Our cover art was created by a very talented young woman, Kiela Smith. Kiela is a consultant, visual artist, southside muralist and business consultant, plus she is the visionary co-founder of Artists Design for the Future.
As we enter the month of August, we mourn the July deaths of two individuals who contributed so much to our world: Renee Ferguson and Malcolm Jamal Warner. Renee Ferguson was known for her groundbreaking investigative reporting and her commitment to social justice. We first met Malcolm- Jamal Warner as one of the “Cosby kids,” and watched him grow into an amazingly talented actor and also a spokesperson for the African American causes of self- respect, cultural knowledge, freedom and justice.
For the past ten years, the South Shore residents and neighbors throughout Chicago have been celebrating summer and life and community togetherness at the South Shore Summer Festival. In this issue, LaShawn Brown, SSA #42 Program Manager for the South Shore Chamber of Commerce captures the rhythms and excitement of the upcoming 11th Annual South Shore Summer Festival and informs us of the ongoing very meaningful work of the South Shore Chamber. For years the South Shore Chamber has brought business opportunities to the South Shore community, and it’s so important to highlight this organization in August, Black Business Month.
Recognizing and celebrating Black Business Month is so important, especially in times such as these. College student and South Side Drive reporter, Karmen Hodge, guides us to the best southside Chicago’s best Black-owned restaurants from a Generation Z perspective. After checking out Karmen’s list, never again will you have to wonder what’s a good place to go for a great meal.
Honoring Black businesses doesn’t stop at the month of August. It’s a year long thing that doesn’t just mean shopping at Black establishments or eating at Black- owned restaurants. As Natalie Noble explains in a timely and informative article, it also means investing in Black businesses. Natalie explains not only how we as consumers can invest in Black businesses, but also why such investments are important to the future of our communities.
Speaking of the future of our communities, we take a look at the amazing work that the organization, BECOME, is doing within our communities. If you’ve seem the awesome transformation of Auburn Gresham, it is due largely to the work of BECOME, led by Dr. Dominica McGuire. But Dr. McGuire and her staff didn’t do this work alone. They worked with community organizations and community residents, listening to their dreams and wishes and visions, and it all culminates into an evolving vision of community dream come true.
