Millennials Prioritize Mental Health: A Candid Convo with Millennial Therapists

Millennials Take Control of Their Mental Health: A Candid Convo with a Millennial Therapist.

By: Lynzee Mychael

In recent years, millennials have become progressively more vocal about the importance of mental health. This generation is unique in many ways, and their commitment to talk openly about mental health issues is one of the key elements that sets them apart from the generations before them. African American millennials are beginning to recognize the importance of mental health and taking control of their own mental wellness. With access to more resources than ever before, this generation is looking at mental health professionals, support groups and self-care practices to ensure they’re on the path to emotional well-being.

As African American millennials take control of their mental health, the shame surrounding therapy in the black community is beginning to dissipate. Mental wellness is an increasingly important topic in African American communities, where mental health disparities have long been a problem. Millennials, often characterized as being more open and comfortable discussing their mental health than previous generation, are more likely to seek help. And they are more likely to talk openly about their mental health and the challenges they face. This is a major shift in the way mental health is discussed, and it is having a positive impact not only on millennials but also on other generations of African Americans.

Although Mental Health Month is in May, it is important to keep the conversation relevant year-round to promote health and wellness. I caught up with three licensed mental health professionals who happen to be millennials to discuss the importance of mental wellness.

Markeshia Johnson is a licensed clinical therapist and owner of Restorative Minds Counseling. She is passionate about helping people reach their highest selves and navigating self-discovery. Angela B. Burgess is a mental health therapist who believes in meeting people where they are. She is a published author, advocate for youth and creator of #MyselfIncluded. Shadae Roberson is a licensed therapist and owner of Healing Matters Counseling Services. She specializes in trauma, grief and loss and depression and anxiety management.

What are some key differences you see within millennials compared to our parents’ generation and before that may be why we are starting to take more control over our mental health? 

Markeshia Johnson – Millennials are more open. They are innovative and breaking barriers on so many levels in regard to mental health. Millennials are not suffering in silence. Our generation is more open to change. A lot of previous generations are used to one way and that’s the way of the world. Millennials are open to different self-opinions, and I think that’s one of the main things that set us apart. We have social media now and a lot of things are more accessible. We are in this technology era, so a lot of things are more accessible, and we have resources at our fingertips. The millennial generation is open to educating ourselves on things we don’t know about.

Angela B. Burgess – We are the generation that asks questions. Different generations followed without asking. Millennials are that sweet spot where we are young enough to remember life before the internet, but we are old enough to have had access as adolescents. We had access to knowledge when generations before us didn’t have that access so they followed what happened around them. Now we use words like toxic masculinity, scapegoating and gaslighting. These are words that are common in my field but now someone can learn what it is and post it and it becomes popular.

Shadae Roberson – The stigma of receiving mental health care has been prevalent. Dating back to slavery, entrusting medical professionals has been frowned upon. We are in a movement in which individuals are embracing a need to be proactive with their mental health. As a nation, the rate of suicide is on the rise. We are finally at a point where we aren’t saying ‘what happens in this house, stays in this house’ and we are actually talking about and identifying unhealthy patterns and generational curses.

What ways can someone help a loved one who is not open to the idea of therapy but is having mental struggles that need to be addressed?

Markeshia Johnson – Try not to be judgmental. The main thing is checking on your people and seeing how they are doing. If you notice that there is a shift in a person’s behavior, that’s one of the first symptoms that they may be struggling. I would first talk to them. Let them know you are there for them. A lot of times people do need their space, but as a friend and family member that love those people it’s important that you talk to them and allow them to come to you. There are also different hotlines and resources you can provide. 988 is the 3 digit number that someone can use if they are contemplating suicide or having suicidal thoughts. I still would give them a list of resources if they’re open at some point to seek professional help.

Angela B. Burgess – I would suggest you meet them where they are. So, you can maybe just be that listening ear and start there. Acknowledge they have a lot going. Let them know “I’m just here to listen to you but I’m also not a professional or [if you are] a professional, I cannot be your professional so maybe you should talk to somebody” and just help them on their journey to healing themselves. So, sometimes that looks like showing up. And sometimes it looks like modeling. Sometimes someone seeing you on your healing journey will inspire them to take control of their mental health.

Shadae Roberson – It can be discouraging to watch those you care for struggle with their mental health. The most nurturing thing to do in these cases is to be a listening ear and validate what they are going through. Build trust and rapport to be of support the best way possible while never forgetting to check in with yourself. Why is this affecting you so much? Are there other people or agencies that can share the responsibility? Resist the urge to ‘fix’ and simply ask how you can help. Ask questions and explore various options together. Pay attention to the red flags or signs and symptoms that a person is in crisis and seek assistance. Provide resources like the 24-hour text and chat hotline at 988.

