. Florence Marie Madison Stith, organist, pianist, cellist, conductor, composer, arranger and teacher of organ, piano, harmony and theory died suddenly June 10 in her home in Covert Michigan where she had resided since her retirement in 1995.

Dr. Stith, the only daughter of the late Roger and Beatrice Madison was born in Anderson, Indiana. She was the oldest child of a musically gifted father and mother and began her early musical training with them. By her early teens she possessed a wealth of versatility, which opened many doors for her as an excellent instrumentalist and accompanist. At the Anderson College of God Theological Seminary and Musical College, which is now known as Anderson University, she began her professional studies with

the eminent Professor Cecil Hartselle, who sponsored her in many concerts.

After relocating to Chicago, Illinois, she toured briefly with the Edward Lango Jubilee Singers, and subsequently enrolled in the Chicago Musical College (now Chicago College of Performing Arts) of Roosevelt University studying pipe organ and church music with Dr. Robert Reuter. She also began working with several churches in Chicago as an organist and was hired at the Greater Bethesda Baptist Church, first, as organist and later as choirmaster, playing the pipe organ and directing the renowned sanctuary choir.

Under her baton, the sanctuary choir performed many choral works, such as Haydn’s “The Creation;” the Midwest premiere of Sir

Dr. Florence Madison Stith Michael Tippett’s “A Child of Our Time;” Mendelssohn’s “Saint Paul;” Schubert’s “Mass in G;” Beeth-

Demarre McGill named chaired principal flute of Dallas Symphony Music Director Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) recently announced the appointment of Demarre McGill as new Principal Flute in the Joy and Ronald Mankoff Chair. McGill joins the DSO having served as Principal Flute of the Seattle Symphony for two seasons. He has held the same position with the San Diego Symphony, Florida Orchestra and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.

In 2003 McGill was recipient of a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.

With his appointment to the Dallas Symphony, McGill succeeds Jean Larson Garver, who has served as the DSO’s Principal Flute for 42 years and who will retire in July, 2013.

Originally from the South Side of Chicago, McGill began playing the flute at age seven. He attended the Edgar Allan Poe Classical Elementary School where he and his musical classmates became members of The Chicago Teen Ensemble, a musical organization created by their parents to expose their youngsters to chamber music performance under the leadership of their music teacher, Barry K. Elmore.

McGill and his brother, Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2004, also received music instruction at Chicago’s Merit School of Music. In May, 2012 the two brothers performed the world premiere of Joel Puckett’s “Concerto Duo for Flute and Clarinet” with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra where they began their careers.

14

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Demarre McGill As a concerto soloist, Demarre McGill has also performed with the with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Baltimore Symphony and Milwaukee Symphony, among others. An active chamber musician, McGill is a member of the Jacksonville, Florida-based Ritz Chamber Players and was a member of Chamber Music Society Two, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s program for emerging young artists.

He is a founding member of San Diego-based The Myriad Trio and has participated in many national and international chamber music festivals, including Music from Angel Fire, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Music@Menlo, Marlboro Music and the Stellenbosch Chamber Music Festival in South Africa.

McGill has performed on PBS “Live from Lincoln Center” with the Chamber Music Society playing

Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. He has recorded Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 on the album Play Bach with pianist Awadagin Pratt and the St. Lawrence String Quartet (Angel Records), as well as a flute, viola and harp album entitled “The Eye of Night” with The Myriad Trio. Other television appearances include the A&E Network’s “The Gifted Ones,” NBC’s “Today” show and “Nightly News,” and as a teenager, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” The McGill Brothers most recently appeared on “The Steve Harvey Show.”

Demarre McGill is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Art of Élan, a chamber music organization in San Diego dedicated to bringing new audiences to classical music.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Flute Performance from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner, and earned a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, where he continued his studies with Julius Baker.

oven’s “The Mount of Olives;” Gaither’s “Alleluia! A Praise Gathering;” and annually, Handel’s “Messiah” with professional soloists and orchestra. The sanctuary choir was also known for their “outstanding and exciting” renditions and interpretations of Negro spirituals under her direction.

