Come celebrate National Black Business Month with Chicago Street Journal (CSJ).
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
1
$1 Donation Requested
Black Business Matters
According to ProsperityNow.org/ (Formerly Corporation
for Enterprise Development.) it will be centuries
before “wealth equality” between whites and African-
Americans and Latinos is realized in the United
States. (Read their report on “The Ever-Growing
Gap: Without Change, African-American and Latino
Families Won't Match White Wealth for Centuries.”)
According to Neilsen (The top consumer rating
agency for the nation.), “...Black consumers are one
of America’s greatest assets.” Without a doubt, any
group of people or country that has $1.2 trillion in
buying power and who at the same time has kept virtually
nothing for themselves, would be everyone’s
best buddy (asset). Especially coupled with no true
power or authority to govern themselves and manage
the distribution of their monies. In a way, it’s almost
like saying, we support racism.
Even with all these strikes against African Americans,
the nation still struggles to focus and understand why
Sky-Rocketing found much success with their message
of anti-bullying and anti-violence, and was able
to spread that message to over 150, 000 students in
over 15 states across the US. The organization has
been responsible for peace concerts, marches, and
events within the community which has earned many
awards for the company. Some organizations who
chose to honor our efforts are the Chicago Police Department,
Prosperity House Chicago, and numerous
other entities.
Continued on Page 6
Black business development matters, not only in turning
the tide in the advancement of the Black race in
all aspects including making them players and global
decision makers, but in making them major contributors
to job and enterprise development, which benefits
the nation.
In Chicago, Black Business Matters not at all to those
who sit at the realm of our government managing our
lives in accordance with the prevailing skin tones of
the residents of particular communities. Racism is
nothing new in a city that is still holding on dearly and
without shame or apology to its versions of the Mason
-Dixon lines.
Take a ride through the west and south sides of this
city, and you, like in Stevie Wonder’s Living for the
City will see the blatant disparity in income
Continued on Page 8
August is National Black Business Month
and The Dr. Webb Evans Community Development
Corporation and the Temple Of Mercy Association
presents "THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL
MARCUS GARVEY HOLIDAY CELEBRA-
TION" An All Day Celebration Thursday, August
31, 2017, 11am till 7pm,
1718 W. 79th St. (79th
& Hermitage) in Chicago.
All Vendors &
Sponsors are welcomed
to participate.
For More Information
Call: 773-846-3091
E-Mail: brominrahim365@aol.com
Get delivery right to your inbox.
Visit CSJ at Issuu.com/ChicagoStreetJournal
August 11, 2017
Volume 23 No. 4
Free Classified Ad
Be in the NEXT
CSJ issue FREE.
- Page 17
TBT News with
Carl West
- Page 5
Interview with
Dianna Long of
Urban Art Retreat
- Page 7
Spiritual Health
with
Dr. Al Blumenberg
and Prophetess
Stefaniq’ue Tillis
- Page 10
Self-Employment
Expo Coming
Soon
- Page 12
ACLU Reports -
Targeting Black
Activist
- Page 14
Chicago Street
Journal is looking
for experienced
Sales Associates.
Call 773-998-1925
Call 773-998-1925 to be in the NEXT issue.
2 August February 2017
Chicago Street Journal
Click the images to learn more about our sponsors!
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
3
Sports – Don Baylor, the Chicago Cubs’ 1 st
Black manager (2000-2002) died Monday,
August 7 of cancer. Mr. Baylor had a 19
season career with the American League
playing for a variety of teams including the
New York Yankees and the Boston Red
Sox.
Technology – Never be amazed about anything that happens in regards
to the tech industry. Tech changes rapidly because those involved
are creative thinkers and new ideas build upon the last idea.
Amazon has moved to innovate the ordering process for its products.
Watch for dash buttons to take off on products around the
world. (A better way to spend your money faster!) Your favorite
products will come with a build in dash button that you will just
push to reorder when you are running low on that particular item.
Talk about instant gratification!
Chicago – Remember the South Street Journal (SSJ)? Well, you
can read past copies of CSJ as archived by Columbia University in
New York. Sit back and enjoy 23 years of Chicago history. Click
SSJ on Columbia to remember.
Sports – Chicago’s Black Business Radio Network is RE-
LAUNCHING with Steam Sports with Ron Hicks taking the lead
on broadcasting the hard hitting news for all of you global sports
fans. Click HERE to listen to a previous interview with Ron Hicks
owner of Chicago Steam Basketball. Get ready Chicago for some
real sport’s talk.
Finance – Getting a loan for your small business needs can be a
heartbreaking process. Microloans and lines of credit are trending
and for many a viable solution for the short-term financial needs of
the small business owner. Kabbage.com has taken the lead in online
approvals in minutes.
Wealth – It should not be a surprise and is probably as it should be
that Africans dominate the list of Black billionaires. According to
the Compton Herald, Aliko Dangote, head of the Dangote Group,
takes the lead with diverse investments in the food, freight and
brewery industries with an estimated worth of $12.5 billion.
