Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thanks, hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on
iHeartRadio on ninety three nine LFM, one of three five
guys i FM and Rock ninety five to five.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And today on the show, we have.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Brady and Whitney Reynolds with another special back to back
episode of Whitney's Women, and we are also talking to
our friend of the show, Himena Larkin. She will be
talking all about what is happening currently in our city,
within our Latino communities and our businesses.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Let's kick off the show.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
The only thing better than Whitney Reynolds joining us for
Whitney's Women is two Whitney's Women back to back and
that's where we are today. So welcome to the show
once again Whitney Reynolds from the Whitney Reynolds Show. It's
Whitney's Women time times too.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Yes, we are rolling strong this fall.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
We are back to back. But kicking things off, we.
Speaker 6 (00:46):
Have Laurel Delaney.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
She is truly amazing on so many levels. She is
the founder and president of the Women Entrepreneurs ROW Global
and she's here to talk about their upcoming event and
all that's based here in Chitpo and how they're taking
it to a.
Speaker 5 (01:01):
Global schlub globally.
Speaker 7 (01:03):
Laurrel, welcome to the show.
Speaker 8 (01:05):
So thank you for having me.
Speaker 9 (01:07):
Whitney.
Speaker 6 (01:08):
I am super excited to be here.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
You are one that has done so many amazing things,
and you're not only based in Chicago, but you do
have the word global in your name. Tell us about
the Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
It's all about absolutely.
Speaker 8 (01:26):
Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global is a five oh one c
three nonprofit organization that helps women entrepreneurs and business owners
go global. And we do it through a variety of
programs and a lot of them are online. We have
like wegginers, We've got How She Went Global? Podcasts, WEG
(01:46):
Showcases Club WEG We've got co worts and I really
want to mention to you and all the listeners. Our
greatest co wort is called weg Gobal Daughters of Business Owners.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
And how cool is.
Speaker 8 (01:59):
That that we are really educating the next generation of
women leaders in our very, very dynamic world.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
One thing that you're saying is that you're really helping
women go beyond even kind of their thinking. And you're
creating these groups for people.
Speaker 7 (02:18):
To get together. When people join these cohorts.
Speaker 8 (02:20):
What can they expect, Well, they can expect camaraderie, bonding.
When anyone has ever felt that they are alone with
whatever initiative that they're taking on, our cohorts eliminate that
feeling so that you really know that you belong and
that you are with peer to peer with other women
(02:43):
leaders or women business owners. Well, you can ask any
question that you want to ask and literally get the
collective genius of the group to respond, lift you up
and help you so that you can grow your business.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
That is so good and you are the founder and
president that is your title.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
I guess my question is how did you decide.
Speaker 7 (03:02):
To start this and did you see a need?
Speaker 8 (03:05):
Yes, definitely I saw a need and it goes all
the way back to two thousand and eight, if you
can believe that of really starting a blog and blogging
about women taking on the world, what their businesses, and
because I had so many women that were reaching out
to me about it and saying I need more help,
I need more Can you give me more confidence? Can
(03:28):
you guide me? I need a roadmap? And with all
of that being sent to me and just experiencing your reaction,
I realized that you can keep blogging, but at some
point you have to set up an organization. And that
triggered all the way from two thousand and eight to
twenty fifteen to formally establish WEG as a nonprofit organization.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
That is so incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
And you know, you say the global.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Thing, and I love On one of our earlier calls
and I was learning more about your nonprofit.
Speaker 6 (03:56):
You asked me.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
You're like, is the Whitney Reynolds show global? And I
didn't even know where to start. I'm like, oh, well, we're.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
A national show.
Speaker 7 (04:03):
So how do you give women the confidence.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
To actually take their business to the next level.
Speaker 8 (04:08):
That's a great question, and it all has to do
with reaching out. Literally, I can react so fast to that, Whitney,
and it's just reaching out. Take action, be fearless with
anything that you want to do in terms of driving
results for your business. So taking action is for someone
like you, Whitney or your listeners. You reach out to
(04:29):
someone like me because we have a whole team that
leg that can really assist you and guide you, provide
a roadmap on how you take your business global. You know,
we can come up with a plan, you can follow
the plan, but we also have what I call players,
players in the industry that are top experts that can
come in and really assist you on whatever area that
(04:53):
you need, like in terms of what first market you
want to enter into, how do you get paid, so,
how do you make sure that you are communicating appropriately
with a different audience in a different.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
Part of the world.
Speaker 8 (05:07):
Those are just some of the name that we do
for the women, and you.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Actually have a way people can get involved and learn more.
You're saying all the different years when you started and
how you advance, but this is your ten year anniversary
and you are celebrating and you're inviting our listeners to.
Speaker 7 (05:23):
Join tell us about what you have coming up.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
Oh my goodness, I can't tell you how jas and
excited I am and everyone at Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global,
And we're hosting an event November sixth at the Tortoise
Club in Chicago and the specific addresses three fifteen North
State Street. And interestingly enough, it's a woman owned restaurant
(05:47):
or it's considered a supper club, and we are going, yeah,
so we're going to be celebrating not only weg but
it's a celebration of women, the women that are working
so hard to drive results for their businesses, and of
course many of them have been involved with WEG extensively
(06:07):
by participating in our programs, or maybe they're donors, their sponsors,
et cetera. But at this event, we are going to
have signature cocktail that's called the Shirley Rebel. We've got
a music playlist that is one hundred percent female artists.
We will have video testimonials and a silent auction. I'm
(06:30):
trying to think of what else. I think We've got
goodie bags with products from women owned businesses, and even
a female photographer will be taking beautiful pictures throughout the gala.
That's just some of the things we're doing Whitney for this.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
So it's super exciting.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
So say the date again and where can people get
more info or.
Speaker 6 (06:49):
Their tickets again.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
It's the WEG ten year Anniversary Gala November sixth on
a Thursday, from five thirty to eight thirty pm Central Time.
I'm at the Tortoise Club. They can grab their tickets
at Women Entrepreneurs.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
Grow Global dot org.
Speaker 8 (07:08):
They scroll down a little bit and then they just
see the tenure anniversary click god, buy tickets here and
they are good to go to get started. And one
other thing I want to mention to you, Whitney, is
that we also have two phenomenal supporters at this gala,
and one is JP Morgan Chase and the second is
Anpholes amazing And you.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Know what, we have all this info up on Whitney
Reynolds dot com as well because we are so excited.
I will be there, I will be your MC. It
is going to be a great night. And you know
you encompass. Whitney's Women is one of those is a
segment that is dedicated to women who are giving back.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
And you encompass the title of just taking women with you.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
So thank you so much, Laurel for.
Speaker 8 (07:49):
Coming on and thank you for having me. Whitney is
such a joy, such a.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Pleasure, amazing and the work of Whitney Reynolds obviously it
never ends. So here we go another Whitney's Women, back
to back. They're making you work over time this weekend,
Whitney Reynolds.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I am so excited because we are just going to
keep the goodness flowing. We are now welcoming Katie Nadick.
She is the senior director of donor Development for the
March of Dimes in Chicago. Now, the March of Dimes
just has such a soft butt in my heart and
I can't wait for you to hear what they've been.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
Up to and what they have coming up. Katie.
Speaker 7 (08:22):
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 10 (08:24):
Whitney.
Speaker 6 (08:24):
I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Yes, we are excited because there is a lot of
goodness going on. But before we jump into your big event,
I want people to know.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
Because the March of Dimes is something that I grew up.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
I remember doing these little holders with dimes in elementary school,
and so it's something I've known for years. I'm almost forty,
and so I remember this from elementary school. But for
people that maybe are new or they want to know
where the March of Dimes is at, now, tell us
what's going on.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (08:51):
So, the March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization
and to your point, we were founded in nineteen thirty
eight by Franklin D. Roosevelt and he called on all
Americans to send dimes to the White House and essentially
crowd fund the research that develops the polio vaccine, and
so something that we're super proud of. We are one
(09:14):
of the only nonprofits really to achieve our original mission,
which was essentially eradicating polio, and so since then we
have turned our focus to maternal and infant health, and
so we are an organization that is really envisioning a
world in which every mom and baby is healthy.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
We have a goal to.
