Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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 nine one v one oh three. The views
and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the station,
it's management, sponsors, or iHeartMedia Ink.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Hello and welcome to Chicago Speaks, our communications condo WIT
for speaking to the issues impacting our community. I'm your host,
Darryl Denard. It is Sunday, May thirty first, twenty twenty six.
Mostly cloudy and mild today with the high in the
low to mid seventies. Currently it's fifty seven degrees. With
the unofficial start to summer underway, we're going to focus
(00:41):
on summer activities. June mark's the final day in class
for a majority of areas students. We'll take your calls
on plans to make the city streets safer and enjoyable
in light of the reality of team takeovers. We'll also
discuss how violence intervention programs are having a positive impact
in making the streets safer. June also marks Father's Day
(01:04):
in National Men's Health Awareness Month. Will tell you about
an important men's health event taking place in Jackson Park.
So as is the case every Sunday morning, there's a
lot to speak to and we begin with making Strides
to End Gun Violence. When we look at violence prevention,
particularly gun violence, we have to take a holistic approach
(01:25):
and that means that everybody, all hands need to be
on deck, but also it requires some of the foot
machines to come into play. And to that end, it
is my pleasure this morning to talk about an exciting
event that has been around for over a decade. It's
called Strides for Peace. And joining us this morning to
(01:48):
talk about the thirteenth annual Strides for Peace Run to
End Gun Violence is Ruby Lane, who is the communications director.
Ruby a pleasure to talk to you this morning. How
are you doing.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I am doing wonderful. Thank you so much, Daryl. We
appreciate this opportunity in the platform.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So talk to me in terms of what exactly is
Strides for Peace.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Strides for Peace is a nonprofit organization that was founded
back in twenty fourteen. It was founded by our founding
executive director, Maggie Baskowski, simply to organize organizations across the
city who were doing work in gun violence prevention and
(02:32):
community violence intervention. After doing some research, we felt that
the organizations that are actually doing the work and that
are closest to the neighborhoods are the ones who actually
have the answers, and so this organization was founded as
a way to amplify their message and foster collaboration.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
And the wonderful thing about being in the game, so
to speak, for at least a few years, is that
only recently have you really been able to see the
results in the fruition of your labor, because for so long,
just three or four years ago, we were dealing with
(03:13):
also as a result of the pandemic, but we were
dealing with these extraordinarily high numbers with regard to violence
and gun violence. And then if we just use as
a barometer, last year we had the fewest amounts of
gun violent incidents that take place not only Memorial Day
but really throughout the whole year in decades. So I
(03:36):
know that has to make you feel good.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
That's a testament to the work that the outreach workers,
the community leaders, all of the organizations Southwest Northeast that
are working tirelessly trying to intervene where there's conflict happening
and trying to sort of be an intermediarya when it
comes to any sort of retaliatory shoe. And so these
(04:02):
organizations that we work with have been doing this work
for over two decades and so it is their work
that is obviously being amplified right now, and that's why
we're seeing, you know, obviously some reduction in crime, and
of course obviously with you know, law enforcement uh there
as well. But I think that we have to give
(04:25):
credit to the workers, the outreach workers, all of those
community based organizations who are out there on a daily
basis who are really trying to intervene and that in
some cases, you know, their lives are at risk when
they're trying to mediate conflict. And so we're just thankful
that Strides for Peace has a platform where we can
(04:46):
kind of bring all of those organizations together to come
and help them fundraise, because fundraising obviously has been really critical.
There have been funds that have been cut, and so
the Race against gun violence is that opportunity for them
to come together to raise unrestricted funds so that they
can keep on doing the work.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Let's speak specifically about this year's event, which has taken
place on Thursday next Thursday, June fourth.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
That is correct, Yes, they're all Thursday June fourth. We'll
probably have close to two thousand individuals in Grant Park
Upper Hutchinson Field for a day of community and unity.
This day brings together all of those organizations that have
resources from you know, as far south as atgel Gardens
(05:35):
to you know as far west as Austin to come
together and to really see the work that is being
done across the city.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
This is a movement.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
It's not just a race to raise fund but it's
showing that communities can come together and organize themselves to
try to tackle this violence that has obviously afflicted our communities.
And so we're excited to share that there'll be an
ak race, a five k race, a two mile walk,
and Kids for Peace sprint where individuals can sign up
(06:09):
to run in the race and all of the funds
that they raise for the race go directly back to
these organizations which are serving the communities. So it's a
fun day. We have food trucks out there, there's entertainment,
we have a resource fare, and it's a good race
for a great cause.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Now, when does all of the action start, so the race.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
We open the grounds at five pm on Thursday. That's
when our vendors start moving in setting up everything. The
race kicks off promptly at six point thirty.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
It will take a.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Course along Lakeshore Drive, Columbus five. It's an evening race
because we found that what better way to come together
on a Thursday evening in June in Chicago doing Gun
Violence Awareness Month to come together as one community to
just you know, race along Lake Shore and see Chicago's
(07:05):
beautiful skyline.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
I think that that is a fantastic idea and it
couldn't be done without some very very supportive sponsors. Talk
about them because I think they need credit here.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Absolutely absolutely. This year's race is made possible thanks to
the generous support of our sponsors, the University of Chicago,
Medicine Rays, Coca Cola Bottling, the Cook County Trauma Recovery
and Injury Prevention, our Way Long Growth Confections, and the
Cook County Justice Advisory Council, just in a few. I mean,
(07:39):
everyone really wraps their arms around this race because this
is something.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
That we all realize as a need, and.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
So we're just happy to continue to host it. This
is our thirteenth year. Some of the organizations walk away
from this event raising over thirty five thousand dollars, and
we know that those funds are critical in these times
when you're trying to keep your doors open or if
you're trying to cover programming for the summer. Chicago obviously
(08:07):
has had a history of you know, the summer months
can be very challenging, and so all the funds that
are raised for the race go directly back to these
organizations which are serving our community.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
You know, there's been this talk, of course and the
reality of so called team take or gruth spread. This
is an opportunity to take your team to an evening
event where hopefully they can be surrounded by other teams
and engaging in something positive to shed a positive light
(08:39):
on what they're all about.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Absolutely, we have a number of teams that come. Some
of the male organizations that are there, Champs Mentoring, My
Brother's Keeper, Youth Guidance, Cedia Ferries, Mentoring, CRED. Yes, all
the organizations come out with their young men and their
young women and they run and so to see that
sea of humanity you know of Chicago, it really celebrates
(09:07):
what Chicago is and who we are, and so I'm
just excited to be a part of this event and
I just can't wait for everyone to come out next Thursday,
June fourth, to see it in action.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
And what is the best way for people to find
out not only to participate, but also to support the organization.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yes, you can go directly to our website Strides for
Peace dot org that strides s t R I d E,
S F O R P E a CE dot org.
Speaker 5 (09:39):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
There you can look at a number of charities who
are raising funds. These organizations have this healthy competition going
on because they're trying to raise funds for programs and
for operational costs and things of that nature. But if
you go to our website, you can register. We're still
taking more individuals who want to run in the race.
It's going to be probably a beautiful Thursday next week.
(10:00):
I'm hopefully predicting that. But it's an opportunity for us
to come together as one community and show unity in
this race against gun violence.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
We appreciate your support.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
This couldn't be possible without our media partners, so we
thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I heard media.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
CBS Chicago is back again this year with j'mon Terry
hosting it, and so it's just a beautiful celebration of
what we can do.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
As a city when we come together. Thank you so much, Darryl.
I appreciate this.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Bye now bye. Coming up, we'll tell you how violence
interruption programs are helping to make Chicago streets safer. Please
stay with us.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now, toll free at eight three three five nine
to one V one O three. Now back to Chicago
Speaks with Daryl Dinard, Share what's on your mind, toll
free at eight three three five nine one V one
oh three.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Welcome back. It's Sunday, May thirty first then fifty seven
degrees and you're listening to Chicago Speaks. It's often said
that it takes a village to raise a child. Well,
it definitely takes a unified effort to have Chicago wrap
its arms around ending and ceasing gun violent Here now
is our intern with North Watstern University, Anna Selina with more.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
Anna, this is an acellinary reporting for Chicago' Speaks and
Chicago Insight. Gun violence continues to impact communities across Chicago,
not only for physical harm, but through lasting emotional trauma,
disrupted families, and cycles of instability that can affect generations.
While public conversations often focus on crime statistics or headlines,
community organizations across the city are working at the street
(11:43):
level to prevent violence before it happens and support those
most affected by it. Groups like the Institute of Non
Violence Chicago use outwitch workers, trauma informed care mentorship, and
conflict intervention to help individuals and communities heal and create
safer futures, including outreach professionals and individuals directly impacted by
(12:03):
the programs. The conversation you're about to hear explores what
violence prevention really looks like, why trust and community relationships matter,
and how intervention efforts can change lives.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
And thanks Anna and joining us this morning to talk
about some of the positive impact that these non violent
interrupted groups have been making in terms of helping to
reduce gun violence in Chicago. We are joined this morning
by members of the Institute for Nonviolent Chicago. They include
ni Kenya Hardy, who is an associate director of outreach
(12:35):
and Intervention. We also have Devin Stampley, who is an
outreach worker. We also have Brandon Ellis, who is a
former participant, and also Sunda Collins, who is the vice
president of communications and development joining us this morning. I
guess I want to begin first with you, Sunda, in
terms of you being the vice president of development and
(12:57):
communications there. What exactly is the mission and when was
the institute founded.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
The emission of the institute is we are looking to
end cycles of violence in communities, specifically but not limited
to gun violence, and so we do that through engagement
every single day and about thirty communities within our network.
(13:24):
There's about eighteen organizations within our network that serve about
thirty communities, and our mission is to end gun violence,
really focusing and targeting the cycles that start the violence
and the conflicts and community. We've been around for ten
years specifically.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
That's an extraordinary amount of time in terms of dealing
specifically with ending gun violence, and I guess that sometimes
progress goes slowly, but at least over the last year
or so, there's been tremendous benefits to the violence prevention efforts,
particularly here in Chicago, but also throughout a lot of
(14:06):
major metropolitan areas.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
Absolutely, it may definitely seem like it's happening overnight, but
this effort. It started, I mean well before ten years ago,
just with just the concept of violence interruption, but it
really did evolve about ten years ago with two major things.
I think really the intention around collaboration across different organizations,
(14:33):
different neighborhoods, and making an effort to include these holistic interventions,
the daily street outreach, the quick response when there is
an incident, going to the hospitals, making sure that we
have ways to connect directly to some of the street groups,
(14:56):
and then making sure we have resources available for people
to either trans to or just know that they are
available if they find themselves in a situation where they
could choose violence or they want to choose something different.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Now, Nick, can you talk to me about how you
became involved with the program. You're the associate director of
Outreaching Interventions.
Speaker 8 (15:18):
I got involved with violence prevention before it was CBI.
I actually was working in two thousand and five with Ceasefire.
Speaker 9 (15:26):
I started as an outreach worker.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
My cousin may He Rest in Peace car Bell and
our now trainer at the Institute of Non Violence Chicago,
Alfonso Prater, had came and offered me a position as
an outreach worker.
Speaker 9 (15:40):
In two thousand and five for cease fire.
Speaker 8 (15:42):
And I joined the movement then, but I joined the
Institute of Non Violence and twenty seventeen in August as
an outreach worker, and since then, since then, I've been
promoted like five times another Associates Director outreach.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
What has it meant for you to actually see the
fruits of your labor coming to fruition.
Speaker 9 (16:07):
It actually meant a lot to me, right.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
It let me see that something that I always had
a passion of doing it, which was giving back.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
And trying to help and rutify my community. Right.
Speaker 8 (16:18):
The Institute made me know that my passion is not
just my passion, but it became my purpose after me
putting in the effort, the time and to these young
men and seeing the impact that I was having on them,
changing their life and not worrying about them ever returning
the street again due to the time and dedication that
I put into them. It let me see my purpose.
(16:41):
It made me wanted to do it more. It made
me wanted to be involved more. It made me really
see that CBI is really working and it's changing these
young men and women's lives.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Then you're an outreach worker. What brought you into the fold.
Speaker 10 (16:56):
I was released from prison and I came to the
Instute and Violence. I first started off in a re
entry program that they had where they taught me tools
like resume building, cover letters and stuff like that, mock
interview skills and stuff like that for me to land
a job. You know, I ended up applying for a job,
a vicom service job with institute where I responded to incidents,
(17:20):
reached out to family members, helped them get the resources
at the city provided as as far as a couplement.
Speaker 9 (17:25):
Of victum FUM and stuff like that. And then I
became an outreach worker.
Speaker 10 (17:28):
But my true mission was me to get back to
the community that I tore down when.
Speaker 11 (17:33):
I was younger.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
And what has it meant for you to see lives
changed and lives saved as a result of the work
that you do there at the institute.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
It means a lot to me. Man. I have participants.
Speaker 10 (17:45):
I have a caseload of about sixteen participants that I
interact with weekly and daily. I do one on one
check ins, I do phone call check ins, we do
group outings and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
And what does that mean not only for you but
also for the participant to have that regular communication.
Speaker 10 (18:04):
It gives me a sense of not just like me
being a worker, It gives a sense of like a connection.
Speaker 9 (18:10):
We have a connection.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
We have a connection.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Brendan, You're a form of participant. Talk about how this
particular involvement with the Institute for Non Violence helped change
your life.
Speaker 12 (18:21):
Man, what I can say is that havn't Devin ni
Kenya like allowing them to help me and guide me
in a direction that I needed to go in because
of the resources that they have and the connection that
they have, it works for the best. Honestly, it makes
you close the door of the path of the streets
(18:42):
and it brings you into a whole new opportunity.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
You know.
Speaker 12 (18:46):
So I drive a truck, I went to school. I mean,
they put me in a program for me to be
able to be a participant. They allow me to get
in this program, and honestly it's been nothing but good.
Like I haven't I haven't had a situation whereas like
I thought about getting back in the streets, Well, nothing
like that. And it's working for me. And I also
(19:06):
have the opportunity to reach out to ni Kenya in Devon.
You know, like I said, if I have any further
questions or anything that I feel like that could be
of some type of health, you know, through the program
me being in the program, I have friends as well
that's been incostrated, and I kind of like push them
towards the Kenyan Devin as well to try to give
(19:29):
them a better opportunity.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
What has it meant for you to be working on
your own and I don't know if you have a
family that you have to support, but being able to
support that family.
Speaker 12 (19:39):
And doing so well, what I can say is is
very humbling, Like come in out of prison knowing that
you're not all the way on your feet. So when
this it does something to my ego, you know, just
as a man, like not being able to provide or
not being able to do certain things. But once they
gave me this opportun soon, you know, I stepped into
(20:01):
it and I poured myself my own into it, you know,
and it's working. Gives like you just said, it gives
me a way to provide for my family. It gives
me a way to be not accessible to the streets.
It gives me resources through Devon and n Kenya. Like
it's all part of depends on the masdset and your
(20:22):
perspective of what it does. Like if you change the
way you think, everything else will fall in line.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
I like that attitude, young man Nick Ken. You we
talked about the fact that one victim of violence is
far too many, and this particular Memorial Day weekend, we
had some thirty six people that were shot, two of
them unfortunately fatally. But yet that's a major reduction in
terms of what we experienced in years past. Talk about
(20:51):
that and why you think your organization helped facilitate those
positive numbers.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
You're right, You're right, that is a major reduction, but
you know, one person is too many, So we still
got a lot of work that we need to do,
and I think that my organization, as well as many
organizations throughout the city, have an impact on that.
Speaker 9 (21:15):
From the time the dedication right that were.
Speaker 8 (21:18):
Putting in into these young men and women, knowing our community,
knowing is who driving the violence? Who knowing who could
be the next person who trying to drive the violence,
and us stepping in, involved in us stepping in and
intervening and trying to help these young men before they
can get a hold to the streets, or even the
ones that is already in the streets, right, presenting them
(21:41):
with resources like Branted just said, like opportunity, right, opportunity
change lives. And that's what our goal is, right. Our
goal is to present these opportunities to.
Speaker 9 (21:50):
These young men and women.
Speaker 8 (21:52):
And when I say opportunities, I mean real opportunities, right,
because all opportunities help, but real opportunities change lives. So
if we could set these young men and women up
with opportunities like trades to help them to get in
a nice task bracket where they don't have to account
on the streets, to provide for their family, where they
can go to work like Branding and come back to
(22:12):
their friends and be a prime example that CBI working.
Speaker 9 (22:16):
Right, This is what changed lives.
Speaker 13 (22:18):
Right.
Speaker 9 (22:18):
It's like each one teach one right.
Speaker 8 (22:20):
So if Brandow come to the neighborhood like you just
see it, and he do right now as we speak,
and we got seven young mans that's in CDL school
right now, right, all because of Branding and his accomplishments
and him telling them and showing them that this will work.
Right now, we have seven young mans who could potentially
become a victim or perpetrator to the streets that's in
(22:41):
school to get their CDLs to.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
Better their life right now.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
And that's what changed lives right opportunity and that's what
we're offering here at MBC.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Lives are also changed by courage. Devins talk about the
courage that's needed man to go against the grain and
say that, hey, I'm not going to live the so
called street life anymore.
Speaker 14 (23:04):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (23:04):
Well, you know it takes a lot, man, you know,
especially for someone who was accustomed to that. You know,
when you around something so long, you become like a
product of your habitat, you know. So it's just like you,
you have to change the norm. You have to change
the norms. And that's what I did. I changed the norm.
(23:25):
I changed my crowd, I changed who I hang around.
I changed my priority or change my values. I changed
my beliefs and everything.
Speaker 12 (23:31):
That question you just had just ask. I feel like
the program and I'm only use I'm gonna speak on
me like time, tell the people who you are.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
I'm branded.
Speaker 12 (23:42):
It's very easy to get it, get in trouble. It's
very easy to fall back into old patterns. Me getting
my CDLs, it kind of limited the access to me,
you know, or like the possible, it's a possibility but
we when you when you have a job or real
you're dealing with probability. What's the probability of you going
(24:04):
back to doing something that you're making good money. What's
the probability of you getting shot if you where you're
supposed to be. So the possibility, yes, it's there, or
the probability is small. So that's what you want to
kind of.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
Like deal with.
Speaker 13 (24:17):
So you you you you want you.
Speaker 12 (24:19):
Want to deal with the positive things like and like
I said, I once was a person that was like
being on crowns.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
Like I was.
Speaker 12 (24:27):
I was an extrovert. But me being in this job,
it doesn't make me accessible to people that shouldn't be
accessible to me. It doesn't give me the time to
to think about what's going on now to like, as
long as my man is thinking in the positive manner,
I'm gonna continue to move in.
Speaker 9 (24:46):
A positive manner.