Millennials are taking control of their mental health by actively seeking help and speaking out about their experiences. This includes talking to friends and family, seeking professional help and utilizing technology and social media to share their stories. African American millennials are leading the charge towards destigmatizing mental health and accessing better care. The millennial generation is the most educated and diverse generation yet and is increasingly vocal about mental health issues and advocating for better access to mental health services.

If you or someone you love need help resources can be found on www.psychologytoday.com.

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Kamala Harris’s shining moment in Tennessee 

Kamala Harris’s shining moment in Tennessee  | The Hill









The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Fisk University, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Harris came to support two Democratic lawmakers who were expelled from the Tennessee State Legislature. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

On Good Friday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had no public events listed on their respective schedules. But by early that morning the vice president decided to travel to Tennessee, and by that afternoon, she was on a plane bound for Nashville. 

Days earlier, yet another horrific shooting occurred at a Nashville school that, like so many others, was given wall-to-wall cable news coverage. Three nine-year-old children, the school principal and two teachers were killed. Thousands flocked to the state Capitol demanding action. Joining the demonstrators at the statehouse were three Democratic legislators — Justin Jones, Justin J. Pearson and Gloria Johnson. 

Johnson, a teacher who survived a different school shooting, says, “Every time I am in a school, and I hear sirens, I jump.” 

Taking their protest to the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives after their microphones were turned off, Jones shouted from a bullhorn, “No action, no peace!” and waved a sign reading, “Protect kids, not guns.” Pearson also grabbed the megaphone and chanted, “Enough is enough!” Johnson stood by her two African American colleagues in a show of solidarity.  

Not content with offering little more than “thoughts and prayers,” the Republican-controlled legislature expelled Jones and Pearson, instantly depriving nearly 135,000 people of their voices at the state Capitol. 

When asked why she, too, wasn’t driven from her seat, Johnson responded: “Well, I think it’s pretty clear. I’m a 60-year-old white woman.” 

Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton compared the actions of Jones, Pearson and Johnson to an “insurrection equivalent to, or worse than, that at the nation’s Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. But the expulsion of the legislators spectacularly backfired, as the so-called “Tennessee Three” were immediately catapulted from obscurity to national prominence. 

Outraged at the expulsions of the two African American legislators and the attempt to oust a third, Vice President Harris landed in Nashville and met privately with the Tennessee Three. She then traveled to Fisk University, the historic black college, where she delivered a hastily prepared speech. Appearing before a young, mostly African American audience, Harris denounced those who told the Tennessee Three to “sit down and be quiet,” saying, “You can’t walk around with your lapel pin, and you’re not representing the values we hold dear as Americans.” Reminding her listeners of her position as vice president of the United States, Harris told the young leaders, “We need you,” and ended her remarks by saying “We march on.” The crowd reaction was electric and Harris was met with cheers and lengthy applause.  

Spontaneous moments in politics are rare, given how politicians are reminded to “stay on message.” But when they occur, they are memorable. 

In 1968, Robert F. Kennedy gave an impromptu address in Indianapolis after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Kennedy addressed the tragedy in a very personal way, reminding his listeners, “I had a member of my family killed, too,” a reference to the assassination five years earlier of his brother, John F. Kennedy. He called for replacing the “stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land with an effort to understand with compassion and love.” While riots erupted in other American cities on that April night, Indianapolis remained quiet. 

Another memorable political moment occurred days after the 9/11 attacks when George W. Bush climbed atop the rubble of the World Trade Center, grabbed a bullhorn, and shouted: “I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you . . . and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” 

Finally, at a 2015 South Carolina memorial service for nine people killed by a white supremacist at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Barack Obama spontaneously began singing Amazing Grace. Those viral moments became indelibly fixed in our collective memories of these leaders. 

The modern vice presidency is a hard job, and the responsibilities given to any vice president are solely at the discretion of the president. Political independence is an oxymoron, as vice presidents are expected to echo the refrains coming from the White House. Kamala Harris is no exception. But Tennessee demanded her presence, and Harris’s background positioned her as best suited to address the undemocratic actions of the Republican-controlled state legislature. 

In particular, the expulsion of the two Black legislators, Jones and Pearson, is part of Tennessee’s long history of racial discrimination. Before entering the legislature, Justin Jones led a successful protest to remove the statute of Klan founder, Nathan Bedford Forrest, from its place of honor in the State Capitol. 