Speaker 10 (09:36):
Pretend or to end preventable maternal and infant health or
into death rather by the year two thousand and thirty eight.
And so many people don't know this, but the United
States is actually among the most dangerous of the developed
nations in which to give birth. You know, that's really
shocking given all of the resources and all of the
wealth that we have in this country. And so we're
(09:57):
really focusing our efforts on maternal infant health and making
sure that we're closing that health equity gap that exists
here in the States.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Well, you are so right, and the work you're doing
is so crucial. I will never forget when I found
out I was pregnant with twins and just all the
different things that can come up with that, and knowing
there are great nonprofits like the March of Dimes in
People's Corner is truly amazing with the initiatives that you're
working on.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Because you said twenty thirty eight, correct, is that.
Speaker 6 (10:22):
What we're saying, Yeah, that'll be our one hundred year anniversary.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
One hundred year anniversary.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
And you have these.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Big goals, what steps are you taking to achieve those?
Speaker 10 (10:29):
So we are focusing on three main areas. We know
that there are a lot of causes of preterm birth,
a lot of causes of pregnancy complications, but we've really
strategically focused on a couple of key areas. The first
is reducing pre term birth. As I mentioned, you know,
we have you know, not the greatest necessarily healthcare. When
(10:50):
it comes to maternal health in this country, one in
ten babies is born too soon, and so we're really
working on reducing that one intent statistic. We know that
premature birth is the leading cause of death for children
under the age of five. Another big problem that we
have here is hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A lot of
(11:10):
people have heard the word preeclampsia. A lot of women
have these hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, and so that's really
a focused area for us as well. We know that
if we can drive those disorders down, we can also
drive those statistics down and then firth improving access to
high quality health care. We have a health equity gap
here in this country. You know, black women are three
(11:32):
times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women,
and so we know that we need to improve access
to high quality health care. There are many women who
live in maternity care desert, which is really essentially a
county that has a little or no obstetric care, and
so improving access to health care for these women and
(11:52):
closing that health equity gap is a real focus area
for us, and so we have several areas that we're funding.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
One of those is research.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
We have a very extensive research program across the United
States as well as at the Imperial College of London,
and we are really focusing on covering those causes of
pre term birth. We know that it's caused by a
variety of factors, and so what's really exciting is we're
taking that research and we are funneling that into products
(12:21):
and treatments that we know that we can take bedside quickly.
We also have a variety of programs and education here
in Chicago as well as across the United States. One
thing that we're really proud of is our Nicky Family
Support Program. We have one here at Lurie's here in Chicago,
and that really put resources and support to women who
(12:41):
find themselves in the nikkia with a baby.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
You are beyond incredible and what you were saying about
that gap for mothers in certain counties truly just touched me.
I'm so glad that you are highlighting that and seeing
those people for where they are in closing the gap.
So let's talk about the event that helps you.
Speaker 7 (12:58):
All achieve all these goals that you have coming up.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
You have a wonderful event.
Speaker 7 (13:02):
I can't wait for it. Tell us about what's going on.
Speaker 10 (13:05):
Yes, our signature Chef Eating Motherhood event is so much fun.
It is literally one of everyone's favorite events of the year.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Who is our supporter.
Speaker 10 (13:14):
Of Marta Dine and so the event is taking place
on Friday, November fourteenth. We're at the Radison Blue Aqua
Hotel and I like to say that this is a
cocktail chic event. No offense to the events that you
have a seeded program with a chicken dinner. That's all
fine and well, but the really special thing about this
event is that we have staff tasting stations as well
(13:35):
as beverage stations, So we're featuring more than.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
Two dozen restaurants, beverage.
Speaker 10 (13:40):
Stations, and dessert partners from across the Chicago Lands community.
So it's a really fun atmosphere in which people have
the opportunity to mingle and try a bunch of different dishes,
and then everyone's seeded for a live program that supports
the March to Dine, so we raise funds, we hear
a story from a family who's been by the mission,
(14:00):
and it's really just a fantastic event. We got about
four hundred and fifty people who attend and we've raised
over six hundred thousand dollars last year, so it's a
great event for us.
Speaker 7 (14:09):
That is great and I love that you said, you know, you're.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Kind of shaking it up the way people see these events,
and it's really a great way not to only learn
about the mission.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
But try amazing food.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
And Chicago is known for some of the best food,
so it's going to be one of those things where
you can learn about the mission, try great food, and
get involved. Tell people where they can get their tickets.
Speaker 10 (14:30):
Yes, our website is Signature Chefs dot org slash Chicago.
We have some tickets that are still available, as well
as some table and corporate sponsorship.
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Well, you are absolutely amazing.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
Thank you so much, Katie for coming on.
Speaker 6 (14:45):
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 10 (14:46):
Whitney. We're so excited to have you on the fourteenth
MC the event.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I can that weigh Oh my gosh, Brady, can you
believe all that's going on in Chicago?
Speaker 7 (14:53):
So much goodness?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
You know so much And it should It should always
be that way because the stuff that you do and
the hard work that you put into making everybody feel
better and bringing that you know, that hope to our lives.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
It never ends twenty four to seven.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
And yeah, like you mentioned, Katie, bringing of a lot
of information that all of us were listening, we're learning about,
and I think that's what Whitney's Women is all about
as well.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
It is it is knowing that goodness exists right here
in Chicago, and if you don't see it.
Speaker 6 (15:19):
You can find it in your neighbors.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
You can find it when you have these conversations and
you lean into what's going on in our city and
seeking out the good. And I love that Whitney's Woman
is dedicated to that, and you know, it really helps
us reach the mission of The Whitney Reynolds Show in general,
because The Whitney Reynolds Show, our talk show, is dedicated
to being a safe space for stories. And the goal
with any media that I'm on, whether it's radio or TV,
(15:43):
is to be that voice of hope for our nation.
And so we are currently in season ten, which I
know it sounds like.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
I'm just really getting older up here, you.
Speaker 7 (15:53):
Know, Susan Tenna is quiet a moment for us.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
If you're listening in the Chicago area and not online,
then you'll know we do debut always here first in
our home market, because we are so proud to call Chicago.
Speaker 7 (16:05):
Our home base.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
And then we hit the nation on World Channel PBS
Saturdays and Mondays, which we are so excited about as well.
We have these little interviews or big full form ready
for you, and we want to know your story, so
you can pop over to Whitney Reynolds dot com and
send your story in because we truly believe everyone has
a story and that matters.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Dose of hope.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
I think there might be an energy energy drink idea
trademarked there, so let's just keep that in the back
of your head, Okay, We love you, Whitney, thank you
so much for talk to you soon.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
It's Paulina here.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Iheard media Chicago and we are talking to our friend
of the show. We are talking to Himena and Beltron
Quantsuk you quank Cue. I knew that Jimena, not only
as a friend of the show and a friend of mine,
but you are a storyteller. You right to explore the
world around us here and Jimena's work has appeared in
The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food and
(16:56):
Wine and more. She's the Mexican immigrants and lifelong chicag
go in. How are you today?
Speaker 8 (17:01):
Good?