Chicago – The 88 th Annual Bud Billiken Parade is on its way and
you’re invited. Started by Robert S. Abbott on August 11, 1929 this
parade continues is the largest of its kind in the US. Chance the rapper
will be the grand marshall and anyone that grew up in Chicago knows
how much children love this parade. Keep the tradition alive by attending
and supporting on Saturday, August 12 th at 10 am.
The Perfect Gift Shop
Click HERE to visit us TODAY!
Chicago Street Journal
Advertising Sales Rep
This is an outstanding opportunity,
selling advertising (print, online):
• Initiate sales and marketing calls to prospective or current clients and
documents sales efforts •
Our ideal candidate must be a self-motivated overachiever with a
strong desire to succeed.
• Prior sales experience, developing both new accounts and servicing
existing accounts is preferred.
• Highly disciplined, independent, entrepreneurial, confident,
well organized self-starter
• Compensation, Base Salary Negotiable.
Call 773 595 5229
Publisher and Editor: Ron Carter
Associate Publisher: Sonja Cassandra Perdue
Chicago Street Journal
8036 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60619. E-mail:
ChicagoStJournal@gmail.com
773.595.5229
For delivery direct to your inbox.
http://www.issuu.com/ChicagoStreetJournal
Columbia University South Street Journal archive:
http://southside.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/
Archived by Columbia University’s Urban Research
Workshop (URW), back issues from 1993 to 2006 of
Chicago Street Journal’s predecessor, the South Street
Journal, were donated to provide material for URW
students to collaboratively research themes such as
gentrification, racism, political affairs, and youth
development.
CSJ is free, except special request drop offs and street
sales where a $1 donation is requested.
Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. CSJ assumes no
responsibility to return unsolicited editorial or
graphic material. All rights in letters and unsolicited
editorial or graphic
material will be
treated as unconditionally
assigned for
publication and copyright
purposes. Material
may be printed
without written permission,
upon credit
Ron Carter, Publisher and Editor
4 August February 2017
Chicago Street Journal
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
5
T
he meeting with Mariano's
on yesterday resulted in an
astounding victory with ground breaking
opportunities.
and working with us to ensure that
they remain good community partners!
Now, who's next? We are ready
for battle. The model has been established.
The more than one hour gathering of
representatives from the Chicago Defender,
the Chicago Crusader,
N'DIGO, The Citizen, WVON and
TBTNews, was concluded with a
committed 17-week AD buy for (each)
black media outlet, plus each company
will get
sponsorship
for (one)
event promo
this fiscal
year, which ends for
Mariano's Dec 31, and in
2018's fiscal budget
(Hopefully).
And thanks for all the kind and encouraging
words since this announcement
went live yesterday evening. On
behalf of black media, we need the
continued support so we can keep
having these small measures of victories
for our community and our future.
I've never
felt so proud in
business than
when I sat side
-by-side with
other media hustlers who
understood that together
we WIN! And we won
this one!
Not only that, we'll work
with the popular grocer to
create a 'signature' event for
them in Oct (2017) celebrating
their one year anniversary, which we
all will help structure and market. The
representatives from Mariano's came
to play on our court and we came to
win. Both objectives were met.
Strength in numbers paid-off.
CARL WEST
There are other battles to
explore and charge forward
on--some we'll not be so
fortunate as on Thursday. But
as long as we keep challenging the
"hidden hands of power" we will collectively
know triumph. Thanks again
and tomorrow is a new day. Until the
next edition........ Peace and One
Love.
Collectively, we wanna thank
Mariano's for valuing our businesses
I Write to Differ
www.UrbanArtRetreat.com
February 2017
6 August 2017
Chicago Street Journal
Continued from Page 1
We intend to continue to grow our efforts and work in the community,
but we need your help funding our new home. It is a 12,500 sq. ft. facility
featuring a 500 seat auditorium and many classrooms to teach our youth.
We are extremely EXCITED about this new venture, but we desperately
need your help to reach our goals.
This center will aim to reduce gun violence by giving youth a safe haven.We're
raising $105,000 to finish paying for our building, and another
$1,000,000 for our rehab, legal, and furnishing cost.
With violence in our communities at an all time high, more investment
into the youth is needed to change the conditions and reduce criminal
acts. It is a known fact that lack of activities for youth and interest in their
education directly leads to increased violence. Youth who are given alternative
opportunities and activities are less likely to turn to crime as a
means for survival.
Majostee Allstars began in 2011 as Sky-Rocketing Teens Corp dedicated
to raising the higher consciousness of youth through the venue of arts and
entertainment. In the summer of 2015, Sky-Rocketing partnered with the
City of Chicago to present "Put The Guns Down" a massive effort to reduce
gun violence in the city of Chicago, led by several representatives
from our organization. We have also Partnered with Residents for a
Greater Englewood to present peace days in the community to spread the
message of unity and self love to our neighborhoods.
community and felt that reminding our children that we are all kings and
queens would bring positive change to our neighborhoods. Under the
new moniker Majostee Allstars hosted our first event "A Little Extra Joy"
in December of 2016. We were able to provide children from 20 different
families with warm coats and a holiday dinner. In February of 2017 we
will be launching our first scholarship to give children in our neighborhoods
an opportunity to attend college.