Dr. Stith directed The Choral Silhouettes and was constantly in demand as an accompanist. She established and operated the Flo-Mar Piano and Organ Studio where she taught students of all ages. A recipient of many honors, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from the McKinley Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and a Doctorate of Church Music from the Gospel Theological Institute in Houston, Texas.

After relocating to Covert, Michigan she maintained her memberships in the Chicago Music Association and The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. She was also a member of The American Guild of Organists (AGO); the Chicago Club of Women Organists; The American Choral Direc-

tor’s Association (ACDA); The Illinois and National Music Teachers Association; Mu Phi Epsilon Sorority; The Lakeview Musical Society; The Monday Music Club, Inc. of St. Joseph, Michigan, and a life member of the American Federation of Musicians-Local 10-208.

Dr. Stith was the widow of Marshall F. Stith. They were the parents of the late Marshall W. Stith, assistant conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogota, Colombia, and grandparents of one grandson – the late Marshall A. Campo de Stith.

Survivors include, three sisters-inlaw, three brothers-in-law, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Final services were private and there will be no additional services at Dr. Stith’s request. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

Hyde Park Suzuki Institute presents ‘Pianopalooza!’

Hyde Park Suzuki Institute (HPSI) Presents Pianopalooza!

Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 3:00 PM at The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th St. The hour-long performance will showcase the full scope of the HPSI piano and guitar programs ranging from those for the youngest beginner to the most seasoned advanced students and professional faculty-artists.

Admission is free for all children as part of HPSI’s mission to provide exposure and access to high quality musical instruction and performance opportunities. Each concert is an opportunity for HPSI students to perform and also allow children in the audience to learn more about the instrument

and diverse musical repertoire.

The concerts remain free to all children due to the generosity of donors.

The concert will be preceded by a piano master class at 1:00 PM with local pianist Laura Fenster.

Adult tickets are $15 and may be purchased through the HPSI office by calling 773-643-1388; in person at 5500 S. Woodlawn Ave., or online through the Logan Center box office at ticketsweb.uchicago.edu. Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or check only. Credit card payments cannot be accepted at the door.

Free Parking is available in the Wells lot, just west of the Logan Center all day Sunday.

Frederick Douglass statue to be unveiled on ‘Juneteenth’ On Wednesday, June 19, a statue of famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) will be unveiled in the in the United States Capitol Visitor Center at a ceremony. After escaping slavery, Douglass became a leader of the abolitionist movement and a prolific writer. District of Columbia Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has been pushing for the statue for years. All 50 states are represented in the Capitol by a famous person. But not Washington D.C.

Douglass will be the fourth Black American to be depicted in the U.S. Capitol complex.

Frederick Douglass

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

The last African American to be unveiled was Rosa Parks (19132005). Her statue sits in Statuary Hall. A statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) stands in the Capitol rotunda and a statue of abolitionist Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was unveiled in the the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in 2012. www.chicagocrusader.com

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking

By Effie Rolfe Whatever you are seeking is seeking you—what ever you desire—desires you especially in the realm of purpose and destiny. It’s important to know that in your passion—in that thing you so desire—you will find your purpose.

Your presence right now is directly connected to your purpose and to others within your life’s path, it is essential that you follow through with ideas and goals from God’s digital download.

God in His infinite wisdom knows the path you will take, the people you will meet, your spheres of influence as well as how you can best impact your

Effie Rolfe

community and the world. Don’t dismiss your ideas as just a fleeting thought. Your longings and passions are tied to your purpose and the works you were birthed to accomplish in life. Everything that is and was came into existence based on a thought, revelation or an idea. What ideas do you have that you know is a confirmation to move towards a more fulfilled life—what ideas have been tugging at you to make an impact in your community to stop the violence, teach children, help seniors — what is it? Are you allowing fear — false evidence appearing real to hold you back from what you were placed in this world to do? The sooner you

The Crusader Gospel Corner You’re invited to a citywide salute for Apostle Richard D. Henton on Monday, June 17 at Apostolic Church of God. Stellar and Grammy Award winning artists Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins and ministers like Bishop Ernestine Cleveland-Reems, Dr. Ray Berryhill, Elder DeAndre Patterson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bishop Larry Trotter as well as city officials will celebrate his legacy and 80th birthday. The founder of the R.D. Henton Breakthrough Ministry has been in ministry for 65 years and has pastored for 47 years. The Executive Producer of The Breakthrough Hour has blessed millions of households since 1976 on radio and television stations including TV 38, WJYS and The Word Network. The service is 7 PM and all are welcome to attend.