Speaker 2 (17:01):
I'm so excited to be here with you, baby. I'm
excited for you to be here.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
We have a lot to talk about and I think
you're not only like super in it, but you've written
about this right. You talk about this openly and social media,
and I want you to talk to us today because
I think you are just an amazing voice in the city.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
You know you do the same thing too, So I'm
just trying to keep up with you. I'm trying keep
up with you. I appreciate you being here so much.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
So he meant up first and foremost, you know, can
you help us understand what's happening right now in Little
Village and why so many families right and so many
residents in Chicagoan's are scared.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
For those who don't know, Little Village is home to
nearly five hundred small businesses. This is within a two
mile stretch a corridor. So when we look at Little Village,
it's a predominantly Mexican community. It's about almost eighty percent Latino.
What that means is ICE's actions right now, these racial
(17:55):
profilings that we're seeing are heavily targeting this community. So
when we think of what is happening, I think of
it as a canary in the coal mine. I don't
live in Little Village, I have never worked there. I
care about it because I'm in chicagoan. I care about
the health of the city and it is such an
integral part of the city. The area is one of
the highest shopping districts in Chicago. People are driving in
(18:18):
from Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Saint Louis. So when you think
of the dollars coming in, these are not Mexican dollars,
These are not Latino dollars. These are going to tax
paying for Chicago, offsetting costs. So when this community that
is a lifeline to the city is under siege, because
that's what it is. I have gone in the last week.
(18:39):
It is a ghost town. There are not people there.
So there was ice. Ice was active yesterday, which was Wednesday,
October twenty first, twenty second, and I'm in complete shock
because there aren't people out in the streets, which is
not common. But it is not common at all. This
is we're talking bumper to bumper traffic. You have busy restaurants,
(19:02):
street vendors next shoulder to shoulder, often on Sundays and Mondays,
busy shopping days, and right now there's no activity. You
can park anywhere you want. That is unheard of in
this place. There's nobody walking on the street, there's no vendors.
So again, when we think of what exactly this is
(19:22):
not normal? What are they doing because people are not there.
So the only people who are active are folks in
a way who aren't quote unquote scared because they might
be documented or they have a job to go to.
So who are they? These are not criminals? And little
Village is such a I pay so much attention. I'm
talking about it, because again, it is the example of
(19:45):
what we can expect to see if we don't stand
with our neighbors, if we don't go out shopping support them,
and especially in a place like this, where again let's
call this what this is, it's racial profiling. The Supreme
Court ruling from September eighth. What folks I think are
calling it, like the Kavanaugh ruling, is people can be
(20:05):
targeted based on they how they look, if they speak
Spanish or accents at English, if they are in a
place where undocumented workers live, or if they're dressed in
a service job, meaning a blue collar job.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know you're a server, or you might be in
law and care something like that.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
Construction, these are not that is not reasonable suspicion to
stop someone and detain them. It's based solely on how
they look. And I want to be really clear here,
because I had a friend who got stopped by ICE.
This person is not a working class professional. She works
as a in the arts, She drives a luxury car.
(20:53):
She was stopped and they questioned her and when she
was saying I'm a US citizen, they told her we
don't care about that. So what exactly is this what
are we doing here? And it's really clear in these
times that we have to stand up, we have to
save ourselves the government.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
This is coming from our government. So when we.
Speaker 9 (21:14):
Look at the folks who gathered over the weekend during
the No King's March and protested, what can we do outside?
It feels really good to be in community with folks.
Taking that and applying that to daily actions is really
what's required here. That might be as simple, again as
you shop in a Latino owned store. I'm not saying
go down a little village. You can if you want to.
(21:35):
I'm sure they would love that. But if you live
in Aurora, if you live in Bridge View, other places
that are not close to the Chicago, you can take
action in your community. You can support those folks. And
that's what I've heard when I've gone in and I've
brought my friends who don't look like me. I'm a
very proud Mexican, I'm a proud immigrant. I have dark hair,
(21:56):
dark skin, dark eyes. When I bring folks who don't
look like me, I have heard from the vendors they
are really grateful because then they feel like they have
folks who are standing with them. That people care about them.
People care outside of who looks like them or who's Latino,
who's Mexican. It's not about that at this point. It's
about standing with our neighbors, standing with the city.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
This place is an.
Speaker 9 (22:19):
Incredible area for commerce, retail food. There's got Nita's wo
up On, which has dominated for a James Beard Award
that's considered the Oscars of food. It's the most prestigious
thing a restaurant can get. That's right in little village.
You have Lula, which is the largest importer of Bignianta's
shout out to them. Yeah, from Mexico, and it's a
(22:42):
candy Mexican candy wonderland.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I personally love.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
I was gallientas I think they have the best goritas.
I was really upset to hear that last yesterday they
were Ice was in there, especially because again when I
went on Monday night, which they say historically is their
most busiest day, it was empty. I was there with
three other people. We were one of two other tables
(23:07):
that were in that area. So we have to push
back on this. We have to talk about what's happening.
We have to organize. When we say organized, it doesn't
mean one hundred thousand and the No King's March protest.
It means like you calling your friend, maybe that's me
texting you and being like, okay, bow, let's for lunch
instead of going to our usual Chipotle quick service. Let's
(23:32):
walk the extra block and spend our money with a local,
small and pop business that could really use it.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
That's hurting, that's afraid, but they still have to open.
Speaker 9 (23:40):
Their doors, right, And I mean, like, you tell me,
what are you seeing too that you're nervous about, scared about,
excited about in the space, Like how are you taking action?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Well, you inspired me to do a lot more. And
I truly mean that. That's why I literally, I mean
I love you texting you today and you showed up.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
You know, you're like, let's do this, let's talk about
this because it's so important. I kind of realized maybe
I'm not doing enough in the moment. Like I work
in media, I have a microphone. I talk about these
things and although I can't do as much as I
would like to. And that's all I'm gonna say as
far as like the microphone, which is why I'm very
grateful for this platform too, that I can have longer
conversations about this. But what I would like to do is, yes,
take my dollars and instead of DoorDash and you know,
(24:20):
getting whatever wing step whatever it is. Right Like you said,
I'm going to call a friend, I'm gonna bring people
and we're gonna go.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
We're gonna support these businesses.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Either in my neighborhood, so I'm near like Arch your
heart's Garfield Ridge, and there's plenty of Latino owned businesses
as far as food right everything can think of. And
then what I also want to do is I wanna
work more with the community and ask what they need.
Because I yesterday was at a place called Lacasa Playroom
and that's in Brighton Park and the owner, Angie, she
(24:48):
has been collecting goods for babies and kids and she's
been delivering them. So people need diapers, they need closed
strollers like her whole playplace is just filled with donations.
And I want to get more involved in that's and
I actually spoke with her and her son witnessed their
neighbor get detained and is currently in therapy at his
daycare at his school for what he witnessed. And if
(25:10):
he's one kid that's been through that I can't even
imagine how many more kids are currently experiencing that too.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Yeah, and it is.
Speaker 9 (25:18):
And you started off by saying that you wish you
were doing more. I think I've been in this site
for many years. I worked in the Biden or the
campaign for Biden, I worked it for mayor Laurie Lightfoot.
This is a marathon, it is not a sprint. It's
so important because again, the people.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Who care.
Speaker 9 (25:39):
Are asking themselves how can they do more and more
and more? And it really is enough to be showing
up doing what you can, do what you can with
what you have. We need people in this for the
long run longevity. We have to take care of each
other and that includes I mean, actually that does not include.
It starts by taking care of yourself, and that is
(26:00):
really crucial. That means finding moments for happiness, for joy,
to rest, because that is really radical. To not be
in a constant state of fear or survival. It's not
none of this is worth it if we're constantly on
edge and constantly anxious.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
We do. And that's a lot to task of people. Truly.
I go to a lot of therapy.
Speaker 9 (26:26):
I think it's really important and both communities I mean,
I have a community, but it's having space to hold
these multifaceted truths that things are awful and terrible and
it's okay to find moments of levity, and in fact,
it's more than okay. It's really needed and necessary in
order to continue to show up and show up in
(26:47):
a way where you are, you feel it, you feel
the love. I'm happy to be here. I am tired
of what's happening, but I'm not tired of the work.