Here is our plan:
Targeting ages 12-24, Majostee Allstars uses the principles of economic
development, entrepreneurship, and education as a means to facilitate
growth and stimulus in urban communities.
While most youth programs stress the importance of higher education,
Majostee Allstars aims to explore all options with an emphasis in entrepreneurship
and financial literacy. Majostee Allstars partner company
Executive Behavior will supply youth with journals and a life coach who
will meet with them to talk about trauma and problems in their everyday
lives. This partnership will be focused towards goal building and task setting
to allow participants to become successful in any venture.
OBJECTIVES
1. Provide a safe space for out of school learning that will include tutoring,
life coaching, entrepreneurship, and job skills.
2. Empower youth to become role models by giving them tools to
achieve their goals and influence others to do the same.
3. By training youth to actively and accurately seek and interview for
jobs.
4. To modify the behavior & mindset of youth with in-house counselor
and mentors.
5. To give a window of opportunities to teens in impoverished areas to
succeed.
6. Stimulate the community by creating more small businesses by ensuring
owners have correct knowledge to be sustainable.
7. Enhance the family structure by providing parents with assistance
needed to provide for their household in the form of training, job opportunities,
and education workshops.
OUR WORKSHOPS:
Entrepreneurship – Allstars will learn tools such as how to:
· Create a business plan
· Design a website
· Market their brand
After School Program
Majostee Allstars after school program will be exciting and beneficial for
every youth participant. Youth will have access to computers and Internet
for homework and business needs. They will be required to participate in
both two-hour workshops throughout the week where they will be taught
by a guest celebrity or professional. They will also have access to job
leads and applications to fill out on site at one of the computer stations.
All students will have a mentor and a counselor that they meet with once
a week to talk about things going on in their lives and their aspirations
and goals. Allstars will start each day with tutoring and homework assistance.
This facility will also host an open mic every Saturday, rent out the faculty
for smaller functions on Sundays, and host workshops for parents
during school hours. We will be working with neighborhood schools to
serve them since we are close.
In the fall of 2016, Sky-Rocketing Teens Corp morphed into "Majostee
Allstars," an organization dedicated to empowering youth, and inspiring
royalty. We saw a need for higher thinking and positive images in the
Help us reach our goals, anything helps. $5 or more. Thank you for being
a part of this wonderful journey with us. MajosteeAllstars.com
Call 773-998-1925 to be in the NEXT issue.
Interview with Ms. Dianna Long,
Executive Director of Urban Art Retreat
1. We’ve all heard the term “starving
artist” but can you tell our readers
about the 21 st Century working artist?
I really don't like the term “starving artist”.
Forever, people have thought of artists as
either starving or selling their art for millions.
This stereotype is one of the things
that prevents people from pursuing art for
a living. It is the reason many parents don't
Dianne and Wayne
want their children to become artists. This
“fantasy idea” of artists is not what it is
really like. Most artists pursue their art career while they hold down another
job. Smart artists figure out what it takes to make a living as an artist
& pursue that goal. They get the necessary degree/s & experience, & go forward
as in any career choice.
2. Tell us a little bit about your background/training and how you prepared
to run an organization like the Urban Art Retreat.
I have always made art, even as a toddler. Art-making was something I
found solace in, my confidence, & safety. I attended art school at SUNY at
Buffalo. While in college, I became interested in people, diversity, & social
justice issues. I worked my early adult years in the helping profession: on the
front lines & in administration at- shelter for battered women, emancipating
girls from abuse, working with people with disabilities, YWCA, & much
more. When I became tired of bureaucracy- I joined with 2 other artists/
activists & formed the Urban Art Retreat as a place for under-represented
people to find support. Now this was a place where I could bring together
my art, & my interest in helping people, to make a difference!
3. Describe a typical week at the center. What’s going on over there?
During one week at Urban Art Retreat, we check in visitors from Africa who
have been in town for a conference & now want to see Chicago. They rent a
room in our women's residence on the second floor. Some volunteers show
up to do their weekly weeding session in the Peace Park we have created
across the street. A mother arrives wanting to register her children for our
youth program. A volunteer shows up with some donations for our organization.
We send some volunteers to visit door to door in the area to tell folks
about our programs. On Tuesday & Wednesday we have young children running
about while attending outside workshops where they remove weeds,
water flowers, make art, & learn about immigration issues. We prepare the
gallery room for a social justice issues discussion. On Thursday morning we
provide art therapy at a neighborhood residential program for people with
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
mental health & physical disabilities, plus substance abuse issues. We teach
an adult art program at CUARC on Friday afternoon. On Saturday we are
open for visitors in the gallery We also have a youth program- they go on a
Peace Walk in the neighborhood after picking up litter.
