Celebrating National Black Business Month. Chicago Street Journal (CSJ) August 11, 2017.

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!


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! 


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 


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


Chicago Street Journal


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 


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 


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



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


9 


February 2017 



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 



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.) 



13

February 2017 



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 



#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 


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

Celebrating National Black Business Month. Chicago Street Journal (CSJ) August 11, 2017.

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?