I think it's so crucial that if we are given
this to do something with it, to do something with
these gifts, to not to speak out in what's happening.
So again, to your point, you're saying, like you wish
(27:09):
you could do more, I'm also cognizant there are real,
real risks. My friend who I mentioned, who got detained
by ice, she doesn't want to talk about it because
she's afraid to become a target. Wow, and that is
a problem because what is happening is not right. She
is a US citizen because of how she looks in
the car she was driving. That they thought it was
(27:31):
too expensive for someone like her is insane, And in
that time.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
People are afraid to speak out.
Speaker 9 (27:38):
Even again, she's a US citizen, she's not undocumented, and
she is not dressed like a worker. She does not
speak accented English. So what we are seeing is a
total disregard for law and order, and we need to
call it out. That is, there's nothing more American than
that dissent is that's it, That's within our bill of rights.
(28:00):
Are you're right to be harassed in that way, to
not be given any kind of explanation.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
There's no reasonable suspicion.
Speaker 9 (28:09):
This is not normal, and we need to label it
as such because if we allow it to continue, how
much further can it go? And that again, it isn't
always just on that end. We have to apply pressure
on all ends, which means supporting. As much as we
are fighting, we have to celebrate the people who are
still showing up for work, still have businesses to run,
(28:29):
still have to feed their families. And how we do
that is again, go and support those businesses. One of
my clients, which you know, is the Tinos. They have
the Latino International Latino Theater Festival going on right now.
So again in the arts, So if you're not a
food person, find those pockets that relate to you do
(28:51):
what you can talk to folks.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
And again like do your own homework.
Speaker 9 (28:54):
You can easily google what neighborhoods are around, ask questions,
talk to your neighbors. This is the time we have
to know who is living next to us.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Mutual aid.
Speaker 9 (29:07):
There is a lot of support that needs to happen.
And again, when I look to Little Village, this is
not about just offering help. Little Village offers a lot
to Chicago. One of the last places that Anthony Bourdain
went to was Little Village. So when we talk about
foodies before he passed, when we talk about food destinations,
(29:29):
like Little Village is it people are spending.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
It's a million billion dollar industry.
Speaker 9 (29:34):
To go to Mexico City. It's a city that's urging up.
Little Village is literally Mexico City in the Midwest. It
has There's no other place that I've gone to that
when I walk down Little Village, I feel like I'm
back home at my grandma's house, where it's you got
the vendors, you got the culture of the food. It's
an incredible place and it's right here. And we're speaking
a lot about Latino Mexican Little Village et cetera. And
(29:59):
this is is about black and brown community. So Mexican,
let you know, our house is on fire right now,
but that doesn't mean that's where all our attention show
would go.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
It's everyone's kind.
Speaker 9 (30:12):
Everyone who is not what the Trump administration wants them
to be is under attack right now. So there are
ways to resist and push and show up, and we
got to do them. I mean, there's fears, very real.
I don't want to minimize that by any means. But again,
you do what you can with what you have, and
we need our allies to stand with us. Again, a
(30:32):
lot of times when I talk about this, I'm not
talking to people who look like me.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
I truly am talking about.
Speaker 9 (30:37):
The folks who don't, who have something that they want
to do and support. It goes a long way to
see that those folks are in that community. Folks who
don't look like me are treated very differently. And so
using your privilege to help support your neighbor, your fellow Chicago,
and it's so crucial in this time again talked a
(31:00):
little bit about Little Village is the example. They are
under attack. It is almost eighty percent Latino Mexican. There
are not other communities who can offset the traffic loss
foot traffic shopping that is occurring there because it is
mostly Mexican and Latino and so there's not an Asian
black white population that okay, we have run off traffic.
(31:22):
So there's so money coming into the neighborhood that's not
really happening, and that's very alarming, especially again when we
look at Chicago and what this neighborhood represents as a
broader whole.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Yeah, one hundred percent agree with that.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Before we wrap up, Jimena, if you know, if you
were to leave a message kind of with our audience today,
right when it comes to standing together during this time,
what is one final you know, message, word you would
like to.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Say, just on word, just on I'm gonna do you.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
A sentence, oh, one sentence that you want to just
share with everybody, or a message if you need more time.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
I think it's hope. Help. Honestly, it's truly hope. You
have to.
Speaker 9 (32:06):
It's hope you can't lose hope in this there's a
lot of negative things, and I'm calling attention to a
lot of the bad because sometimes that's what people need
to be shaken up. They think it's not that bad,
or someone else is doing something. And at a certain point,
if you're looking around the room and you're saying someone
should do something, that person is you. And how you
(32:30):
keep that fight alive is you have to be hopeful.
Speaker 7 (32:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
I'm here because I'm hopeful.
Speaker 9 (32:35):
I'm here because I think things can get better, and
things should be better, and we deserve to have a
better government and than what we have now.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
That's why I'm here. I would love nothing more than
to be at.
Speaker 9 (32:48):
Home scrolling on the internet or eating breakfast or sleeping in,
and I'm not because that is not the kind of
life or legacy that I want. I can't tate what
you're going to do, what my neighbor is going to do,
but I can control what I'm going to do, and
I'm going to show up and talk about this and
say this is wrong. People should pay attention, do something,
(33:10):
do what you can. In the end, I can't control
whether they do something or not, but I can control
what I do.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
So I am going to show up.
Speaker 9 (33:17):
And the only reason why I have faith that this
can change and I have hope.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
That it will. MANA thank you for being here with
us today. Where can we follow you?
Speaker 1 (33:25):
If anybody wants to even connect with you directly, where
can we do that?
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Thank you? And I also want to say with in Chicago.
Speaker 9 (33:31):
It's so important because Chicago has the largest Mexican population
outside of any border state. So again, this is a
very deliberate attack on our city. If people care about
their city, if they love it, show up, show up
for your neighbor. This is not the time to bury
your head in the sand. Bear Witness. I cannot tell
you how impactful that is to be there. Even if
(33:53):
that's all that you do, that is enough, Bear Witness.
So what's happening as far as I'm concerned, how people
can connect with me? I mean, follow your show honestly,
Like I'm a big fan of yours, like what you're
doing and the people that you're highlighting. I'm one drop
in an ocean of people who are doing incredible work,
and I know you're using this platform to showcase them.
(34:14):
So I would say, like, keep tuning in to what
you're doing and the platform that you're using.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
I appreciate very much, But you know, I do feel
like we need more people like you to take a stand,
but also to share this information because I knew a
little village was going through it, but I didn't know
to what extends.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
Well, I'm mark to be honest, I went down.
Speaker 9 (34:33):
I'd gone a few times, and to see it yourself
is very different from someone telling you. And that's why
it's so important for me to speak up. I don't
live anywhere close to Little Village, but I make an
effort to go at least once a week to see
what's happening. And I've seen with my own eyes it's
de terioration of it. And that's to me is what's
interesting is that's what it took people knowing someone that
(34:55):
saw it firsthand to actually get them to say, like,
we need to pay more attention to what's happening here.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yes, absolutely, well, Hemana. Thank you for being here with
us today. We appreciate you. Thanks girl, Thank you so
much for listening, and thank you for tuning into the
Weekly Show here on iHeartRadio. We placed this episode and
all of our other episodes up on our free iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Just simply search for the Weekly Show. Thank you so
much
Thanks, hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on
iHeartRadio on ninety three nine LFM, one of three five
guys i FM and Rock ninety five to five.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And today on the show, we have.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Brady and Whitney Reynolds with another special back to back
episode of Whitney's Women, and we are also talking to
our friend of the show, Himena Larkin. She will be
talking all about what is happening currently in our city,
within our Latino communities and our businesses.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Let's kick off the show.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
The only thing better than Whitney Reynolds joining us for
Whitney's Women is two Whitney's Women back to back and
that's where we are today. So welcome to the show
once again Whitney Reynolds from the Whitney Reynolds Show. It's
Whitney's Women time times too.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
Yes, we are rolling strong this fall.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
We are back to back. But kicking things off, we.