4. Why the North Lawndale community? What attracted you to those
demographics?
We were in Uptown before locating to North Lawndale. We got tired of
slumlords not fixing the spaces we rented. We considered trying to purchase
a building. We looked at several places & decided to move where we felt
most needed- North Lawndale doesn't have as much support for people as
they could.
5. What would you say to a young person who may want to dabble in the
arts?
I recently offered a workshop for young people considering a career in the
arts. I tell people to check things out, don't limit yourself, & there is more to
being an artist than showing in a gallery. I also tell people that art-making is
healthy for everyone. If you want to use art as a hobby- go for it. It can relax
you & help you learn more about yourself.
6. What’s coming up in the near future for your organization?
Our organization, totally run by volunteers, is now looking into purchasing
the building next door to us, so that we can expand the space we offer as
housing for women in transition. It will also allow us more gallery space.
Another future plan is to offer more programs for adults who would like to
relax making art, and/or learn and heal via art-making.
Voodoo Woman by Dianne
Organization: Urban Art Retreat
7
Location: 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. at corner
of 21st, just 2 blocks west of the Kedzie
stop on the Pink line. Chicago, IL. 60623
Phone: (773) 542-9126
Contact: contact@urbanartretreat.com
Website: http://www.urbanartretreat.com
8 August February 2017
Chicago Street Journal
Continued from Page 1
Black Business Matters
distribution, inequality in business and infrastructure
investments, and the failure by our
elected and appointed officials to provide a quality
education to all the residents of this city. But,
given the evidence of the disparity, which are
known to more, what continues to be a mystery
is the acceptance by these communities of the
“slights” by the controlling parties, when evidence
of the inequality has been staring them in
the face since the city’s incorporation.
Without a doubt, the cry that #BlackBusiness-
Matters should be heard from every corner, pulpit
and community organization given that even
recently, the sitting elected officials of the city of
Chicago straight-faced lied while investing $55
million of city TIF monies into Navy Pier as the
south and west sides of Chicago continues to implode
from lack of economic development. One
of the city’s creative solutions even includes
adding more cops to arrest more people for selling
loose squares. Yes, selling loose squares is
illegal. But isn’t diverting TIF funds from poor
communities illegal and immoral?
These are just a few of the reasons why Black
Business Matters:
1. Communities are stronger when the businesses
are stronger. Research has shown
that the economic state of a community is
partially related to the amount of money
spent in the businesses within that community.
Those businesses invest back
into the community’s civic and social
structure, thereby, solidifying its base.
You know the local business owners.
Their concerns are your concerns. You
are part of a community family that supports
each other and grows together.
2. Employment and training opportunities
denied to Blacks by other communities
become available to the unemployed and
under-employed. Small local businesses
provide experiences the can propel many
to upper level management positions by
providing them with previously denied
chances to gain experience and enhance
their employability. (In other words, the
community can hire its own college
graduates.)
3. Community businesses create and support
a business culture wherein the community’s
children become a part of that
mindset, as they develop and grow
around entrepreneurial- minded adults.
4. African-American businesses tend to
have achievements in sports, arts, politics,
education, and civil rights. Although
these industries are of great importance to
the community, we must continue to tap
into other industries like technology,
food and services and engineering. Its
resolve must be 100 fold in order to enable
support for every product need and
service of the nation and permit gains in
the US economy that will foster its position
in the global marketplace.
5. Just like any other race the prosperity of
the Black race will contribute to the tax
base and that is of benefit to the local and
national community. (Given this fact, it is
up to the community to ask why the incentive
is not there to make the appropriate
investments locally in supporting the
small Black business owner.)
6. New employment opportunities provide
chances for previously unemployed or
under-employed workers to increase take
home pay and better their meet financial
obligations. This leads to a higher rate of
consumer spending, which benefits other
businesses who depend on consumer
sales to stay open. This creates a healthier
local economy and allows more businesses
to thrive and the community to be
self-sufficient.
According to Wikipedia, “In 2016, Chicago
hosted over 54 million domestic and international
visitors, a new record making it one of the
top visited cities in the nation.” But, the revenue
flow stopped at the color line due to lack of investment
in businesses in Black and Latino communities
with the violence going unchecked on
the south and west sides of the city. Visit
Choose Chicago (Formerly Chicago Convention
& Tourism Bureau) and you’ll find Black Chicago
a ghost town in the places to visit listings,
therefore percentage-wise barely participating in
the inflow of $15 billion in direct tourism spending
and the 145,000 jobs generated by the city’s
tourism. This means that outside of Chicago’s
(white controlled) Central Business District
(CBD) there was almost no opportunity for economic
advancement and growth. Because it takes
investment dollars to make that happen and the
life flow (money) stops before it reaches our
communities.
