Greetings:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as we walk and participate in various events to support breast cancer survivors and commemorate those who lost their fight to this dreadful disease, we remind our readers to be mindful of their own health through annual checkups, exercise and nutritious diet. Also, while September was suicide prevention month, let’s take a moment to reflect on those lost, and in particular Chef Joshua Marks, who took his life on October 11, 2013.
With so many young African Americans out of work, we’re excited to feature a program in this issue that’s providing young Black men and women the opportunity to learn a skill that will lead to more than a job; it will put them on track to a well-paying career. Kudos to St. Paul Church Community Development Ministries for giving these individuals the tools they need to change their lives in a positive way. We encourage your support of their fundraising efforts on October 26, which are mentioned in this issue.
At Real Men Charities, we’re also impacting the lives of our young people with the exciting and innovative series, the Wisdom of the Elders. Our community is fortunate to be home to activist elders who have lifetimes of experiences we rarely are exposed to, and lifetimes of wisdom to share. Rael Jackson, President of Real Men Charities is credited with this innovative program which will only grow bigger and bigger as it continues.
Our series began in September and the first elder to be featured at the Quarry was Brutha Hood, an activist and community contributor who has been engaged in our nonprofit work for many years. Formerly incarcerated, he shared and gave tribute to his father, Jimmy Morgan, for a vision differed for his family and for unconditional love during his darkest hours, as well as being an inspiration for his HoodHope Movement. DePaul student, Kayla Hodge, as interviewer, allowed us to sponsor a valuable cross-generational conversation with support from the Excellerator Fund.
Our featured elder in October was that dynamic host of the Salim Muwakkil Show,
none other than Salim Muwakkil, live and in person. Salim revealed the very unique and very interesting 60 years of his life to a captivated audience at the Quarry. We have profiled Muwakkil and reviewed his presentation for your enjoyment.
On November 8th, we will hear from Elder Jeanette Foreman, who is an attorney and community activist, known and loved throughout the community with scores of wisdom to share. Sister Foreman had a pivotal role in helping get Harold Washington elected as the first Black Mayor of Chicago and in creating small business opportunities. International insights beyond travel, her HBCU and family history require that you place 6 pm November 8th on your calendar. Join us at the Quarry, 2423 East 75th Street to hear the wisdom of Elder Jeanette Foreman.
Black Health matters and as we guide our readers to the good life, we want to continuously guide you to good health as well. In this issue we explore the perils of a fast-food diet, and the many options we have to live a good, healthy, and nutritious life.
Sadly, this month, we have had to say goodbye to yet another elder. Raynard Villa Hall loved the community, and he showed it through his activism, and through his BronzeComm news that showed up in emails weekly, telling subscribers about he latest Black business ventures and the latest community events. We give a special tribute to Brother Raynard Hall in this issue, and the community is invited to join us at the Quarry on October 28 to give Raynard Hall the send off he deserves as he leaves this plane to join the ancestors.
Last, but not least, the plight of migrants here in Chicago and wars in the world remind us of lessons learned through our close work with the Great Migration Centennial in 2016. A hundred years before Black Chicago’s numbers grew, our ancestors left southern despair seeking a new life, peace and prosperity. On this day, that vision has only been partially fulfilled. We work and pray for equity for our homeless, overly incarcerated and disconnected and continue to place ourselves in a position to lift Black voices, shed light and provide hope for the future, and evidence of our successes and victories.