Speaker 6 (00:46):
Have Laurel Delaney.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
She is truly amazing on so many levels. She is
the founder and president of the Women Entrepreneurs ROW Global
and she's here to talk about their upcoming event and
all that's based here in Chitpo and how they're taking
it to a.
Speaker 5 (01:01):
Global schlub globally.
Speaker 7 (01:03):
Laurrel, welcome to the show.
Speaker 8 (01:05):
So thank you for having me.
Speaker 9 (01:07):
Whitney.
Speaker 6 (01:08):
I am super excited to be here.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
You are one that has done so many amazing things,
and you're not only based in Chicago, but you do
have the word global in your name. Tell us about
the Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
It's all about absolutely.
Speaker 8 (01:26):
Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global is a five oh one c
three nonprofit organization that helps women entrepreneurs and business owners
go global. And we do it through a variety of
programs and a lot of them are online. We have
like wegginers, We've got How She Went Global? Podcasts, WEG
(01:46):
Showcases Club WEG We've got co worts and I really
want to mention to you and all the listeners. Our
greatest co wort is called weg Gobal Daughters of Business Owners.
Speaker 5 (01:58):
And how cool is.
Speaker 8 (01:59):
That that we are really educating the next generation of
women leaders in our very, very dynamic world.
Speaker 6 (02:09):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
One thing that you're saying is that you're really helping
women go beyond even kind of their thinking. And you're
creating these groups for people.
Speaker 7 (02:18):
To get together. When people join these cohorts.
Speaker 8 (02:20):
What can they expect, Well, they can expect camaraderie, bonding.
When anyone has ever felt that they are alone with
whatever initiative that they're taking on, our cohorts eliminate that
feeling so that you really know that you belong and
that you are with peer to peer with other women
(02:43):
leaders or women business owners. Well, you can ask any
question that you want to ask and literally get the
collective genius of the group to respond, lift you up
and help you so that you can grow your business.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
That is so good and you are the founder and
president that is your title.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
I guess my question is how did you decide.
Speaker 7 (03:02):
To start this and did you see a need?
Speaker 8 (03:05):
Yes, definitely I saw a need and it goes all
the way back to two thousand and eight, if you
can believe that of really starting a blog and blogging
about women taking on the world, what their businesses, and
because I had so many women that were reaching out
to me about it and saying I need more help,
I need more Can you give me more confidence? Can
(03:28):
you guide me? I need a roadmap? And with all
of that being sent to me and just experiencing your reaction,
I realized that you can keep blogging, but at some
point you have to set up an organization. And that
triggered all the way from two thousand and eight to
twenty fifteen to formally establish WEG as a nonprofit organization.
Speaker 7 (03:48):
That is so incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
And you know, you say the global.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Thing, and I love On one of our earlier calls
and I was learning more about your nonprofit.
Speaker 6 (03:56):
You asked me.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
You're like, is the Whitney Reynolds show global? And I
didn't even know where to start. I'm like, oh, well, we're.
Speaker 6 (04:01):
A national show.
Speaker 7 (04:03):
So how do you give women the confidence.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
To actually take their business to the next level.
Speaker 8 (04:08):
That's a great question, and it all has to do
with reaching out. Literally, I can react so fast to that, Whitney,
and it's just reaching out. Take action, be fearless with
anything that you want to do in terms of driving
results for your business. So taking action is for someone
like you, Whitney or your listeners. You reach out to
(04:29):
someone like me because we have a whole team that
leg that can really assist you and guide you, provide
a roadmap on how you take your business global. You know,
we can come up with a plan, you can follow
the plan, but we also have what I call players,
players in the industry that are top experts that can
come in and really assist you on whatever area that
(04:53):
you need, like in terms of what first market you
want to enter into, how do you get paid, so,
how do you make sure that you are communicating appropriately
with a different audience in a different.
Speaker 6 (05:06):
Part of the world.
Speaker 8 (05:07):
Those are just some of the name that we do
for the women, and you.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Actually have a way people can get involved and learn more.
You're saying all the different years when you started and
how you advance, but this is your ten year anniversary
and you are celebrating and you're inviting our listeners to.
Speaker 7 (05:23):
Join tell us about what you have coming up.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
Oh my goodness, I can't tell you how jas and
excited I am and everyone at Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global,
And we're hosting an event November sixth at the Tortoise
Club in Chicago and the specific addresses three fifteen North
State Street. And interestingly enough, it's a woman owned restaurant
(05:47):
or it's considered a supper club, and we are going, yeah,
so we're going to be celebrating not only weg but
it's a celebration of women, the women that are working
so hard to drive results for their businesses, and of
course many of them have been involved with WEG extensively
(06:07):
by participating in our programs, or maybe they're donors, their sponsors,
et cetera. But at this event, we are going to
have signature cocktail that's called the Shirley Rebel. We've got
a music playlist that is one hundred percent female artists.
We will have video testimonials and a silent auction. I'm
(06:30):
trying to think of what else. I think We've got
goodie bags with products from women owned businesses, and even
a female photographer will be taking beautiful pictures throughout the gala.
That's just some of the things we're doing Whitney for this.
Speaker 6 (06:44):
So it's super exciting.
Speaker 7 (06:46):
So say the date again and where can people get
more info or.
Speaker 6 (06:49):
Their tickets again.
Speaker 8 (06:51):
It's the WEG ten year Anniversary Gala November sixth on
a Thursday, from five thirty to eight thirty pm Central Time.
I'm at the Tortoise Club. They can grab their tickets
at Women Entrepreneurs.
Speaker 6 (07:05):
Grow Global dot org.
Speaker 8 (07:08):
They scroll down a little bit and then they just
see the tenure anniversary click god, buy tickets here and
they are good to go to get started. And one
other thing I want to mention to you, Whitney, is
that we also have two phenomenal supporters at this gala,
and one is JP Morgan Chase and the second is
Anpholes amazing And you.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Know what, we have all this info up on Whitney
Reynolds dot com as well because we are so excited.
I will be there, I will be your MC. It
is going to be a great night. And you know
you encompass. Whitney's Women is one of those is a
segment that is dedicated to women who are giving back.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
And you encompass the title of just taking women with you.
Speaker 6 (07:48):
So thank you so much, Laurel for.
Speaker 8 (07:49):
Coming on and thank you for having me. Whitney is
such a joy, such a.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Pleasure, amazing and the work of Whitney Reynolds obviously it
never ends. So here we go another Whitney's Women, back
to back. They're making you work over time this weekend,
Whitney Reynolds.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I am so excited because we are just going to
keep the goodness flowing. We are now welcoming Katie Nadick.
She is the senior director of donor Development for the
March of Dimes in Chicago. Now, the March of Dimes
just has such a soft butt in my heart and
I can't wait for you to hear what they've been.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
Up to and what they have coming up. Katie.
Speaker 7 (08:22):
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 6 (08:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 10 (08:24):
Whitney.
Speaker 6 (08:24):
I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Yes, we are excited because there is a lot of
goodness going on. But before we jump into your big event,
I want people to know.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
Because the March of Dimes is something that I grew up.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
I remember doing these little holders with dimes in elementary school,
and so it's something I've known for years. I'm almost forty,
and so I remember this from elementary school. But for
people that maybe are new or they want to know
where the March of Dimes is at, now, tell us
what's going on.
