Chicago Speaks June 21st 2026

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Art radio station Guaranteed Human V one O three presents
Chicago Speaks with your host, Daryl Dinard. This program is
designed to address issues that affect you. Your opinions matter,
toll free at eight three three five.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Nine one V one oh three.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of
the station, it's management, sponsors, or iHeartMedia Ink.

Speaker 3 (00:24):
Hello and welcome to Chicago Speaks, your communications conduit for
speaking to the issues impacting our community. I'm your host,
Daryl Dinard. It is Sunday, June twenty first, twenty twenty six,
Happy Father's Day. Claudiewood showers developing in the afternoon, behind
in the mid seventies, currently at sixty two degrees. This
June teenth weekend, Chicago put on a memorable display of

(00:45):
the contributions of African Americans to the fabric that is
the American Quilt with festive June team celebrations and the
opening of the Obama Presidential Center. We'll take your calls
on the historic star studied opening ceremonium. What type of
lasting impact will the new South Side institution have on
Chicago's tourism landscape. We'll also cover the other top news

(01:08):
stories of the week, including the memorandum to end the
war in Iran to efforts to keep the streets safe
during the long hot summer. Plus, we'll talk to the
author of the book chronicling the role rebellion and activism
played in shaping America. And we'll close out our discussions
learning about the Chicago chapter of the National Coalition for
Black Women's fundraising gala. So as is the case every

(01:31):
Sunday morning, there is a lot to speak to and
we begin with partying with the Silver Room. When it
comes to people of a certain age, there is one
annual party that everybody looks forward to, and that is
the Silver Room Block Club Party. Joining us this morning
to talk about the return of this much anticipated event

(01:54):
is Eric Williams. He is the founder of the Silver
Room and he joins us this morning as well our
intern with Northwestern University, Ali Park. Eric, a pleasure to
talk to you, sir. First of all, give our listening
audience the genesis of the Silver Room Block Party.

Speaker 4 (02:11):
Sure sure. First of all, thank you for having me.
I appreciate being on the block party started in two
thousand and three in Wicker Park. I have a store
called the Silver Room, and I'm in the art you know,
I DJ. A lot of my friends are artists. And
I realized that a lot of my customers who were
coming in the store to buy sunglasses and jewelry, they
also were performers. They were singers, they were dancers. And

(02:33):
I kind of thought it like, let me do like
almost I could, you know, just like the showcase of
these people that I know, they're very talented. So I
realized that a lot of folks didn't know one another,
and so it was a way to bring together different cultures,
different groups of people. And you know, the third Saturday
in July, I started this little event next to my store,
called up some friends, you know, some ray of different feiti,
some friends that would break dancers, you know, some DJs,

(02:55):
and had this little party in an alley. It was
probably about maybe one hundred people came. That's how it
started it.

Speaker 3 (03:00):
And not only that, but tell us what year did
it start?

Speaker 4 (03:04):
That was two thousand and three. It was two thousand
and three.

Speaker 3 (03:08):
And I have to say, you literally shut down Milwaukee Avenue.
It became just this art talk about things going viral.
This is going viral before viral became viral.

Speaker 4 (03:20):
Yeah, you know, and sometimes people ask me about like
the growth of the block party and how did I
do it, And honestly, it was never really meant to grow.
I didn't think about it grow. I just thought out,
I'll tell some friends, you know, that's it. And it
was so much fun. It was so unique, it was
so different that they all told two friends. And the
next year it doubled, and the every year, you know,
you look up and I was doubling, and it went
from one hundred people to five hundred people to thousand
to thousands, and I moved down to High Park and

(03:42):
it just really kind of took off from there. But
I think the uniqueness of the event is that it's
not just one kind of music. I know, people think
of as a house music event, and no, house music
is a big part of it. It's hip hop, it's
you know, it's art, it's we had some kids there.
We had dancing, we had steppist music, we had yoga.
I mean, it was a little bit of everything.

Speaker 3 (04:00):
So talk to us about the return of the Silver
Room block club or the Silver Room Party block party.

Speaker 4 (04:09):
Sure, sure, So you know, we took off a couple
of years during COVID obviously, you know, for the reason
that we all know of. And for those two years,
everyone kept talking to me about how important it was
and how they missed it, you know, and almost every
day people ask me about this block party. So I
brought it up. I bought it back a couple of
years ago to the Beach. And the reason that we

(04:30):
moved from Hyde Park it just had gotten too big.
It was so many people on the street. And also
I think it was a very important part. People didn't
realize I was paying for this event out of pocket
for all these years, you know, and we were trying
to get donations from people, and people just showed up
and then realized how thing was being funded. And the
more people that came, the more it costs. I mean,
I think people thinking in a different way. It's like, no,

(04:50):
if no one's paying, it's costed me more money. And
so we weren't able to charge in High Park because
it's a street festival. You can't charge. You can only
ask for donations, and so it just became so expensive
that I couldn't do this anymore, and so I just stopped,
you know, and then we took it to the beach.
That was very expensive to do it there. I stopped
doing it there, and again people keep asking about this event,
and you know, after the thought, say, is a perfect

(05:12):
venue for it because we can charge, We can figure
out ways to pay the artists and pay for things.
It holds about six thousand people, which is not a
small number, you know, and all the infrastructure is there,
so we don't have to build the stages and the
torn of potties and the tents and all that stuff.

Speaker 5 (05:27):
You know.

Speaker 4 (05:27):
We can just kind of go in there and work
and focus on creating an experience. So I'm excited about it.
I'm very excited about it.

Speaker 3 (05:33):
Ellie. I know that you have a question.

Speaker 6 (05:35):
Yeah, I guess I'm curious how do you balance keeping
this event rooted in community like where it began from,
all also scaling into a larger venue.

Speaker 4 (05:47):
That's a good point, you know. And and the word community,
I know for some folks it means free, you know,
or it means accepsible. I guess I would say that
it's probably a better word, and it is in a word.
Balance is a great word, you know. And the reality
of it is is like having an event for one
hundred people is very different than having an event to
ten thousand people. You know, there's costs involved. So for me,

(06:09):
I see the intention behind it is still the same.
The intention of it is to bring together people using
arts and culture to show the diversity of our city.
You know. The difference is that has to be funded somehow,
so this year there is a cost which is more
than what it was before. But you know, I think
people who've been coming for all these years, they understand

(06:29):
the value of it and understand the importance of it.

Speaker 3 (06:32):
Talk to us specifically about what we can expect at
this year's event.

Speaker 4 (06:37):
Oh, I'm not really a line up yet, so I'm
going to do that in next week or so. So
that's going to be a surprise, but I can say
it's going to be I mean, honestly very much the same,
Like my intention of the event, that my emotion behind
it is the same as it was and year was
a year now. It's finding emerging artists, is finding artists
who you know, you might know a lot of these people.
It's different kinds of music. It's cross genres, it's cross

(07:00):
it's caused a little bit of everybody, you know. It's
it's surprises. Fashion as music is hard, is health and wellness.
So it's about creating environment that people are having a
great time. You see some old friends, it's you know,
it's a reunion of sorts, and you meet some new people.
I mean, the approach is still going to be the same,
So I feel like it's going to be the same. Honestly,
it's just a different environment. And for me it's not

(07:21):
so much. You know, even people say the word no
block party, well is it's still a block party. Went
from a block party to being on the beach to
be an accessible The term block party is more about
the people. It's more about the intention. It's more about
the vibe than it is about the physical space that
it's in. So it'll still full at a block party. End
of the day and date and cost is July eighteenth.

(07:43):
The ticket prices are it's ninety nine dollars plus a
lot of you know these ticket maps to fees and
you actually can avoid the ticket masters fees if you
actually go to the Assalted directly. But it's accessible source
if you look at it as there's going to be
probably more than thirty performers. There's two big huge states,
just one outside one inside. Different DJs, fashion shows, there's

(08:04):
a lot going on. I mean, we pack a lot
in and then these you know, these ten hours it's
noon until ten on July eighteenth, and a lot of fun.

Speaker 3 (08:13):
And finally, why do you do what you do?

Speaker 5 (08:14):
Man?

Speaker 3 (08:15):
You know you have the Silver Room, which is an
anchor institution right there, and what we like to call
downtown Hyde Park.