Get ready for an unforgettable star-studded evening during the Live recording of Donald Lawrence 20 Years Celebration Volumes 1 & 2 at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. The who’s who of gospel including Natalie Grant, the legendary Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Coko (of SWV), Faith Evans, Lalah Hathaway, Kelly Price, Ted & Sheri,

Donald Lawrence www.chicagocrusader.com

Vanessa Bell Armstrong Bishop Hezekiah Walker as well as Lawrence’s backing ensemble The Company. Also director/choreographer/dancer Laurieann Gibson will dance to Lawrence’s tune “Beautiful Feet.” Lawrence’s record label, Quiet Water has

partnered with eOne Music for this free event.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights presents the 5th Annual Juneteenth program, entitled “Celebrating Our Freedom: Strengthening Our Resolve.”

Wednesday, June 19 from 12 PM to 1 PM at the James R. Thompson Center, Lower Level Auditorium, 100 W. Randolph Street.

This year marks the 150th celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, special guest and elected officials will attend and Yours Truly will be the Keynote Speaker. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Congratulations to media maven, Merri Dee, and the release of “Life Lessons on Faith, Forgiveness & Grace.” The stunning 76 year old shares details of her radio and later her television career at WGN TV for 37 years in this must read book. Visit (www.merridee.com).

move towards your purpose—it will move towards you and before you know it—you are walking in

Three generations of gospel music’s finest are teaming with McDonald’s to give back to communities nationwide through the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. Headlined by Grammy-winning gospel sensation Smokie Norful, the concert series offers an assortment of soulful sounds through contemporary gospel with Tamela Mann, hip-hop with Lecrae and traditional/contemporary gospel with John P. Kee and Vickie Winans. McDonald’s

Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour kicked off May 9 and runs through August 30.

“I’m elated to again headline the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour,” said Norful.

“From sharing some of my new music to introducing my son Ashton’s career on the tour, this is a phenomenal season in life. And, I’m excited to share it with fans across the nation, all in an effort to give back.”

Now in its seventh year, McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour emphasizes the importance of giving back. As a part of each show, concertgoers will learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and the important role it plays in helping families

What are you seeking?

Pastors Moss will tag-team Father’s Day message In the midst of the negative stereotypes which plague African American men and all men in marginalized communities, Sunday, June 16 at 11:00 a.m., Dr. Otis Moss Jr. famed civil rights leader and pastor emeritus of the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and his son, Dr. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (Trinity UCC) will call African American men in particular and all men in general, to unite in solidarity to take care of their health, their families and communities.

“In Chicago and across America, where our children’s lives are threatened by gun violence and poverty every day – it is time for biological fathers, godfathers, un-

Dr. Otis Moss Jr. cles, brothers and friends to take faithful responsibility, work together to save their individual lives, children, women, and families. And to ensure that communities are financially secure and

McDonald’s and Gospel Music Superstars Announce Concert Tour to Give Back to Communities Nationwide Thousands of consumers will enjoy inspirational and uplifting messages, as three generations of artists share stage for annual tour

destiny.

and children worldwide. Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a love offering to support families served by the Charity, including those in their community.

“Giving back to those around us is (Continued on page 17)

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Dr. Otis Moss III spiritually empowered to provide a real-lived legacy of hope and holistic quality of life, said, the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. The Rev. Drs. Otis Moss III and Otis Moss, Jr. will preach a tag team Father’s Day sermon during the 11:00 a.m. worship service at Trinity UCC which is located at 400 West 95th Street. Drs. Moss will also participate in a book signing after the worship service for their Amazon 5-Star book, Preach! The Power and Purpose Behind our Praise.