Speaker 6 (08:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (08:51):
So, the March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization
and to your point, we were founded in nineteen thirty
eight by Franklin D. Roosevelt and he called on all
Americans to send dimes to the White House and essentially
crowd fund the research that develops the polio vaccine, and
so something that we're super proud of. We are one
(09:14):
of the only nonprofits really to achieve our original mission,
which was essentially eradicating polio, and so since then we
have turned our focus to maternal and infant health, and
so we are an organization that is really envisioning a
world in which every mom and baby is healthy.
Speaker 6 (09:34):
We have a goal to.
Speaker 10 (09:36):
Pretend or to end preventable maternal and infant health or
into death rather by the year two thousand and thirty eight.
And so many people don't know this, but the United
States is actually among the most dangerous of the developed
nations in which to give birth. You know, that's really
shocking given all of the resources and all of the
wealth that we have in this country. And so we're
(09:57):
really focusing our efforts on maternal infant health and making
sure that we're closing that health equity gap that exists
here in the States.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
Well, you are so right, and the work you're doing
is so crucial. I will never forget when I found
out I was pregnant with twins and just all the
different things that can come up with that, and knowing
there are great nonprofits like the March of Dimes in
People's Corner is truly amazing with the initiatives that you're
working on.
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Because you said twenty thirty eight, correct, is that.
Speaker 6 (10:22):
What we're saying, Yeah, that'll be our one hundred year anniversary.
Speaker 7 (10:24):
One hundred year anniversary.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
And you have these.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
Big goals, what steps are you taking to achieve those?
Speaker 10 (10:29):
So we are focusing on three main areas. We know
that there are a lot of causes of preterm birth,
a lot of causes of pregnancy complications, but we've really
strategically focused on a couple of key areas. The first
is reducing pre term birth. As I mentioned, you know,
we have you know, not the greatest necessarily healthcare. When
(10:50):
it comes to maternal health in this country, one in
ten babies is born too soon, and so we're really
working on reducing that one intent statistic. We know that
premature birth is the leading cause of death for children
under the age of five. Another big problem that we
have here is hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A lot of
(11:10):
people have heard the word preeclampsia. A lot of women
have these hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, and so that's really
a focused area for us as well. We know that
if we can drive those disorders down, we can also
drive those statistics down and then firth improving access to
high quality health care. We have a health equity gap
here in this country. You know, black women are three
(11:32):
times more likely to die from pregnancy than white women,
and so we know that we need to improve access
to high quality health care. There are many women who
live in maternity care desert, which is really essentially a
county that has a little or no obstetric care, and
so improving access to health care for these women and
(11:52):
closing that health equity gap is a real focus area
for us, and so we have several areas that we're funding.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
One of those is research.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
We have a very extensive research program across the United
States as well as at the Imperial College of London,
and we are really focusing on covering those causes of
pre term birth. We know that it's caused by a
variety of factors, and so what's really exciting is we're
taking that research and we are funneling that into products
(12:21):
and treatments that we know that we can take bedside quickly.
We also have a variety of programs and education here
in Chicago as well as across the United States. One
thing that we're really proud of is our Nicky Family
Support Program. We have one here at Lurie's here in Chicago,
and that really put resources and support to women who
(12:41):
find themselves in the nikkia with a baby.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
You are beyond incredible and what you were saying about
that gap for mothers in certain counties truly just touched me.
I'm so glad that you are highlighting that and seeing
those people for where they are in closing the gap.
So let's talk about the event that helps you.
Speaker 7 (12:58):
All achieve all these goals that you have coming up.
Speaker 6 (13:00):
You have a wonderful event.
Speaker 7 (13:02):
I can't wait for it. Tell us about what's going on.
Speaker 10 (13:05):
Yes, our signature Chef Eating Motherhood event is so much fun.
It is literally one of everyone's favorite events of the year.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Who is our supporter.
Speaker 10 (13:14):
Of Marta Dine and so the event is taking place
on Friday, November fourteenth. We're at the Radison Blue Aqua
Hotel and I like to say that this is a
cocktail chic event. No offense to the events that you
have a seeded program with a chicken dinner. That's all
fine and well, but the really special thing about this
event is that we have staff tasting stations as well
(13:35):
as beverage stations, So we're featuring more than.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
Two dozen restaurants, beverage.
Speaker 10 (13:40):
Stations, and dessert partners from across the Chicago Lands community.
So it's a really fun atmosphere in which people have
the opportunity to mingle and try a bunch of different dishes,
and then everyone's seeded for a live program that supports
the March to Dine, so we raise funds, we hear
a story from a family who's been by the mission,
(14:00):
and it's really just a fantastic event. We got about
four hundred and fifty people who attend and we've raised
over six hundred thousand dollars last year, so it's a
great event for us.
Speaker 7 (14:09):
That is great and I love that you said, you know, you're.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Kind of shaking it up the way people see these events,
and it's really a great way not to only learn
about the mission.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
But try amazing food.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
And Chicago is known for some of the best food,
so it's going to be one of those things where
you can learn about the mission, try great food, and
get involved. Tell people where they can get their tickets.
Speaker 10 (14:30):
Yes, our website is Signature Chefs dot org slash Chicago.
We have some tickets that are still available, as well
as some table and corporate sponsorship.
Speaker 5 (14:41):
Well, you are absolutely amazing.
Speaker 7 (14:43):
Thank you so much, Katie for coming on.
Speaker 6 (14:45):
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 10 (14:46):
Whitney. We're so excited to have you on the fourteenth
MC the event.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I can that weigh Oh my gosh, Brady, can you
believe all that's going on in Chicago?
Speaker 7 (14:53):
So much goodness?
Speaker 3 (14:54):
You know so much And it should It should always
be that way because the stuff that you do and
the hard work that you put into making everybody feel
better and bringing that you know, that hope to our lives.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
It never ends twenty four to seven.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
And yeah, like you mentioned, Katie, bringing of a lot
of information that all of us were listening, we're learning about,
and I think that's what Whitney's Women is all about
as well.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
It is it is knowing that goodness exists right here
in Chicago, and if you don't see it.
Speaker 6 (15:19):
You can find it in your neighbors.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
You can find it when you have these conversations and
you lean into what's going on in our city and
seeking out the good. And I love that Whitney's Woman
is dedicated to that, and you know, it really helps
us reach the mission of The Whitney Reynolds Show in general,
because The Whitney Reynolds Show, our talk show, is dedicated
to being a safe space for stories. And the goal
with any media that I'm on, whether it's radio or TV,
(15:43):
is to be that voice of hope for our nation.
And so we are currently in season ten, which I
know it sounds like.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
I'm just really getting older up here, you.
Speaker 7 (15:53):
Know, Susan Tenna is quiet a moment for us.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
If you're listening in the Chicago area and not online,
then you'll know we do debut always here first in
our home market, because we are so proud to call Chicago.
Speaker 7 (16:05):
Our home base.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
And then we hit the nation on World Channel PBS
Saturdays and Mondays, which we are so excited about as well.
We have these little interviews or big full form ready
for you, and we want to know your story, so
you can pop over to Whitney Reynolds dot com and
send your story in because we truly believe everyone has
a story and that matters.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Dose of hope.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
I think there might be an energy energy drink idea
trademarked there, so let's just keep that in the back
of your head, Okay, We love you, Whitney, thank you
so much for talk to you soon.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
It's Paulina here.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Iheard media Chicago and we are talking to our friend
of the show. We are talking to Himena and Beltron
Quantsuk you quank Cue. I knew that Jimena, not only
as a friend of the show and a friend of mine,
but you are a storyteller. You right to explore the
world around us here and Jimena's work has appeared in
The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food and
(16:56):
Wine and more. She's the Mexican immigrants and lifelong chicag
go in. How are you today?
Speaker 8 (17:01):
Good?