Speaker 4 (08:25):
You know, I mean for me, you know, I actually
was a finance major. I went to you, I see,
but how I paid for school. I became a street
vendor so on Maxwell Street back in the late eighties,
and so I just kind of saw this city is
a very beautiful place. Plus going up in the eighties
seventeen eighties and house music, you know, I just saw
our house music, art and culture can bring people together.

(08:45):
So when I opened the store up, I kind of
had the same approach. It's an intersection of you know, yes,
it's it's business, it's finance, fashions, arts and culture, and
it's important. And I see what it means to people.
I mean again, people bring it up and talk to me
about it all the time. So I'll just figure out
how to use this to make people's eyes a little
bit better and and break some joy and this block
party is important because it brings a lot of joy
to people, you know, for a full day, they might

(09:07):
charge them up for the rest of the year sometimes,
you know.

Speaker 3 (09:10):
And and finally, best way for people to find out
more information about the Silver Room block Party.

Speaker 4 (09:16):
Ye, they can go to our website which is uh
the Silver Room dot com. Uh the Civiroom dot com
is like a sound and you can get tickets from
through there, and we'll be announcing the lineup believe this
next Friday, and look forward to some great surprises. And
you know, get your tickets now. And it's selling pretty quick,
so it's going to sell out. So I'm looking forward

(09:37):
to seeing everybody there.

Speaker 3 (09:39):
Sounds so very good. Well, we truly appreciate everything that
you do and nothing but continued success.

Speaker 4 (09:45):
Thank you for having me on. I appreciate you too.

Speaker 3 (09:48):
Coming up, we'll talk to Angela Dotson, co author of
the book We've Been here Before, How rebellion and activism
have always sustained America. Please stay with.

Speaker 1 (09:58):
Us Chicagos Speaks with Daryl Dinard. You can voice your
opinion right now toll free at eight three, three, five
nine to one V one.

Speaker 7 (10:07):
O three live from the Northwestern Medicine V one O
three Studios. A better way to start today.

Speaker 2 (10:15):
It is a desktopdog log dot Com.

Speaker 1 (10:22):
Now back to Chicago Speaks with Daryl Denard, share what's
on your mind? Toll free at eight three three five
nine one V one O three.

Speaker 3 (10:33):
Welcome back. It's Sunday, June twenty first, Happy follow this day,
and it's sixty two degrees and you're listening to Chicago Speaks.
As America prepares to celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth
anniversary of its formation, it is important to look back
on how we got to where we are as a
nation and idea joining me this morning to discuss just

(10:55):
that particular point in terms of the role of activism
in the creation of this nation. It is one of
the co authors of the book We've Been Here Before,
How Rebellion and Activism have Always Sustained America. It is
co written by Angela Dotson, who is a former senior
editor for The New York Times and a former executive

(11:16):
editor of Black Issues Book Review. Angela, Good morning to you.
How are you doing?

Speaker 8 (11:21):
Good morning, I'm doing fine.

Speaker 3 (11:23):
You co authored this book with award winning journalist Michael Days,
who recently passed away. What was the inspiration for the
creation of this book.

Speaker 8 (11:35):
Actually, we were asked to write something for the two
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the decorations Independence, and we
wrestled with the idea for a while. And I don't
know which of us came up with the idea of
writing about the various movements that have pushed the country

(11:55):
forward and sometimes factwards, but we did. And we made
lists of various rebellions and movements and activists and decided
to shape the book around that, and persuaded the publisher
to accept that. And the publisher looked through our lists

(12:18):
and eliminated some things and suggested we highlight some other things,
and we divided up the topics and went from.

Speaker 3 (12:27):
There, and doing so, have an extraordinary book that compartmentalizes
all of these areas of activism, even you know, indigenous
activism that happened during literally the colonial period. Talk about
how you set up the book in terms of what

(12:50):
kind of journey will the reader experience.

Speaker 8 (12:53):
Well, the book starts with a speech that Kamala Harris
gave after she left office that was to the nub
A CP and she talked about how you know, we're
we're in a moment where the country is going through

(13:13):
some things, and that we have been here before. We
know what to do in terms of organizing and demonstrating
and whatever else we have to do to get through this.

(13:34):
So she sets the tone for it, really and we
go from there. The book looks at a lot of
individual people who stood out over time, including people like
Frederick Douglass or so Journal Truth or David Walker. Issue
is appeal for militants see against slavery. People like like

(14:00):
that you meet on almost every page.

Speaker 3 (14:04):
And it's wonderful because while the names So Journal Truth
and Frenderick Douglas resonate with so many black folks, not
as many are familiar with the exploits of David Walker.

Speaker 8 (14:17):
Right right, they're not. And he was a black abolitionist
in Boston and during what time, oh, I can't remember
the years per se, but leading up to the Civil War,
I would say in the eighteen forties, okay, somewhere around there.

Speaker 3 (14:44):
And what was so earth shattering about his contributions to
the movement.

Speaker 8 (14:49):
Well, nobody had really said on paper some of the
things he said in terms of asking of black people
themselves to stand up against slavery.

Speaker 3 (15:04):
Many times when I think about black people standing up
to slavery, and I know his life is chronicled in
the book. Also, I think of Denmark VC or Bessy He's.

Speaker 8 (15:14):
In the book. There's a whole section on leaders of rebellions.
Denmark v C led rebellion in South Carolina, but it
also talks about Gabriel Prosser in Virginia and a man
named Jimmy or Cato in South Carolina, and of course
Nat Turner in Virginia are among people. But there were

(15:40):
there were lots of rebellions, but they're they're among the
people who led the biggest ones and the most remembered rebellions.

Speaker 3 (15:52):
What was it like researching this, because I'm reminded in
terms of some of the little known tributions of black
people and the founding of this country that were documented
in ken Burns American Revolution docuseries. Was it just blew

(16:12):
me away in terms of what role plat folks played
in this American Revolution.

Speaker 8 (16:20):
In the revolution itself.

Speaker 3 (16:23):
Not just the revolution, but in everything that led up
to the revolution and afterwards.

Speaker 8 (16:28):
Yes, you know, we don't necessarily credit black people or
a lot of times black people's roles are not highlighted
in history, and ken Burns has done a fantastic job,
you know, making history come alive and singling people out.

(16:50):
But you know, we have to remember that black people
have always been part part of the fabric of this
country and have played significant roles in their stages of
its development. We talk a lot about the Underground Railroad,
for instance, and the role of Harriet Tubman and people

(17:14):
like Frederick Douglas and a man named David Ruggles who
was instrumental in New York and helping people get further
north or get into Canada after they got to New
York City. He helped Frederick Douglas escape, among other people.

Speaker 3 (17:33):
Yeah, and it's interesting because I attended school in Buffalo,
New York, and literally right across the river is Fort Eerie,
And people don't realize that was like the place where
people that were fleeing the ravages of slavery, Black people
that were fleeing the ravages of slavery, they would end

(17:55):
up right on the other side.

Speaker 8 (17:57):
Of the river, right up Satan York was very instrumental
in helping people escape because after the UH laws were
passed that that made it UH mandatory for people to
to help uh, to stop escape ease or or to.

Speaker 3 (18:26):
Ye, slave back even wanted from that mistaken that was
where they even wanted to go into Canada and try
to bring people.

Speaker 8 (18:33):
Back exactly exactly that without the fugitive slave back made
it necessary for people to to have to get as
far as Canada to escape you could, you couldn't just
get to the north and be safe. And people were
required to help recapture the fleeing people. So that was

(19:01):
very important.

Speaker 3 (19:03):
Now you mentioned, or I'm going to mention, that there
is an unabashed assault on truth as well as an
erasure of the formative, formidable contributions of Black Americans and
the founding of this nation. What's the writing of this
book an effort to address those measures?

Speaker 8 (19:25):
Oh, certainly, certainly and try to restore people back to
the record and put to play up what roles people
had had.

Speaker 3 (19:38):
Yeah, And so just how arduous a task was this,
particularly in light where you know, people were saying, well,
that's in the past, that doesn't affect me.

Speaker 8 (19:49):
Now, it wasn't. It was arduous. It's you know, you
had to take each person or each event, and in
some cases, you know, just dig through various book books,
was like, you know, there would be a partial account
here and a partial account there, and so what really happened?

(20:12):
What happened to them after that? But you know who helped,
who didn't? Who assisted? What? What speeches did they make?
Where did they talk? W uh? Who was part of
that movement? Who else helped?