Speaker 12 (24:47):
So I got to be math with what what I digest,
whether it's food, music, the things I see, because that
that that can influence me to think of a different pattern.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I that to change mind and to change direction. And
I know that you have a question.
Speaker 15 (25:03):
Yeah, thank you, Daryl. I have a question for Devin. Actually,
what's one moment from your worker experience that has stayed
with you personally, something that you experienced yourself.
Speaker 10 (25:13):
Okay, I had a participant speak on a participate on me.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
You can speak on both, Go ahead.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
I had a.
Speaker 10 (25:20):
Participant now, a younger guy, man I knew from the neighborhood.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Man.
Speaker 10 (25:24):
He was involved in the incident where his UH, his
residence was shot up, I believe, and his uncle passed away,
and his best friend was shot and he was gray.
Speaker 11 (25:35):
You know.
Speaker 10 (25:37):
I connected with him, reached out to him. We got
him aside and work force development program UH at the
Instute and non violence. We implemented CBIAS come into behavior
intervention with him. Ultimately, we changed, we changed, we changed
his train of thought. He obtained the CBS. He's been
over the road since he's been working. He's been sustaining
(25:59):
employment for about a year and a half now, man.
Speaker 9 (26:02):
And it just it just it touches.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
My heart with me being able to change, me being
able to help change individual's live you know, turn it
around three sixty, you know. So that's that's one of
the moments that stepped out to me. That was like
one of my first like sunscess stories with a participant, right, because.
Speaker 8 (26:18):
We all we all were once participants, right, we all
had changed our life around in this work and in
this field.
Speaker 9 (26:29):
And it's it's not just us, right, it's a lot.
Speaker 8 (26:32):
It's a lot more people that this organization is helping,
and not just with the answer to like for instance,
we had helped over one hundred and thirty seven participants
obtained a trade in the Austin and West Garfield Park community,
whether it's construction, CDL, HVAC, solar power or whatever trade
(26:53):
that they picked up. But these one hundred and thirty
seven participants was all driving violence because that's our target.
Speaker 9 (27:00):
And we is not.
Speaker 8 (27:01):
Wary about these participants returning back to the streets because
now they have something to lose. Right, They obtained their
certifications in the trade, they picked up nice jobs, They
taking care of their family.
Speaker 9 (27:14):
But what I want to put out there about the
institute that's not out there yet.
Speaker 8 (27:18):
And I am a participant, I mean an employee as well.
At the institute also put their employees back to school.
I obtained my bachelor's degree last year at College Umdown for.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Organizational Leadership and change.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
But we have sixteen participants at the institute of non
violence that picked up or obtained that bachelor's degree, as
well as we have seventeen new employees who is already
current in school who are also finna go and pick
up and finish to pick up.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Their bachelor's degree.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
And I just wanted to put that out there because
I wanted everyone to know that. Like when I say
the institute is pouring into the community, I really mean
they poured into the community because ninety five percent of
the staff at the institute is from that community that
they working in.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Sand What is the best way for people to find
out not only about the program but how they can
support it.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
Of course, yes, you can go to our website www
dot nonviolence Chicago dot org. That's the best place to
find any information on us, as well as our social
media pages, our Instagram, our Facebook, our LinkedIn. We're pretty
active on all those platforms.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
And what do you say about the future in terms
of those that may say that these programs don't work,
what do you say.
Speaker 7 (28:43):
To them, Sure, well, we have ten years under our
belt now in terms of seeing a reduction. Last year
was the safest year since nineteen sixty five. That is
a trivia to our relentless engagement every day, as well
(29:04):
as our partnership with Traditional Measures of Public Safety professional
understanding with CPD, very strong community of both private and
public government funding and so we have a lot of
support here. But I think one huge thing that is
(29:27):
really true for us is that it is really based
on the individual's decision to make that change, to go
down that path of transformation. We invite them into that
through these cognitive behavioral interventions, through engaging with them every day,
(29:47):
but it really does show up when someone is in
a situation where they have a new job, they have
an opportunity for a job, but now they have a
better chance at retaining it because they've gone through the
process of that cognitive behavioral change. And it's not just about,
you know, getting them into a job, but it's really
(30:09):
about how do they retain how do they create a
life for and or a career around this new mindset shift.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
That sounds good and it is a change for the better.
Shunt Collins, Nick Kenya Hardy, Kevin Stampley, Brendan ellis Ana Selina.
We thank you so much for joining us this morning.
Speaker 7 (30:32):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Coming up next, we'll take your calls on the top
news stories of the week, from the mayor leading a
Chicago delegation to Italy for a visit with Pope Leo,
to the city's plans for keeping the streets safe during
what is expected to be a long, hot summer. Call
us right now with your questions or comments at eight
three three five nine one B one oh three. Please
(30:55):
stay with us.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
Chicago Speaks with Darryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now toll free at eight three three five nine
one V one O three V one O three presents
Chicago Speaks with your host, Daryl Dinard. This program is
designed to address issues that affect you.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
Your opinions matter, toll.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
Free at eight three three five nine one V one
O three. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of the station, it's management, sponsors, or iHeartMedia.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
In welcome back, it is six forty eight and we
are live this morning. It is that time of the
morning for you to speak to the issues impacting our
community in our reporters roundtable. And joining us this morning
our Jim Day. He is the state Investigations editor at
the Better Government Association's Illinois Awareness Project. We also have
(31:47):
Deborah Douglass, professor at the Middill School of Journalism as
well as director of the Solutions Journalism Club at Northwestern University,
and doctor Gerald McNair, a school administrator, as well as
columnists for the Chicago Sun Times as well as Chicago Tribune.
Pleasure to have you all join us this morning. I'm
(32:08):
going to have us through our normal ritual, which is
for you to use your journalistic acumen and tell us
about the top three stories that really need to be
on our radar that have happened over the past week,
and maybe hopefully we'll also have some sort of development
in the week to come.
Speaker 16 (32:29):
Of course, with you, Jim, good morning, Daryl, Good morning everybody.
I think the tough stories that are on my mind
this week are, of course the ongoing hostilities with Iran
and this peace deal that they're trying to work out. Locally,
the mayor is or has been at the Vatican visiting
(32:51):
with the Pope and that's been a big story locally.
And then of course we've got this ongoing issue of
team takeovers which flared up recently.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Yeah, as a matter of fact, that pretty much mirrors
my top three there. Deborah Douglas. You are the director
of the Solutions Journalism Hub at Northwestern University. So stories
in terms of tasks, trying to figure out what are
the top news stories that people should be covering and
hopefully providing solutions is right in your Bellywick, So tell
(33:25):
me what you think are the top three stories that
we need to be paying attention to right now.
Speaker 17 (33:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 18 (33:32):
So for an initiated, solutions journalism is a framework in
journalism to cover responses to pressing social issues and finding
out what works. So I am preoccupied with a project
that I've been running with Five Days Dreams throughout the
state under the banner of Healing Illinois, supported by the
Field Foundation, has been looking at the challenge of voting
(33:57):
and the efficacy in safety of mail in voting and
just voting in general, and voter access. And so, you know,
this is more of an evergreen story because we're leading
into the midterms and there was a lot of positive
news to deliver with stories from Capitol News, Illinois Chicago
(34:18):
News Weekly, and Illinois Latino News that across parties, whether
or not you're a Republican or a Democrat or whatever party.
County clerks are really during their due diligence to maintain
the safety of the voting system. So that's a packaging stories.
(34:39):
So that's like one and two, and I would say
number three is teaintainer takeover to me.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Yeah, doctor mcinnair, she had top three.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
To be good to be with you all.
Speaker 19 (34:52):
I would say that the governor gubernatorial race in California
is very.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Important also there.
Speaker 19 (35:02):
Yes, indeed, it is this new approach called the jungle
primary where the top two winners from the voters they
move forward towards the general election in that state. I
think it's a real kind of indicator as to how
the Democrats should move forward in the upcoming presidential election.
(35:24):
You got the progressive versus the moderates. The Republican governor.
I think it's Hilton. He's received about two out of
the ten voters. And we're talking about California, which is
not only the largest state, but it's about twenty.
Speaker 4 (35:39):
Percent of the overall voting population.
Speaker 19 (35:42):
It's going to be interesting to see what becomes of
that because the progressive agenda in the Democratic Party it's
up for discussion. We saw that in the last presidential election,
and so the hope is for the Democrats to move
in that middle because there's space in that middle.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
Think that bear is watching.
Speaker 13 (36:02):
Uh.
Speaker 19 (36:02):
To your point, there are also the mayor's race also,
I would say number two is Madison Square Gardener Nicks
versus the Spurs.
Speaker 14 (36:12):
So we have.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
That's I love with Chicago, but I'm a lifelong New
York Nick. Then I'm sorry to tell that to our audience.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
But think about Mandamie.
Speaker 19 (36:24):
Think about this quote unquote socialist mayor front and center.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Now, yeah, so that's gonna get a lot.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
He went against the Democratic incumbent congressman in terms of
his endorsement. So it's interesting, it will be interesting.
Speaker 4 (36:40):
And and and what's going on? In my third would
bet Illinois politics. I mean, what what's happening?
Speaker 19 (36:45):
I mean, how can uh Indiana move so quickly inefficiently,
and and and and and and more or less pull
the bears in Indiana and we are still.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
Debating to the midnight hour, I mean politics to gridlock.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
We have to do better.
Speaker 19 (37:03):
And that speaks too many issues that Illinois as it
relates to budgeting and so forth. But you know, today
is today. Uh the the it ends today. Uh if
they don't come up with an agreement with the megaproject.
We could very well lose the Bears in Indiana, and
I'm so disappointed that there wasn't a more bipartisan effort.
(37:24):
And I know the Midnight Alvirad Johnson tries to move
and UH reassert the Bear reassach.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Chicago in this discussion, and I know ther d o A.
Speaker 19 (37:37):
It's I'm just so disappointed Illinois politics to lose the Bears,
and it looks like we very well could.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
So those will be my top three.
Speaker 19 (37:46):
And I do echo some of the sentence with the
team takeovers obviously being a school administrator, Uh, the impact
is having on the economy, and it's not just in Chicago,
it's spreading to the suburban areas and outside of the
Chicago area, from DC to Memphis. There's got to be
a more balancet approach about how we curb some of this.
Speaker 4 (38:06):
So those were my top picks.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
Yeah, I would say that for me, the top three
would be, of course, the ever extending goalposts. With regard
to the war in Iran. It seems like every day
we hear about an extension or possible extension, sixty day
extension of the ceasefire, but yet we see where there
(38:30):
are continued bombings on both sides of the talks. And
then it's also a thing where just last week or
the week before last here it was on a Saturday,
in fact, it was headline news where the President and
a lot of the major media outlets we're reporting that
(38:51):
an end to the conflict is near. That you know,
Iran is pretty much, you know, in agreement with the
principles of not only a ceasefire agreement, but in terms
of how to resolve the two major issues that of course,
of plutonium and the other the opening of the Strait
(39:14):
of horr moves. But it just keeps on shifting in
terms of these goalposts here and the second one has
to be team takeovers. And the third is this issue
in terms of dysfunction or procrastinative policy that exists with
(39:35):
regard to what's happening at the state legislature.
Speaker 20 (39:39):
Here.
Speaker 2 (39:40):
It is, this is the final day of the session
and we had yet, Jim to come up with an
agreement in terms of what we want to do with
the bears. Now I have to put in there the caveat,
and that caveat is look, in terms of New York,
you have the New York Jets and the New York Giant,
and even though they have the Moniker in New York,
(40:03):
they haven't played in New York since almost forty or
fifty years. So it's not like if a quick move
over to Hammond is going to change you know, the
fan bases. I believe admiration and following of the team.
(40:25):
So I think that that's part and parcel there. And
to be absolutely honest here all of you is that
you're giving money to people that already have a lot
of money. I hate to say this, but it's the truth.
And so you know, let's just let's let's just talk
(40:46):
about the most pressing issue from a legislative standpoint, and
it's that of whether or not the Bears are going
to be included in terms of this megafunding deal.
Speaker 16 (40:59):
Jim sure, So, as I understand, the issue with the
megaproject's bill is that in order to make it work
for the Bears, lawmakers would have to water down some
aspects of it, and that could jeopardize local school districts,
local government's ability to raise revenue to fund you know,
(41:22):
the infrastructure and other necessary things. And you make a
good point, I think, Darryl is it is it worth
it to lawmakers to reduce their constituents' ability to fund
their municipalities in order to keep a team in Chicago,
you know, in Chicago proper as opposed to in the vicinity.
(41:43):
You know, And and I hate to say it out loud,
but in a team that hasn't won a Super Bowl
in forty years, you know, they're the Bears. I don't
mean to dog too much on the Bears, but the
Bears continually make Chicago Wan's quite sad. And this will
just be the latest chapter in their doing that, you know.
So I think.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
They didn't do badly, They did pretty well, but then.
Speaker 16 (42:05):
They but then they let us down, you know. I
mean last year was certainly exciting, you know. And you know,
I think that the larger issue is whether or not
downstate legislators could be convinced to change this megaproject bill
for the Bears. And you know, the Bears have said
that no matter what's happening, they're not staying in Chicago,
(42:26):
that they're moving to the suburbs, if not Indiana. I
I certainly wouldn't want to see.
Speaker 4 (42:32):
The team go.
Speaker 16 (42:33):
And at the same time, I think, you know, sometimes
as a nation, as a society, we spend a lot
of money and a lot of legislative efforts around sports
teams and making sure that they have what they need,
and like you said, they are they already have the
money and so it'll be interesting to see what comes
out of session. But it's not looking good for for
(42:54):
keeping them in Chicago.
Speaker 18 (42:57):
Yeah, just break is fever. I just want to say
it might be trying time to break the fever dream
of supporting billionaires in their projects, and it's more about
just this particular moment, is about a trend of going forward.
There's a lot of public conversation around supporting the needs
of billionaires and it might be a hard bullet to bite,
(43:21):
but this might be the time. It could be the
start of a new a new movement.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
And Joe your comments here too, because you mentioned it
in terms of the impact that exists from the legislative perspective,
but also the thing I wanted.
Speaker 19 (43:41):
To lose the Bears and it looks like we very
well could. So those will be my top three. And
I do echo some of the sentence with the team takeovers.
Obviously being a school administrator, the impact is having on
the economy, and it's not just in Chicago, it's spreading
to the suburban areas and outside of the Chicago area,
from DC to Memphis. There's got to be a more
(44:03):
balancet approach about how we curb some of this.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
So those were my top picks.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Yeah, I would say that for me, the top three
would be, of course, the ever extending goalposts. With regard
to the war in Iran, it seems like every day
we hear about an extension or possible extension, sixty day
extension of the ceasefire, but yet we see where there
(44:31):
are continued bombings on both sides of the talks. And
then it's also a thing where just last week or
the week before last. Here it was on a Saturday,
in fact, it was headline news where the President and
a lot of the major media outlets we're reporting that
(44:52):
an end to the conflict is near. That you know,
Iran is pretty much, you know, in a great with
the principles of not only a ceasefire agreement, but in
terms of how to resolve the two major issues that
of course, of plutonium and the other the opening of
(45:14):
the strait of horror moves. But it just keeps on
shifting in terms of these goalposts here, and the second
one has to be team takeovers. And the third is
this issue in terms of dysfunction or procrastinative policy that
(45:35):
exists with regard to what's happening at the state legislature here.
It is, this is the final day of the session
and we had yet, Jim to come up with an
agreement in terms of what we want to do with
the Bears. Now I have to put in there the caveat,
and that caveat is, look, in terms of New New York,
(45:57):
you have the New York Jets and the New York
York Giants, and even though they have the Moniker in
New York, they haven't played in New York since almost
forty or fifty years. So it's not like if a
quick move over to Hammond is going to change, you know,
the fan bases. I believe admiration and following of the team.
(46:26):
So I think that that's part and parcel there. And
to be absolutely honest here all of you is that
you're giving money to people that already have a lot
of money. I hate to say this, but it's the truth.
And so you know, let's just let's let's just talk
(46:46):
about the most pressing issue from a legislative standpoint, and
it's that of whether or not the Bears are going
to be included in terms of this megafunding deal.
Speaker 16 (46:59):
Jim sure, so, as I understand, the issue with the
megaproject's bill is that in order to make it work
for the Bears, lawmakers would have to water down some
aspects of it, and that could jeopardize local school districts,
local government's ability to raise revenue to fund you know,
(47:23):
the infrastructure and other necessary things. And you make a
good point, I think, Darryl, is it is it worth
it to lawmakers to reduce their constituents' ability to fund
their municipalities in order to keep a team in Chicago,
you know, in Chicago proper as opposed to in the vicinity.
(47:44):
You know, And and I hate to say it out loud,
but in a team that hasn't won a Super Bowl
in forty years, you know, they're the Bears. I don't
mean to dog too much on the Bears, but the
Bears continually make Chicago Wan's quite sad, and this will
just be the latest chapter in their doing that, you know,
So I think.
Speaker 2 (48:02):
It's badly they did pretty well.
Speaker 16 (48:05):
But then they but then they let us down, you know.
I mean last year was certainly exciting, you know. And
you know, I think that the larger issue is whether
or not downstate legislators could be convinced to change this
megaproject build for the Bears. And you know, the Bears
have said that no matter what's happening, they're not staying
in Chicago, that they're moving to the suburbs, if not Indiana.
(48:31):
I I certainly wouldn't want to see the team go.
And at the same time, I think, you know, sometimes
as a nation, as a society, we spend a lot
of money and a lot of legislative efforts around sports
teams and making sure that they have what they need.
And like you said, they are they already have the money,
and so it'll be interesting to see what comes out
(48:52):
of session. But it's not looking good for for keeping
them in Chicago.
Speaker 18 (48:57):
Yeah, might break seat fever dream. I just want to say,
it might be trying time to break this fever dream
of supporting billionaires in their projects. And it's more about
just this particular moment is about a trend of going forward.
There's a lot of public conversation around supporting the needs
of billionaires. And it might be a hard bullet to bite,
(49:21):
but this might be the time, it could be the
start of a new movement.
Speaker 2 (49:30):
And Joe your comments here too, because you mentioned it
in terms of the impact that exists from the legislative perspective,
but also the thing I wanted to put out there
and have you address is the fact that, Okay, so
you moved to Indiana, you already had the Indianapolis Colts.
(49:50):
I can guarantee you that there's no way, no matter
where Chicago Bears end up, that they're going to change
the name Chicago Bears. I'm not going to Arlington Heights Bears.
They're not going to be called the Hammond Bears. They're
going to keep that money for the Chicago Bears because
that's where the money is invested.
Speaker 19 (50:13):
But think about the Bears being one of the oldest
franchises in the NFL and Chicago loses.