June is family month at Trinity UCC, go to www.trinitychicago.org and click on the word bulletin for details about family month which includes activities for children, grandparents, godparents, parents, guardians – all families – all members of the human village — the entire community. Trinity UCC is also inviting everyone to join them for roller skating on Saturday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Rink located at 76th and Racine.

Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to Christ, Community and Culture. We were founded December 3, 1961.

Trinity is the largest church affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

The Crusader Newspaper Group is interested in our readers’ ideas, thoughts and opinions, whether you’re in Chicago, Northwest Indiana or any part of the U.S. we encourage you to send a letter to the editor at crusaderil@aol.com. please limit your letters to 200 words.

Saturday, JUNE 15, 2013

15

NEWS

Internet horse gambling is back online (Continued from page 3) sue,” read a statement from Church ill Downs-based TwinSpires. “This is a tremendous boost for the Illinois horse industry and once again provides racing fans, our customers, with the tools to participate and enjoy Illinois horse racing,” said Brett Hale, Churchill’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

According to Hale and the TwinSpires financial report for the second quarter, TwinSpires income decreased $5.1 million, or 2.6%,

during the three months ended March 31, 2013. because of Illinois’ failure to extend the law back in December. TwinSpires ceased accepting wagers from Illinois residents on January 18, 2013, based upon the request of the IRB. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, betting by Illinois residents decreased $13.4 million, or 6.7% of total betting, as compared to the same period of 2012.

Ezzo said now the tough part will begin for the IRB as they

must try and reestablish the customer base they had built up in the previous years. Ezzo said they had carved out a niche in the market and is afraid some may not return.

“Just as we were getting traction in the market our hands were tied,” Ezzo said.

As for the money to be paid to CSU, it will come out of a fund

$1.5 million, but should have gotten $14 million, according to Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights). Harris said both CSU and the horse racing industry are being shortchanged by the state, which is reneging on an earlier deal.

“When you make a deal with the state, they ought to uphold the deal,” Harris said.

ENTERTAINMENT: CHICAGO STYLE

Harper High students . . .

(Continued from page 1) someone from a high[er] power sysa great experience.

“I got to actually talk to them, tem, high administration cares ask them why they wanted to join about us...,” he said.

Out of the 25 students who went, and how old you have to be, when he said he thinks he was the only can you retire, things like that. I one who had already visited Washasked them some good questions, I ington, D.C. got some good answers,” said HallSince returning, he has a “high man. sense of urgency” to make a differFor 17-year-old Joseph Jones, acence at his school and in his comtually being invited to meet the munity, he said. One of his goals is president was more powerful than to form a student council next year the great advice he and his peers received. He said he is tired of all the He stuck his hand out and I was “words,” or talking, and needs to see like ‘I don’t want a handshake, I action. want a hug.’ so he gave me one,” “It wasn’t really what they said to said Parker. me, it was what they showed me.

They were willing to take some kids and take over leadership in Harper’s out of Englewood to show us that male mentoring program.

Felicia Parker was one of the few IN APRIL, THE First Lady ad- who received a hug from the presidressed a joint luncheon in Chica- dent.

“I think the best part of the whole go, Ill. hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mrs. Obama urged trip was meeting Obama. The 30 Chicago’s business and civic lead- minutes the students had with ers to invest in expanded opportu- Obama was great, said Parker, who nities for young people in neigh- said there were no awkward moborhoods throughout the city. ments.

She will attend Illinois Central in Following the event, the First Lady met with a small group of stu- the fall and pursue a degree in crimdents and counselors at William inal justice.

“We’re hoping from that trip they R. Harper High School to hear firsthand about their experiences. were inspired enough to say ‘you After extending an invitation to know what, I’m going to keep movthe students, the First Lady met ing in the right direction, not get detoured and go in another direcwith them at the White House. tion,” said Sanders.

from casino taxes meant to help offset the impact to the horse racing industry from expanded casino gambling. However, the comptroller’s office said it was never given authority to pay money out of the fund, which has sat dormant and currently has over $100 million, $24 million of which will go to the horse racing industry. CSU will get about

Make Music Chicago presents free music . . .