Speaker 3 (20:30):
So yeah, speaking of people who helped. The book also
covers the fiery abolitionist John Brown in terms of his
ill favored raid on Harper's Ferry.

Speaker 8 (20:43):
Yes, I talk about him a lot lot For those
who don't know, John Brown planned to raid against Harper's Ferry,
which was then in Virginia now wast Virginia because there
was a federal arsenal there and most of the weapons
used by the American government were being made there. He

(21:09):
had planned his freight for some say it's maybe twenty years.
He didn't initially target Harper's Ferry, but settled settled on
doing that somewhere in the years leading up to that,
and he got He tried to get people like Frederick

(21:32):
Douglass to help him or to come with him, and
he would not not.

Speaker 3 (21:38):
Why do you think that was the case in terms
of Frederick Douglas's reticence about joining John Brown because it was.

Speaker 8 (21:46):
A dangerous plan with you know, and the likelihood of
success was not great. But and you know, some people
thought John Brown was crazy and he did not succeed,
I mean, as we know, but he he was joined
by five black men were with him when he entered

(22:08):
Harper's Ferry and maybe about thirteen white men. And what
he did he basically rented a farm outside of Harper's
Ferry to stage the raid. And what a lot of
people don't know is that it wasn't just that he
was going to attack Harper's Ferry. What his ambition was

(22:30):
that other enslaved people throughout the South would hear about
it and join him.

Speaker 3 (22:37):
That were majority populations in many locales, yeah, but.

Speaker 8 (22:43):
They were not a majority in Harper's Ferry. In fact,
there weren't that many enslaved people around Harper's Ferry and
there were a number of free people. He did manage
to free some people, but he didn't get hundreds of
people to join them as he had envisioned, and the

(23:04):
rebellion was put down fairly quickly after he entered Harper's Ferry.
You know, with within a few days. So but he
you know, he became widely known and Black people revered
him and held you know, memorials in his honor and

(23:25):
all that kind of thing. Faith and supported his family.

Speaker 3 (23:31):
Speak about the role of black women not only as advocates,
but also as leaders of resistance and rebellion.

Speaker 8 (23:40):
Black women have always been been a part of the resistance,
and starting with there, maybe starting with Harriet Tubman and
people like Sojourner Truth in the Black Underground Railroad and
in rebelling against slavery itself, sojourn of Truth Escaped slavery

(24:01):
in the North, Harriet Tubman in the South, and then
you know, black women were an essential part of the
suffrage movement, were.

Speaker 3 (24:14):
Well I to be Wells, especially for us here in.

Speaker 8 (24:16):
Chicago, Yes, yes, And I talk about the role that
black women had in the suffrage Parade of nineteen thirteen
in one.

Speaker 3 (24:29):
Which was a horrible experience because they wouldn't even let
them march in the front of the parade, even though
they were some of the leading suffragettes at the time.

Speaker 8 (24:39):
Right and I to B Wells was one of them.
They told her she couldn't march with her group from
Chicago and she pretended to leave the march and stood
on the sidelines, and then when her delegation passed, she
got right back in the march and was graph like

(25:01):
one of the Chicago newspapers. So that was important. And
then the other famous participants in that in that parade
where the newly formed Delta Sigma Theta sorority marched wow
uh in the parade.

Speaker 3 (25:19):
So another little known fact that I was unaware of
is the lawn dresses in eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 8 (25:28):
I was just giving I was just getting ready to
say that it's They were called the Washing Society of Atlanta.
Most of the laundry in Atlanta was done by black women,
and twenty black women started a strike and eventually recruited

(25:50):
three thousand more of them. They went door to door
asking people to join the the washing strike, the laundry strike,
and including white women. They recruited some white women, and
they are said to have even threatened some people if
they did not join the strike. And they were ultimately successful.

Speaker 3 (26:14):
Because this is like almost a half a century before
the Pullman Porter strike.

Speaker 8 (26:19):
Right, this was eighteen eighty one, and I.

Speaker 3 (26:22):
Had never heard about the Washing Society. This is the
thing that I love about history is that it brings
alive and also creates a sense of place and contributions
that didn't exist before.

Speaker 9 (26:39):
Right.

Speaker 8 (26:40):
I had never heard of it either until I started
writing about it. And it's part of a chapter on
the labor movement in general.

Speaker 3 (26:48):
And of course doctor Martin Luther King is there, and
you know, and I think about strikes. I think about
the sanitation workers strike and when he of course was
in Memphis and unfortunately was assassinated there. But what will
readers glean about Martin Luther King's position with regard to

(27:10):
the telling of the story of rebellion.

Speaker 8 (27:13):
Well, basically, I talk about the doctor Martin Luther King,
not so much in the civil rights chapter, but in
the peace movement, from his famous speech at Riverside Church
in New York and his further involvement in the in
the peace movement speaking out against the war in Vietnam,

(27:35):
which was controversial at the time, but was also pivotal
as far as the movement was con concerned.

Speaker 3 (27:44):
The thing that I see in terms of looking at
these wonderful chapters that exist in the book is I
would love to see this also done as a documentary,
so because people are so visually stimulated now as opposed
to literally stimulate it. Are there any plans in the

(28:05):
making in terms of possibly making this some sort of
a documentary or a docuseries?

Speaker 8 (28:14):
So far, no, no one has approached us, and we
have not really approached anyone about doing it. I think
it could be a documentary as well, and that maybe
that will be an opportunity that we explore, or as
we talk about it more in public, maybe some filmmaker

(28:35):
will be interested in it. So I don't know.

Speaker 3 (28:40):
Well, all I want to say is I want to
commend you as well as the former Michael Days, for
the extraordinary work that you've done. We want to encourage
everyone to pick up the book. We've been here before,
how rebellion and activism have always sustained America And finally,

(29:02):
what is your hope? As was celebrating this two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary, And I say that because you know,
we're less than two or three weeks out from the
big celebration, right, And I'm going to tell you something.
This is so much different than what America was like

(29:22):
in nineteen seventy six. You know, it was just crazy
in terms of a celebration. I don't see any type
of celebration feeling pervading the country, especially within the black
community that existed in nineteen seventy six.

Speaker 8 (29:40):
Yeah, and in nineteen seventy six, I was a reporter
in Washington and covering the bi centennaial was part of
my beat. So there were I covered so many things
that leading up to it and the day itself, and

(30:00):
I don't see that either. I don't see a lot
of that kind of joy. I guess that surrounded the bisentennial.
I don't see that spirit yet. Maybe it's, you know,
it will be there by the time we finally celebrate

(30:20):
July fourth, but I'm not seeing it either.

Speaker 10 (30:24):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (30:25):
Well listen now, Angela, we definitely want to commend you
and thank you for writing this book.

Speaker 8 (30:33):
Thank you, thank you. It was a pleasure.

Speaker 3 (30:37):
Coming up next, there was an opening ceremony for the
ages as the long awaited Obama Presidential Center opened its
doors to the public. We'll cover the historic opening as
well as the other important top news stories of the week,
from the fragile memorandum of understanding to end the war
in Iran to new plans to keep the streets safe
during the summer call us now with your comments of

(30:58):
questions at eight three to three one O three. Please
stay with us.

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Chicago Speaks with Darryl Denard.

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You can voice your opinion right now toll free at
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Chicago wakes up with the Steve Harvey Morning Show.

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Speaker 3 (32:04):
Ink and welcome back time check for you right now.
It is six point fifty one on this Father's Day Sunday.
It is that time of the morning to allow you,
our listeners, to speak to the important news stories of
the day. Joining us and our Reporters round Table this
morning to bring perspective to these stories are Lee Bay,
author and architect critic. We also have Tanya Woods, executive

(32:27):
director of the Westside Justice Center, and Charles Whittaker, Professor
and Dean of the Middle School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
I want to begin first by thanking all of you
for participating in our Reporters round Table this morning. This
has been a very busy news cycle this past week. Lee.
I want to begin with you, Welcome back. It's been
a while since we've had you on the program. What

(32:49):
would you consider to be the top three news stories
of the week that our listeners need to put on
their radar.