When the African-American community truly
decides that Black Businesses Matter, instead of
the constant lip service paid to such slogans, then
they will put in place and demand that those
placed into positions of power apply the necessary
agendas important to these communities.
When Black business truly matters to the Black
community it will make the decision that those
elected, appointed and employed persons with
six figure incomes that fund their mortgages,
educate their children and permit their families
to obtain the best medical care are removed from
those positions, then and only then will there be
a clear understanding that you can’t hold a job
that provides you with economic stability while
the communities that you manage has doubledigit
unemployment.
There is no better time, then now, to move forward
on the #BlackBusinessMatters platform, as
we celebrate National Black Business Month.
As I’ve heard the Rev. Dr. Albert Sampson say
many times, “Where is the rage?”
Sonja Cassandra Perdue is Associate Publisher
for Chicago Street Journal and Founder of Chicago’s
Black Business Network.
www.ChicagoStreetJournal.com
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
9
Click the images to learn more about our sponsors!
February 2017
10 August 2017
Chicago Street Journal
Let's Talk Purity
By: The Pure Prophet
(Prophetess Stefaniq’ue Tillis)
IF YOU KNOW YOU
HAD ONLY ONE LIFE
TO LIVE, WOULD YOU
LIVE IT TO DIE?
OR DIE TO LIVE?
T
his questioned has plagued society
for far too long. As we look around
the world, we witness death and destruction
running rampant. Today, our youth
seems to be effected by the woes of life, and
the trials and tribulations it sometimes bringing’s.
It has become a popular
belief that to escape life’s problems,
death is an option. This
notion is so far from the truth;
it has become a blinding banner
to reality.
Different faiths have developed
an ideology rooted in the
belief that if you commit suicide
you are going to hell. This
place of fire and torment is
often ignored by the individuals
who embrace the notion of
taking their own life. I believe
this is because when a person
gets to the point of wanting to
end their own life, they believe
they have no hope. I wanted to
introduce a new idealism and
language to interject life in the
place of death. And I want to
expand the readers mind in the concept of
death and hell.
Taking own the biblical concept of hell and
suicide, one must ask the one key question?
That question is how many suicides does the
bible mention? In my years of research, I
began to recall my studies in this area. Most
people always refer to Judas. From this was
the concept developed that the man who betrayed
Jesus and considered evil went to hell.
His death marked by the concept that his guilt
had driven him to go home to the devil,
which is hell. But under careful guise we
witness another death that is most opposite of
that concept.
By Dr. Al Blumenberg
Asst. Publisher/
Remember Samson in Judges 16:23-31
who prayed to God to give him strength to
kill not only himself but his enemies. Now
the question becomes is he in hell also? Especially
seeing as Jesus was not born yet, to
give repentance to sins.
Then there was Ahithophel (2Samuel
17:23) and Zimiri (1Kings16:15-20). Both
deaths range in lost to despair and even guilt.
We witness the death of Saul (1Samuel 31:2-
5) and even in his guilt was told he would be
with the prophet Samuel the day before. I
mention these things to point out the balance
of living life is knowing that when despair,
guilt, or even wrong decisions a choice is still
available.
We have a duty to minister life
to people who want to end what
they believe is their only choice.
Suicide is not about the punishment
after it’s apparent sad
consequence, its more about
how did a person get to that
point. We use God’s word as a
weapon at times on the weak
and lost, yet when we feel down
we want mercy.
Romans 8:32 makes clear that
life nor death can separate us
from the love of God in Christ
Jesus. This is not to water down
judgement! But its rather mentioned
to say the love of God
should be ministered first! We
always want to pronounce
doom and gloom, when we
should be speaking life and love
and seeking to discover the root behind why
someone would want to die before their time.
Our children are taking their life at some
alarming rates. This should get our attention
even the more so! That suicide sometimes
comes wrapped up in gang violence, and
criminal activity. Let us not forget that some
people already believe there in hell. By this a
question is birthed and asked. “If you had one
life to live, would you live it until you die?
Or die to live?
Death is measured in the separation of life
and from all activity. In this division, the
activities of life can be changed from death to
life. Meaning sometimes we need to get out
O ften times in the Christian faith
when the word Purity is spoken we think
sexual Purity, however during my walk of
Purity I always say we must be Pure in
mind, body, and spirit. And I assure you
that statement will reign True daily.
I began my journey of Purity
before I truly understood what sexual
Purity was. That journey began with a
discovery that birth a depth of hunger and
desire to live according to the word of
GOD. At a very youthful age (age 5) I
discovered many different living circumstances
concerning parents and children. I
realized there were homes with single
parents (mostly mothers), step parents
(where the step parent(s) helped care for
children that were parented by both parents
and any children that were parented
previously by either parent), there were
also children that were parented outside
of the home. After discussing this with
my siblings, I told my Mom that I was
having all of my children by one man. I
also began declaring that that man would
first be my husband.
Today this is still my daily declaration.
