Greetings. There are so many things to celebrate in June, besides the welcome warm weather, our beautiful parks and wonderful lakes and river excursions. The health of our Black men is always important to us year-round – and June is the month that is specifically set aside to talk about, think about and learn about Blackmen’s health. Real Men Cook & Real Men Charities mostly with support from UChicago Medicine for over a decade, offer a wealth of information on fighting disease with one dominant intent, to increase Black male life expectancy. On social media we use #MensHealthMonth.
We interviewed former Assistant Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Health, and former Cook County Regional Health Director, Joseph Harrington, for this issue. We hope his enlightening discussion about men’s health and the alarming disparities they are facing will inspire and motivate our men to take better care of their health. Ladies, please share this article with your husbands, fathers, uncles, sons, nephews, grandsons, cousins, and male friends – it’s never too soon to start getting more involved in matters of health.
The month of June is also the month of Father’s Day, and our fathers, young and old, do so much and mean so much to our families that they deserve this special day of love and recognition. Father’s Day always happens on the third Sunday of June – and this year, it just happens to fall on the Sunday before Juneteenth. That’s special because you don’t have to worry about making reservations at a restaurant, just come out to Real Men’s Cook on Father’s Day. This year’s theme is The Art of Living. And be sure to wear those comfortable shoes and be prepared to go from station to station. This signature event for families celebrating brothers is not about sitting down! Of course, the South Side Drive is celebrating the special day with two Father’s Day articles.
We interviewed Jeff Osuji, co-founder, and CEO of Eventnoire, an online ticketing platform which focuses on Black-centric events and culture. Jeff is known as an entrepreneur, brand-builder, connector, and growth-driver. But his most significant role is being father to his fourteen-month -old son. We hope you’ll also enjoy our article, “Songs for my Father,” which explores the Father’s Day messages in the music of some of our most beloved and iconic music makers.
June is also the month of Black Music Week. Chicago jazz vocalist and author, Sasha Daltonn, best known for “Sasha Sings Dinah!” gives a fascinating account of Chicago’s contribution to every genre of music, and the many Black artists who influenced each genre, all who happen to have or have had roots in our great city.
Everyone knows that June is the month of Juneteenth celebrations. The official Illinois holiday is Monday, June 20th . We were celebrating this special day long before President Biden declared it a national holiday. Historian, author and frequent South Side Drive contributor, Hunter Adams presents an informative view of Juneteenth – including how it began, and what our “free-ish” formerly enslaved ancestors gained after the last vestige learned of their official freedom and just as quickly lost those gains with the death of Abe Lincoln. You don’t have to be a student of history to be intrigued by this captivating narrative.
Happy Father’s Day. The tradition of celebrating fathers and father figures, Real Men Cook, continues Sunday, June 18th. Tickets are available at Eventnoire or Saturday at The Quarry when WAHL and Real Men Cook collaborate to provide free beard trims. Donate to support these efforts at www.RealMenCharitiesInc.org/donate. We extend a special thanks to UChicago Medicine for continued support. Here’s to a Safe and Peaceful Chicago for all.