(Continued from page 12) Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. 63rd Street Beach, 6300 Lake Shore Drive 680 N. Lake Shore Drive Grand Finale The day’s events close with the Grand Finale, including a free twohour concert event as part of the Rush Hour Concerts Summer Concert Series from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. James Cathedral, featuring (in order of appearance, subject to change): A trumpet fanfare by Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeters Chris Martin and Tage Larsen; Spektral Quartet performing Verdi’s String Quartet in E Minor; Singers from the Ryan Opera Center of Lyric Opera Chicago performing selections from Carousel, The Marriage of Figaro and Dido and Aeneas; Janet Sung (violin) and Kuang-Hao Huang (piano) performing Poulenc’s Sonata for Violin and Piano Fifth House Ensemble with participants in the 2013 fresh inc festival; Quintet Attacca performing the music of Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Marquez and Astor Piazzolla; Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet and David Schrader’s

improvisations on organ The Grand Finale continues outdoors in the new St. James Commons on Wabash at Huron from 7 to 9 p.m. for the Make Music Chicago Street Party, featuring family programming and international music on three stages. A variety of food trucks will also be on hand.

Additional Make Music Chicago programming takes place throughout the day – for a complete list of events, visit www.makemusicchicago.com/2013schedule. All programming is subject to change.

About Make Music Chicago Celebrating the ability of everyone to make music, Make Music Chica-

go is completely free for musicians and audiences alike. It is inspired

by Fête de la Musique, a national musical holiday in France. Since its inaugural year in 1982, Fête de la Musique has become an international phenomenon, taking place every June 21st in more than 500 cities in over 130 countries – including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Australia, Vietnam, Congo, Cameroon, Fiji, Colombia, Chile, Nepal and Japan – easily making it the largest music event in the world. Make Music Chicago is part of a national group of “Make Music” cities that includes New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR though smoking has decreased substantially across the country.

The same can be said about seat belt use. A lot of people remember a time when cars did not have seat belts. Even after they became standard equipment, their use was spotty. Again, it was health officials primarily, who started nudging us toward using the seat belts regularly.

Even today the education campaigns on the benefits of buckling up continue.

In both instances – seat belts and smoking – education was the driving force in getting people to change their behaviors. It wasn’t un16

Saturday, June 15, 2013

(Continued from page 4) til researchers and marketers had ample time to study the campaigns that punitive actions, fines and higher costs, were put into play.

Brookins needs to get the city to invest some dollars in an anti-littering campaign. No doubt generations of drivers have seen other drivers toss something from their cars without a second thought, and then the other drivers eventually do the same thing. Explaining to the litterers the health and economic impact of tossing trash, cigarette butts, used condoms (according to Brookins) and other materials should be the

first step. He definitely should toss out the idea of impounding a litterer’s vehicles. This would have a huge negative economic impact, and an unnecessary one.

Brookins also needs to take in account that police officers on the South Side and West Side rarely enforce existing seat belt and cell phone ordinances. What makes him think they are going to let someone littering trump their duty to deal with serious crimes.

Brookins has a proposal that needs to be trashed.

Harold Brooks BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

NEWS

McDonald’s and Gospel Music Superstars crucial, especially with the recent tough times our families and communities have faced,” said Winans, who will also host each concert.

“Now more than ever, our communities need to know we are there for them, and that’s something the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour has set out to do. I’m honored to take part in the cause, and I look forward to bringing joy and laughter to everyone who attends the concerts.”

“I’m humbled to share the stage with legendary gospel artists,” said Lecrae, who won the 2013 Grammy for Best Gospel Album. “It’s amazing to see a classic brand like McDonald’s stand behind a message that’s needed in communities everywhere.

Gospel fans are in for an experience I believe they’ll talk about long after the tour.”

The multi-city tour will make stops in nine markets, including: Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Louisville, Newark, Philadelphia and Washing-

(Continued from page 15) ton, D.C. Concerts are free, with the exception of the May 11 show in Newark, which is part of McDonald’s Gospel fest.

“For generations, McDonald’s has continued its efforts to be deeply rooted — and invested — in the areas we serve, both in restaurants and in the community,” said Rob Jackson, McDonald’s U.S. marketing director. “McDonald’s is committed to giving back and we’re honored to bring messages of joy and hope to thousands of our neighbors.”