A declaration is a statement or
proclamation that you make; normally in
accordance
with the word of GOD
in the Christian faith. I encourage you to
begin making declarations over your life,
your family, your health, your finances
and etc.; even now whether you are single,
married, a parent, an expectant parent,
working, in between jobs, or in the
job or career field that you like.
I also continuously make declarations
over my mind and my spirit to
stay guarded. Though I still live a fun and
balanced life, I'm careful of what events,
conversations and relationships I partake
in. Being careful of my words, surroundings,
and friends helps to shape an atmosphere
that is conducive to GOD's favor
and blessings.
Keeping my body pure has come
with a Grace from GOD that I value and
respect. As an African American female I
believe it's important to your confidence
to like what you wear, however you
should look graceful and polished
throughout.
I encourage you to begin reading
the word of GOD and find scriptures that
will help your current situation and begin
declaring that over you to begin your
steps of Purity. Though we may all have a
ways to go in our journeys we must remember
every journey begins with a step.
Prophetess Stefaniq'ue Tillis is
the founder of Purity Reigns International
The Weight of Motherhood
from the Heart of Pastor Sandra
Randle
Written & Edited By: Prophetess
Stefaniq'ue Tillis
(Transcribed from an Interview
with Pastor Sandra Randle)
As a Pastor I have witnessed
many parents drop the
weight of parenthood. In the African
American culture how do we
bring healing to the child(ren),
parents, and families that have
suffered from the lost of true parental
upbringing.
As a small child, I don't
remember my mother taking out
the time to deal with the responsibilities
of my brothers and I. Yes
we were clothed and feed, but we
never knew the acceptance and
love of our mother, because She
didn't make it readily noticeable or
available for us to receive. So I
went looking for love in all of the
wrong places and when I thought
I'd found it I married and became a
mother at the age of 18.
I didn't know the responsibilities
motherhood held, though
I kept my daughter clean and well
fed, I didn't know the emotional
and spiritual aspects of rearing
another human being. As I'd only
seen partying, obscene language,
and drinking amongst the adults in
my family, I eventually began to
grow accustomed to that lifestyle
and I loved it. After moving to
my husband's home town several
states from my own family I began
to allow my husband's family
members to rear my child. When
my marriage began failing, I began
to drift away from the duties of
Motherhood and began to partake
in a lifestyle that ripped the very
spine of my relationship with my
daughter.
Now many years later
after reuniting with my daughter, I
can encourage all parents to uphold
the weight of parenthood. The
question of what is the weight of
parenthood is answered in the
scriptures Ephesians 6:4 & Proverbs
22:6 just to begin. As parents
we are to teach our children, we
are to guide them for the obstacles
that are sure to meet them in life.
We are to teach them how to love
and honor God and other humans
with wisdom and reason. We are to
shield them, as they listen, from
life's hurts and we are to bring a
balance of love and chastisement
to their growing minds. We are to
nurture them and discipline them.
We should teach them to uphold
the laws of righteousness and integrity.
Our young daughters
should never have to look only to
social media and society to train
them to be young ladies, mothers,
and successful beings, nor should
or young sons have to be reared up
by gangs and violence, to feel love,
honored and accepted. We as parents
should uphold ourselves to the
weight of parenthood and begin to
train our children to be the upmost
of everything that we can see in
them that is well, and that which
they desire to be.
If you are a parent or
child today that has suffered from
the weight of parenthood being
dropped. Begin healing with forgiveness.
Parents forgive yourself
first, and then begin to learn who
you are and whom your child(ren)
have become and learn to love and
guide them from where they are
and forward. And children forgive
your parents for their mistakes and
allow them to build a healthy relationship
with you if they desire.
Though it may be a long journey as
it was for my daughter and I complete
healing can come if you forgive
and communicate with truth.
Also after the past is talked about,
whether it's agreed upon or not,
don't rehearse it continuously. Start
from where each of you are today
and build on the love that you have
to share for each other now and it
will grow.
Pastor Sandra Randle is
the founder of Women On Fire By
GOD. She lives in Houston TX
with Her 1 daughter, 8 grandchildren
and 4 great grandchildren.
Parents, children, and family members
can contact Her through Facebook
at Women On Fire By GOD
if you have more questions about
being healed from the lack of parenthood.
Katie you say that the bible is a
blatant contradiction, so I guess
that means you have read the bible
in its entirety and understand all
of it fully to be able to make that
statement such as that, so have
you actually done that? Have you
read all of it and fully understand?
I'm willing to bet that you haven't
so you're wrong in your bible contradiction
conclusion. Katie I
challenge you to find any of the
contradictions that you say the
bible has and I will show you that
it is not, I will show you the error
of your ways thus revealing to you
that you are in fact the contradiction
because God and his word is
not a contradiction, people are. I
truly hope you accept my challenge
because I want others here
to experience this also. So it's on
you now, go ahead and give me
your bible contradictions, I'll be
waiting, take care.