Speaker 4 (50:21):
And so you know, there is a great article I
think a few months ago that talked about the.
Speaker 19 (50:26):
Financial impact that it'll have in the South suburbs because
Hammond is a rock throw away from the South suburbs,
and so there was a wonderful article that talked about
the positive impact it would have one of the South
suburbs to your point that Indiana is just is very close.
Speaker 4 (50:42):
But it's also symbolism to see how Indiana was able
to move so efficiently and effectively, but yet Illinois wasn't.
And so no leader from the state to the local
wants to be in office when the Bears leave Illinois.
This this spoder for.
Speaker 19 (51:03):
Uh the upcoming election. Who's gonna run against Priscoll, Who's
gonna run against Bear Johnson? They're gonna talk about that
technologium and so and then there's also part of that, uh,
the pilot program as as uh Jim talked about.
Speaker 4 (51:20):
But the pilot program allows.
Speaker 19 (51:23):
Moneies that would be for the taxing bodies to get
some of that and so uh there's been some wigger room,
there's been some discussion, and so yes that that was
one of the hiccups money going to uh the certain
uh you know, the taxing bodies and impact they would
have all the residential homeowners, but the pilot program will
(51:45):
it kind of mitigates some of that impact to a
certain degree.
Speaker 4 (51:48):
But it's also symbolism.
Speaker 19 (51:50):
As I stated, and so I know it's complicated, but
we should not be at the midnight hour now and
not being able.
Speaker 4 (51:57):
To come over with the conclusion or.
Speaker 21 (51:58):
I understand that, but this is the symbolism I mentioned
that for the last thirty, if not forty years, the
New York Giants and the New York Jets.
Speaker 2 (52:12):
Have not played in New York. There's only one football
team that plays in the state of New York, and
that's the Buffalo Bills. There is no way that in
terms of let's just you know, perception is everything. Nobody
calls the New York Jets the New Jersey Jets. Nobody
(52:34):
calls the New York Giants the New Jersey Giants. They
call them because they kept that name. And even though
they play in a different state, it's that name that
is valuable. It's that name that people wear, it's that
logo that people wear. And so, you know, it's a
conundrum and we'll see in terms of how they end
(52:57):
up reacting. Here. We want to go to the online
right now, we are going to hear from Robin. Robin
is calling from the city of Chicago. Robin, you are
on Chicago Speaks as soon as we can. Yeah, can
we get Robin on.
Speaker 20 (53:14):
Hello?
Speaker 2 (53:16):
Okay, Yeah, hey Robin, you're on Chicago Speaks. You're coming
a question this morning.
Speaker 20 (53:21):
Yeah, I just wanted to say, you know, they talk
about all these team takeovers they go, but you know,
we gotta America that's trying to take over everything. You know,
these young kids minus the violence, that they can just
to go out there and have a good time. Let
them have a good time. Because the thing about it
is all these Aldermens that got all this tiss money
and all this money for these neighborhoods. You didn't do
nothing for the South and West side. Now y'all worried
about these young kids going around doing all this stuff.
(53:44):
If they wouldn't be violent, they'd be all right, because
now they can get out there and have fun. But
we got we Then y'all talk about these Bears. You
know what, Let them go. They they ain't paying my bills.
I'm out here paying my own damn bills. So let
the Bears go awhere they want to go, because yeah, yeah,
they ain't want the super Bowl anyway, so let them.
Speaker 17 (54:00):
Play them whe else.
Speaker 20 (54:01):
Maybe they don't win the super Bowl somewhere else. And
then my last thing is when I've always talked about
all these missing kids. And I understand why the radio
stations don't want to talk about all these missing kids.
That's because most of these billionaires, they're all child molesters.
And that's why they don't want to bring that up
because they've never talked about it. And we've talked about
this several times. And that's the thing about it. All
these listen kids and nobody who ever wants to know
(54:23):
nothing about it. Everybody wants to put that on the
back burner. Then they want to talk about Michael Jackson,
talk about he was disitant. No, he went to that
big island, he stoop those kids and he saved those
kids and nobody but they want to put his name down.
But you get sick of all this stuff that. You
know what they do to black folks all the time.
They always want to put us under the dirt all
the time. But you know what they've done a lot
(54:44):
to us. They've burned down Black Wall Street, but they've
flooded all of our towns. New York Central Park was
a black town that they've flooded because we've done our
own thing. The thing about it is black fools, y'all
better wake up and get together and start doing our
own thing like we used to do before, because they
ain't trying to see us on top, because they know
we gonna be on top, because that darkness that they're
(55:04):
talking about, it's gonna come to light. It always is.
Every time I look up, it's gonna come to light.
So they can keep on lying about us all the time,
but we better stand up for ourselves and we better
start working with ourselves because they're gonna make us. They're
gonna make us look like we gotta we need y'all. No, no,
we never did, because everything y'all learned comes from us,
(55:25):
comes from Africa, and people don't understand it. But they
don't like to hear that. They don't like to hear
that that bloodline comes from us. Our bloodline comes from God,
but their blood line comes from us and they don't
even understand that. But until people start waking up and
telling the truth, which that's gonna be hard for a
lot of people to do, then ain't nothing gonna be right.
But thank you for this time.
Speaker 2 (55:48):
Well, I appreciate your thoughts there. I would just add
the caveat that I think it's a wide swath for
you to suggest that the majority of people at the
higher echelongs of of income are all pedophiles. You know,
that is something that I just can say. It's probably
(56:10):
not true, but we just need to be very careful
there in terms of how we paint people, because unfortunately,
there's also the reverse of that, where they can say
we're all poor people are thieves. So let's just be
very careful about the words that we employ there. We're
going to get matter of fact, we're going to probably
(56:30):
give a preview of what we're talking about in the
next segment because it's so vitally important, and that is
what are the city's plans for dealing with public safety,
particularly this disturbing trend in terms of team takeovers. We're
going to give you a prelude to that by picking
(56:51):
up Hank right now. Hank is calling from Naperville and
we're going to find out, you know, how he feels
about positive youth because I'm brutally honest on the other
side of the break in terms of the impact of
these team takeovers. Go ahead, Hank, you're on Chicago Speaks
right now.
Speaker 17 (57:12):
Well, good morning, Daryl, and to your guest. First of all,
I would like to say that in dealing with the youth.
You know, it starts at home always, and it starts
from the foundation. You know, the god of the Bible,
whose name is Yahweh. If you read the scripts, it
teaches us that we must raise up or train a
(57:33):
child in the way that he should go. And first
of all, you have to deal with truth for these children.
Now what's happening? And I see it happening. I was
at the reparations meeting yesterday. It was fantastic. I mean
there were a.
Speaker 2 (57:49):
Lot of Yeah, that was on the West side of Chicago.
We publicized that in our last week's show.
Speaker 17 (57:56):
That's how I found out about it. Jerrold If it
was for you guys ever know them, And so I
was able to also get in touch with some other
people and we attended and it was amazing to see
the young people. And you know, the thing I love
about youth is energy. They have energy, and what we
(58:18):
must do is Yahweh's people, we have to direct that
energy into positiveness. The way we do that is, as
Carla said before, we got to deal with the truth.
And more and more young people are waking up to
the truth, our true history, who we really are. We
are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac Jacob. Yahweh is our God.
(58:39):
We have always done great things. We're gonna do a
lot of great things. But we gotta tell our youth
the truth. And we got to motivate them through positiveness,
you know. And I see it happening. I see it happening.
Uh More and more of our youth they're realizing that
they are Hebrew Ins the life, and they are God
(59:00):
chosen people and their God. And you know, the positive
is going to outweigh the negative.
Speaker 2 (59:09):
It's going to and and I just believe that that
has to be a universal uh declaration there in terms
of to be in terms of I agree. But but
the prose what I don't want this to be a
platform just for proselytizing. I think that you bring out great,
(59:30):
great statements because there's states, their state, there are statements
that are based on reality, and they're also based on
common sense and so but when you get into the
realm of proselyti then then you know, I want this
to be something that everybody can digest, Hank, and you
(59:52):
know these great solutions.
Speaker 17 (59:55):
Okay, you know for yourself there the number one gives
the Bible the will reached.
Speaker 4 (01:00:02):
The Bible and.
Speaker 2 (01:00:05):
I read it every day. But but I don't want
or direct or direct people into what I believe. I
just believe that, you know, foundations in terms of morality,
foundations in terms of truth seeking are universal. But I
appreciate you, you know I do my brother. So on
the other side of the break, I want people to
(01:00:26):
call in right now because we keep on coming up
with the saying in terms of our children are our future,
well guess what we need to deal with the good
and the bad. And unfortunately, far too many times what
gets publicized is the violence that erupts when large gatherings
(01:00:47):
of the young people occur, and then, unfortunately, instead of everything
ending out oki dokie, it tends to go toward violence.
What can be done to give them freedom to gather,
but at the same time make sure that the public
is safe. Call us right now at eight three three
(01:01:08):
five nine one V one O three. We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (01:01:12):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now toll free at eight three three five nine
one V.
Speaker 14 (01:01:20):
One O three.
Speaker 1 (01:01:22):
Now back to Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. Share what's
on your mind, toll free at eight three, three, five
nine one V one O three.
Speaker 2 (01:01:32):
And welcome back. Time check for you right now to
seven twenty and fifty seven degrees. We are joined in
our reporters roundtable by Kimbille with the Better Government Association's
Illinois Awareness Project, Deborah Douglas, who is a professor as
well as director of the Solution's Journalism Hub at Northwestern University,
and doctor Jerry McNair, a school administrator, as well as
(01:01:53):
columnists for the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. We're
talking about what needs needs to be done to provide
opportunities for our teams and light of team takeovers, We're
going to go directly to the phone lines right now
and here from a first time caller. It is Kevin,
who is calling us from Miami, I believe, but is
(01:02:15):
a native of Chicago and also happens to be a
first time caller. Kevin, thanks for being the first time
caller you're comment to question this morning.
Speaker 11 (01:02:23):
Hey, thank you so much for taking call. Darrell love
your show. I just just wanted to say there, I'm
a little disappointed, you know, with obviously what's going on
with these team takeovers, but I really think this is
a parenting problem. You know, you know how I grew
up in Chicago, and I think how we grew up
in Chicago back in the day, our parents were whether
(01:02:43):
it was one parent or two parents or you know,
four parents from an honor to uncle, they were involved
in things like this, and not for these things not
to happen. You know, we can look at the generation
and the age of the kids, and let's just be
honest of the kids that are down there, okay, and
let's not mix these kids with good kids.
Speaker 17 (01:03:02):
Okay.
Speaker 11 (01:03:03):
I've heard some of the interviews from these kids. When
they do speak, they can barely speak, okay, they can
barely read, and they shouldn't be down here at three am.
So we can certainly find spaces and things for these
guys to do things that we've said all of our
life as part of Chicago. But this is purely a
parenting problem. And that's my comment about this. And I'm
(01:03:26):
surprised that we're not putting more responsibility on the parents
of these kids that are out at three am at places. Okay.
You know, obviously I think this didn't happen for us
because we didn't have the networking and social media and
things like that. But I don't think it would have
happened because if we had different type of parents. Right now,
we have kids that are raising kids, and we're not
(01:03:49):
being honest in our own community about this.
Speaker 2 (01:03:53):
Yeah, you know, also Kevin, and I'm going to pose
and have Jim as well as Debra and Gerald to this.
But it tends to be what I call a macro
participation as opposed to a micro participation. Back in the day,
people did things in a micro level. You hung out
(01:04:17):
in the neighborhood where you lived. You didn't necessarily go
outside the neighborhood, even though I was always an explorer,
but you hung out in the neighborhood where you live.
With the advent of social media and the advent of
almost like what I call an Easter parade mentality, people
want to be seen. They want to be at an
(01:04:38):
event where they can be seen. And because of a
diminution of parenting, let's be very very correct about this,
they had that ability to be out there at times
that they shouldn't. And so Jim, you know, I want
specifically with regard to Kevin, because a lot of matter
of fact, in terms of all the men Brendan Riley. No,
(01:05:00):
I think it was Riley or who else sponsored the curfew.
He's adding in some parental prosecution notes in there, and
in terms of saying that parents need to be held accountable,
but also speak to that macro micro thing that I'm
(01:05:20):
talking about.
Speaker 16 (01:05:22):
Yeah, indeed, So I think there's a few things on
pack here, and I'll I'll just say for starters. So
I don't believe that the vast majority of teenagers who
go to these gatherings are bad kids. I think that
teenagers are looking for places where they can gather and
(01:05:43):
not have to spend money. I think, you know, we
did a sometimes we did a series with the Tribe
last last year talking to teenagers about teen trends, and
they talked about how in their neighborhoods a lot of
the time there's not there are no spaces for them
to go. And when they go downtown or to more
affluent neighborhoods like Hyde Park, there are no spaces they
(01:06:04):
can go where they and not have to spend money
to be there. And so during the summer kids get
together and want to be seen and hang out in
parks along beaches, and then you know, when you get
a certain just a critical mass of people together, there's
gonna be some knuckleheads in the crowd. And one of
the problems that we have in America is that there
(01:06:25):
are far too many guns, and all of those things
compound and then there are flare ups of violence, and
the easy thing to say is, oh, it's these bad kids,
you know, Oh, we got to blame the parents. I'll
say something about parenting. I was raised by parents who
were very present and you know, who made sure that
we did everything they could do to make sure that
we were on the right path. And when I was
(01:06:46):
in high school, I was dipping out of my window
and going to underground raves and house parties. You know
that that were not regulated. Okay, And so it's you
can you can say what you want about parenting, but
most parents in the commune are good parents. You know,
there's this narrative that all of these babies raising babies
like we've live here in that since the nineties, right,
(01:07:06):
and since the eighties, and when there were these myths
about super predators and all of this, you know, rhetoric
that ultimately is based in racism and despises our children.
And we should let no one despise the youth for
their youth right and instead we should work together as
a society to create spaces for them to love them.
(01:07:28):
You know. One of the things that we talked about
in that series was how also in the nineties when
I was growing up and before then in the eighties,
there were spaces for kids, like there were juice bars
back in the day where kids who were you know,
under twenty one, under eighteen could go and dance, be together,
be in a safe place.
Speaker 4 (01:07:45):
And instead and.
Speaker 2 (01:07:48):
That micro, that micro macro thing that I'm talking about,
because before you did things in the neighborhood, you know.
And I'm of the Baby Boom generation, but let me
tell you, everybody congregated either at the school, the school yard,
or the local y m c A. Or the Salvation
Army that was open, that was the hangout.
Speaker 16 (01:08:10):
Around and a lot of those places just don't exist
anymore for our kids, you know. And the last thing
I want to say too, is we're always in reactive
mode with these team takeovers, like it's always about this
event happened, and how are the.
Speaker 4 (01:08:24):
Police going to get control.
Speaker 16 (01:08:26):
Of these kids? And what are they going to do
punitively to the children and to their parents, and instead,
I think a more generative approach would be to intentionally
support our youth, have the city support our communities, you know,
and create spaces for our kids to.
Speaker 2 (01:08:40):
Be sounds good. Hey, Kevin, I just want to hit
you with this note. I see that you're still being
still on the line there and put Kevin up please
in terms of so I could talk to him and
get a response. Here, I just thought about something at
a team takeover. You know, what's one way to hold
old a kid accountable at a teen takeover? Have the
(01:09:04):
parents of that kid show up. And I can guarantee
you that if the parents of that kid shows up
and the people that know the parents of that kid
show up, those kids that are out there are going
to say, ah, I don't want to be here. There's
mom and dad here, there's mom and dad here. So
(01:09:26):
I just thought about that. Yeah, have parents be involved
in a team takeover and automatically it becomes less of
a chap thing to do. So, hey, Kevin, I just
want to say thank you for being a first time caller,
and also please make sure it's not your last.
Speaker 11 (01:09:43):
My friend, Hey, thank you so much, Thank you so much.
Bo I got put off. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:09:51):
Yeah, well, we appreciate your friend. Thank you much. I'm
going to go to Hope right now. Hope's calling from
the South Side. I'm going to try to get in
as many calls as possible because a lot pretty much full. Hope.
You're come into question this morning.
Speaker 14 (01:10:05):
Good morning. I simply wanted to say, I don't call
them teams takeovers. I call it mob action and criminal
damage to property. I just want to remind your guests
if you have ever had to ride with a loved
one in an ambulance, because the critical issue a role
last week on Roosevelt Romans when there was that mob
(01:10:27):
action at the gateway to the Medical District Rush U
of I Strozer Trauma facilities. I had a sister who
had a stroke on the job teaching grammar school on
the South Side. They took her to the University of Chicago,
got excellent treatment. The same week, we had a mob
action at fifty seventh and make Shore Driver. They had
(01:10:48):
to shut it down. That's another access point to the
University of Chicago. I don't believe we should focus all
of our attention on offenders, violent offenders. There's plenty of
things to do. I'm writing a letter to Tim Duckworth
outgoing center to Durban and incoming hopeful Senator Juliana Stratton,
(01:11:09):
as well as all the US Congressmen in our state,
and I'm going to ask them, could we please consider
so this is going on around the country in certain
cities its things. Can we consider taking away a housing
choice about here. If a parent has a child out
there participating in this and they're convicted, take away link,
(01:11:31):
take away the things that matter. If you are going
to have people committing violent crimes damaging cars, I work.
Speaker 17 (01:11:39):
I pay car insurance.
Speaker 14 (01:11:40):
I don't want to come out and have my car
damage because someone's having a moment. No, their children are
going to be with good children most of the time.
If you had AP classes in high school, you weren't
running around with people getting d's and us because you
had nothing really in common, unless it was at a
party or at gym class. People who run with offenders
(01:12:01):
are going to either be offenders. If you run with
people using drugs, you're going to either use drus otherwise
you have nothing in common.
Speaker 17 (01:12:09):
Nothing.
Speaker 14 (01:12:10):
We need to stop looking at the offenders and trying
to find ways to deal with the problems and with
critical consequences. This is part of it.
Speaker 2 (01:12:19):
Yes, well, listening, I went Deborah to come in quickly there,
because we're talking about parental control, and matter of fact,
in several states and municipalities there is parental control or
responsibility legislation that holds parents more accountable.
Speaker 22 (01:12:39):
Deborah, Well, first of all, I have to say, ditto
everything that Jim said. I'm on team generative approach. I
do think there's a two There are two sides of this.
I do think that there's these are mostly good kids
who are looking for a third spaces, and I don't
think that police presidence necessarily have to be.
Speaker 18 (01:13:00):
About showing up to be putative. It can be supporting,
supporting them in that space, making sure that they gather safely.