Tour dates and locations include: June 22 – Chicago, Chicago Gospel Music Festival July 3 – Louisville, Full Gospel Baptist Conference August 30 – Dallas, MegaFest McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is an extension of the company’s 365Black platform, which celebrates the pride, heritage and achievements of American-Americans year round. Consumers can visit

www.365Black.com to learn more about the tour. Sponsors of the 2013 McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour include Dr. Pepper® and EBONY® Collections.

About McDonald’s McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States offering a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day.

Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women.

Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

MCDONALD’S INSPIRATION CELEBRATION Gospel Tour kicks off May 9 and runs through August 30. Tour stops include Detroit, Chicago, and Louisville with gospel greats like Smokie Norful, Tamela Mann, John P. Kee and LeCrae.

HOUSES FOR SALE

Sixth Grace hosts family affair health fair (Continued from page 19) was provided.

The health fair this year will again offer health screenings, health and insurance information, and other activities.

A food tent of healthy snacks of honey oats granola bars, carrot and celery sticks, healthy vegetable dips, low sugar juices and plenty of water will be provided for all attendees. There also will be “goodie bags” for children, souvenir bags and pens for

adults, raffles for children and adults.

The health fair will be held Saturday, July 13, from 10 AM - 2 PM. For more information contact: Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 E. 35th Street or call them at 312-225-5300.

About our Sponsors/Donors: Access Community Health Network, Abraham’s Mark Comprehensive Well-

ness Center, Alamdar Bader, DDS, A-Z Home Health, Chiro One Wellness Center, Plano Child Development Center, Lady Alexander Skin Care Systems, Mobile Funn, Near North Health Services, Infinite Touch Of Chicago, Pete’s Produce, Provident Hospital, Salon Kare, Spa Di La Fronza, Spring’s Place Hair Studio, University of Chicago Hospitals, and Walgreens.

The Jury is out on Obama’s (Continued from page 5) dates for subsequent elevation to the circuit courts, both President Obama and future Democratic presidents may have relatively few of these potential nominees to consider going forward.”

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.

CLASSIFIED ADS ADVERTISE IN THE CHICAGO CRUSADER YOUR AD COULD BE HERE

(Cont’d from page 6) Education is one of the most sensitive arenas in the life of a people. Its role is to be honest and true and to tell people where they have been and what they are.” Most im-

portantly, Dr. Clarke points out that the role of education and history is to “tell a people where they still must go.”

This is a great day for you who have made this step in your rite of passage and transition. We congratulate you

www.chicagocrusader.com

in the name of all of our ancestors and send you forward to the next stage of your development in the cycle of life.

A Luta Continua the struggle continues and we will conquer without a doubt. Hotep (peace)!

CONTACT THE CLASSIFIED AD DEPARTMENT TODAY 773-752-2500

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

Saturday, JUNE 15, 2013

17

HOUSES FOR SALE

The Crusader Newspaper Group is interested in our readers’ ideas, thoughts and opinions, whether you’re in Chicago, Northwest Indiana or any part of the U.S. we encourage you to send a letter to the editor at crusaderil@aol.com.

Please limit your letters to 200 words.

18

Saturday, June 15, 2013

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com

HEALTH

ACCESS Ashland Family Health Center holds summer health fair ACCESS Ashland Family Health Center invites the entire community to stop by its Summer Family Health Fair, Saturday, June 15 at 5159 S. Ashland Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We invite parents to prepare their children for the upcoming school year with back-to-school physicals. Children will receive free school supplies, including backpacks, free vision screening by one of ACCESS’ partners, the Illinois Eye Institute, face painting, free food and drinks. There will also be music and games.

Adults can receive free blood pressure and BMI screenings, as well as depression and anxiety screenings. The ACCESS Ashland Family Health Center is part of the new ACCESS Ashland Health and Wellness Campus, serving the Englewood/New City communities. The organization also invites residents to visit the new Walgreens pharmacy, which is located right next door to the health center. This pharmacy represents another great milestone in ACCESS’ collaboration with Walgreens to bring the needed resources to the

communities we proudly serve.