Speaker 9 (32:58):
Well, you know, I would say the opening of the
Obama Center would would be on the list, no particular order.
I'm also concerned about the mass shootings that are happening.
One last night actually I think in North Lawndale or
someplace on the West Side, and then of course the
big one on ninety fifth Street, and then maybe maybe
maybe the cross burning in Grant Park. The guy Merlin

(33:22):
Lou was in court last week, so maybe maybe those
maybe those three.

Speaker 3 (33:26):
Yeah, those good choices there, Tanya, welcome back, How are you,
my friend doing great?

Speaker 13 (33:33):
Good morning, and good morning to my colleagues and to
our listeners. Definitely the Obama Presidential Center grand opening, the
whole city, the whole world probably was paying attention, so
that was pretty noteworthy for sure. Definitely this idea that
we would pay three hundred billion dollars to a country

(33:54):
to stop a war, and I have a reference were starting, yeah,
or that we started, especially in this moment when so
many people are in need of services and assistance in
our own country.

Speaker 11 (34:09):
And then I would.

Speaker 13 (34:10):
Probably say here locally, we saw the resurgence or the
reintroduction of a local ordinance in Chicago that would find
parents for basically children's behavior, and that was voted down,
but the fact that it keeps coming back up is
I think an important topic. And you know, here we

(34:30):
talk about youth and how we are either failing our youth,
but then when we see our youth engaging in activities
that are either disruptive or otherwise troublesome in a very
real way, what do we do?

Speaker 11 (34:43):
So those would be my top three.

Speaker 3 (34:47):
Yeah, Charles, Hey, Charles, are you there? Okay? Can you
guys hear me?

Speaker 5 (35:01):
Are you.

Speaker 3 (35:03):
Problem? Charles? Go ahead, my friend?

Speaker 5 (35:07):
Sorry about that. Good Morning, Cathy, Bob's debut, Darryl and
Lee and populate listeners. I would agree with my fellow panelists.
First and foremost the opening of the Obama Center. I mean,
that's a that's not just a local event, that's a
nationalist international event. And great applications. Yeah, great implications for Chicago, Uh,

(35:32):
the surrounding community and if not the country. The Aschanya said,
the maybe deal with Iran in which we pay three
hundred billion dollars to a country for a war of choice, uh,
and agreement that is far worse than the UH jp

(35:53):
CO o A that Obama negotiated with Iran in conjunction
with our allies some well view years ago or so.
And then just to throw something in uh, not super important,
but I think it's an indicative of the incompetence and
grift of the administration. But the reflecting Pool story, which

(36:15):
is mind bottling, that that.

Speaker 3 (36:18):
Kind of former olympian has been charged good face up
to ten years. No bit with destroying federal property, no.

Speaker 5 (36:29):
Bit contract to paint a pool that didn't need painting,
and so destroying a national monument just is so indicative
of almost all that's wrong. Again, in a contract that
went to a crony and donor of the president.

Speaker 14 (36:48):
That had no experience installing doing this kind of work
is so indicative of what's happening with this administration and
in the country.

Speaker 3 (37:01):
I'm gonna try to be a little whimsical this morning.
The first thing I'm calling it is the presidential hutzpa retaliation.
And what I mean by that is that our allies
gathered at the G summet, the G seven summit, and
they say that a picture is worth a thousand words,
but it can have words can have a similar impact.

(37:25):
And I'm talking about the dust up that happened between
Italian Prime Minister Georgina Maloney. She's pushing back big time. Now.
She is considered one of Trump's staunchest supporters in Europe,
but now she says that his claims that Trump begged

(37:45):
her for a picture during the summit, she called it
completely fabricated.

Speaker 6 (37:54):
You know.

Speaker 3 (37:54):
She went immediately took to social media and said Italians
don't beg for anything. I just I'm trying to really
bring into reality.

Speaker 5 (38:10):
I would agree with my fellow panelists. First and foremost
the opening of the Obama Center. I mean, that's that's
not just a local event, that's a nationalistm international event.
And great applications, Yeah, great applications for Chicago, the surrounding community,
and if not the country. The Ashanya said, the maybe

(38:35):
deal with Iran in which we pay three hundred million
dollars to a country for a war of choice and
agreement that is far worse than the jp CoA that
Obama negotiated with Iran in conjunction with our allies some
twelve years ago or so. And then just to throw

(38:58):
something in uh, not super important, but I think it's
indicative of the incompetence and grist of the administration. But
the Reflecting Pool story, which is mind bottling.

Speaker 3 (39:11):
That fact that a former Olympian has been charged good
face up to ten years, no bit, with destroying federal property, no.

Speaker 5 (39:23):
Good contract to paint a pool that didn't need painting,
and so destroying a national monument just is so indicative
of almost all that's wrong. Again in a contract that
went to a crony and donor of the president that had.

Speaker 3 (39:42):
No experience installing.

Speaker 5 (39:45):
Doing this kind of work is so indicative of what's
happening with this administration and in the country.

Speaker 3 (39:54):
I'm going to try to be a little whimsical this morning.
The first thing I'm calling it is the presidential hutzpa retaliation.
And what I mean by that is that our allies
gathered at the G summet, the G seven summit, and
they say that a picture is worth a thousand words,
but it can have words can have a similar impact.

(40:18):
And I'm talking about the dust up that happened between
Italian Prime Minister Georgina Maloney. She's pushing back big time.

Speaker 11 (40:28):
Now.

Speaker 3 (40:28):
She is considered one of Trump's staunchest supporters in Europe,
but now she says that his claims that Trump begged
her for a picture during the summit, she called it
completely fabricated.

Speaker 6 (40:48):
You know.

Speaker 3 (40:48):
She went immediately took to social media and said Italians
don't beg for anything. I just I'm trying to really
bring into reality, you know, And it's not trying to
engage in Trump battering or anything like that, but for
something as simple as a picture to claim that that

(41:14):
a foreign minister is begging you for a picture. And
there was this this these snapshots that showed G seven
Summit's going all the way back to Bush one, and
it showed the initial official photograph and then it showed
what happened seconds afterwards, and you know, you would look,

(41:37):
you would look at the photograph, and as soon as
the picture was taken, everybody would gravitate towards the president,
whether it was Bush one, Bush two, Clinton, and especially Obama.
You know, he was like a magnet. And then you look,
and I'm saying that this is truth, this isn't badgering.
You looked at what happened immediately after the picture, at

(41:58):
this past G seven and everybody it was like a
magnet in terms of opposite ends, you know, instead of attracting,
not attracting toward each other, but being polarized. And I
say that because this is indicative of where we are

(42:18):
and as journalists, all of us here, the reality is
is that truth matters. We have this shifting goal post.
I was watching the Atlantic Washington Weekend Review and they
were calling the Memorandum of Understanding the memorandum of misunderstanding.

(42:39):
And you know, it's incredible when you have shifting goal posts.
And then you have literally the United States government, echoed
by the Vice President saying that the strait is open,
but yet Iran literally closing the straight Where do we
go when we can believe what we're saying? This is

(43:02):
the incredible thing. And the third thing would be an
agreement what Tanya said in terms of the team takeover
proposal takedown that would find parents up to one thousand
dollars if their kids are arrested during a team takeover. That,
of course, was rejected by the city Council on Wednesday. So,

(43:23):
you know, we have a lot to talk about, but
let's go initially to something we all agree upon, and
that is the opening of the Obama Presidential Center. I
was there in the sidebar, the little segment which wasn't little,
that had the midway and monitors showing all the festivities
going on at the Presidential Center there, and it was

(43:47):
just it reminded me in many ways of a Fourth
of July celebration because it was international and it was
to me what I call America at its best. Lee opinions.
In terms of the significance of the opening of the
Obama Presidential Center, you know.

Speaker 9 (44:07):
Very significant, particularly in light of what you just talked
about about the kind of madness is happening in Washington.
You know, the presidential libraries have been opening, you know,
every five or six years, you know, since solve this
have been born, but none like this. Yeah, and I
think that one is a testament to the popularity of
that of the of that president, president of Obama, you know,

(44:27):
of course being in Chicago, the probably i think the
data city that has a presidential library, but also the
celebratory nature of it when balanced against the thing like
the crazy wrestling match you know on the lawn to
the White House and other things that are happening on
the Washington I mean.

Speaker 3 (44:44):
It's almost the destroying of the East Wing exactly.