Additionally, when white Republican legislators engaged in misconduct that should have resulted in their removal, they were permitted to complete the remainder of their terms. In 2018, Rep. David Byrd (R) was accused of assaulting three female minors while serving as a baseball coach. (The resolution to expel Byrd was sponsored by Gloria Johnson.) In 2022, Rep. Glen Casada (R) was charged with money laundering, wire fraud and bribery, but served the rest of his term. Only last month, Rep. Paul Sherrell proposed adding “hanging from a tree” to the state’s execution methods, calling it “a good idea.” He, too, remains in the legislature. 

As the first female, African American, and Asian vice president, Kamala Harris spoke to the moment. While most vice presidents fade into political oblivion, Harris is a force in her own right. Her Tennessee speech — like those of Robert Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama — has become her shining moment.

John Kenneth White is a professor of Politics at The Catholic University of America. His latest book, co-authored with Matthew Kerbel, is titled “American Political Parties: Why They Formed, How They Function, and Where They’re Headed”. He can be reached at johnkennethwhite.com.  

Tags Joe Biden Kamala Harris Politics of the United States Robert F. Kennedy Tennessee lawmakers Tennessee Republican Party


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Disparities in HIV prevalence, prevention and treatment: An explainer and research roundup

It’s been more than four decades since the first major headline about a new infectious disease appeared in the news in July 1981. At the time, doctors still didn’t know about HIV and characterized the infection as a “rare and often rapidly fatal form of cancer” diagnosed in 41 gay men in New York and California.

By the end of 1981, 42,000 people were living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV in the U.S., according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. There were 20,000 new HIV diagnoses that year. In 1992, AIDS became the number one cause of death among young men in the United States. The epidemic reached its peak in 1995, when more than 45,000 people died from the infection.

The number of people infected with HIV has declined over the years and far fewer people die of AIDS as more people are receiving appropriate treatment. HIV/AIDS was the eighth leading cause of death worldwide in 2010 and dropped to 14th in 2019. But despite progress toward treating and prevention, HIV remains a major public health concern. And as with many other health issues, there are racial, gender and geographic disparities in HIV care continuum. It’s important for journalists to keep covering this ongoing epidemic locally, nationally and internationally.

Recent disruptions in treatment and prevention

There’s still no cure for HIV infection, nor a vaccine against it.

But there is effective treatment. HIV medicine is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART, and is prescribed as a single pill or combination of medications from several drug classes. HIV medicine reduces the amount of HIV in the body to very low levels, helping the immune system prevent illness.

There is also pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a group of medications in pill or injection form to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is for people who don’t have HIV but are at risk of getting it through sex or injection drug use. It was approved for use in the U.S. in 2012.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted HIV services, including testing and access to care.

Moreover, on March 30, Reed O’Connor, a federal judge in Texas, blocked a requirement under the Affordable Care Act that covered preventive health services at no cost to patients, including cancer screenings, routine screening for sexually transmitted infections, and PrEP.

“If the plaintiffs prevail on either the constitutional or the religious claims, the government’s ability to require insurance plans to cover evidence-based preventive services without cost-sharing may be limited,” write Laurie Sobel and colleagues in an explainer for the Kaiser Family Foundation.

While following the case, health reporters should also look into local HIV data kept by state health departments, and speak with local HIV testing and advocacy groups about disparities, availability of services such as testing, and access to care.

“The fundamentals of the HIV care continuum are first testing and identifying the people who are living with it — and there’s a dearth of testing,” says Jona Tanguay, a health care provider and HIV specialist at Whitman-Walker Health, a nonprofit community health center in Washington, D.C.

If someone is diagnosed with HIV, then it’s a matter of having access to care and people who can help them navigate the health care system. This is especially true for people who are under-insured and have high-deductible insurance plans, says Tanguay, who is also vice president for education at GLMA, previously known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association.  

Some key stats: disparities in the prevalence of HIV

Worldwide, about 0.7% of adults between 15 and 49 years old — 38.4 million people — lived with HIV in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.

About 1.2 million people in the U.S. lived with an HIV infection and there were 34,800 new cases in 2019, which is the latest available year for U.S. HIV data, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2019, the majority of new HIV infections in the U.S. occurred in the South — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The highest rate of new infections were among Black Americans (42.1%), followed by Hispanic and Latino people (21.7%) and multiracial people (18.4%), according to the CDC. In the U.S., gay, bisexual, and other men who report male-to-male sexual contact are disproportionately affected by HIV. About 70% of new HIV infections in 2019 were among gay and bisexual men, according to the CDC.