Adults are also encouraged to bring prescriptions to take advantage of medication consultations

by Walgreens pharmacists.

There will also be benefits specialists on hand to enroll new patients into CountyCare, AllKids and other managed care insurance programs. Parents are advised to bring immunization records and medical cards to assist in their children’s enrollments. For more information about the ACCESS Ashland Summer Family Health Fair, call 773.434.9216.

About ACCESS: With nearly 40 Joint Commission-accredited community health centers located throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, ACCESS is one of the largest networks of community health centers in the nation. ACCESS offers preventive and primary care services to nearly 200,000 patients annually. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ACCESSHealth or like us on Facebook at http://- www.facebook.com/ACCESSCommunityHealth.

ALL FAMILIES THROUGHOUT the area are invited to visit the Summer Family Health Fair at ACCESS Ashland Family Health Center.

Trinity promotes CPR classes According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading killer in the United States – every 34 seconds one person dies from heart disease. Dr. Terry Mason, the Chief Operating Officer at the Cook County Department of Health said, “In the African American community it has been reported that if your heart stops you are 50% less likely to receive CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, than if you live in a white community and because African Americans are more disproportionately affected by this, it is important that we come up with strategies to try to mitigate this problem.”

This is why Mason recently fa-

Dr. Terry Mason

Danielle Cortes DeVito

cilitated free hands on CPR training at Trinity United Church of Christ located at 400 West 95th Street. The American Heart Association offered this important CPR training because June 3 through June 8 is CPR Awareness Week.

Middle school aged children, teenagers, and adults were encouraged to learn how to administer CPR. Mason taught children and adult family members how to give a person CPR without having to put their lips on another person’s mouth. “The event on Saturday took into account that we can now perform CPR without having to put our mouths onto other people’s mouths. And, we can train young

www.chicagocrusader.com

people how to perform CPR on a person in need. We want to make sure they know two important things, number one, to call 911 and number two, to start the compression until somebody else can come and help them. We are hoping that these two simple things will begin to help to save lives.” Mason added.

Danielle Cortes DeVito, an American Heart Association National Spokesperson and former Chicago Fire Department Paramedic and Emergency Room Technician affirmed Dr. Mason’s recommendation, “I always tell people it’s real important to get trained in CPR. Why? Because yes, every 34 seconds someone dies to heart disease. You want to have people around you, including children who know how to administer hands on CPR. You want to attend this free life saving training because unfortunately, one day you may need to use CPR on your loved one, friend, or coworker.”

The American Heart Association’s training at Trinity provided participants with free CPR training kits. This is not a class to receive professional certification but the free hands on CPR training will empower middle school aged students, teenagers, women, men and families and increase the number of people to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in communities of color and low resources.

AT THE 2012 Sixth Grace Presbyterian health fair, vision screening was one of the many free services offered.

Sixth Grace hosts family affair health fair Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church is sponsoring the fourth annual free community health and wellness health fair. The theme of the health fair is: “Health and Wellness-It’s A Family Affair.”

Eveline Horton, R.N. Chairman of the Health Fair Committee states that the purpose of the health fair is to increase awareness, promote prevention and decrease health disparities by providing health screenings, activities, materials, demonstrations, resources and health related services located in the community and surrounding communities.

She further states: “The health fair will be held Saturday, July 13 shortly before the start of school, we believe the health fair will offer an excellent opportu-

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

nity for children to obtain health screenings necessary for school, and families to receive pertinent health information and screening.”

Vendor services and screenings at last year’s health fair consisted of vision, hearing, glucose, blood pressure and dental screenings, nutrition, spine health and other information. Children’s activities consisted of tooth brushing demonstrations, (each child was given toothbrushes and tooth paste), fruit/vegetable identification and tasting, story telling, jumping jacks, and other activities. Adults enjoyed relaxation activities of upper body chair massages and line dancing. A final pampering touch of hand care (Continued on page 17) Saturday, JUNE 15, 2013

19

20

Saturday, June 15, 2013

BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY

www.chicagocrusader.com