Speaker 2 (17:01):
I'm so excited to be here with you, baby. I'm
excited for you to be here.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
We have a lot to talk about and I think
you're not only like super in it, but you've written
about this right. You talk about this openly and social media,
and I want you to talk to us today because
I think you are just an amazing voice in the city.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
You know you do the same thing too, So I'm
just trying to keep up with you. I'm trying keep
up with you. I appreciate you being here so much.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
So he meant up first and foremost, you know, can
you help us understand what's happening right now in Little
Village and why so many families right and so many
residents in Chicagoan's are scared.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (17:32):
For those who don't know, Little Village is home to
nearly five hundred small businesses. This is within a two
mile stretch a corridor. So when we look at Little Village,
it's a predominantly Mexican community. It's about almost eighty percent Latino.
What that means is ICE's actions right now, these racial
(17:55):
profilings that we're seeing are heavily targeting this community. So
when we think of what is happening, I think of
it as a canary in the coal mine. I don't
live in Little Village, I have never worked there. I
care about it because I'm in chicagoan. I care about
the health of the city and it is such an
integral part of the city. The area is one of
the highest shopping districts in Chicago. People are driving in
(18:18):
from Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Saint Louis. So when you think
of the dollars coming in, these are not Mexican dollars,
These are not Latino dollars. These are going to tax
paying for Chicago, offsetting costs. So when this community that
is a lifeline to the city is under siege, because
that's what it is. I have gone in the last week.
(18:39):
It is a ghost town. There are not people there.
So there was ice. Ice was active yesterday, which was Wednesday,
October twenty first, twenty second, and I'm in complete shock
because there aren't people out in the streets, which is
not common. But it is not common at all. This
is we're talking bumper to bumper traffic. You have busy restaurants,
(19:02):
street vendors next shoulder to shoulder, often on Sundays and Mondays,
busy shopping days, and right now there's no activity. You
can park anywhere you want. That is unheard of in
this place. There's nobody walking on the street, there's no vendors.
So again, when we think of what exactly this is
(19:22):
not normal? What are they doing because people are not there.
So the only people who are active are folks in
a way who aren't quote unquote scared because they might
be documented or they have a job to go to.
So who are they? These are not criminals? And little
Village is such a I pay so much attention. I'm
talking about it, because again, it is the example of
(19:45):
what we can expect to see if we don't stand
with our neighbors, if we don't go out shopping support them,
and especially in a place like this, where again let's
call this what this is, it's racial profiling. The Supreme
Court ruling from September eighth. What folks I think are
calling it, like the Kavanaugh ruling, is people can be
(20:05):
targeted based on they how they look, if they speak
Spanish or accents at English, if they are in a
place where undocumented workers live, or if they're dressed in
a service job, meaning a blue collar job.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know you're a server, or you might be in
law and care something like that.
Speaker 9 (20:29):
Construction, these are not that is not reasonable suspicion to
stop someone and detain them. It's based solely on how
they look. And I want to be really clear here,
because I had a friend who got stopped by ICE.
This person is not a working class professional. She works
as a in the arts, She drives a luxury car.
(20:53):
She was stopped and they questioned her and when she
was saying I'm a US citizen, they told her we
don't care about that. So what exactly is this what
are we doing here? And it's really clear in these
times that we have to stand up, we have to
save ourselves the government.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
This is coming from our government. So when we.
Speaker 9 (21:14):
Look at the folks who gathered over the weekend during
the No King's March and protested, what can we do outside?
It feels really good to be in community with folks.
Taking that and applying that to daily actions is really
what's required here. That might be as simple, again as
you shop in a Latino owned store. I'm not saying
go down a little village. You can if you want to.
(21:35):
I'm sure they would love that. But if you live
in Aurora, if you live in Bridge View, other places
that are not close to the Chicago, you can take
action in your community. You can support those folks. And
that's what I've heard when I've gone in and I've
brought my friends who don't look like me. I'm a
very proud Mexican, I'm a proud immigrant. I have dark hair,
(21:56):
dark skin, dark eyes. When I bring folks who don't
look like me, I have heard from the vendors they
are really grateful because then they feel like they have
folks who are standing with them. That people care about them.
People care outside of who looks like them or who's Latino,
who's Mexican. It's not about that at this point. It's
about standing with our neighbors, standing with the city.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
This place is an.
Speaker 9 (22:19):
Incredible area for commerce, retail food. There's got Nita's wo
up On, which has dominated for a James Beard Award
that's considered the Oscars of food. It's the most prestigious
thing a restaurant can get. That's right in little village.
You have Lula, which is the largest importer of Bignianta's
shout out to them. Yeah, from Mexico, and it's a
(22:42):
candy Mexican candy wonderland.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
I personally love.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
I was gallientas I think they have the best goritas.
I was really upset to hear that last yesterday they
were Ice was in there, especially because again when I
went on Monday night, which they say historically is their
most busiest day, it was empty. I was there with
three other people. We were one of two other tables
(23:07):
that were in that area. So we have to push
back on this. We have to talk about what's happening.
We have to organize. When we say organized, it doesn't
mean one hundred thousand and the No King's March protest.
It means like you calling your friend, maybe that's me
texting you and being like, okay, bow, let's for lunch
instead of going to our usual Chipotle quick service. Let's
(23:32):
walk the extra block and spend our money with a local,
small and pop business that could really use it.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
That's hurting, that's afraid, but they still have to open.
Speaker 9 (23:40):
Their doors, right, And I mean, like, you tell me,
what are you seeing too that you're nervous about, scared about,
excited about in the space, Like how are you taking action?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Well, you inspired me to do a lot more. And
I truly mean that. That's why I literally, I mean
I love you texting you today and you showed up.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
You know, you're like, let's do this, let's talk about
this because it's so important. I kind of realized maybe
I'm not doing enough in the moment. Like I work
in media, I have a microphone. I talk about these
things and although I can't do as much as I
would like to. And that's all I'm gonna say as
far as like the microphone, which is why I'm very
grateful for this platform too, that I can have longer
conversations about this. But what I would like to do is, yes,
take my dollars and instead of DoorDash and you know,
(24:20):
getting whatever wing step whatever it is. Right Like you said,
I'm going to call a friend, I'm gonna bring people
and we're gonna go.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
We're gonna support these businesses.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Either in my neighborhood, so I'm near like Arch your
heart's Garfield Ridge, and there's plenty of Latino owned businesses
as far as food right everything can think of. And
then what I also want to do is I wanna
work more with the community and ask what they need.
Because I yesterday was at a place called Lacasa Playroom
and that's in Brighton Park and the owner, Angie, she
(24:48):
has been collecting goods for babies and kids and she's
been delivering them. So people need diapers, they need closed
strollers like her whole playplace is just filled with donations.
And I want to get more involved in that's and
I actually spoke with her and her son witnessed their
neighbor get detained and is currently in therapy at his
daycare at his school for what he witnessed. And if
(25:10):
he's one kid that's been through that I can't even
imagine how many more kids are currently experiencing that too.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Yeah, and it is.
Speaker 9 (25:18):
And you started off by saying that you wish you
were doing more. I think I've been in this site
for many years. I worked in the Biden or the
campaign for Biden, I worked it for mayor Laurie Lightfoot.
This is a marathon, it is not a sprint. It's
so important because again, the people.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Who care.
Speaker 9 (25:39):
Are asking themselves how can they do more and more
and more? And it really is enough to be showing
up doing what you can, do what you can with
what you have. We need people in this for the
long run longevity. We have to take care of each
other and that includes I mean, actually that does not include.
It starts by taking care of yourself, and that is
(26:00):
really crucial. That means finding moments for happiness, for joy,
to rest, because that is really radical. To not be
in a constant state of fear or survival. It's not
none of this is worth it if we're constantly on
edge and constantly anxious.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
We do. And that's a lot to task of people. Truly.
I go to a lot of therapy.