The emphasis on the safety part of public safety. Too
often policing gets into the policing part of the game
as opposed to the safety part of the game. And also,
(01:13:22):
I think this is a public health issue. And I
think that the caller was right about controlling the access
points to trauma centers and things like that. But we
can't keep reflecting on the way it was when we
were teenagers. Clearly, this is the way teams are today,
and we need to figure out a wrap around public
(01:13:44):
health approach to responding to the way that they show
up in their spaces. While there are future adults on
training wheels trying to figure out how to navigate in society,
we're the ones who have to change.
Speaker 4 (01:13:58):
And then when we.
Speaker 17 (01:14:02):
Thank you, no, I.
Speaker 2 (01:14:02):
Hear hope, I appreciate you and going to move on
from Hope to yet another first time caller this morning,
and that is Lawrence. Lawrence is calling from the great
City of Harvey. Lawrence, thanks for being the first time caller.
You're on Chicago Speaks. You're coming to question.
Speaker 9 (01:14:20):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 13 (01:14:21):
First of all, my comment is in regards to the
team takeovers, and you know what, the teams. I can't
say all of them are bad. I disagree with what
they're doing. But then when I look back at it,
I think about what was the genius that took our
(01:14:42):
parentem rights away where we could not discipline our kids
the way we wanted to without the fear of them
calling nine to one one since somebody put that in
their heads. Now, when I was growing up, I was
a young guy, I used to play with stick matches
and one day I chopped one on my dining room,
(01:15:02):
my aunt's dining room table claw, and it caught fire.
Speaker 11 (01:15:07):
My aunt whooped my butt for days.
Speaker 13 (01:15:11):
And believe me, I've never done that ever.
Speaker 11 (01:15:15):
Again in my life.
Speaker 13 (01:15:17):
And I came out pretty good, but.
Speaker 4 (01:15:22):
For days.
Speaker 2 (01:15:22):
But I can understand the butt with them.
Speaker 13 (01:15:25):
Yeah, But the disciplinary action that we're deprived of as
parents is a big factor in why these children act
the way they do today. And that's my belief because
with no discipline at home, sure is easy to blame
the parents for what the kids do, but they you know,
(01:15:47):
the genius whoever came up with that is enabling them
because with no disciplinary action, they're going to do what
they want.
Speaker 11 (01:15:56):
To do, and half the time is wrong.
Speaker 13 (01:15:59):
And my second I have I.
Speaker 2 (01:16:01):
Have an individual lawrence, Yeah, I have. I have an
individual who is uniquely qualified to address some of the
things you just spoke about, and that's doctor Gerald McNair
because he spent his life as a school administrator and
educator and he also writes about it in the Sun
Times in Chicago Tribune. Doctor McNair, Uh it, you got
(01:16:24):
to be careful there about discipline, because how I was disciplined,
I really didn't employ those same techniques that my great
grandmother did in terms of YO, go out there and
get a switch. So I didn't light your behind, know,
but right, But there is a sense that there are
other modalities of discipline that can be employed that hopefully
(01:16:47):
also strikes the fear of God in somebody. But in
terms of what Lawrence is saying, there is a need
for discipline because correction helps us in the right direction, Doctor.
Speaker 4 (01:16:59):
McNair, it really does.
Speaker 19 (01:17:00):
And I know who we are up against the clock,
But I will say two things can be true at
the same time, and it's just about ballance, you know,
as my fellow panelist said, the need we have to
continue to invest in our youth. But at the same
time there has to be some form of accountability. When
you have five police officers were ran down or ran over.
Speaker 4 (01:17:23):
By a teenager, Yeah, we can't have that. You just
simply can't have that.
Speaker 19 (01:17:29):
And so in theory you're right, and more in theory
in practicality is who we want to continue to invest
in our youth and want to create safe spaces, but
when they go awrid, the question becomes what do we do?
And I know the DC Attorney General, she spoke unequivocally
about parental accountability Brian Hopkins the Second War.
Speaker 4 (01:17:49):
Alder minutes talking about parental country.
Speaker 2 (01:17:51):
It was actually Hopkins who comes up with the legislation
in terms of purview, and.
Speaker 4 (01:17:57):
I know exactly what you meant.
Speaker 19 (01:17:58):
And so there can be a conversation about some form accountability,
but that has to be on the table. You can't
have a city, you can't have municipalities where teenagers are
called in this kind of harm and economic implications and
violence and say well, we have to get we got
to invest in our youth.
Speaker 4 (01:18:13):
Again.
Speaker 19 (01:18:14):
Two things can be right at the same time, but
there has to be balanced. This has to be balanced, because.
Speaker 4 (01:18:20):
This is this is great.
Speaker 2 (01:18:22):
I agree with you, go ahead.
Speaker 13 (01:18:25):
I certainly you agree with you, But I also I
feel strongly about the disappearance of discipline from indeed the
parent parent parentals and discipline because the stars out young.
Speaker 2 (01:18:41):
Yes, and Lawrence, I want to try to fit in. Hey, Lawrence,
I want to fit in. Try to fit in one
extra call there. But I appreciate you being the first time.
Speaker 13 (01:18:49):
Calling the bears. Can I think one more thing about the.
Speaker 4 (01:18:55):
Go ahead?
Speaker 13 (01:18:55):
I can't even afford a ticket to see the Bears,
so I really don't care where they go. I'm gonna
be honest. I want to I want to go. I
want to take my family. For Jesus Christ. I don't
have five hundred dollars, you know, and I can't buy here.
Speaker 20 (01:19:14):
What is that twelve months there? You even know?
Speaker 13 (01:19:17):
So I go wherever they go and thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:19:22):
Get a case of slits there before it's all gone.
Speaker 20 (01:19:28):
Thank you, guys, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:19:31):
And I want to try to squeeze into this last
call with somebody that has spent his life dedicated to
trying to steer kids in the right direction. And that's
how good friend, brother Hall, Brother Hall, pleasure to talk
to you. Haven't heard from you in a while, my friend.
Speaker 23 (01:19:45):
Yes, I've been a little while.
Speaker 2 (01:19:48):
Daryl.
Speaker 24 (01:19:48):
I certainly always appreciate your perspective and you get, uh,
dyl is very clear man that what we have to
do about is keep this thing real. And one of
the ways we can do that that is understanding.
Speaker 11 (01:20:01):
We have seventy seven communities out of the twenty.
Speaker 24 (01:20:04):
Of those communities, which is African Americans, and I'm not
just trying to down them, but there's a disadvantage.
Speaker 20 (01:20:11):
I tell them see that as well.
Speaker 24 (01:20:12):
And I was like, no, that's because I have young
kids in twenty six, twenty eight years old and they
tell me about it.
Speaker 17 (01:20:19):
So he is what I'm saying.
Speaker 24 (01:20:21):
Until we even the plan field in terms of goods
and services and those.
Speaker 23 (01:20:27):
Seventy seven lords soon to be seventy eight, then we're
gonna have this problem. And to label with Keen takeover, No,
that's not Keen's older people as well out there supporting
that pushback. Why are they doing that?
Speaker 11 (01:20:45):
Take for residence, Take the top district.
Speaker 24 (01:20:50):
You got in the black community, twenty four dollars.
Speaker 23 (01:20:55):
You tagging on to four people, But that's not it.
Speaker 17 (01:20:59):
It's one of those community. When you go to other communities,
they don't have no twenty four out attack.
Speaker 23 (01:21:05):
So if we're not going to look at the disparities
on terms on whether the plan bill is even or not,
then it's never going to work. We're not for people
jumping on cars and doing all that.
Speaker 12 (01:21:19):
Man, We ain't with that.
Speaker 23 (01:21:22):
But I think that we should think about opening.
Speaker 11 (01:21:26):
Up our centers.
Speaker 20 (01:21:27):
Make sure there's a part just to stay open the
ten o'clock.
Speaker 24 (01:21:30):
We got to engage the police department, parents and all.
Speaker 23 (01:21:34):
Well, you know the business dere you just got to
talking about we remember when the OAR sizes and the
YMCA and all these these agencies.
Speaker 2 (01:21:45):
But once again that's true, brother Hull. But I call
it the Coachella impact, Bro, because people go to Coachella
and not so much for the music. They go there
to be seen and see other people. And that's really
what this is about. Because everybody there, there are examples
of exhibitionism that go on at these times. Oh look
(01:22:08):
at that. Let's look what she has on. Look what
he has on? Oh wow wow. So there is that
element there and we have to we have to take
a multi pronged approach at this and I appreciate you.
I apologized that I couldn't get to the rest of
the callers because of the time constraints this morning. But
I want to thank Jim Daily as well as Deborah
Douglas and doctor Jerald McNair for the tremendous work you
(01:22:29):
do continue on in the struggle to provide truth in journalism.
Coming up on the other side of the break, we
are going to celebrate Men's Health Awareness Month with a
special event that is going to take place right around
Juneteenth in Jackson Park and it's not associated with the
(01:22:50):
Obama Foundation or the Obama Presidential Center. But it's something
you'll want to attend. Please stay with us.
Speaker 1 (01:22:58):
Chicago Speaks What Darrel. You can voice your opinion right now,
toll free at eight three three five nine to one
V one O three. 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 oh three.
Speaker 2 (01:23:18):
Here's a question for you. What do you consider to
be the most important aspect of your life? If you're
like many, you would say it's family and loved ones,
and maybe faith. Yet when it comes to health, black
men in America would put it as a concern that
is at the lower rung of the latter and many times,
far too many times often ignored well. June is Men's
(01:23:41):
Health Awareness Month, and joining us this morning to discuss
a must tend event that is targeting black men's health
and wellness is LeVar Howe. He's the director of communications
with the National Censor for Urban Solutions, to talk to
us about the national with local impact Black Men's will
Wellness Day. LeVar, how are you doing?
Speaker 25 (01:24:02):
I'm doing pretty good man. How about you?
Speaker 2 (01:24:04):
Good? First of all, I want to commend you guys
in terms of bringing awareness to the necessity of Black
men considering their health. Talk to me about what is
Black Men's Wellness Day.
Speaker 5 (01:24:17):
So Black Men's Wellness Day is a national initiative under
the African American Male Wellness Agency that focuses on improving
the health and life expectancy of Black men. So we
bring the community together for free health screenings, a five
K run and walk resources and really just encourage Black
men to take charge of their physical, mental, and overall wellness.
Speaker 2 (01:24:40):
And when it comes to dealing with wellness, the statistics
are staggering in terms of Black men's denial as well
as ignorance when it comes to taking care of their health.
Speaker 25 (01:24:51):
It's important for us black men.
Speaker 5 (01:24:54):
I mean, I'm a black man, so it's important for
myself as well as all of us to take charge
of our health, and especially when it comes to Chicago.
So a lot of Black men in Chicago, they need
to come to Black Min's Health Black means Wellness Day
because from what we're seeing, the health disparities.
Speaker 25 (01:25:11):
Are very alarming.
Speaker 5 (01:25:12):
You know, last year we had a Black Miss Moonda's
Stay event in Chicago and eighty seven percent of the
men who were screened at Black Missuela Stay had elevated
or high blood pressure, and men between the ages of
thirty and sixty four made them seventy five percent of
those cases.
Speaker 2 (01:25:27):
Now that's incredible, And when we talk about African American
male health, seventy percent are more likely to die definitive
diseases than white men. You know, we're talking about diseases
like hypertension, diabetes, arthritic conditions, unfortunate dependence on mood altering substances.
(01:25:49):
So talk to me about specifically what is going to
happen during these free comprehensive health screenings.
Speaker 5 (01:25:56):
Black men as well as any man, anybody who wants
to attend, and they're going to be able to get
their blood pressure checked, They're going to be able to
get their spine checked just in case if if they're
having any type of flexibility issues. They're going to be
able to get their height and weight, there be the biometrics.
They're going to be able to get a holistic health
(01:26:19):
and wellness check just to make sure that they're indeed
healthy or that they need immediate access to care. That
tells us that too many black men are walking around
with serious health risks, it can lead to depths. So
through Black Men's Wellness Day, we're essentially just saying not
on our watch.
Speaker 25 (01:26:36):
So by vian black men.
Speaker 5 (01:26:38):
Opportunities for those free health screenings, they're going to know
their numbers and they're going to have that access to
immediate care because we want them to live longer.
Speaker 2 (01:26:46):
This really is a national movement when you look at it.
I'm looking at all of the cities that are going
to be participating in this Wellness Day event. You have Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Texas,
Roy Louisville, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Saint Louis, Tampa, Youngstown. It
(01:27:06):
really is almost like building a national coalition for wellness absolutely.
Speaker 5 (01:27:11):
I mean, and to be honest, our community partners are
the healthcare organizations, are sponsors. They play a very pivotal
role in this movement. You know, community partners and sponsors
like Pfizer, Jena, Tech, Johnson and Johnson, Eli, Lilly, our
partners in Chicago, you know, and all of our other
(01:27:31):
partners across the whole entire movement. We help them reach
and engage a population that is often underserved, while they
help us scale access to screenings and resources.
Speaker 2 (01:27:43):
Yeah, we want to tell people that they can get
all the information they need at AA Wellness dot org
Forward slash Chicago. Once again, that website is AA Wellness
dot Org Forward Slash Chicago And the event itself is
also going to celebrate black men's health. It's not just
(01:28:03):
about an examination, but it's also about a celebration in
terms of a day that's going to be filled on Saturday,
June twentieth with numerous activities.
Speaker 5 (01:28:13):
We want thousands of black men to, you know, one
take the proactive step and focus on their health.
Speaker 25 (01:28:20):
I mean, we really call this event it's the It's
the most thing you'll ever.
Speaker 5 (01:28:24):
Have at a doctor's appointment where we're literally bringing the
clinic to the community. And that's been our approach since
we started. And the success doesn't for us. It's not
based on the thousands of people that are going to
be at the event. You know, we're going to have vendors,
we're going to have a kid zone, we're going to
have a senior pavilion, We're going to have it's going.
Speaker 25 (01:28:46):
To be an event where everybody.
Speaker 5 (01:28:48):
In the family, the whole entire community could come out
and that's great, But the long term.
Speaker 25 (01:28:53):
Success that we look at, that we measure is.
Speaker 5 (01:28:56):
The behavior, is the behavior and change and outcomes, because
we want to see more Black men going forward, going
from crisis driven to preventive care.
Speaker 2 (01:29:07):
And that is the key is to know ahead of time.
It's the adage that says an ouse of prevention is
worth more than a pound of cure. And I just
want to commend you guys, because you couldn't be more
precient in terms of forward thinking than having it at
Jackson Park, which is the hotspot because during June we're
(01:29:29):
also going to have the opening of the Obama Center.
Speaker 5 (01:29:32):
I mean, it's definitely a trifecta. As you say, you know,
we celebrate men's health in June and black men as well.
This day it's a movement built specifically for black men.
So by being at Jackson Park, we're meeting men where
they are to build and continue to build trust, you know,
(01:29:53):
being able to turn awareness into real action and long
term care.
Speaker 2 (01:29:57):
And the wonderful thing is that all well.
Speaker 25 (01:30:00):
This is free, Yes, one hundred percent free.
Speaker 2 (01:30:02):
I love what you talked about meeting people right where
they are and it's not just the event itself, but
you have several activities leading up to the event, like
the Chicago Faith Leader's Breakfast that takes place on May thirtieth,
And I know that for those that are listening right
now and it's already June first, that was an event
(01:30:23):
that was overwhelming.
Speaker 25 (01:30:24):
It was a great event. And then moving forward, we
have another event, the Leadership, Legacy and Wellness Mixture that's
focusing on Black Men's Wellness Day here in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:30:35):
Yeah, and it's free and it's something that has taking
place right at ten five hundred South Halsted Street at
a spot called Lyre's Cafe that is an excellent spot
for people to get together and to also talk about
the importance of men's health. But also if you want
to be involved in these committee meetings, these meetings at
(01:30:55):
least once a week leading up to the event that
has taken place on Saturday, June twentieth at Jackson Parks,
so you can build momentum. It's a momentum that we
want sustain throughout the entire year.
Speaker 25 (01:31:09):
Absolutely, we don't stop after the event is over.
Speaker 5 (01:31:12):
You know, the event is from seven am to twelve pm,
and at twelve pm, it's not like you know, everybody
patch up their bags, they go home.
Speaker 25 (01:31:19):
Mission is complete.
Speaker 5 (01:31:21):
This mission is you know, it's going on twenty four
to seven, three sixty five, three sixty six, an elite year.
So even after we're done with the event, we're starting
to look at the impact. We're starting to touch base
with those individuals, especially that needed immediate care, they needed
immediate access to care.
Speaker 25 (01:31:39):
We're touching base with them. We're conducting those follow ups.
Speaker 5 (01:31:42):
We are organizing the Next Black Men as well as
Day in twenty twenty seven, and we are engaging with
those committee meet committee members, and typically during those events,
right after those events, we have dozens of people that
want to be a part of the event that's going
to take place the following year. Sponsors are our biggest
advocates because with their impact on these events, they are
(01:32:06):
able to elevate these stories when you see them in
the commercials that are affiliated with the African American Mail
Wellness Agency, when you see them engaging directly with the community.
And that's honestly, that's one of the main reasons why
a lot of our sponsors in healthcare organizations like the
ones that I mentioned, those you know, billion dollar companies,
they really engage.
Speaker 25 (01:32:26):
With us because we have that trust with the community.
Speaker 2 (01:32:29):
Because it saves lies. But it also saves money, yes,
because yes, it costs a whole heck of a lot
less to help catch a disease in its early stages
and maybe, in many cases be able to correct it
than trying to treat it when it becomes terminal or
more severe.
Speaker 25 (01:32:49):
Exactly, we're focused on preventative healthcare.
Speaker 2 (01:32:52):
Sounds good. Well, it's a call that I'm going to issue,
and it's a call to join the movement. The movement
is take place in the Black Wellness event that is
taking place on Saturday, June twentieth, from seven to twelve
pm at Jackson Park. All you have to do is
visit their website. It's Aawellness dot org forward slash Chicago
(01:33:15):
once again, Aawellness dot org forward slash Chicago LaVar. We
thank you so much for joining us this morning.
Speaker 25 (01:33:22):
Thank you, I appreciate it, and everybody please come through.
Speaker 2 (01:33:26):
Well, that wraps up this edition of Chicago Speaks. As always,
I want to thank my guests, but 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 sister station with the Black Information Network
at WBI NAM six forty Right now, get ready to
get your praise on what Sonya Blakey. I'm Darryl Dennar.
(01:33:48):
We'll see You're back here beginning at six am for
another edition of Chicago Speaks. Please be sure to take
care of yourself.
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 nine one v one oh three. The views
and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the station,
it's management, sponsors, or iHeartMedia Ink.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Hello and welcome to Chicago Speaks, our communications condo WIT
for speaking to the issues impacting our community. I'm your host,
Darryl Denard. It is Sunday, May thirty first, twenty twenty six.