Speaker 9 (44:48):
I mean it, you know, so I think it's balanced
against that. What I what I really liked and what
I wrestled with this architecture critic is Okay, you've got
this thing built and it's beautiful and I like it,
although I didn't like it at first when it was playing,
but like it now. You know, does it become like,
you know, the way people look at looked at Kennedy's
years It's Camelot and it's like, oh, you know, it

(45:11):
wasn't that a time or or does it become something
that pushes us forward? And Obama prison Obama spoke to
that almost a very issue. Uh Is comp said. The
idea is this is something that isn't just good about
nostalgia right exactly, but this most of time, but but
what pushes us forward? And I think that's that's the

(45:33):
thing about it that I found most compelling and most exciting.

Speaker 3 (45:38):
Tanya, your impression. I have to agree with the beautiful
monument on the on the south.

Speaker 11 (45:43):
Side, absolutely dear.

Speaker 15 (45:45):
I'd say I have to argue with Lee about the
h the juxtaposition of of of a edifice that pushes
us forward. The opening I thought was absolutely spectacular. It
was electric but not over the top. It felt like
a family for you in but the good kind without
the fights and.

Speaker 11 (46:03):
Not the drama.

Speaker 3 (46:03):
Was everybody, you know, when you look at the music,
it was everybody turn you.

Speaker 11 (46:08):
It was everybody you know.

Speaker 15 (46:10):
I was seated in the in the seated section at
the center, so it being able to not just be
in space with you know, a listeners or what have you.

Speaker 11 (46:22):
It was really like about you know, I haven't seen
Big Mom in a long time. There she is let
me get a picture.

Speaker 6 (46:27):
You know.

Speaker 11 (46:28):
It was just that kind of feeling.

Speaker 15 (46:30):
It was mellow and calm, yet excited and exhilarating connection
between talking to the folks that were at the center
and the folks that were at the midway that was
absolutely wonderful. The performers that sang beautiful songs, some that
left you toe tapping and outright dancing, and I was

(46:54):
in that group of the folks that were dancing in
the aisles, or just songs that had such poignant lyrics
that makes you sit and ponder and take it in
the moment.

Speaker 11 (47:03):
Everything was planned.

Speaker 15 (47:04):
So well, of course, as you would expect, but also
the way that we had time to fellowship with each other,
that's what really felt great. You didn't feel as though
you were being kind of shuttled through an event, but
more that you were present at an experience that you
would hold in your heart and mind for years to come.
The Center itself is absolutely magnificent. It speaks to our

(47:29):
times and to the young people and the next generation
that will take advantage of the artifacts that are actually
in the center in such a way that you leave
thinking to yourself, what am I supposed to do next?

Speaker 11 (47:41):
And I think that's exactly.

Speaker 15 (47:44):
Judging from the comments that I heard over the last
several days at various speeches and events, that's exactly what
I believe that the board, the curators, the.

Speaker 11 (47:55):
Architects, and planned that.

Speaker 15 (47:58):
They wanted us to have about, you know, getting.

Speaker 11 (48:01):
A membership at some point and going to visit with folks.

Speaker 15 (48:06):
Like every time I'm thinking myself, every time I want
to have a meeting, I'm going to say, I'm sure
at Obama Center, you know.

Speaker 3 (48:12):
There you go and Charles, you know, what does this
mean for this country, for this city.

Speaker 5 (48:22):
Well, I think, as book Lee Antania said it, it
is an invitation for us, or an exhortation for us
to move forward, to move beyond this moment in time. Certainly,
if you go through the exhibit, there is a sort
of gauzy nostalgic feel, a longing for what was, But
it also does compel and propel us to strike that

(48:47):
a better balance, to hope for and not hope for,
to work toward the world that we want. It's a
reminder that we have been through difficult piers because it
takes you, you know, from slavery to the present. In
many ways, reminder that we have been through difficult periods,
that we have continued to march forward, and that we

(49:10):
can overcome this period as well. So it's a it's
a great incentive for us. It's a reminder of what was,
but it's an incentive for us to move forward as well.

Speaker 3 (49:22):
I want to go to the phone lines and we're
going to begin hearing me from Sean. Sean is calling
from Chicago. I believe Sean, you're on Chicago Speech. You'll
comment the question this morning.

Speaker 16 (49:35):
Good morning, Daryl, Good morning everybody on the channel. First off,
I like shy happy father, all of the fathers on
the channel the most day, Daryl and any father that's
within the earshadow mag I want to start out by
comedy on the prosporda grant I myself. I just retaliated

(49:56):
back to Rock Island, Illinois, actually did it, and I
haven't been here a good month and coming from Washington State.
I lived in Seattle, Washington, and I also lived in Vancouver,
Washington or Portland and I so we haven't.

Speaker 3 (50:12):
Heard from you in quite some time, my friend.

Speaker 16 (50:15):
Yeah, it's been quite a while since I've spoke with you, Derel.
But I've been listening every Sunday ever since. And in
my movement of you know, listening to all of the
subjects and everything, I've dealt a lot with the Asian
population in the Asian community in West Coach, California, all
the way to Washington States. And I'm going to outright

(50:36):
and say what it is. I've experienced some real racist
attitudes from that particular population, you know, not that saying.
I'm not going to lay it on the lap of
every Asian in the nation, because when when we had
the president's candidate that was half Asian and came out

(50:56):
of California, as we know who's because her name reason
not to be mentioned. But they were all gung hold
and for our population in that particular time by the countries.
And I can recall or not, but a certain few
years ago where we had a movement across the nation

(51:16):
or Asian you know, recognition and Asian fashion, you know,
and you know, just try to stop it. But my
first experience when I got to the Seattle, Washington in
twenty nineteen and I was working with the Urban League
fourteen County, I went into a grocery store across from

(51:39):
the courthouse and I was picking out a cigar, and
I couldn't really see the particular products. But the Asians
that owned the store actually told me to go back
to my own country. This is what came out of
the young man's mouth. He said, get out of my store,
go back to your own country. And it was a
blow in my face because I hadn't even been in

(52:01):
that city a good week or two and to experience
something like that from a Asian that was you know,
serving you know, the community, with the open store, I
was just blown away and it really bothered me for
quite a while. I took it back to the office
and that scope with my tog needs to bother needs.
The sign is going to happen more. Lord, you'll see it.
And as I lived there, I noticed that it's more

(52:24):
of a hitting rate system.

Speaker 9 (52:26):
And to come back well.

Speaker 16 (52:30):
For a month and to see a cost burning and
the doomin the black community blew my mind and just
made my stomach chink. I felt like I was back
in slavery days. I just reimagined my granddad and my
grandmother and my great grandfather, you know, and all of
my can going through those things in the South, in Mississippi,
in Arkansas, and those things and then finally young.

Speaker 9 (52:53):
Yeah as the thing to do my mind.

Speaker 3 (53:00):
Yeah, well this is this is the thing because we're
not hit into break here, Sean. But first of all,
the actions of one person are not indicative of anentary community.
And and and the second thing, and the second thing
that that we have to realize is that people, you know,
we have to be constantly open minded about all communities

(53:24):
because the reality is is that you know, we're you know,
all of us. This this American fabric is interwoven with
all of us, and and you know, and and and
it hurt me, and it kind of it kind of
startled me because you know, for many listeners right now,
they probably thought it was going to be some bearded

(53:45):
white guy all the white guy that you know probably
did the crossburn, but it wasn't. And it just shows
that the prevalence of hate and what we must do
to show that we're all not so much you know, disconnected,
but we all are Americas. So that's important for us

(54:05):
to understand. So Man, I appreciate you, and happy father
this day to you, my friend. Okay, coming up on
the other side of the break, we're going to continue
our discussions on the top news stories of the weekend.
Take your calls, so please be patient with us and
we'll hear from you. On the other side. You're listening
to Chicago Speaks.

Speaker 2 (54:28):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard.

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Speaker 3 (55:05):
And welcome back, Hopy Father's Day everyone. It is seven
twenty one, and we're talking about the top news stories
of the week, including the opening of the Obama Presidential Center,
and it's so much more than just the center itself.
Joined in our reporters roundtable are Tanya Woods, executive director

(55:25):
of the Westside Justice Center, as well as Charles Whittaker,
who is the dean for the Middle School of Journalism
at Northwestern University. And architecture critic Lee bay Lee, I
say that the campus is so much more. You literally
wrote the book on south side architecture, the book, of course,
Southern Exposure, the overlooked architecture of Chicago's south Side. What

(55:50):
place does this hold in terms of being an institution,
an architectural institution for the South side of Chicago and
the city of Chicago for that matter.