Globally, about one in six people with HIV don’t know that they are infected. Two-thirds of all people living with HIV are in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific. In eastern and southern Africa, 79% of new HIV infections were among girls between 10 and 19 years old in 2017, according to UNAIDS, a leading global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

It’s important for journalists to let their audiences know that HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. But certain groups are at higher risk for HIV because of particular factors.

Some of the main drivers behind the disparities are social and structural issues, such as stigma around HIV, homophobia, discrimination, poverty and limited access to high-quality health care.

“The most important thing for journalists to talk about is about basic health education and why people aren’t getting tested,” Tanguay said. “Why don’t people know where the testing centers are? And what’s stopping people from understanding how to take charge of their sexual health in their community, because that’s the very first step in that continuum and that’s the easiest step to solve. It’s the cheapest step to solve and we haven’t fully invested in solving that problem.”

Below, we’ve highlighted several studies on HIV and PrEP to help journalists bolster their reporting.

Research roundup

Progress Toward Eliminating HIV as a Global Public Health Threat Through Scale-Up of Antiretroviral Therapy and Health System Strengthening Supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief — Worldwide, 2004–2022
Helen Chun, et al. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 2023.

The study: In 2004, The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, began providing HIV antiretroviral therapy globally. President George W. Bush announced the effort during his 2003 State of the Union. PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease, the authors write. The report investigates the program’s impact by analyzing data from all PEPFAR programs in additional to six countries that have conducted HIV impact assessment surveys.

The findings: As of September 2022, about 20.2 million people with HIV in 54 countries were receiving PEPFAR-supported antiretroviral therapy, a 300-fold increase from the 66,550 reported in September 2004. In 2022, the PEPFAR-supported workforce included 371,760 health care workers in 70,000 communities, clinics and elsewhere. Researchers identified gaps in viral load coverage in certain groups, including children younger than 10, men, pregnant women, men who have sex with men, people in prisons and transgender people.

Viral load coverage is the proportion of eligible people with HIV infection who get tested to monitor the amount of HIV in their blood.

The overall viral load coverage rate was 80%. It was 79% for children younger than 10; 78% for men; 31% for pregnant women; 78% for men who have sex with men; 57% for people in prisons; and 67% for transgender people.

The authors write: “Despite these achievements, 10 million persons with HIV infection worldwide (in countries with and without PEPFAR support) were not receiving ART in 2021, and gaps exist among certain subpopulations. Global HIV control cannot be achieved without prioritizing health equity.”

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use on a Global Scale Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Yiting Huang, et al. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, April 2023.

The study: The authors sifted through several research databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science and included 147 studies that reported on the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP among men who have sex with men before April 2022. Their goal was to summarize the proportion and trends in use of PrEP around the world. They focused on men who have sex with men, or MSM, because they are 26 times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population, making prevention a key tool to stop the spread of the virus. By 2019, 44 countries had approved the use of PrEP for HIV prevention, but awareness about the medications remain low and uptake is still moderate.

The findings: In total, one in nine men who have sex with men had a history of using PrEP. Among those who were eligible for PrEP, one in six had used it. The analysis also showed that each year, more men in this group reported a history of using PrEP. Factors associated with using PrEP among MSM are higher socioeconomic status, full-time employment or higher education, health insurance and regular medical providers. Deterrents for PrEP include stigma, such as concerns about being perceived as promiscuous.. In 2020, about 25% of the 1.2 million people eligible for PrEP were prescribed it, compared to only about 3% in 2015, CDC data shows.

The authors write: “We observed that the number of new HIV diagnoses among MSM per year in some countries decreased after PrEP use was approved, underscoring the importance for all countries to approve the use of PrEP. Second, our findings emphasized the importance of formulating better policies to promote PrEP use, especially reducing the financial burden for PrEP users to access medication and services.”

“Why You Putting This Drug in Your Body to Fight off Something that You Don’t Have?” Perceptions About PrEP Use Among Black and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men in the U.S. South
Deborah Gelaude and Damian Denson. Journal of Homosexuality, December 2021.

The study: Researchers look back at the results of a 2016 study of 99 Black and 51 Latino men who have sex with men, located in Atlanta; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Miami, Florida. The original study is based on one-hour interviews, conducted between July and September 2016. This study specifically looks at what the men shared about their perception of PrEP for HIV prevention. Although PrEP use has increased in recent years, its uptake has been slow and uneven, especially in the South. Factors impacting PrEP uptake include willingness of providers to prescribe PrEP, cost and accessibility, concern over side effects, perception of having a low-risk of HIV infection, and stigma related to perceived increased risk behavior. Also, disparities in access to medical services and mistrust of the medical providers and pharmaceutical companies play a role.