February 2017
Chicago Street Journal August 2017
11
February 2017
12 August 2017
Chicago Street Journal
FIRING YOUR BOSS IS
EASIER THAN YOU KNOW
1 Day Expo positions hundreds for Self
Employment Success
The Self Employment Expo returns for its 11th
year September 9,2017. The Expo is Chicago’s
longest running conference that matches aspiring
Entrepreneurs with options, opportunities
and resources for successful business ownership.
The fear of “Pink Slip” Friday looms in the
minds of many employees. Most of us are
groomed to earn a living through traditional employment
yet many are considering business
ownership or other forms of Self Employment
but may not know where to begin. The Self Employment
Expo provides the foundation and resources
for aspiring Entrepreneurs.
The 1 day conference brings a myriad of self
employment options such as direct sell, franchise,
independent contractor opportunities as
well as products and services for business owners.
Industry experts come together to help and
teach those interested in starting a business with
step by step instruction and Entrepreneurship
preparedness.
This one of a kind Expo features more than 10+
free workshops and programs along with dozens
of interactive demos and brand exhibits. Headlining
the workshops for the 2nd time is AC
Green of the AC Green Radio show. He’ll bring
his “Don’t Give Up” brand of motivating and
teaching as he demonstrates the ins and outs of
Credit Restoration as well as financial readiness.
Business owners and startups will take advantage
of free admission and informational workshops
including Real Estate Investing, Attracting
Capital, Email & Social Media Marketing,
Self Publishing, monetizing your brand and
much more.
The Self Employment Expo expects 1,000+ registered
attendees throughout the Chicago Land
Area seeking information and resources for successful
Entrepreneurship. They’ll network with
business owners, learn the options for business
startup and gain new insight about self employment
possibilities. Our current format has
helped hundreds become successful business
owners and our attendees are more empowered
and prepared by the end of the day.
This year’s sponsors include #1 Email Marketing
Company Constant Contact and Local Entrepreneur
Oooh Wee Sweet Tea Franchise. The
Self Employment Expo will take place September
9, 2017 at The LakeShore Conference Center
4900 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
60615. For all media inquiries and complimentary
press passes contact: Darlene Tate-
President of Operations.
info@selfemploymentexpo.com or 708-261-
8987.
About the Creator: Darlene Tate developed the
Self Employment Expo in 2006 as a way to encourage
entrepreneurship during an economic
downturn. Darlene is a seasoned business owner
as a board game developer, speaker and radio
host. Her businesses and products have been
featured on numerous TV, Radio and Print media
outlets locally and nationally. For more information
visit our website
www.selfemploymentexpo.com Call 708-261-
8987 info@selfemploymentexpo.com
ent Ad
#Follow Chicago Street Journal at Issuu.com/ChicagoStreetJournal
Send your editorials to ChicagoStJournal@gmail.com.
Chicago Street Journal is looking for experienced sales agents.
Call 773-998-1925 for details.
(Creatively commissioned positions.)
Click the images to learn more about our sponsors!
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
13
February 2017
14 August 2017
Chicago Street Journal
The ACLU reported that social media giants, Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram have been giving Geofeedia access to user
information that helped law enforcement agencies monitor, track
and target activists of color. Geofeedia is a location-based social
media monitoring company that provides real-time data on social
media users in a specified area. Facebook, owns Instagram.
Emails between law enforcement and representatives of
Geofeedia revealed that the company was given “special access”
to the social media sites, even referring to a “partnership” with
Instagram and Facebook.
Geofeedia sources all social media activity within the targeted
area from social media sites. Though the posts initially appear as
dots on the map, they can be interacted with to reveal the content
of each individual post.
With this data, law enforcement
is able to monitor
specific keywords, the people
using them and the locations
they are in when suing them.
For example keywords like
“rally”, “protest”, or
“march” can be tracked,
along with hashtags like
#BlackLivesMatter.
According to the ACLU, they have uncovered that Twitter,
Instagram, and Facebook have all provided Geofeedia with varying
levels of access to this data, which it then used as a bargaining
chip when negotiating with law enforcement. There has been no
numbers released as of yet specifying how many people were
targeted, however it is said that this was directly involved in the
Baltimore Police Department’s response to the Freddie Gray
protests. According to the study, the BPD renewed their
Geofeedia contract only days before the protests. The study also
revealed that law enforcement used facial recognition software
to identify specific protestors from their social media photos.
They then matched that information to outstanding warrants and
arrested protestors “directly from the crowd.”
The Washington Post reported that Geofeedia provides 500 law
enforcement agencies with surveillance data. Specifically pointing
out that the company has been “monitoring for protests”
with “several DAs from around the country.” One email between
Geofeedia and police says a product feature “covered
Ferguson/Mike Brown nationally with great success.”
In response, Facebook, said Geofeedia only had access to data
people had already made public:
Its access was subject to the limitations in our Platform Policy,
which outlines what we expect from developers that receive data
using the Facebook Platform. If a developer uses our [user data]
in a way that has not been authorized, we will take swift action to
stop them and we will end our relationship altogether if necessary.