Speaker 9 (56:02):
Well, well, certainly is large enough and monumental enough, the
museum Tower, and then of course the flive where they're
for the lower buildings to be you know, noticed, and
to you know, find its place among Chicago's most notable architecture.
I think, though, the real magic in this and where
it lives and lives and dies is the park space

(56:23):
that goes with it, which which is which is really incredible,
And how well the park space, which is public and free,
is able to marry with the the parts of the campus,
uh like the library, the actual public library that's there,
and the portions of the museum tower that are also free.

(56:44):
How how how able, how well there is in the
restaurant exactly how well these kind of get together. I mean,
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, you know, architecturally,
it has its space, it's place. But but the but
the beauty of the best architecture is the ability for
could be used by the public. And I think that

(57:06):
that's where Lubber hits the world with this complement.

Speaker 3 (57:11):
Yeah, it's extraordinary because so many times we're just focused
on the museum itself. But the museum actually is the
only thing that charges the fee to get in.

Speaker 9 (57:24):
Right, right, and not all of it. I mean, there
are parts of portions that are the lower portions. I
think the sky room at the top might be free,
I can't remember now, but there are large portions of
it that are free as well.

Speaker 3 (57:37):
Yeah, Tanya, you know, when you look at at this
and you look at the opening ceremony, I really believe
that this was America's fourth of July celebration, because here
it is, we're only two weeks out from celebrating the

(57:57):
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of these
United States of America. But yet I remember, you know,
in nineteen seventy six, I was a young teenager at
the time, but I remember all of the excitement, the
tall ships coming into New York Harbor, everything everybody all

(58:21):
they could talk about was the bi centennial. Here it is,
what is it the Sesqui centennial or something along those lines,
and nobody's talking about it.

Speaker 11 (58:31):
It's so true.

Speaker 15 (58:34):
I'm glad you brought that up about the juxtaposition or
the comparison between then and now. I remember being a
little kid in seventy six, but cars had themed brand
new cars were themed around the by centennial, anything to purchase.

Speaker 11 (58:49):
I remember my neighbor had.

Speaker 15 (58:51):
A white card, had red, white and blue matts car
mats on the inside, and I mean it was I
remember this so vividly.

Speaker 11 (58:58):
As a child. But what I do think is important about.

Speaker 15 (59:01):
This moment, and I can tell you many reasons why
people don't know are not celebrating, going back to what
are we even educated about when it comes to this
country and who chooses to put who has the choice
over what goes into the books that children learn about
their country, about themselves. That's the starting point. But comparing

(59:22):
what we're going through now with the opening of the
center on this Juneteenth week, because it's certainly been several
days of celebration, I think it's particularly poignant because it
has allowed all Americans, but certainly black Americans to stop
and pause and think about their own relationship with this country,
whether it be good or bad. It's a moment I

(59:42):
think for black people to take a moment and say,
you know, not only how did we get here, what
are some of the ills that have been placed upon us?

Speaker 11 (59:51):
But then how do we move forward? How do we advocate?

Speaker 15 (59:53):
How do we strategize and plan for systems change? Do
we bring those who are furthest opportunity along with the
U so that they have the advantages that were promised
to our forefathers that did not look like us all
those years ago. And so I'm not exactly sure if
we'll ever have that kind of feeling again, But I
am encouraged by the moment that we're in. I am

(01:00:14):
encouraged by all the peaceful ways that Black Americans celebrated
Juneteenth over the weekend and continue to do same. I
am encouraged by the history that is being taught to
our children about what that holiday actually means and what
it means.

Speaker 11 (01:00:28):
On the backdrop of American history.

Speaker 15 (01:00:30):
So these are things that give me help when we
all take personal responsibility for teaching our history and the
importance of this particular moment.

Speaker 3 (01:00:41):
Charles. I look at, you know, some of the missteps
that have happened leading up to the two hundred and
fiftieth celebration of America's founding, and in many ways it's
indicative of where we stand as a country. There was
supposed to be this gigantic, you know, celebration and along

(01:01:01):
the Washington Mall. In terms of this concert, I forgot
the exact title Concert for All America or whatever it was,
and more than half of the participants ended up pulling
out the concert because they didn't like being associated with
the themes that were being projected.

Speaker 5 (01:01:24):
Yeah, this is an administration that has given the message
that America is only for certain people, that it is
not we the people, It is us aligned with the president.
And if you're not aligned with the president, then this
celebration is not for you. You are not a true American.
Which again juxtaposed that with as Tonya said, the opening

(01:01:48):
of the Obama Presidential Center, which was this embrace of
all of America and this hopeful, wistful celebrat of what
we of what we can be while acknowledging where we
have come from, and you know the kind of resilience
and indominability that has taken for African Americans to persevere

(01:02:12):
over these two hundred and fifty years, but also a
hopefulness that we will continue to push America to live
up to the ideals and principles that were in the
founding documents, even though those ideas and principles were not
written for us.

Speaker 3 (01:02:28):
I saw that on display in terms of, you know,
all of the musical performances that it occurred over at
the opening ceremony. Here you had Teams Africa, you had
come in Chicago, Jennifer Hudson Chicago. You had uh John

(01:02:51):
one of my favorite John legends, bring me Fano. But
also you also let's let's throw in there, let's throw
in there. We got to throwing their mark Anthony, Christina Aguilera.

Speaker 11 (01:03:04):
You know, this was America Children's Fire.

Speaker 15 (01:03:07):
Absolutely, yeah, you know, and you had you know, any vetter,
and this was this.

Speaker 3 (01:03:15):
Was a celebration of diversity, a celebration of the diversity
of the fabric that is America, because it's a diverse nation.
And I'm kind of wondering what can we expect because
there's nothing in terms of any type of activity I've
heard of, and all of you have your pulse on,

(01:03:37):
you know, news that is happening. There's nothing out there
that says, where is the major celebration for the two
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of this country.
I just don't know where it's at, you know, in terms.

Speaker 11 (01:03:53):
Of I have no idea of where to show up.

Speaker 15 (01:03:55):
But I will say this much, I want to encourage
all of our folks to, you know, may not.

Speaker 17 (01:04:01):
See the electoral process as beings for them, use this
as a moment to educate yourself about who's running for
office and when, educate your neighbors and friends and family
about how.

Speaker 15 (01:04:11):
You're going to go to the polls and exercise your
right to vote. Because this is exactly what happens when
we don't engage in the process, is that we're standing
on the sidelines watching things happen to us instead of actually.

Speaker 11 (01:04:23):
Being in the driver's seat.

Speaker 15 (01:04:25):
So I'm always encouraged encouraging people at all times during
ourthics throughout the year.

Speaker 11 (01:04:31):
What elections are coming up? Are you prepared to vote?

Speaker 15 (01:04:34):
And clue you've taken with you that ensures that you
will see the kind of America that you hope to
live in.

Speaker 3 (01:04:40):
Indeed, we're going to go to the phone lines. We're
going to hear from our good friend Hank calling from Naperville. Hank,
you're on Chicago Speaks. You'll comment the question this morning.

Speaker 18 (01:04:51):
Well, first of all, happy Father's Day. And it's a
wonderful places to the father of the King gamey version
of them Bible, whose name is Yahweh, He's our heavenly father. Also,
I wanted to give a commandment a wonderful, wonderful Juneteenth

(01:05:12):
celebration that was held a Memorial Park, UH sponsored by
House Speaker of the House Representative Wells. I had the
opportunity to be a vendor for the second year. It
was absolutely wonderful.

Speaker 3 (01:05:29):
Don't know what were you selling? What were you selling?
You said you were a vendor. What were you selling?

Speaker 18 (01:05:34):
I was selling June teeth buttons, June teithh hat, I
was selling Father's Day Church, I was selling Father's Day shirts.
I sold out of all my Father's Day shirts. So
for people to say that they don't get nothing for
Father's State. The ladies was buying the Father's Day shirts.
Brother being Men's by the Ome and Uh it was

(01:05:55):
it was, it was, it was like.

Speaker 9 (01:05:57):
An old time experience for me, you know.