Mostly cloudy and mild today with the high in the
low to mid seventies. Currently it's fifty seven degrees. With
the unofficial start to summer underway, we're going to focus
(00:41):
on summer activities. June mark's the final day in class
for a majority of areas students. We'll take your calls
on plans to make the city streets safer and enjoyable
in light of the reality of team takeovers. We'll also
discuss how violence intervention programs are having a positive impact
in making the streets safer. June also marks Father's Day
(01:04):
in National Men's Health Awareness Month. Will tell you about
an important men's health event taking place in Jackson Park.
So as is the case every Sunday morning, there's a
lot to speak to and we begin with making Strides
to End Gun Violence. When we look at violence prevention,
particularly gun violence, we have to take a holistic approach
(01:25):
and that means that everybody, all hands need to be
on deck, but also it requires some of the foot
machines to come into play. And to that end, it
is my pleasure this morning to talk about an exciting
event that has been around for over a decade. It's
called Strides for Peace. And joining us this morning to
(01:48):
talk about the thirteenth annual Strides for Peace Run to
End Gun Violence is Ruby Lane, who is the communications director.
Ruby a pleasure to talk to you this morning. How
are you doing.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I am doing wonderful. Thank you so much, Daryl. We
appreciate this opportunity in the platform.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So talk to me in terms of what exactly is
Strides for Peace.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Strides for Peace is a nonprofit organization that was founded
back in twenty fourteen. It was founded by our founding
executive director, Maggie Baskowski, simply to organize organizations across the
city who were doing work in gun violence prevention and
(02:32):
community violence intervention. After doing some research, we felt that
the organizations that are actually doing the work and that
are closest to the neighborhoods are the ones who actually
have the answers, and so this organization was founded as
a way to amplify their message and foster collaboration.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
And the wonderful thing about being in the game, so
to speak, for at least a few years, is that
only recently have you really been able to see the
results in the fruition of your labor, because for so long,
just three or four years ago, we were dealing with
(03:13):
also as a result of the pandemic, but we were
dealing with these extraordinarily high numbers with regard to violence
and gun violence. And then if we just use as
a barometer, last year we had the fewest amounts of
gun violent incidents that take place not only Memorial Day
but really throughout the whole year in decades. So I
(03:36):
know that has to make you feel good.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
That's a testament to the work that the outreach workers,
the community leaders, all of the organizations Southwest Northeast that
are working tirelessly trying to intervene where there's conflict happening
and trying to sort of be an intermediarya when it
comes to any sort of retaliatory shoe. And so these
(04:02):
organizations that we work with have been doing this work
for over two decades and so it is their work
that is obviously being amplified right now, and that's why
we're seeing, you know, obviously some reduction in crime, and
of course obviously with you know, law enforcement uh there
as well. But I think that we have to give
(04:25):
credit to the workers, the outreach workers, all of those
community based organizations who are out there on a daily
basis who are really trying to intervene and that in
some cases, you know, their lives are at risk when
they're trying to mediate conflict. And so we're just thankful
that Strides for Peace has a platform where we can
(04:46):
kind of bring all of those organizations together to come
and help them fundraise, because fundraising obviously has been really critical.
There have been funds that have been cut, and so
the Race against gun violence is that opportunity for them
to come together to raise unrestricted funds so that they
can keep on doing the work.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Let's speak specifically about this year's event, which has taken
place on Thursday next Thursday, June fourth.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
That is correct, Yes, they're all Thursday June fourth. We'll
probably have close to two thousand individuals in Grant Park
Upper Hutchinson Field for a day of community and unity.
This day brings together all of those organizations that have
resources from you know, as far south as atgel Gardens
(05:35):
to you know as far west as Austin to come
together and to really see the work that is being
done across the city.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
This is a movement.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
It's not just a race to raise fund but it's
showing that communities can come together and organize themselves to
try to tackle this violence that has obviously afflicted our communities.
And so we're excited to share that there'll be an
ak race, a five k race, a two mile walk,
and Kids for Peace sprint where individuals can sign up
(06:09):
to run in the race and all of the funds
that they raise for the race go directly back to
these organizations which are serving the communities. So it's a
fun day. We have food trucks out there, there's entertainment,
we have a resource fare, and it's a good race
for a great cause.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Now, when does all of the action start, so the race.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
We open the grounds at five pm on Thursday. That's
when our vendors start moving in setting up everything. The
race kicks off promptly at six point thirty.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
It will take a.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Course along Lakeshore Drive, Columbus five. It's an evening race
because we found that what better way to come together
on a Thursday evening in June in Chicago doing Gun
Violence Awareness Month to come together as one community to
just you know, race along Lake Shore and see Chicago's
(07:05):
beautiful skyline.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
I think that that is a fantastic idea and it
couldn't be done without some very very supportive sponsors. Talk
about them because I think they need credit here.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Absolutely absolutely. This year's race is made possible thanks to
the generous support of our sponsors, the University of Chicago,
Medicine Rays, Coca Cola Bottling, the Cook County Trauma Recovery
and Injury Prevention, our Way Long Growth Confections, and the
Cook County Justice Advisory Council, just in a few. I mean,
(07:39):
everyone really wraps their arms around this race because this
is something.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
That we all realize as a need, and.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
So we're just happy to continue to host it. This
is our thirteenth year. Some of the organizations walk away
from this event raising over thirty five thousand dollars, and
we know that those funds are critical in these times
when you're trying to keep your doors open or if
you're trying to cover programming for the summer. Chicago obviously
(08:07):
has had a history of you know, the summer months
can be very challenging, and so all the funds that
are raised for the race go directly back to these
organizations which are serving our community.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
You know, there's been this talk, of course and the
reality of so called team take or gruth spread. This
is an opportunity to take your team to an evening
event where hopefully they can be surrounded by other teams
and engaging in something positive to shed a positive light
(08:39):
on what they're all about.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Absolutely, we have a number of teams that come. Some
of the male organizations that are there, Champs Mentoring, My
Brother's Keeper, Youth Guidance, Cedia Ferries, Mentoring, CRED. Yes, all
the organizations come out with their young men and their
young women and they run and so to see that
sea of humanity you know of Chicago, it really celebrates
(09:07):
what Chicago is and who we are, and so I'm
just excited to be a part of this event and
I just can't wait for everyone to come out next Thursday,
June fourth, to see it in action.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
And what is the best way for people to find
out not only to participate, but also to support the organization.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yes, you can go directly to our website Strides for
Peace dot org that strides s t R I d E,
S F O R P E a CE dot org.
Speaker 5 (09:39):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
There you can look at a number of charities who
are raising funds. These organizations have this healthy competition going
on because they're trying to raise funds for programs and
for operational costs and things of that nature. But if
you go to our website, you can register. We're still
taking more individuals who want to run in the race.
It's going to be probably a beautiful Thursday next week.
(10:00):
I'm hopefully predicting that. But it's an opportunity for us
to come together as one community and show unity in
this race against gun violence.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
We appreciate your support.
Speaker 3 (10:11):
This couldn't be possible without our media partners, so we
thank you.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
I heard media.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
CBS Chicago is back again this year with j'mon Terry
hosting it, and so it's just a beautiful celebration of
what we can do.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
As a city when we come together. Thank you so much, Darryl.
I appreciate this.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Bye now bye. Coming up, we'll tell you how violence
interruption programs are helping to make Chicago streets safer. Please
stay with us.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now, toll free at eight three three five nine
to one V one O three. Now back to Chicago
Speaks with Daryl Dinard, Share what's on your mind, toll
free at eight three three five nine one V one
oh three.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Welcome back. It's Sunday, May thirty first then fifty seven
degrees and you're listening to Chicago Speaks. It's often said
that it takes a village to raise a child. Well,
it definitely takes a unified effort to have Chicago wrap
its arms around ending and ceasing gun violent Here now
is our intern with North Watstern University, Anna Selina with more.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
Anna, this is an acellinary reporting for Chicago' Speaks and
Chicago Insight. Gun violence continues to impact communities across Chicago,
not only for physical harm, but through lasting emotional trauma,
disrupted families, and cycles of instability that can affect generations.
While public conversations often focus on crime statistics or headlines,
community organizations across the city are working at the street
(11:43):
level to prevent violence before it happens and support those
most affected by it. Groups like the Institute of Non
Violence Chicago use outwitch workers, trauma informed care mentorship, and
conflict intervention to help individuals and communities heal and create
safer futures, including outreach professionals and individuals directly impacted by
(12:03):
the programs. The conversation you're about to hear explores what
violence prevention really looks like, why trust and community relationships matter,
and how intervention efforts can change lives.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
And thanks Anna and joining us this morning to talk
about some of the positive impact that these non violent
interrupted groups have been making in terms of helping to
reduce gun violence in Chicago. We are joined this morning
by members of the Institute for Nonviolent Chicago. They include
ni Kenya Hardy, who is an associate director of outreach
(12:35):
and Intervention. We also have Devin Stampley, who is an
outreach worker. We also have Brandon Ellis, who is a
former participant, and also Sunda Collins, who is the vice
president of communications and development joining us this morning. I
guess I want to begin first with you, Sunda, in
terms of you being the vice president of development and
(12:57):
communications there. What exactly is the mission and when was
the institute founded.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
The emission of the institute is we are looking to
end cycles of violence in communities, specifically but not limited
to gun violence, and so we do that through engagement
every single day and about thirty communities within our network.
(13:24):
There's about eighteen organizations within our network that serve about
thirty communities, and our mission is to end gun violence,
really focusing and targeting the cycles that start the violence
and the conflicts and community. We've been around for ten
years specifically.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
That's an extraordinary amount of time in terms of dealing
specifically with ending gun violence, and I guess that sometimes
progress goes slowly, but at least over the last year
or so, there's been tremendous benefits to the violence prevention efforts,
particularly here in Chicago, but also throughout a lot of
(14:06):
major metropolitan areas.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
Absolutely, it may definitely seem like it's happening overnight, but
this effort. It started, I mean well before ten years ago,
just with just the concept of violence interruption, but it
really did evolve about ten years ago with two major things.
I think really the intention around collaboration across different organizations,
(14:33):
different neighborhoods, and making an effort to include these holistic interventions,
the daily street outreach, the quick response when there is
an incident, going to the hospitals, making sure that we
have ways to connect directly to some of the street groups,
(14:56):
and then making sure we have resources available for people
to either trans to or just know that they are
available if they find themselves in a situation where they
could choose violence or they want to choose something different.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
Now, Nick, can you talk to me about how you
became involved with the program. You're the associate director of
Outreaching Interventions.
Speaker 8 (15:18):
I got involved with violence prevention before it was CBI.
I actually was working in two thousand and five with Ceasefire.
Speaker 9 (15:26):
I started as an outreach worker.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
My cousin may He Rest in Peace car Bell and
our now trainer at the Institute of Non Violence Chicago,
Alfonso Prater, had came and offered me a position as
an outreach worker.
Speaker 9 (15:40):
In two thousand and five for cease fire.
Speaker 8 (15:42):
And I joined the movement then, but I joined the
Institute of Non Violence and twenty seventeen in August as
an outreach worker, and since then, since then, I've been
promoted like five times another Associates Director outreach.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
What has it meant for you to actually see the
fruits of your labor coming to fruition.
Speaker 9 (16:07):
It actually meant a lot to me, right.
Speaker 8 (16:10):
It let me see that something that I always had
a passion of doing it, which was giving back.
Speaker 9 (16:15):
And trying to help and rutify my community. Right.
Speaker 8 (16:18):
The Institute made me know that my passion is not
just my passion, but it became my purpose after me
putting in the effort, the time and to these young
men and seeing the impact that I was having on them,
changing their life and not worrying about them ever returning
the street again due to the time and dedication that
I put into them. It let me see my purpose.
(16:41):
It made me wanted to do it more. It made
me wanted to be involved more. It made me really
see that CBI is really working and it's changing these
young men and women's lives.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Then you're an outreach worker. What brought you into the fold.
Speaker 10 (16:56):
I was released from prison and I came to the
Instute and Violence. I first started off in a re
entry program that they had where they taught me tools
like resume building, cover letters and stuff like that, mock
interview skills and stuff like that for me to land
a job. You know, I ended up applying for a job,
a vicom service job with institute where I responded to incidents,
(17:20):
reached out to family members, helped them get the resources
at the city provided as as far as a couplement.
Speaker 9 (17:25):
Of victum FUM and stuff like that. And then I
became an outreach worker.
Speaker 10 (17:28):
But my true mission was me to get back to
the community that I tore down when.
Speaker 11 (17:33):
I was younger.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
And what has it meant for you to see lives
changed and lives saved as a result of the work
that you do there at the institute.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
It means a lot to me. Man. I have participants.
Speaker 10 (17:45):
I have a caseload of about sixteen participants that I
interact with weekly and daily. I do one on one
check ins, I do phone call check ins, we do
group outings and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
And what does that mean not only for you but
also for the participant to have that regular communication.
Speaker 10 (18:04):
It gives me a sense of not just like me
being a worker, It gives a sense of like a connection.
Speaker 9 (18:10):
We have a connection.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
We have a connection.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Brendan, You're a form of participant. Talk about how this
particular involvement with the Institute for Non Violence helped change
your life.
Speaker 12 (18:21):
Man, what I can say is that havn't Devin ni
Kenya like allowing them to help me and guide me
in a direction that I needed to go in because
of the resources that they have and the connection that
they have, it works for the best. Honestly, it makes
you close the door of the path of the streets
(18:42):
and it brings you into a whole new opportunity.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
You know.
Speaker 12 (18:46):
So I drive a truck, I went to school. I mean,
they put me in a program for me to be
able to be a participant. They allow me to get
in this program, and honestly it's been nothing but good.
Like I haven't I haven't had a situation whereas like
I thought about getting back in the streets, Well, nothing
like that. And it's working for me. And I also
(19:06):
have the opportunity to reach out to ni Kenya in Devon.
You know, like I said, if I have any further
questions or anything that I feel like that could be
of some type of health, you know, through the program
me being in the program, I have friends as well
that's been incostrated, and I kind of like push them
towards the Kenyan Devin as well to try to give
(19:29):
them a better opportunity.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
What has it meant for you to be working on
your own and I don't know if you have a
family that you have to support, but being able to
support that family.
Speaker 12 (19:39):
And doing so well, what I can say is is
very humbling, Like come in out of prison knowing that
you're not all the way on your feet. So when
this it does something to my ego, you know, just
as a man, like not being able to provide or
not being able to do certain things. But once they
gave me this opportun soon, you know, I stepped into
(20:01):
it and I poured myself my own into it, you know,
and it's working. Gives like you just said, it gives
me a way to provide for my family. It gives
me a way to be not accessible to the streets.
It gives me resources through Devon and n Kenya. Like
it's all part of depends on the masdset and your
(20:22):
perspective of what it does. Like if you change the
way you think, everything else will fall in line.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
I like that attitude, young man Nick Ken. You we
talked about the fact that one victim of violence is
far too many, and this particular Memorial Day weekend, we
had some thirty six people that were shot, two of
them unfortunately fatally. But yet that's a major reduction in
terms of what we experienced in years past. Talk about
(20:51):
that and why you think your organization helped facilitate those
positive numbers.
Speaker 8 (20:57):
You're right, You're right, that is a major reduction, but
you know, one person is too many, So we still
got a lot of work that we need to do,
and I think that my organization, as well as many
organizations throughout the city, have an impact on that.
Speaker 9 (21:15):
From the time the dedication right that were.
Speaker 8 (21:18):
Putting in into these young men and women, knowing our community,
knowing is who driving the violence? Who knowing who could
be the next person who trying to drive the violence,
and us stepping in, involved in us stepping in and
intervening and trying to help these young men before they
can get a hold to the streets, or even the
ones that is already in the streets, right, presenting them
(21:41):
with resources like Branted just said, like opportunity, right, opportunity
change lives. And that's what our goal is, right. Our
goal is to present these opportunities to.
Speaker 9 (21:50):
These young men and women.
Speaker 8 (21:52):
And when I say opportunities, I mean real opportunities, right,
because all opportunities help, but real opportunities change lives. So
if we could set these young men and women up
with opportunities like trades to help them to get in
a nice task bracket where they don't have to account
on the streets, to provide for their family, where they
can go to work like Branding and come back to
(22:12):
their friends and be a prime example that CBI working.
Speaker 9 (22:16):
Right, This is what changed lives.
Speaker 13 (22:18):
Right.
Speaker 9 (22:18):
It's like each one teach one right.
Speaker 8 (22:20):
So if Brandow come to the neighborhood like you just
see it, and he do right now as we speak,
and we got seven young mans that's in CDL school
right now, right, all because of Branding and his accomplishments
and him telling them and showing them that this will work.
Right now, we have seven young mans who could potentially
become a victim or perpetrator to the streets that's in
(22:41):
school to get their CDLs to.
Speaker 9 (22:43):
Better their life right now.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
And that's what changed lives right opportunity and that's what
we're offering here at MBC.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
Lives are also changed by courage. Devins talk about the
courage that's needed man to go against the grain and
say that, hey, I'm not going to live the so
called street life anymore.
Speaker 14 (23:04):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (23:04):
Well, you know it takes a lot, man, you know,
especially for someone who was accustomed to that. You know,
when you around something so long, you become like a
product of your habitat, you know. So it's just like you,
you have to change the norm. You have to change
the norms. And that's what I did. I changed the norm.
(23:25):
I changed my crowd, I changed who I hang around.
I changed my priority or change my values. I changed
my beliefs and everything.
Speaker 12 (23:31):
That question you just had just ask. I feel like
the program and I'm only use I'm gonna speak on
me like time, tell the people who you are.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
I'm branded.
Speaker 12 (23:42):
It's very easy to get it, get in trouble. It's
very easy to fall back into old patterns. Me getting
my CDLs, it kind of limited the access to me,
you know, or like the possible, it's a possibility but
we when you when you have a job or real
you're dealing with probability. What's the probability of you going
(24:04):
back to doing something that you're making good money. What's
the probability of you getting shot if you where you're
supposed to be. So the possibility, yes, it's there, or
the probability is small. So that's what you want to
kind of.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
Like deal with.
Speaker 13 (24:17):
So you you you you want you.
Speaker 12 (24:19):
Want to deal with the positive things like and like
I said, I once was a person that was like
being on crowns.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
Like I was.
Speaker 12 (24:27):
I was an extrovert. But me being in this job,
it doesn't make me accessible to people that shouldn't be
accessible to me. It doesn't give me the time to
to think about what's going on now to like, as
long as my man is thinking in the positive manner,
I'm gonna continue to move in.
Speaker 9 (24:46):
A positive manner.
Speaker 12 (24:47):
So I got to be math with what what I digest,
whether it's food, music, the things I see, because that
that that can influence me to think of a different pattern.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
I that to change mind and to change direction. And
I know that you have a question.