In response to the announcement, all three sites—Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter—have terminated Geofeedia’s access to
t h e i r d a t a .
Brandi Collins, campaign director of online racial justice organization
Color of Change said in a recent statement:
Facebook and especially Twitter have built their brands on the
backs of Black users. CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey
have openly courted activists and organizations in the Movement
for Black Lives to engage with their platforms. This makes each
of their involvement with social media surveillance tools used
against Black activists all the more disturbing.
Most troubling is that Geofeedia is just one part of an entire
economy of mass surveillance tools that source similar locationbased
social media information. Dataminr, MediaSonar, X1
Social Discovery, and Dunami, all have similar scanning, keyword
filtering, and real-time geolocation features. Whether these
services are collaborating with law enforcement for masssurveillance
has not been revealed, but the conversation on privacy
and fears of police overreach continues.
No word from “Rock” Charles
Dutton on accountability to his word: on the Chicago’s
Black Business Network radio program, he
stated he would like make a movie on Harold Washington,
saying he could play the part well… and that he
would like to produce a movie on the Black Wall Street
of Tulsa. In any case, Oprah Winfrey has announced
that she will be producing a film on Tulsa Black Wall
Street. But John Legend has step up to the plate of the
NAACP. John Legend is continuing his relationship
with WGN America by executive producing a new
series based on the true story of the so-called Black
Wall Street, TheWrap has confirmed.The currently
untitled series is in the early stages of development,
with Legend producing through his Get Lifted production
banner along with Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius and
“Southside With You” star Tika Sumpter.
Winfrey was scheduled for September of 2015, but no
word on how it is going just yet.
February 2017
Chicago Street Journal August 2017
15
February 2017
16 August 2017
Chicago Street Journal
#Follow Chicago Street Journal at Issuu.com/ChicagoStreetJournal
Send your editorials to ChicagoStJournal@gmail.com.
Chicago Street Journal is looking for experienced sales agents.
Call 773-998-1925 for details.
(Creatively commissioned positions.)
CSJ CLASSIFIED
AD SECTION
February Chicago Street Journal August 2017
Looking for love or just a friendly chat? Connect with
Latino singles in your area. 18 Plus- Call 1-855-403-
2566 Try it free
Listen to Chicago’s Black Business Radio Network.com
17
Get a FREE ad in the Classified Section of CSJ.
(First time advertisers only.) Send your ad by the
25th of the month and we’ll publish it in the next issue
of Chicago Street Journal. 200 characters maximum.
No marketing or advertising products.
Send your ad to ChicagoStJournal@gmail.com
————————————————————-
Become a published author! International distribution,
print and digital formats. Books sold at major retailers.
Contact Page Publishing for your FREE author submission
kit. CALL 1- 844-245-0134
DISH TV. 190 channels. $49.99/mo. for 24 mos. Ask
About Exclusive Dish Features like Sling® and the
Hopper®. PLUS HighSpeed Internet, $14.95/mo.
(Availability and Restrictions apply.) TV for Less, Not
Less TV! 1-877-869-5106
SAVE on internet and TV bundles! Order the best
exclusive cable and satellite deals in your area! If eligible,
get up to $300 in Visa Gift Cards. CALL
NOW! 1-855-993-3826
Cut the Cable! CALL DIRECTV. Bundle & Save! Over
145 Channels PLUS Genie HD-DVR. $50/month for 2
Years (with AT&T Wireless.) Call for Other Great Offers!
1- 855-407-7111
Thinking of buying a new or used car? Call to get current
promotional pricing and local dealer incentives for
free. No hassle. No obligation. Call: 844-388-2521
Follow Chicago Street Journal @ issuu.com/
ChicagoStreetJournal and have every issue delivered
right to your mailbox.
All Things Basement! Basement Systems Inc. Call us
for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing,
Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control
FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-855-611-1266
Chicago Street Journal is looking for experienced
sales agents. Call 773-998-1925
for details. (Creatively commissioned positions.)
NEW AT&T INTERNET OFFER. $20 and $30/mo
plans available when you bundle. Offer ends soon.
HURRY CALL NOW 1-844-290-5675
Moving Out of State? We Will Match or Beat Any Price
Guaranteed! Prices Start at Only $799. Quality Moving
Companies Only. CALL Long Distance Movers for
FREE Quote 1-855-652-7073
SAVE YOUR HOME! Are you behind paying your
MORTGAGE? Denied a Loan Modification? Is the
bank threatening foreclosure? CALL Homeowner's Relief
Line now for Help. 844-359-1024
Meet singles right now! No paid operators, just real
people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages
and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 855-823-4108
FREE Classified Ads in NEXT edition of CSJ.
Send your ad by 25th of month to ChicagoStJournal@gmail.com.
August
February
2017
2017
18 Chicago Street Journal
www.AskingOurselvesTheToughQuestions.com
Change language