Speaker 18 (01:06:00):
Because I've been a self with all my life and
I'm a grandfather, I'm a great grandfather. My oldest son
is a college profession you know. So I have a
lot to thank y'all way for now. Yeah, I wanted
to say that, you know, at this time, the things
that we're going through, yahweighth will give us power, protection,

(01:06:23):
ultimate restoration. We're going to get our reparations one way
or the other. And the thing about it is that
a lot of people don't understand that the United States
government has six hundred million acres of land. Now we
will promised two hundred thousand acres of land back in

(01:06:44):
eighteen sixty five and they started to give that. But
right now the United States Government owes us for our reparations.
It comes to one hundred trillion dollars. That's what they
owe us.

Speaker 5 (01:06:56):
Now.

Speaker 3 (01:06:57):
The what is it?

Speaker 18 (01:07:00):
The Supreme Court doesn't want us to vote, and they've
done this, uh to try to inter us from voting. Now,
as far as burning crosses, our young people, they're not
scared of no crosses. They can burn all the crosses
they want, doesn't it doesn't affect them. They don't doesn't
FaZe them. She you know, we're at a point now
that we're gonna execute colts. We're gonna demand God right

(01:07:24):
and what they owe us, and then we're gonna play
to the God that is a fair God, that suggests
God that's gonna give the right people what they need
and what they ask for according to his will. It's
nothing they can do about it. She's in mind that
we didn't we didn't fight the people. Uh when we
left out of Egypt, when I asked that we just fight,

(01:07:45):
but we left to plenty of bold and silver. And
the same God, that same guy, he's gonna deliver us
from Trump, He's gonna deliver us from the Supreme Board.
All we gotta do is keep doing what we're doing,
work together, and be back.

Speaker 9 (01:08:00):
All right.

Speaker 3 (01:08:01):
Well, I appreciate you, know, you know, I appreciate you
about the hand, and indeed I appreciate you and continue
to engage in your entrepreneurial efforts there as we get
ready to close out here. Lee, Thanks thanks a lot,
Hank Lee. You know one thing I want to talk about,

(01:08:21):
especially on this Father's Day, and this also applies to Charles,
is the misconception that the world unfortunately has when it
comes to black fathers. I've read recent literature where as
an aggregate, black fathers spend more time with their children
than any other demographic, And I found that extraordinary because

(01:08:45):
so many times are always considered to be missing in action.
What is your plea for not only this Father's Day,
but to encourage fathers to be the best that they
can be.

Speaker 9 (01:08:56):
Well, you know, to quote public enemy, don't believe the
hype in terms of the negative hype, at least in
terms of places they are telling us that we're not there,
We're not present. Uh, you know, we're not doing anything.
I think those who are who are doing things, uh
in our in their children's lives and doing other things
their fathers should do, you know. More probably, I think

(01:09:18):
that we also, uh some of us have to reach
back and help those who may not be there, may
be struggling a little bit with with with fatherhood. And
can they help each other over as men do, as
people do, they can help help those people over the
over the over the hump as well.

Speaker 3 (01:09:35):
Yeah, and you know, Charles, so many times we you know,
kind of direct our attention to fathers. But there are
men that have never gave birth to a child, but
yet they embody all of the qualities of being an
exemplary father in terms of their actions to the community.

(01:09:59):
I think we also had to acknowledge those type of individuals.

Speaker 5 (01:10:03):
Charles, Yeah, certainly, I think you know, siring a child
is not all that. Certainly, siring a child does not
make you a father, and not having fired a child
does not mean that you cannot also be a paternal figure,
a mentor a role model to all of those who
surround you. And I have had the benefit of having

(01:10:23):
a great edition, having an absolutely wonderful father who was
my hero, but also having a benefit of uncles and
others who are around me and poured into me in
the same way that many of the women around me
poured into me and lifted me up.

Speaker 3 (01:10:39):
That's incredible for you to say, you know, in terms
of your father was your hero. If there's anything that
anybody would ascribe to is to be go ahead telling you,
I do undersay.

Speaker 15 (01:10:52):
I know wasn't it's specifically, but my mission of saying
Happy Father's Day was not intentional other.

Speaker 11 (01:10:59):
Than just I wanted to at the close say just a.

Speaker 15 (01:11:03):
Couple words that we have a duty to our dads,
our black fathers, godfathers, and uncles to stand in the
cap and celebrate them as black women in ways that
maybe they don't often get celebrated.

Speaker 11 (01:11:15):
To what our two colleagues just said, I also wanted
to call out.

Speaker 15 (01:11:18):
A book that just recently been released by a sister friend,
doctor Carol L.

Speaker 11 (01:11:23):
Adams, who wrote a book I had.

Speaker 3 (01:11:25):
I had Doctor Adams on a week or two ago.
I had Doctor Adams on two weeks ago, and is
well and Stepborah Farmer, Deborah Farmer, and Charlotte Ricketts exactly.

Speaker 15 (01:11:39):
But it is an anthology written by an academic luminarian activists,
but a compilation of black women's stories, essays and poems
in tribute to their fathers. My daughter happens to have
the last chapter in that book and is very humble
to stand with these black women. And so I say
that to say that, just know that black women are
out there cheering for our men, for those who often

(01:12:02):
don't get recognized for the duty that they uphold, but
also with the joy and the passion that they take
their responsibilities in raising our children and standing by their women.
We don't talk about it enough. And so this is
my contribution to that conversation. Happy Father's Day.

Speaker 3 (01:12:17):
Well, you are a wonderful contributor, especially your legacy in
terms of the legacy between you and your husband, in
terms of your daughter providing a tribute to your husband
as well as her father. And that's wonderful news there.
I want to encourage everybody if you get a chance
and you're looking for something to do. I know rain

(01:12:39):
is in the forecast, but if you head over to
I think it's seventy ninth Street, you can check out
the thirty seventh annual Real Men Cook. It's a wonderful,
wonderful time for fellowship and food. And if you get
a chance and make it over there in South Shore,
please do. I want to thank Lee Bay as well

(01:13:01):
as Charles Woodiker and Tanya Woods for their participation this morning,
the information and the perspective that their brain keeps us
all stable. Coming up on the other side of the break,
we're going to have a wonderful, wonderful just exploration of
the National Coalition of Black Women, and they're wonderful gala

(01:13:26):
that is about to take place. Please stay with us.

Speaker 2 (01:13:30):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard.

Speaker 1 (01:13:33):
You can voice your opinion right now, toll free at
eight three three, five nine.

Speaker 11 (01:13:37):
To one V one O three Chicago.

Speaker 2 (01:13:40):
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Speaker 3 (01:13:44):
Well, you can help keep the crews working on the park.

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Law Injury and accident attorneys.

Speaker 20 (01:14:12):
We're here to handle all of it, the medical bills,
the insurance company forget to Morgan and we represent many
of these families. It's awful. Unfortunately, many times some of
these family members are not speaking and never get to
say I'm sorry or goodbye. If you're at odds with
a loved one, listen closely, pick up the phone, call them,
say you're sorry. I promise a huge burden will be

(01:14:33):
lifted from your heart and your soul will be renewed.
Even if you're not wrong, in your own mind. It
doesn't matter.

Speaker 3 (01:14:39):
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Speaker 2 (01:15:00):
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Speaker 10 (01:15:03):
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Speaker 1 (01:15:18):
Now back to Chicago Speaks with Darryl Dinard share What's
on your mind toll free at eight three three five
nine one v one oh three.

Speaker 3 (01:15:29):
This year, the National Coalition of one Hundred Black Women
celebrates its forty fifth anniversary. It's an organization that advocates
on behalf of Black women and girls, promoting sisterhood, striving
for maximum community impact, and preparing youth for a brighter future.
This June twenty sixth, the Chicago Chapter of NCBW will

(01:15:51):
hold a fundraiser to help fulfill its mission to residents
throughout the Chicago Land community. Joining us this morning to
discuss the mission and fundraiser is Chapter second vice president
Leiah Bradford laya pleasure to talk to you this morning.
How are you doing?

Speaker 8 (01:16:07):
I'm doing well.

Speaker 11 (01:16:08):
How are you? Thank you so much for having me.

Speaker 3 (01:16:10):
I'm doing very well. You are a young black woman.
What is it that compels you in terms of volunteering
your services and expertise with the Chicago Chapter of National
Coalition of one hundred Black Women.