Speaker 15 (25:03):
Yeah, thank you, Daryl. I have a question for Devin. Actually,
what's one moment from your worker experience that has stayed
with you personally, something that you experienced yourself.
Speaker 10 (25:13):
Okay, I had a participant speak on a participate on me.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
You can speak on both, Go ahead.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
I had a.
Speaker 10 (25:20):
Participant now, a younger guy, man I knew from the neighborhood.
Speaker 6 (25:22):
Man.
Speaker 10 (25:24):
He was involved in the incident where his UH, his
residence was shot up, I believe, and his uncle passed away,
and his best friend was shot and he was gray.
Speaker 11 (25:35):
You know.
Speaker 10 (25:37):
I connected with him, reached out to him. We got
him aside and work force development program UH at the
Instute and non violence. We implemented CBIAS come into behavior
intervention with him. Ultimately, we changed, we changed, we changed
his train of thought. He obtained the CBS. He's been
over the road since he's been working. He's been sustaining
(25:59):
employment for about a year and a half now, man.
Speaker 9 (26:02):
And it just it just it touches.
Speaker 10 (26:05):
My heart with me being able to change, me being
able to help change individual's live you know, turn it
around three sixty, you know. So that's that's one of
the moments that stepped out to me. That was like
one of my first like sunscess stories with a participant, right, because.
Speaker 8 (26:18):
We all we all were once participants, right, we all
had changed our life around in this work and in
this field.
Speaker 9 (26:29):
And it's it's not just us, right, it's a lot.
Speaker 8 (26:32):
It's a lot more people that this organization is helping,
and not just with the answer to like for instance,
we had helped over one hundred and thirty seven participants
obtained a trade in the Austin and West Garfield Park community,
whether it's construction, CDL, HVAC, solar power or whatever trade
(26:53):
that they picked up. But these one hundred and thirty
seven participants was all driving violence because that's our target.
Speaker 9 (27:00):
And we is not.
Speaker 8 (27:01):
Wary about these participants returning back to the streets because
now they have something to lose. Right, They obtained their
certifications in the trade, they picked up nice jobs, They
taking care of their family.
Speaker 9 (27:14):
But what I want to put out there about the
institute that's not out there yet.
Speaker 8 (27:18):
And I am a participant, I mean an employee as well.
At the institute also put their employees back to school.
I obtained my bachelor's degree last year at College Umdown for.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Organizational Leadership and change.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
But we have sixteen participants at the institute of non
violence that picked up or obtained that bachelor's degree, as
well as we have seventeen new employees who is already
current in school who are also finna go and pick
up and finish to pick up.
Speaker 9 (27:51):
Their bachelor's degree.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
And I just wanted to put that out there because
I wanted everyone to know that. Like when I say
the institute is pouring into the community, I really mean
they poured into the community because ninety five percent of
the staff at the institute is from that community that
they working in.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Sand What is the best way for people to find
out not only about the program but how they can
support it.
Speaker 7 (28:15):
Of course, yes, you can go to our website www
dot nonviolence Chicago dot org. That's the best place to
find any information on us, as well as our social
media pages, our Instagram, our Facebook, our LinkedIn. We're pretty
active on all those platforms.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
And what do you say about the future in terms
of those that may say that these programs don't work,
what do you say.
Speaker 7 (28:43):
To them, Sure, well, we have ten years under our
belt now in terms of seeing a reduction. Last year
was the safest year since nineteen sixty five. That is
a trivia to our relentless engagement every day, as well
(29:04):
as our partnership with Traditional Measures of Public Safety professional
understanding with CPD, very strong community of both private and
public government funding and so we have a lot of
support here. But I think one huge thing that is
(29:27):
really true for us is that it is really based
on the individual's decision to make that change, to go
down that path of transformation. We invite them into that
through these cognitive behavioral interventions, through engaging with them every day,
(29:47):
but it really does show up when someone is in
a situation where they have a new job, they have
an opportunity for a job, but now they have a
better chance at retaining it because they've gone through the
process of that cognitive behavioral change. And it's not just about,
you know, getting them into a job, but it's really
(30:09):
about how do they retain how do they create a
life for and or a career around this new mindset shift.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
That sounds good and it is a change for the better.
Shunt Collins, Nick Kenya Hardy, Kevin Stampley, Brendan ellis Ana Selina.
We thank you so much for joining us this morning.
Speaker 7 (30:32):
Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Coming up next, we'll take your calls on the top
news stories of the week, from the mayor leading a
Chicago delegation to Italy for a visit with Pope Leo,
to the city's plans for keeping the streets safe during
what is expected to be a long, hot summer. Call
us right now with your questions or comments at eight
three three five nine one B one oh three. Please
(30:55):
stay with us.
Speaker 1 (30:57):
Chicago Speaks with Darryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now toll free at eight three three five nine
one V one O three V one O three presents
Chicago Speaks with your host, Daryl Dinard. This program is
designed to address issues that affect you.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
Your opinions matter, toll.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
Free at eight three three five nine one V one
O three. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of the station, it's management, sponsors, or iHeartMedia.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
In welcome back, it is six forty eight and we
are live this morning. It is that time of the
morning for you to speak to the issues impacting our
community in our reporters roundtable. And joining us this morning
our Jim Day. He is the state Investigations editor at
the Better Government Association's Illinois Awareness Project. We also have
(31:47):
Deborah Douglass, professor at the Middill School of Journalism as
well as director of the Solutions Journalism Club at Northwestern University,
and doctor Gerald McNair, a school administrator, as well as
columnists for the Chicago Sun Times as well as Chicago Tribune.
Pleasure to have you all join us this morning. I'm
(32:08):
going to have us through our normal ritual, which is
for you to use your journalistic acumen and tell us
about the top three stories that really need to be
on our radar that have happened over the past week,
and maybe hopefully we'll also have some sort of development
in the week to come.
Speaker 16 (32:29):
Of course, with you, Jim, good morning, Daryl, Good morning everybody.
I think the tough stories that are on my mind
this week are, of course the ongoing hostilities with Iran
and this peace deal that they're trying to work out. Locally,
the mayor is or has been at the Vatican visiting
(32:51):
with the Pope and that's been a big story locally.
And then of course we've got this ongoing issue of
team takeovers which flared up recently.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Yeah, as a matter of fact, that pretty much mirrors
my top three there. Deborah Douglas. You are the director
of the Solutions Journalism Hub at Northwestern University. So stories
in terms of tasks, trying to figure out what are
the top news stories that people should be covering and
hopefully providing solutions is right in your Bellywick, So tell
(33:25):
me what you think are the top three stories that
we need to be paying attention to right now.
Speaker 17 (33:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 18 (33:32):
So for an initiated, solutions journalism is a framework in
journalism to cover responses to pressing social issues and finding
out what works. So I am preoccupied with a project
that I've been running with Five Days Dreams throughout the
state under the banner of Healing Illinois, supported by the
Field Foundation, has been looking at the challenge of voting
(33:57):
and the efficacy in safety of mail in voting and
just voting in general, and voter access. And so, you know,
this is more of an evergreen story because we're leading
into the midterms and there was a lot of positive
news to deliver with stories from Capitol News, Illinois Chicago
(34:18):
News Weekly, and Illinois Latino News that across parties, whether
or not you're a Republican or a Democrat or whatever party.
County clerks are really during their due diligence to maintain
the safety of the voting system. So that's a packaging stories.
(34:39):
So that's like one and two, and I would say
number three is teaintainer takeover to me.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Yeah, doctor mcinnair, she had top three.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
To be good to be with you all.
Speaker 19 (34:52):
I would say that the governor gubernatorial race in California
is very.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Important also there.
Speaker 19 (35:02):
Yes, indeed, it is this new approach called the jungle
primary where the top two winners from the voters they
move forward towards the general election in that state. I
think it's a real kind of indicator as to how
the Democrats should move forward in the upcoming presidential election.
(35:24):
You got the progressive versus the moderates. The Republican governor.
I think it's Hilton. He's received about two out of
the ten voters. And we're talking about California, which is
not only the largest state, but it's about twenty.
Speaker 4 (35:39):
Percent of the overall voting population.
Speaker 19 (35:42):
It's going to be interesting to see what becomes of
that because the progressive agenda in the Democratic Party it's
up for discussion. We saw that in the last presidential election,
and so the hope is for the Democrats to move
in that middle because there's space in that middle.
Speaker 4 (36:00):
Think that bear is watching.
Speaker 13 (36:02):
Uh.
Speaker 19 (36:02):
To your point, there are also the mayor's race also,
I would say number two is Madison Square Gardener Nicks
versus the Spurs.
Speaker 14 (36:12):
So we have.
Speaker 2 (36:15):
That's I love with Chicago, but I'm a lifelong New
York Nick. Then I'm sorry to tell that to our audience.
Speaker 4 (36:22):
But think about Mandamie.
Speaker 19 (36:24):
Think about this quote unquote socialist mayor front and center.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Now, yeah, so that's gonna get a lot.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
He went against the Democratic incumbent congressman in terms of
his endorsement. So it's interesting, it will be interesting.
Speaker 4 (36:40):
And and and what's going on? In my third would
bet Illinois politics. I mean, what what's happening?
Speaker 19 (36:45):
I mean, how can uh Indiana move so quickly inefficiently,
and and and and and and more or less pull
the bears in Indiana and we are still.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
Debating to the midnight hour, I mean politics to gridlock.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
We have to do better.
Speaker 19 (37:03):
And that speaks too many issues that Illinois as it
relates to budgeting and so forth. But you know, today
is today. Uh the the it ends today. Uh if
they don't come up with an agreement with the megaproject.
We could very well lose the Bears in Indiana, and
I'm so disappointed that there wasn't a more bipartisan effort.
(37:24):
And I know the Midnight Alvirad Johnson tries to move
and UH reassert the Bear reassach.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Chicago in this discussion, and I know ther d o A.
Speaker 19 (37:37):
It's I'm just so disappointed Illinois politics to lose the Bears,
and it looks like we very well could.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
So those will be my top three.
Speaker 19 (37:46):
And I do echo some of the sentence with the
team takeovers obviously being a school administrator, Uh, the impact
is having on the economy, and it's not just in Chicago,
it's spreading to the suburban areas and outside of the
Chicago area, from DC to Memphis. There's got to be
a more balancet approach about how we curb some of this.
Speaker 4 (38:06):
So those were my top picks.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
Yeah, I would say that for me, the top three
would be, of course, the ever extending goalposts. With regard
to the war in Iran. It seems like every day
we hear about an extension or possible extension, sixty day
extension of the ceasefire, but yet we see where there
(38:30):
are continued bombings on both sides of the talks. And
then it's also a thing where just last week or
the week before last here it was on a Saturday,
in fact, it was headline news where the President and
a lot of the major media outlets we're reporting that
(38:51):
an end to the conflict is near. That you know,
Iran is pretty much, you know, in agreement with the
principles of not only a ceasefire agreement, but in terms
of how to resolve the two major issues that of course,
of plutonium and the other the opening of the Strait
(39:14):
of horr moves. But it just keeps on shifting in
terms of these goalposts here and the second one has
to be team takeovers. And the third is this issue
in terms of dysfunction or procrastinative policy that exists with
(39:35):
regard to what's happening at the state legislature.
Speaker 20 (39:39):
Here.
Speaker 2 (39:40):
It is, this is the final day of the session
and we had yet, Jim to come up with an
agreement in terms of what we want to do with
the bears. Now I have to put in there the caveat,
and that caveat is look, in terms of New York,
you have the New York Jets and the New York Giant,
and even though they have the Moniker in New York,
(40:03):
they haven't played in New York since almost forty or
fifty years. So it's not like if a quick move
over to Hammond is going to change you know, the
fan bases. I believe admiration and following of the team.
(40:25):
So I think that that's part and parcel there. And
to be absolutely honest here all of you is that
you're giving money to people that already have a lot
of money. I hate to say this, but it's the truth.
And so you know, let's just let's let's just talk
(40:46):
about the most pressing issue from a legislative standpoint, and
it's that of whether or not the Bears are going
to be included in terms of this megafunding deal.
Speaker 16 (40:59):
Jim sure, So, as I understand, the issue with the
megaproject's bill is that in order to make it work
for the Bears, lawmakers would have to water down some
aspects of it, and that could jeopardize local school districts,
local government's ability to raise revenue to fund you know,
(41:22):
the infrastructure and other necessary things. And you make a
good point, I think, Darryl is it is it worth
it to lawmakers to reduce their constituents' ability to fund
their municipalities in order to keep a team in Chicago,
you know, in Chicago proper as opposed to in the vicinity.
(41:43):
You know, And and I hate to say it out loud,
but in a team that hasn't won a Super Bowl
in forty years, you know, they're the Bears. I don't
mean to dog too much on the Bears, but the
Bears continually make Chicago Wan's quite sad. And this will
just be the latest chapter in their doing that, you know.
So I think.
Speaker 2 (42:03):
They didn't do badly, They did pretty well, but then.
Speaker 16 (42:05):
They but then they let us down, you know. I
mean last year was certainly exciting, you know. And you know,
I think that the larger issue is whether or not
downstate legislators could be convinced to change this megaproject bill
for the Bears. And you know, the Bears have said
that no matter what's happening, they're not staying in Chicago,
(42:26):
that they're moving to the suburbs, if not Indiana. I
I certainly wouldn't want to see.
Speaker 4 (42:32):
The team go.
Speaker 16 (42:33):
And at the same time, I think, you know, sometimes
as a nation, as a society, we spend a lot
of money and a lot of legislative efforts around sports
teams and making sure that they have what they need,
and like you said, they are they already have the
money and so it'll be interesting to see what comes
out of session. But it's not looking good for for
(42:54):
keeping them in Chicago.
Speaker 18 (42:57):
Yeah, just break is fever. I just want to say
it might be trying time to break the fever dream
of supporting billionaires in their projects, and it's more about
just this particular moment, is about a trend of going forward.
There's a lot of public conversation around supporting the needs
of billionaires and it might be a hard bullet to bite,
(43:21):
but this might be the time. It could be the
start of a new a new movement.
Speaker 2 (43:30):
And Joe your comments here too, because you mentioned it
in terms of the impact that exists from the legislative perspective,
but also the thing I wanted.
Speaker 19 (43:41):
To lose the Bears and it looks like we very
well could. So those will be my top three. And
I do echo some of the sentence with the team takeovers.
Obviously being a school administrator, the impact is having on
the economy, and it's not just in Chicago, it's spreading
to the suburban areas and outside of the Chicago area,
from DC to Memphis. There's got to be a more
(44:03):
balancet approach about how we curb some of this.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
So those were my top picks.
Speaker 2 (44:09):
Yeah, I would say that for me, the top three
would be, of course, the ever extending goalposts. With regard
to the war in Iran, it seems like every day
we hear about an extension or possible extension, sixty day
extension of the ceasefire, but yet we see where there
(44:31):
are continued bombings on both sides of the talks. And
then it's also a thing where just last week or
the week before last. Here it was on a Saturday,
in fact, it was headline news where the President and
a lot of the major media outlets we're reporting that
(44:52):
an end to the conflict is near. That you know,
Iran is pretty much, you know, in a great with
the principles of not only a ceasefire agreement, but in
terms of how to resolve the two major issues that
of course, of plutonium and the other the opening of
(45:14):
the strait of horror moves. But it just keeps on
shifting in terms of these goalposts here, and the second
one has to be team takeovers. And the third is
this issue in terms of dysfunction or procrastinative policy that
(45:35):
exists with regard to what's happening at the state legislature here.
It is, this is the final day of the session
and we had yet, Jim to come up with an
agreement in terms of what we want to do with
the Bears. Now I have to put in there the caveat,
and that caveat is, look, in terms of New New York,
(45:57):
you have the New York Jets and the New York
York Giants, and even though they have the Moniker in
New York, they haven't played in New York since almost
forty or fifty years. So it's not like if a
quick move over to Hammond is going to change, you know,
the fan bases. I believe admiration and following of the team.
(46:26):
So I think that that's part and parcel there. And
to be absolutely honest here all of you is that
you're giving money to people that already have a lot
of money. I hate to say this, but it's the truth.
And so you know, let's just let's let's just talk
(46:46):
about the most pressing issue from a legislative standpoint, and
it's that of whether or not the Bears are going
to be included in terms of this megafunding deal.
Speaker 16 (46:59):
Jim sure, so, as I understand, the issue with the
megaproject's bill is that in order to make it work
for the Bears, lawmakers would have to water down some
aspects of it, and that could jeopardize local school districts,
local government's ability to raise revenue to fund you know,
(47:23):
the infrastructure and other necessary things. And you make a
good point, I think, Darryl, is it is it worth
it to lawmakers to reduce their constituents' ability to fund
their municipalities in order to keep a team in Chicago,
you know, in Chicago proper as opposed to in the vicinity.
(47:44):
You know, And and I hate to say it out loud,
but in a team that hasn't won a Super Bowl
in forty years, you know, they're the Bears. I don't
mean to dog too much on the Bears, but the
Bears continually make Chicago Wan's quite sad, and this will
just be the latest chapter in their doing that, you know,
So I think.
Speaker 2 (48:02):
It's badly they did pretty well.
Speaker 16 (48:05):
But then they but then they let us down, you know.
I mean last year was certainly exciting, you know. And
you know, I think that the larger issue is whether
or not downstate legislators could be convinced to change this
megaproject build for the Bears. And you know, the Bears
have said that no matter what's happening, they're not staying
in Chicago, that they're moving to the suburbs, if not Indiana.
(48:31):
I I certainly wouldn't want to see the team go.
And at the same time, I think, you know, sometimes
as a nation, as a society, we spend a lot
of money and a lot of legislative efforts around sports
teams and making sure that they have what they need.
And like you said, they are they already have the money,
and so it'll be interesting to see what comes out
(48:52):
of session. But it's not looking good for for keeping
them in Chicago.
Speaker 18 (48:57):
Yeah, might break seat fever dream. I just want to say,
it might be trying time to break this fever dream
of supporting billionaires in their projects. And it's more about
just this particular moment is about a trend of going forward.
There's a lot of public conversation around supporting the needs
of billionaires. And it might be a hard bullet to bite,
(49:21):
but this might be the time, it could be the
start of a new movement.
Speaker 2 (49:30):
And Joe your comments here too, because you mentioned it
in terms of the impact that exists from the legislative perspective,
but also the thing I wanted to put out there
and have you address is the fact that, Okay, so
you moved to Indiana, you already had the Indianapolis Colts.
(49:50):
I can guarantee you that there's no way, no matter
where Chicago Bears end up, that they're going to change
the name Chicago Bears. I'm not going to Arlington Heights Bears.
They're not going to be called the Hammond Bears. They're
going to keep that money for the Chicago Bears because
that's where the money is invested.