Speaker 9 (26:26):
I think it's really important and both communities I mean,
I have a community, but it's having space to hold
these multifaceted truths that things are awful and terrible and
it's okay to find moments of levity, and in fact,
it's more than okay. It's really needed and necessary in
order to continue to show up and show up in
(26:47):
a way where you are, you feel it, you feel
the love. I'm happy to be here. I am tired
of what's happening, but I'm not tired of the work.
I think it's so crucial that if we are given
this to do something with it, to do something with
these gifts, to not to speak out in what's happening.
So again, to your point, you're saying, like you wish
(27:09):
you could do more, I'm also cognizant there are real,
real risks. My friend who I mentioned, who got detained
by ice, she doesn't want to talk about it because
she's afraid to become a target. Wow, and that is
a problem because what is happening is not right. She
is a US citizen because of how she looks in
the car she was driving. That they thought it was
(27:31):
too expensive for someone like her is insane, And in
that time.
Speaker 2 (27:37):
People are afraid to speak out.
Speaker 9 (27:38):
Even again, she's a US citizen, she's not undocumented, and
she is not dressed like a worker. She does not
speak accented English. So what we are seeing is a
total disregard for law and order, and we need to
call it out. That is, there's nothing more American than
that dissent is that's it, That's within our bill of rights.
(28:00):
Are you're right to be harassed in that way, to
not be given any kind of explanation.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
There's no reasonable suspicion.
Speaker 9 (28:09):
This is not normal, and we need to label it
as such because if we allow it to continue, how
much further can it go? And that again, it isn't
always just on that end. We have to apply pressure
on all ends, which means supporting. As much as we
are fighting, we have to celebrate the people who are
still showing up for work, still have businesses to run,
(28:29):
still have to feed their families. And how we do
that is again, go and support those businesses. One of
my clients, which you know, is the Tinos. They have
the Latino International Latino Theater Festival going on right now.
So again in the arts, So if you're not a
food person, find those pockets that relate to you do
(28:51):
what you can talk to folks.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
And again like do your own homework.
Speaker 9 (28:54):
You can easily google what neighborhoods are around, ask questions,
talk to your neighbors. This is the time we have
to know who is living next to us.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Mutual aid.
Speaker 9 (29:07):
There is a lot of support that needs to happen.
And again, when I look to Little Village, this is
not about just offering help. Little Village offers a lot
to Chicago. One of the last places that Anthony Bourdain
went to was Little Village. So when we talk about
foodies before he passed, when we talk about food destinations,
(29:29):
like Little Village is it people are spending.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
It's a million billion dollar industry.
Speaker 9 (29:34):
To go to Mexico City. It's a city that's urging up.
Little Village is literally Mexico City in the Midwest. It
has There's no other place that I've gone to that
when I walk down Little Village, I feel like I'm
back home at my grandma's house, where it's you got
the vendors, you got the culture of the food. It's
an incredible place and it's right here. And we're speaking
a lot about Latino Mexican Little Village et cetera. And
(29:59):
this is is about black and brown community. So Mexican,
let you know, our house is on fire right now,
but that doesn't mean that's where all our attention show
would go.
Speaker 2 (30:10):
It's everyone's kind.
Speaker 9 (30:12):
Everyone who is not what the Trump administration wants them
to be is under attack right now. So there are
ways to resist and push and show up, and we
got to do them. I mean, there's fears, very real.
I don't want to minimize that by any means. But again,
you do what you can with what you have, and
we need our allies to stand with us. Again, a
(30:32):
lot of times when I talk about this, I'm not
talking to people who look like me.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
I truly am talking about.
Speaker 9 (30:37):
The folks who don't, who have something that they want
to do and support. It goes a long way to
see that those folks are in that community. Folks who
don't look like me are treated very differently. And so
using your privilege to help support your neighbor, your fellow Chicago,
and it's so crucial in this time again talked a
(31:00):
little bit about Little Village is the example. They are
under attack. It is almost eighty percent Latino Mexican. There
are not other communities who can offset the traffic loss
foot traffic shopping that is occurring there because it is
mostly Mexican and Latino and so there's not an Asian
black white population that okay, we have run off traffic.
(31:22):
So there's so money coming into the neighborhood that's not
really happening, and that's very alarming, especially again when we
look at Chicago and what this neighborhood represents as a
broader whole.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
Yeah, one hundred percent agree with that.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Before we wrap up, Jimena, if you know, if you
were to leave a message kind of with our audience today,
right when it comes to standing together during this time,
what is one final you know, message, word you would
like to.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Say, just on word, just on I'm gonna do you.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
A sentence, oh, one sentence that you want to just
share with everybody, or a message if you need more time.
Speaker 2 (31:59):
I think it's hope. Help. Honestly, it's truly hope. You
have to.
Speaker 9 (32:06):
It's hope you can't lose hope in this there's a
lot of negative things, and I'm calling attention to a
lot of the bad because sometimes that's what people need
to be shaken up. They think it's not that bad,
or someone else is doing something. And at a certain point,
if you're looking around the room and you're saying someone
should do something, that person is you. And how you
(32:30):
keep that fight alive is you have to be hopeful.
Speaker 7 (32:33):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
I'm here because I'm hopeful.
Speaker 9 (32:35):
I'm here because I think things can get better, and
things should be better, and we deserve to have a
better government and than what we have now.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
That's why I'm here. I would love nothing more than
to be at.
Speaker 9 (32:48):
Home scrolling on the internet or eating breakfast or sleeping in,
and I'm not because that is not the kind of
life or legacy that I want. I can't tate what
you're going to do, what my neighbor is going to do,
but I can control what I'm going to do, and
I'm going to show up and talk about this and
say this is wrong. People should pay attention, do something,
(33:10):
do what you can. In the end, I can't control
whether they do something or not, but I can control
what I do.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
So I am going to show up.
Speaker 9 (33:17):
And the only reason why I have faith that this
can change and I have hope.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
That it will. MANA thank you for being here with
us today. Where can we follow you?
Speaker 1 (33:25):
If anybody wants to even connect with you directly, where
can we do that?
Speaker 2 (33:28):
Thank you? And I also want to say with in Chicago.
Speaker 9 (33:31):
It's so important because Chicago has the largest Mexican population
outside of any border state. So again, this is a
very deliberate attack on our city. If people care about
their city, if they love it, show up, show up
for your neighbor. This is not the time to bury
your head in the sand. Bear Witness. I cannot tell
you how impactful that is to be there. Even if
(33:53):
that's all that you do, that is enough, Bear Witness.
So what's happening as far as I'm concerned, how people
can connect with me? I mean, follow your show honestly,
Like I'm a big fan of yours, like what you're
doing and the people that you're highlighting. I'm one drop
in an ocean of people who are doing incredible work,
and I know you're using this platform to showcase them.
(34:14):
So I would say, like, keep tuning in to what
you're doing and the platform that you're using.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
I appreciate very much, But you know, I do feel
like we need more people like you to take a stand,
but also to share this information because I knew a
little village was going through it, but I didn't know
to what extends.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
Well, I'm mark to be honest, I went down.
Speaker 9 (34:33):
I'd gone a few times, and to see it yourself
is very different from someone telling you. And that's why
it's so important for me to speak up. I don't
live anywhere close to Little Village, but I make an
effort to go at least once a week to see
what's happening. And I've seen with my own eyes it's
de terioration of it. And that's to me is what's
interesting is that's what it took people knowing someone that
(34:55):
saw it firsthand to actually get them to say, like,
we need to pay more attention to what's happening here.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Yes, absolutely, well, Hemana. Thank you for being here with
us today. We appreciate you. Thanks girl, Thank you so
much for listening, and thank you for tuning into the
Weekly Show here on iHeartRadio. We placed this episode and
all of our other episodes up on our free iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Just simply search for the Weekly Show. Thank you so
much
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