Speaker 21 (01:16:25):
Yes, so it's twofold. I think one is because the legacy.
My mother was a part of this, and so I'm
fulfilling her legacy in her passing. And then two, it
is an advocacy organization, and there's no organization that's like us.
We do different work. We're not community service oriented, we're
advocacy oriented. So our work looks different throughout the city.
Explain so, yes, so our mission is to advocate for

(01:16:50):
black women and growth through leadership, development and gender equity
and health, education and economic empowerment. And so why does
that look different than community It's really because we're teaching
black women and girls and giving them tools and toolkits
to go out and be advocates in their communities and
their offices, in their classrooms to then be able to

(01:17:12):
continue to push for equity for the community and for themselves.
So it's more so us teaching and giving back and
making many advocates throughout the city.

Speaker 3 (01:17:24):
And what do you find rewarding about this work?

Speaker 21 (01:17:28):
What I find rewarding is that I'm able to pour
into specifically a part of our mentorship program. Then I'm
able to pour into the girls and they can see
me and see someone that looks like them in different spaces.
We've taken a group of girls down to our legislative
day where we go and talk to legislators about policies
that directly impact our community, and that has given me

(01:17:51):
great joy because girls start to really understand that their
voice matters and that our elected officials are reachable. During
this time, you know, at a lot of people like
to say, oh, our vote doesn't matter or they don't
hear us. But being able to connect those dots for
the youth has really brought joy to my life.

Speaker 3 (01:18:11):
Talk about at least a couple of your signature.

Speaker 21 (01:18:13):
Events, absolutely so one of my favorite events is the
Leadership Advocacy Academy. We've done it for two years in
a row where we've brought about sixty to eighty girls
to Kennedy King College and we put them in a
conference like setting where they switch classes and they really

(01:18:34):
hear and learn from different women in the community. So
we've had judges speak to them about what their rights
are as youth when if they were, you know, to
get pulled over by police, and what to say and
how to advocate in that space. We've brought people in
from the city to talk about, oh, do you not
like how your street is being cleaned or is your
street not being cleaned like.

Speaker 11 (01:18:54):
It should be?

Speaker 21 (01:18:55):
Who do you contact and how can you advocate in
that space for your community. And we've brought educators and
or administrators from cps to talk to them about how
to talk to your superintendent, have helpful conversations with your principles,
how to use your voice and advocate for what you
want as a student and what you want for your community.

(01:19:16):
So that's one of my favorite events. Then we have
the Wine Women in Politics event where we bring in
elected officials, those who have been through the election process
and then those who support so different agencies are women
who support individuals running for office. Really to showcase the
process for women in the community and that it's not

(01:19:39):
too far fetch that you yourself can run. So we
really teach women and show women the path to spacific
engagement and that it's really more attainable than what we realize.

Speaker 3 (01:19:51):
What have you experienced in terms of watching these young
women attend these sessions and then go on to sue
their careers. What has been most amazing for you?

Speaker 21 (01:20:05):
Yeah, So we were charted in twenty twenty, so we've
been around for six years, and so it's been really
interesting to see some of the girls that I've engaged
with probably year two or three, that are now in
college and taking on student government roles and just seeing
them being able to find their voice and use their
voice for the good. So that has been something that

(01:20:26):
really again brings warms my heart and brandy joy to
me that I've seen girls use what we've told them
or taught them and I use it in space that
we are not even there anymore, so that they're really
putting to practice what we've taught them.

Speaker 15 (01:20:42):
There.

Speaker 3 (01:20:42):
You're a relatively young person yourself. What does it mean
in terms of your communication with them when they see
how young you are and then you also serving as
a mentor.

Speaker 21 (01:20:53):
Yes, I think I am still in this space where
they can see themselves in me as well as that
I'm not I'm not one of the older ladies, so like,
oh no, we hang out with her. Yes, I'm taking
you to it. It's funny because when we went to
again legislative day down in Springfield, I was only supposed

(01:21:17):
to have like two students but ended up having a
group of like five because they all wanted to be
with me, and so I am still kind of in
that auntie role. So they still see me as I
guess cool and hip if you will. But that has
been the coolest part. And then we also then follow
each other on social media, so if I see something

(01:21:37):
that they're doing, I'll, you know, say something and they're like, okay,
I hear you. And so I saw a lot of
them go to PROWN until I was able to say
make sure you're safe. You know, if you need anything,
you know, you have my information. So just being another
person that they can talk to, confide in, and reach
out to if anything happens because you know, I was
in high school once. You know, we sometimes get ourselves

(01:22:00):
in situations that we don't need to be, but it's
good to always know that there's someone that will help
me or someone that would be there that can just
guide me.

Speaker 3 (01:22:10):
Yeah, and especially in light of the experiences with regard
to teen trends and things of that, you want to
keep our children safe, whether they're female or male. Talk
about this wonderful fundraiser that you're having Illuminating Excellence of
Black Women.

Speaker 21 (01:22:28):
Yes, so this is our annual fundraiser this year. We've
definitely put a spin on it. It is a cocktail
gala with a Black women marketplace type of feel where
we're highlighting a lot of black women businesses as well
as highlighting different women that are doing things in the community.

(01:22:49):
So the areas that we are highlighting women are health, education,
economic empowerment, public policy as well as we have a
president of WARD. So there are five wonderful women that
are getting highlighted and I can shout them out a
little bit later. But also this is the time for
people to come network, find out what we do, see
the work that we do on hand. We will have

(01:23:10):
stations where you can see the programming that we've put
on throughout the year, actually throughout the six years we've
been around. We will have food, livations, entertainment, we have
live are they So it just will be a great
time to just come after work, let down your hair
and just have a great time. This will be at
Bridgeport Arts Center, twelve hundred West thirty fifth Street, Chicago, Illinois,

(01:23:34):
six zero six zero nine and it's from six to
eleven PM.

Speaker 3 (01:23:38):
And who are the honorees this year.

Speaker 21 (01:23:41):
Yeah, So we have the Public Policy Advocate Excellence Award
is State Rep. Kimberly Dubaicley. For Health Excellent Advocate Award
is doctor Reta Maguire. Then we have for Economic Empowerment
Advocate Excellent of Award is Kimberly Evans of Northern Trust.

(01:24:03):
Then we have doctor I'm k. Bradley who is our
Education Advocate Award. And the verbend doctor Stacey Edward's done
of Trinity who will be the President's Award Woman of
the Year award. And we also give out a Youth
Honory Award for a sophomore at Home or phlosmother is

(01:24:25):
doing great things and her name is Pria Michelle Saint
John so those are the honorees.

Speaker 3 (01:24:32):
For the night, and what is the best way for
people to find out the additional information not only about
the Eliminating Excellence of Black Women Gala, but also about
your mission.

Speaker 21 (01:24:41):
Yes, so, you can check us out on all of
our socials. Our website is NCBW Chicago dot org. There's
a pop up where you can go straight to the
tickets and purchase tickets. You can catch us on Facebook
and Instagram. Is at NCBW shy so Chi on Instagram
and Facebook, as well as on LinkedIn. If that's your jam,

(01:25:04):
we are MCBW Shikava Metropolotan Chapter on LinkedIn.

Speaker 3 (01:25:08):
Well, listen, we want to thank you Leah for all
of the tremendous work that you're doing along with your
colleagues there continue to do the good work.

Speaker 21 (01:25:16):
Thank you so much. I really really appreciate it.

Speaker 3 (01:25:19):
Well, that wraps up this edition of Chicago Speaks. As always,
I want to thank my guest. What most importantly you
the listeners and callers into this program. If you desire
news on a twenty four to seven basis, it's always
available with our sisters station with the Black Information Network
at AM six forty. Right now, and get ready to
get your praise on What's ONNYA Blaky. I'm Darryl Denard.
We'll see you back here next Sunday, beginning at six

(01:25:41):
am for another edition of Chicago Speaks. Happy Fathers Day everyone,
and please be sure to take care of yourself.

Speaker 1 (01:25:50):
WVAZ oh Park, Chicago this Sunday morning. See if you're
on your way to church, We're preparing you with Get
your Praise on Inspiration and Gospel in one show.

Speaker 2 (01:26:02):
Get your Praise on right now, right now on V.

Speaker 7 (01:26:05):
One o three slide from the Northwestern Medicine V one
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Speaker 6 (01:26:57):
You know.

Speaker 3 (01:26:58):
And it's not trying to engage Trump battering or anything
like that. But first