Speaker 19 (50:13):
But think about the Bears being one of the oldest
franchises in the NFL and Chicago loses.
Speaker 4 (50:21):
And so you know, there is a great article I
think a few months ago that talked about the.
Speaker 19 (50:26):
Financial impact that it'll have in the South suburbs because
Hammond is a rock throw away from the South suburbs,
and so there was a wonderful article that talked about
the positive impact it would have one of the South
suburbs to your point that Indiana is just is very close.
Speaker 4 (50:42):
But it's also symbolism to see how Indiana was able
to move so efficiently and effectively, but yet Illinois wasn't.
And so no leader from the state to the local
wants to be in office when the Bears leave Illinois.
This this spoder for.
Speaker 19 (51:03):
Uh the upcoming election. Who's gonna run against Priscoll, Who's
gonna run against Bear Johnson? They're gonna talk about that
technologium and so and then there's also part of that, uh,
the pilot program as as uh Jim talked about.
Speaker 4 (51:20):
But the pilot program allows.
Speaker 19 (51:23):
Moneies that would be for the taxing bodies to get
some of that and so uh there's been some wigger room,
there's been some discussion, and so yes that that was
one of the hiccups money going to uh the certain
uh you know, the taxing bodies and impact they would
have all the residential homeowners, but the pilot program will
(51:45):
it kind of mitigates some of that impact to a
certain degree.
Speaker 4 (51:48):
But it's also symbolism.
Speaker 19 (51:50):
As I stated, and so I know it's complicated, but
we should not be at the midnight hour now and
not being able.
Speaker 4 (51:57):
To come over with the conclusion or.
Speaker 21 (51:58):
I understand that, but this is the symbolism I mentioned
that for the last thirty, if not forty years, the
New York Giants and the New York Jets.
Speaker 2 (52:12):
Have not played in New York. There's only one football
team that plays in the state of New York, and
that's the Buffalo Bills. There is no way that in
terms of let's just you know, perception is everything. Nobody
calls the New York Jets the New Jersey Jets. Nobody
(52:34):
calls the New York Giants the New Jersey Giants. They
call them because they kept that name. And even though
they play in a different state, it's that name that
is valuable. It's that name that people wear, it's that
logo that people wear. And so, you know, it's a
conundrum and we'll see in terms of how they end
(52:57):
up reacting. Here. We want to go to the online
right now, we are going to hear from Robin. Robin
is calling from the city of Chicago. Robin, you are
on Chicago Speaks as soon as we can. Yeah, can
we get Robin on.
Speaker 20 (53:14):
Hello?
Speaker 2 (53:16):
Okay, Yeah, hey Robin, you're on Chicago Speaks. You're coming
a question this morning.
Speaker 20 (53:21):
Yeah, I just wanted to say, you know, they talk
about all these team takeovers they go, but you know,
we gotta America that's trying to take over everything. You know,
these young kids minus the violence, that they can just
to go out there and have a good time. Let
them have a good time. Because the thing about it
is all these Aldermens that got all this tiss money
and all this money for these neighborhoods. You didn't do
nothing for the South and West side. Now y'all worried
about these young kids going around doing all this stuff.
(53:44):
If they wouldn't be violent, they'd be all right, because
now they can get out there and have fun. But
we got we Then y'all talk about these Bears. You
know what, Let them go. They they ain't paying my bills.
I'm out here paying my own damn bills. So let
the Bears go awhere they want to go, because yeah, yeah,
they ain't want the super Bowl anyway, so let them.
Speaker 17 (54:00):
Play them whe else.
Speaker 20 (54:01):
Maybe they don't win the super Bowl somewhere else. And
then my last thing is when I've always talked about
all these missing kids. And I understand why the radio
stations don't want to talk about all these missing kids.
That's because most of these billionaires, they're all child molesters.
And that's why they don't want to bring that up
because they've never talked about it. And we've talked about
this several times. And that's the thing about it. All
these listen kids and nobody who ever wants to know
(54:23):
nothing about it. Everybody wants to put that on the
back burner. Then they want to talk about Michael Jackson,
talk about he was disitant. No, he went to that
big island, he stoop those kids and he saved those
kids and nobody but they want to put his name down.
But you get sick of all this stuff that. You
know what they do to black folks all the time.
They always want to put us under the dirt all
the time. But you know what they've done a lot
(54:44):
to us. They've burned down Black Wall Street, but they've
flooded all of our towns. New York Central Park was
a black town that they've flooded because we've done our
own thing. The thing about it is black fools, y'all
better wake up and get together and start doing our
own thing like we used to do before, because they
ain't trying to see us on top, because they know
we gonna be on top, because that darkness that they're
(55:04):
talking about, it's gonna come to light. It always is.
Every time I look up, it's gonna come to light.
So they can keep on lying about us all the time,
but we better stand up for ourselves and we better
start working with ourselves because they're gonna make us. They're
gonna make us look like we gotta we need y'all. No, no,
we never did, because everything y'all learned comes from us,
(55:25):
comes from Africa, and people don't understand it. But they
don't like to hear that. They don't like to hear
that that bloodline comes from us. Our bloodline comes from God,
but their blood line comes from us and they don't
even understand that. But until people start waking up and
telling the truth, which that's gonna be hard for a
lot of people to do, then ain't nothing gonna be right.
But thank you for this time.
Speaker 2 (55:48):
Well, I appreciate your thoughts there. I would just add
the caveat that I think it's a wide swath for
you to suggest that the majority of people at the
higher echelongs of of income are all pedophiles. You know,
that is something that I just can say. It's probably
(56:10):
not true, but we just need to be very careful
there in terms of how we paint people, because unfortunately,
there's also the reverse of that, where they can say
we're all poor people are thieves. So let's just be
very careful about the words that we employ there. We're
going to get matter of fact, we're going to probably
(56:30):
give a preview of what we're talking about in the
next segment because it's so vitally important, and that is
what are the city's plans for dealing with public safety,
particularly this disturbing trend in terms of team takeovers. We're
going to give you a prelude to that by picking
(56:51):
up Hank right now. Hank is calling from Naperville and
we're going to find out, you know, how he feels
about positive youth because I'm brutally honest on the other
side of the break in terms of the impact of
these team takeovers. Go ahead, Hank, you're on Chicago Speaks
right now.
Speaker 17 (57:12):
Well, good morning, Daryl, and to your guest. First of all,
I would like to say that in dealing with the youth.
You know, it starts at home always, and it starts
from the foundation. You know, the god of the Bible,
whose name is Yahweh. If you read the scripts, it
teaches us that we must raise up or train a
(57:33):
child in the way that he should go. And first
of all, you have to deal with truth for these children.
Now what's happening? And I see it happening. I was
at the reparations meeting yesterday. It was fantastic. I mean
there were a.
Speaker 2 (57:49):
Lot of Yeah, that was on the West side of Chicago.
We publicized that in our last week's show.
Speaker 17 (57:56):
That's how I found out about it. Jerrold If it
was for you guys ever know them, And so I
was able to also get in touch with some other
people and we attended and it was amazing to see
the young people. And you know, the thing I love
about youth is energy. They have energy, and what we
(58:18):
must do is Yahweh's people, we have to direct that
energy into positiveness. The way we do that is, as
Carla said before, we got to deal with the truth.
And more and more young people are waking up to
the truth, our true history, who we really are. We
are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac Jacob. Yahweh is our God.
(58:39):
We have always done great things. We're gonna do a
lot of great things. But we gotta tell our youth
the truth. And we got to motivate them through positiveness,
you know. And I see it happening. I see it happening.
Uh More and more of our youth they're realizing that
they are Hebrew Ins the life, and they are God
(59:00):
chosen people and their God. And you know, the positive
is going to outweigh the negative.
Speaker 2 (59:09):
It's going to and and I just believe that that
has to be a universal uh declaration there in terms
of to be in terms of I agree. But but
the prose what I don't want this to be a
platform just for proselytizing. I think that you bring out great,
(59:30):
great statements because there's states, their state, there are statements
that are based on reality, and they're also based on
common sense and so but when you get into the
realm of proselyti then then you know, I want this
to be something that everybody can digest, Hank, and you
(59:52):
know these great solutions.
Speaker 17 (59:55):
Okay, you know for yourself there the number one gives
the Bible the will reached.
Speaker 4 (01:00:02):
The Bible and.
Speaker 2 (01:00:05):
I read it every day. But but I don't want
or direct or direct people into what I believe. I
just believe that, you know, foundations in terms of morality,
foundations in terms of truth seeking are universal. But I
appreciate you, you know I do my brother. So on
the other side of the break, I want people to
(01:00:26):
call in right now because we keep on coming up
with the saying in terms of our children are our future,
well guess what we need to deal with the good
and the bad. And unfortunately, far too many times what
gets publicized is the violence that erupts when large gatherings
(01:00:47):
of the young people occur, and then, unfortunately, instead of everything
ending out oki dokie, it tends to go toward violence.
What can be done to give them freedom to gather,
but at the same time make sure that the public
is safe. Call us right now at eight three three
(01:01:08):
five nine one V one O three. We'll be right back.
Speaker 1 (01:01:12):
Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. You can voice your opinion
right now toll free at eight three three five nine
one V.
Speaker 14 (01:01:20):
One O three.
Speaker 1 (01:01:22):
Now back to Chicago Speaks with Daryl Dinard. Share what's
on your mind, toll free at eight three, three, five
nine one V one O three.
Speaker 2 (01:01:32):
And welcome back. Time check for you right now to
seven twenty and fifty seven degrees. We are joined in
our reporters roundtable by Kimbille with the Better Government Association's
Illinois Awareness Project, Deborah Douglas, who is a professor as
well as director of the Solution's Journalism Hub at Northwestern University,
and doctor Jerry McNair, a school administrator, as well as
(01:01:53):
columnists for the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times. We're
talking about what needs needs to be done to provide
opportunities for our teams and light of team takeovers, We're
going to go directly to the phone lines right now
and here from a first time caller. It is Kevin,
who is calling us from Miami, I believe, but is
(01:02:15):
a native of Chicago and also happens to be a
first time caller. Kevin, thanks for being the first time
caller you're comment to question this morning.
Speaker 11 (01:02:23):
Hey, thank you so much for taking call. Darrell love
your show. I just just wanted to say there, I'm
a little disappointed, you know, with obviously what's going on
with these team takeovers, but I really think this is
a parenting problem. You know, you know how I grew
up in Chicago, and I think how we grew up
in Chicago back in the day, our parents were whether
(01:02:43):
it was one parent or two parents or you know,
four parents from an honor to uncle, they were involved
in things like this, and not for these things not
to happen. You know, we can look at the generation
and the age of the kids, and let's just be
honest of the kids that are down there, okay, and
let's not mix these kids with good kids.
Speaker 17 (01:03:02):
Okay.
Speaker 11 (01:03:03):
I've heard some of the interviews from these kids. When
they do speak, they can barely speak, okay, they can
barely read, and they shouldn't be down here at three am.
So we can certainly find spaces and things for these
guys to do things that we've said all of our
life as part of Chicago. But this is purely a
parenting problem. And that's my comment about this. And I'm
(01:03:26):
surprised that we're not putting more responsibility on the parents
of these kids that are out at three am at places. Okay.
You know, obviously I think this didn't happen for us
because we didn't have the networking and social media and
things like that. But I don't think it would have
happened because if we had different type of parents. Right now,
we have kids that are raising kids, and we're not
(01:03:49):
being honest in our own community about this.
Speaker 2 (01:03:53):
Yeah, you know, also Kevin, and I'm going to pose
and have Jim as well as Debra and Gerald to this.
But it tends to be what I call a macro
participation as opposed to a micro participation. Back in the day,
people did things in a micro level. You hung out
(01:04:17):
in the neighborhood where you lived. You didn't necessarily go
outside the neighborhood, even though I was always an explorer,
but you hung out in the neighborhood where you live.
With the advent of social media and the advent of
almost like what I call an Easter parade mentality, people
want to be seen. They want to be at an
(01:04:38):
event where they can be seen. And because of a
diminution of parenting, let's be very very correct about this,
they had that ability to be out there at times
that they shouldn't. And so Jim, you know, I want
specifically with regard to Kevin, because a lot of matter
of fact, in terms of all the men Brendan Riley. No,
(01:05:00):
I think it was Riley or who else sponsored the curfew.
He's adding in some parental prosecution notes in there, and
in terms of saying that parents need to be held accountable,
but also speak to that macro micro thing that I'm
(01:05:20):
talking about.
Speaker 16 (01:05:22):
Yeah, indeed, So I think there's a few things on
pack here, and I'll I'll just say for starters. So
I don't believe that the vast majority of teenagers who
go to these gatherings are bad kids. I think that
teenagers are looking for places where they can gather and
(01:05:43):
not have to spend money. I think, you know, we
did a sometimes we did a series with the Tribe
last last year talking to teenagers about teen trends, and
they talked about how in their neighborhoods a lot of
the time there's not there are no spaces for them
to go. And when they go downtown or to more
affluent neighborhoods like Hyde Park, there are no spaces they
(01:06:04):
can go where they and not have to spend money
to be there. And so during the summer kids get
together and want to be seen and hang out in
parks along beaches, and then you know, when you get
a certain just a critical mass of people together, there's
gonna be some knuckleheads in the crowd. And one of
the problems that we have in America is that there
(01:06:25):
are far too many guns, and all of those things
compound and then there are flare ups of violence, and
the easy thing to say is, oh, it's these bad kids,
you know, Oh, we got to blame the parents. I'll
say something about parenting. I was raised by parents who
were very present and you know, who made sure that
we did everything they could do to make sure that
we were on the right path. And when I was
(01:06:46):
in high school, I was dipping out of my window
and going to underground raves and house parties. You know
that that were not regulated. Okay, And so it's you
can you can say what you want about parenting, but
most parents in the commune are good parents. You know,
there's this narrative that all of these babies raising babies
like we've live here in that since the nineties, right,
(01:07:06):
and since the eighties, and when there were these myths
about super predators and all of this, you know, rhetoric
that ultimately is based in racism and despises our children.
And we should let no one despise the youth for
their youth right and instead we should work together as
a society to create spaces for them to love them.
(01:07:28):
You know. One of the things that we talked about
in that series was how also in the nineties when
I was growing up and before then in the eighties,
there were spaces for kids, like there were juice bars
back in the day where kids who were you know,
under twenty one, under eighteen could go and dance, be together,
be in a safe place.
Speaker 4 (01:07:45):
And instead and.
Speaker 2 (01:07:48):
That micro, that micro macro thing that I'm talking about,
because before you did things in the neighborhood, you know.
And I'm of the Baby Boom generation, but let me
tell you, everybody congregated either at the school, the school yard,
or the local y m c A. Or the Salvation
Army that was open, that was the hangout.
Speaker 16 (01:08:10):
Around and a lot of those places just don't exist
anymore for our kids, you know. And the last thing
I want to say too, is we're always in reactive
mode with these team takeovers, like it's always about this
event happened, and how are the.
Speaker 4 (01:08:24):
Police going to get control.
Speaker 16 (01:08:26):
Of these kids? And what are they going to do
punitively to the children and to their parents, and instead,
I think a more generative approach would be to intentionally
support our youth, have the city support our communities, you know,
and create spaces for our kids to.
Speaker 2 (01:08:40):
Be sounds good. Hey, Kevin, I just want to hit
you with this note. I see that you're still being
still on the line there and put Kevin up please
in terms of so I could talk to him and
get a response. Here, I just thought about something at
a team takeover. You know, what's one way to hold
old a kid accountable at a teen takeover? Have the
(01:09:04):
parents of that kid show up. And I can guarantee
you that if the parents of that kid shows up
and the people that know the parents of that kid
show up, those kids that are out there are going
to say, ah, I don't want to be here. There's
mom and dad here, there's mom and dad here. So
(01:09:26):
I just thought about that. Yeah, have parents be involved
in a team takeover and automatically it becomes less of
a chap thing to do. So, hey, Kevin, I just
want to say thank you for being a first time caller,
and also please make sure it's not your last.
Speaker 11 (01:09:43):
My friend, Hey, thank you so much, Thank you so much.
Bo I got put off. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:09:51):
Yeah, well, we appreciate your friend. Thank you much. I'm
going to go to Hope right now. Hope's calling from
the South Side. I'm going to try to get in
as many calls as possible because a lot pretty much full. Hope.
You're come into question this morning.
Speaker 14 (01:10:05):
Good morning. I simply wanted to say, I don't call
them teams takeovers. I call it mob action and criminal
damage to property. I just want to remind your guests
if you have ever had to ride with a loved
one in an ambulance, because the critical issue a role
last week on Roosevelt Romans when there was that mob
(01:10:27):
action at the gateway to the Medical District Rush U
of I Strozer Trauma facilities. I had a sister who
had a stroke on the job teaching grammar school on
the South Side. They took her to the University of Chicago,
got excellent treatment. The same week, we had a mob
action at fifty seventh and make Shore Driver. They had
(01:10:48):
to shut it down. That's another access point to the
University of Chicago. I don't believe we should focus all
of our attention on offenders, violent offenders. There's plenty of
things to do. I'm writing a letter to Tim Duckworth
outgoing center to Durban and incoming hopeful Senator Juliana Stratton,
(01:11:09):
as well as all the US Congressmen in our state,
and I'm going to ask them, could we please consider
so this is going on around the country in certain
cities its things. Can we consider taking away a housing
choice about here. If a parent has a child out
there participating in this and they're convicted, take away link,
(01:11:31):
take away the things that matter. If you are going
to have people committing violent crimes damaging cars, I work.
Speaker 17 (01:11:39):
I pay car insurance.
Speaker 14 (01:11:40):
I don't want to come out and have my car
damage because someone's having a moment. No, their children are
going to be with good children most of the time.
If you had AP classes in high school, you weren't
running around with people getting d's and us because you
had nothing really in common, unless it was at a
party or at gym class. People who run with offenders
(01:12:01):
are going to either be offenders. If you run with
people using drugs, you're going to either use drus otherwise
you have nothing in common.
Speaker 17 (01:12:09):
Nothing.
Speaker 14 (01:12:10):
We need to stop looking at the offenders and trying
to find ways to deal with the problems and with
critical consequences. This is part of it.
Speaker 2 (01:12:19):
Yes, well, listening, I went Deborah to come in quickly there,
because we're talking about parental control, and matter of fact,
in several states and municipalities there is parental control or
responsibility legislation that holds parents more accountable.
Speaker 22 (01:12:39):
Deborah, Well, first of all, I have to say, ditto
everything that Jim said. I'm on team generative approach. I
do think there's a two There are two sides of this.
I do think that there's these are mostly good kids
who are looking for a third spaces, and I don't
think that police presidence necessarily have to be.
Speaker 18 (01:13:00):
About showing up to be putative. It can be supporting,
supporting them in that space, making sure that they gather safely.
The emphasis on the safety part of public safety. Too
often policing gets into the policing part of the game
as opposed to the safety part of the game. And also,
(01:13:22):
I think this is a public health issue. And I
think that the caller was right about controlling the access
points to trauma centers and things like that. But we
can't keep reflecting on the way it was when we
were teenagers. Clearly, this is the way teams are today,
and we need to figure out a wrap around public
(01:13:44):
health approach to responding to the way that they show
up in their spaces. While there are future adults on
training wheels trying to figure out how to navigate in society,
we're the ones who have to change.
Speaker 4 (01:13:58):
And then when we.
Speaker 17 (01:14:02):
Thank you, no, I.
Speaker 2 (01:14:02):
Hear hope, I appreciate you and going to move on
from Hope to yet another first time caller this morning,
and that is Lawrence. Lawrence is calling from the great
City of Harvey. Lawrence, thanks for being the first time caller.
You're on Chicago Speaks. You're coming to question.
Speaker 9 (01:14:20):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 13 (01:14:21):
First of all, my comment is in regards to the
team takeovers, and you know what, the teams. I can't
say all of them are bad. I disagree with what
they're doing. But then when I look back at it,
I think about what was the genius that took our
(01:14:42):
parentem rights away where we could not discipline our kids
the way we wanted to without the fear of them
calling nine to one one since somebody put that in
their heads. Now, when I was growing up, I was
a young guy, I used to play with stick matches
and one day I chopped one on my dining room,
(01:15:02):
my aunt's dining room table claw, and it caught fire.
Speaker 11 (01:15:07):
My aunt whooped my butt for days.
Speaker 13 (01:15:11):
And believe me, I've never done that ever.
Speaker 11 (01:15:15):
Again in my life.
Speaker 13 (01:15:17):
And I came out pretty good, but.
Speaker 4 (01:15:22):
For days.
Speaker 2 (01:15:22):
But I can understand the butt with them.
Speaker 13 (01:15:25):
Yeah, But the disciplinary action that we're deprived of as
parents is a big factor in why these children act
the way they do today. And that's my belief because
with no discipline at home, sure is easy to blame
the parents for what the kids do, but they you know,
(01:15:47):
the genius whoever came up with that is enabling them
because with no disciplinary action, they're going to do what
they want.
Speaker 11 (01:15:56):
To do, and half the time is wrong.
Speaker 13 (01:15:59):
And my second I have I.
Speaker 2 (01:16:01):
Have an individual lawrence, Yeah, I have. I have an
individual who is uniquely qualified to address some of the
things you just spoke about, and that's doctor Gerald McNair
because he spent his life as a school administrator and
educator and he also writes about it in the Sun
Times in Chicago Tribune. Doctor McNair, Uh it, you got
(01:16:24):
to be careful there about discipline, because how I was disciplined,
I really didn't employ those same techniques that my great
grandmother did in terms of YO, go out there and
get a switch. So I didn't light your behind, know,
but right, But there is a sense that there are
other modalities of discipline that can be employed that hopefully
(01:16:47):
also strikes the fear of God in somebody. But in
terms of what Lawrence is saying, there is a need
for discipline because correction helps us in the right direction, Doctor.
Speaker 4 (01:16:59):
McNair, it really does.
Speaker 19 (01:17:00):
And I know who we are up against the clock,
But I will say two things can be true at
the same time, and it's just about ballance, you know,
as my fellow panelist said, the need we have to
continue to invest in our youth. But at the same
time there has to be some form of accountability. When
you have five police officers were ran down or ran over.
Speaker 4 (01:17:23):
By a teenager, Yeah, we can't have that. You just
simply can't have that.
Speaker 19 (01:17:29):
And so in theory you're right, and more in theory
in practicality is who we want to continue to invest
in our youth and want to create safe spaces, but
when they go awrid, the question becomes what do we do?
And I know the DC Attorney General, she spoke unequivocally
about parental accountability Brian Hopkins the Second War.
Speaker 4 (01:17:49):
Alder minutes talking about parental country.
Speaker 2 (01:17:51):
It was actually Hopkins who comes up with the legislation
in terms of purview, and.
Speaker 4 (01:17:57):
I know exactly what you meant.
Speaker 19 (01:17:58):
And so there can be a conversation about some form accountability,
but that has to be on the table. You can't
have a city, you can't have municipalities where teenagers are
called in this kind of harm and economic implications and
violence and say well, we have to get we got
to invest in our youth.
Speaker 4 (01:18:13):
Again.
Speaker 19 (01:18:14):
Two things can be right at the same time, but
there has to be balanced. This has to be balanced, because.
Speaker 4 (01:18:20):
This is this is great.
Speaker 2 (01:18:22):
I agree with you, go ahead.
Speaker 13 (01:18:25):
I certainly you agree with you, But I also I
feel strongly about the disappearance of discipline from indeed the
parent parent parentals and discipline because the stars out young.
Speaker 2 (01:18:41):
Yes, and Lawrence, I want to try to fit in. Hey, Lawrence,
I want to fit in. Try to fit in one
extra call there. But I appreciate you being the first time.
Speaker 13 (01:18:49):
Calling the bears. Can I think one more thing about the.
Speaker 4 (01:18:55):
Go ahead?
Speaker 13 (01:18:55):
I can't even afford a ticket to see the Bears,
so I really don't care where they go. I'm gonna
be honest. I want to I want to go. I
want to take my family. For Jesus Christ. I don't
have five hundred dollars, you know, and I can't buy here.
Speaker 20 (01:19:14):
What is that twelve months there? You even know?
Speaker 13 (01:19:17):
So I go wherever they go and thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:19:22):
Get a case of slits there before it's all gone.
Speaker 20 (01:19:28):
Thank you, guys, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:19:31):
And I want to try to squeeze into this last
call with somebody that has spent his life dedicated to
trying to steer kids in the right direction. And that's
how good friend, brother Hall, Brother Hall, pleasure to talk
to you. Haven't heard from you in a while, my friend.
Speaker 23 (01:19:45):
Yes, I've been a little while.
Speaker 2 (01:19:48):
Daryl.
Speaker 24 (01:19:48):
I certainly always appreciate your perspective and you get, uh,
dyl is very clear man that what we have to
do about is keep this thing real. And one of
the ways we can do that that is understanding.
Speaker 11 (01:20:01):
We have seventy seven communities out of the twenty.
Speaker 24 (01:20:04):
Of those communities, which is African Americans, and I'm not
just trying to down them, but there's a disadvantage.
Speaker 20 (01:20:11):
I tell them see that as well.
Speaker 24 (01:20:12):
And I was like, no, that's because I have young
kids in twenty six, twenty eight years old and they
tell me about it.
Speaker 17 (01:20:19):
So he is what I'm saying.
Speaker 24 (01:20:21):
Until we even the plan field in terms of goods
and services and those.
Speaker 23 (01:20:27):
Seventy seven lords soon to be seventy eight, then we're
gonna have this problem. And to label with Keen takeover, No,
that's not Keen's older people as well out there supporting
that pushback. Why are they doing that?
Speaker 11 (01:20:45):
Take for residence, Take the top district.
Speaker 24 (01:20:50):
You got in the black community, twenty four dollars.
Speaker 23 (01:20:55):
You tagging on to four people, But that's not it.
Speaker 17 (01:20:59):
It's one of those community. When you go to other communities,
they don't have no twenty four out attack.
Speaker 23 (01:21:05):
So if we're not going to look at the disparities
on terms on whether the plan bill is even or not,
then it's never going to work. We're not for people
jumping on cars and doing all that.
Speaker 12 (01:21:19):
Man, We ain't with that.
Speaker 23 (01:21:22):
But I think that we should think about opening.
Speaker 11 (01:21:26):
Up our centers.
Speaker 20 (01:21:27):
Make sure there's a part just to stay open the
ten o'clock.
Speaker 24 (01:21:30):
We got to engage the police department, parents and all.
Speaker 23 (01:21:34):
Well, you know the business dere you just got to
talking about we remember when the OAR sizes and the
YMCA and all these these agencies.
Speaker 2 (01:21:45):
But once again that's true, brother Hull. But I call
it the Coachella impact, Bro, because people go to Coachella
and not so much for the music. They go there
to be seen and see other people. And that's really
what this is about. Because everybody there, there are examples
of exhibitionism that go on at these times. Oh look
(01:22:08):
at that. Let's look what she has on. Look what
he has on? Oh wow wow. So there is that
element there and we have to we have to take
a multi pronged approach at this and I appreciate you.
I apologized that I couldn't get to the rest of
the callers because of the time constraints this morning. But
I want to thank Jim Daily as well as Deborah
Douglas and doctor Jerald McNair for the tremendous work you
(01:22:29):
do continue on in the struggle to provide truth in journalism.
Coming up on the other side of the break, we
are going to celebrate Men's Health Awareness Month with a
special event that is going to take place right around
Juneteenth in Jackson Park and it's not associated with the
(01:22:50):
Obama Foundation or the Obama Presidential Center. But it's something
you'll want to attend. Please stay with us.
Speaker 1 (01:22:58):
Chicago Speaks What Darrel. You can voice your opinion right now,
toll free at eight three three five nine to one
V one O three. 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 oh three.
Speaker 2 (01:23:18):
Here's a question for you. What do you consider to
be the most important aspect of your life? If you're
like many, you would say it's family and loved ones,
and maybe faith. Yet when it comes to health, black
men in America would put it as a concern that
is at the lower rung of the latter and many times,
far too many times often ignored well. June is Men's
(01:23:41):
Health Awareness Month, and joining us this morning to discuss
a must tend event that is targeting black men's health
and wellness is LeVar Howe. He's the director of communications
with the National Censor for Urban Solutions, to talk to
us about the national with local impact Black Men's will
Wellness Day. LeVar, how are you doing?
Speaker 25 (01:24:02):
I'm doing pretty good man. How about you?
Speaker 2 (01:24:04):
Good? First of all, I want to commend you guys
in terms of bringing awareness to the necessity of Black
men considering their health. Talk to me about what is
Black Men's Wellness Day.
Speaker 5 (01:24:17):
So Black Men's Wellness Day is a national initiative under
the African American Male Wellness Agency that focuses on improving
the health and life expectancy of Black men. So we
bring the community together for free health screenings, a five
K run and walk resources and really just encourage Black
men to take charge of their physical, mental, and overall wellness.
Speaker 2 (01:24:40):
And when it comes to dealing with wellness, the statistics
are staggering in terms of Black men's denial as well
as ignorance when it comes to taking care of their health.
Speaker 25 (01:24:51):
It's important for us black men.
Speaker 5 (01:24:54):
I mean, I'm a black man, so it's important for
myself as well as all of us to take charge
of our health, and especially when it comes to Chicago.
So a lot of Black men in Chicago, they need
to come to Black Min's Health Black means Wellness Day
because from what we're seeing, the health disparities.
Speaker 25 (01:25:11):
Are very alarming.
Speaker 5 (01:25:12):
You know, last year we had a Black Miss Moonda's
Stay event in Chicago and eighty seven percent of the
men who were screened at Black Missuela Stay had elevated
or high blood pressure, and men between the ages of
thirty and sixty four made them seventy five percent of
those cases.
Speaker 2 (01:25:27):
Now that's incredible, And when we talk about African American
male health, seventy percent are more likely to die definitive
diseases than white men. You know, we're talking about diseases
like hypertension, diabetes, arthritic conditions, unfortunate dependence on mood altering substances.
(01:25:49):
So talk to me about specifically what is going to
happen during these free comprehensive health screenings.
Speaker 5 (01:25:56):
Black men as well as any man, anybody who wants
to attend, and they're going to be able to get
their blood pressure checked, They're going to be able to
get their spine checked just in case if if they're
having any type of flexibility issues. They're going to be
able to get their height and weight, there be the biometrics.
They're going to be able to get a holistic health
(01:26:19):
and wellness check just to make sure that they're indeed
healthy or that they need immediate access to care. That
tells us that too many black men are walking around
with serious health risks, it can lead to depths. So
through Black Men's Wellness Day, we're essentially just saying not
on our watch.
Speaker 25 (01:26:36):
So by vian black men.
Speaker 5 (01:26:38):
Opportunities for those free health screenings, they're going to know
their numbers and they're going to have that access to
immediate care because we want them to live longer.
Speaker 2 (01:26:46):
This really is a national movement when you look at it.
I'm looking at all of the cities that are going
to be participating in this Wellness Day event. You have Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Texas,
Roy Louisville, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Saint Louis, Tampa, Youngstown. It
(01:27:06):
really is almost like building a national coalition for wellness absolutely.
Speaker 5 (01:27:11):
I mean, and to be honest, our community partners are
the healthcare organizations, are sponsors. They play a very pivotal
role in this movement. You know, community partners and sponsors
like Pfizer, Jena, Tech, Johnson and Johnson, Eli, Lilly, our
partners in Chicago, you know, and all of our other
(01:27:31):
partners across the whole entire movement. We help them reach
and engage a population that is often underserved, while they
help us scale access to screenings and resources.
Speaker 2 (01:27:43):
Yeah, we want to tell people that they can get
all the information they need at AA Wellness dot org
Forward slash Chicago. Once again, that website is AA Wellness
dot Org Forward Slash Chicago And the event itself is
also going to celebrate black men's health. It's not just
(01:28:03):
about an examination, but it's also about a celebration in
terms of a day that's going to be filled on Saturday,
June twentieth with numerous activities.
Speaker 5 (01:28:13):
We want thousands of black men to, you know, one
take the proactive step and focus on their health.
Speaker 25 (01:28:20):
I mean, we really call this event it's the It's
the most thing you'll ever.
Speaker 5 (01:28:24):
Have at a doctor's appointment where we're literally bringing the
clinic to the community. And that's been our approach since
we started. And the success doesn't for us. It's not
based on the thousands of people that are going to
be at the event. You know, we're going to have vendors,
we're going to have a kid zone, we're going to
have a senior pavilion, We're going to have it's going.
Speaker 25 (01:28:46):
To be an event where everybody.
Speaker 5 (01:28:48):
In the family, the whole entire community could come out
and that's great, But the long term.
Speaker 25 (01:28:53):
Success that we look at, that we measure is.
Speaker 5 (01:28:56):
The behavior, is the behavior and change and outcomes, because
we want to see more Black men going forward, going
from crisis driven to preventive care.
Speaker 2 (01:29:07):
And that is the key is to know ahead of time.
It's the adage that says an ouse of prevention is
worth more than a pound of cure. And I just
want to commend you guys, because you couldn't be more
precient in terms of forward thinking than having it at
Jackson Park, which is the hotspot because during June we're
(01:29:29):
also going to have the opening of the Obama Center.
Speaker 5 (01:29:32):
I mean, it's definitely a trifecta. As you say, you know,
we celebrate men's health in June and black men as well.
This day it's a movement built specifically for black men.
So by being at Jackson Park, we're meeting men where
they are to build and continue to build trust, you know,
(01:29:53):
being able to turn awareness into real action and long
term care.
Speaker 2 (01:29:57):
And the wonderful thing is that all well.
Speaker 25 (01:30:00):
This is free, Yes, one hundred percent free.
Speaker 2 (01:30:02):
I love what you talked about meeting people right where
they are and it's not just the event itself, but
you have several activities leading up to the event, like
the Chicago Faith Leader's Breakfast that takes place on May thirtieth,
And I know that for those that are listening right
now and it's already June first, that was an event
(01:30:23):
that was overwhelming.
Speaker 25 (01:30:24):
It was a great event. And then moving forward, we
have another event, the Leadership, Legacy and Wellness Mixture that's
focusing on Black Men's Wellness Day here in Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:30:35):
Yeah, and it's free and it's something that has taking
place right at ten five hundred South Halsted Street at
a spot called Lyre's Cafe that is an excellent spot
for people to get together and to also talk about
the importance of men's health. But also if you want
to be involved in these committee meetings, these meetings at
(01:30:55):
least once a week leading up to the event that
has taken place on Saturday, June twentieth at Jackson Parks,
so you can build momentum. It's a momentum that we
want sustain throughout the entire year.
Speaker 25 (01:31:09):
Absolutely, we don't stop after the event is over.
Speaker 5 (01:31:12):
You know, the event is from seven am to twelve pm,
and at twelve pm, it's not like you know, everybody
patch up their bags, they go home.
Speaker 25 (01:31:19):
Mission is complete.
Speaker 5 (01:31:21):
This mission is you know, it's going on twenty four
to seven, three sixty five, three sixty six, an elite year.
So even after we're done with the event, we're starting
to look at the impact. We're starting to touch base
with those individuals, especially that needed immediate care, they needed
immediate access to care.
Speaker 25 (01:31:39):
We're touching base with them. We're conducting those follow ups.
Speaker 5 (01:31:42):
We are organizing the Next Black Men as well as
Day in twenty twenty seven, and we are engaging with
those committee meet committee members, and typically during those events,
right after those events, we have dozens of people that
want to be a part of the event that's going
to take place the following year. Sponsors are our biggest
advocates because with their impact on these events, they are
(01:32:06):
able to elevate these stories when you see them in
the commercials that are affiliated with the African American Mail
Wellness Agency, when you see them engaging directly with the community.
And that's honestly, that's one of the main reasons why
a lot of our sponsors in healthcare organizations like the
ones that I mentioned, those you know, billion dollar companies,
they really engage.
Speaker 25 (01:32:26):
With us because we have that trust with the community.
Speaker 2 (01:32:29):
Because it saves lies. But it also saves money, yes,
because yes, it costs a whole heck of a lot
less to help catch a disease in its early stages
and maybe, in many cases be able to correct it
than trying to treat it when it becomes terminal or
more severe.
Speaker 25 (01:32:49):
Exactly, we're focused on preventative healthcare.
Speaker 2 (01:32:52):
Sounds good. Well, it's a call that I'm going to issue,
and it's a call to join the movement. The movement
is take place in the Black Wellness event that is
taking place on Saturday, June twentieth, from seven to twelve
pm at Jackson Park. All you have to do is
visit their website. It's Aawellness dot org forward slash Chicago
(01:33:15):
once again, Aawellness dot org forward slash Chicago LaVar. We
thank you so much for joining us this morning.
Speaker 25 (01:33:22):
Thank you, I appreciate it, and everybody please come through.
Speaker 2 (01:33:26):
Well, that wraps up this edition of Chicago Speaks. As always,
I want to thank my guests, but 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 sister station with the Black Information Network
at WBI NAM six forty Right now, get ready to
get your praise on what Sonya Blakey. I'm Darryl Dennar.
(01:33:48):
We'll see You're back here beginning at six am for
another edition of Chicago Speaks. Please be sure to take
care of yourself.
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