The findings: Of all the participants, 15% used PrEP, 55% said they were aware of it and 30% had never heard of it. Those who used PrEP were more likely to have education beyond high school, be employed, have health insurance and stable housing and be tested for HIV every 3 to 6 months. Among those who were aware of PrEP, 66% were Black and 34% were Latino. Among those who said they were previous or current PrEP users, 82% were Black and 18% were Latino.

The study also quotes several participants on the reasons why they do or don’t use PrEP.

  • A Latino man from Miami, Florida, considered PrEP part of a larger conspiracy to infect men with HIV: “It is convenient for them that people get sick … there is no cure for AIDS … it is convenient for the pharmaceutical industry to become millionaires.”
  • A Black man from Jackson, Mississippi, was among those who cited access and cost as barriers: “I would love to get on PrEP, you know, but I don’t have insurance. I honestly would. I don’t have the funds.”
  • A Black man from New Orleans, Louisiana, was among those who considered PrEP as an insurance policy: “I love to be protected. I know that I’m conscientious most of the time of what’s going on in my life and my surroundings. But I know there are times where I’m not. And I think that that’s like … the security camera.” 
  • Many also mentioned stigma attached to PrEP, creating a perception of someone who’s more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. A Latino man from Miami said: “I think a lot of people go on it seem to increase their sexual activity because they have that peace of mind because they think that taking the PrEP and you know, might have a psychological reverse effect there.”

The authors write: “Our findings also suggest that mistrust of the medical establishment disrupts the potential impact of PrEP among Black and Latino MSM in the South. Mistrust is an efficient vehicle for spreading misinformation and can be addressed directly by providers and public health agencies, alongside acknowledgment of its historical context and current lived experience.”

Training Obstetrician Gynecologists in HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): A 2-year Experience
Francesca Silvestri, et al. Sexually Transmitted Infections, April 2023.

The study: Researchers evaluate the efficacy of PrEP training session for 63 Ob-Gyns in an academic medical center in New York City from 2019 to 2021. The 1-hour training sessions were conducted by HIV specialists during in-person or online lectures. Participants were then surveyed after the training about their PrEP knowledge and comfort with prescribing and managing patients. Between 2015 and 2019, 18% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were among women. Ob-Gyns are uniquely positioned to prescribe PrEP to women, the authors write.

The findings: Of the 63 participants, 13% had ever prescribed PrEP, even though 95% were aware of it. After the training, the majority of the respondents reporting feeling ‘comfortable’ or ‘very comfortable’ in determining who would be eligible for PrEP, prescribing the medication and following up with the patients.

The authors write: “Although this 1-hour training was enough to make the majority of providers comfortable in prescribing PrEP, not 100% of them were. Perhaps additional trainings or other modalities are needed in order to increase this proportion. Other work has identified clinic structural barriers to implementation of PrEP services such as provider time constraints, reluctance to prescribe PrEP and discomfort with counseling. This highlights the need for increased staff and leadership support and alignment of PrEP services with organizational missions as aspects to consider when structuring implementation guidelines.”

Further reading

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review,” Mirinda Ann Gormley, et al. Annals of Emergency Medicine, April 2023.

Ending the HIV Epidemic PrEP Equity Recommendations From a Rapid Ethnographic Assessment of Multilevel PrEP Use Determinants Among Young Black Gay and Bisexual Men in Atlanta, GA,” Miranda Hill, et al. PLOS One, March 2023.

Changes in cost and insurance challenges to cover PrEP between 2019 and 2021,” Alexa D’Angelo, et al. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, March 2023.

The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum among English-Speaking Latino Sexual Minority Men in the United States (2014-2020),” Jane J. Lee, et al. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, March 2023.

Prediction of Sex and the Potential Use of On-Demand PrEP Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in the U.S.,” Bryce Stamp, et al. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, March 2023.

Willingness to Use and Preferences for Long-Acting Injectable PrEP Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations in the Southern United States, 2021–2022: Cross-Sectional Study,” Paige Schoenberg, et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society, March 2023.

Additional resources

National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States 2022-2025,” The White House, 2021.

Donor Government Funding for HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in 2021,” Kaiser Family Foundation, July 2022.

Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026. End Inequalities. End AIDS,” UNAIDS, March 2021.

The U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Initiative: What You Need to Know,” Kaiser Family Foundation, February 2021.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: The Basics,” Kaiser Family Foundation, November 2022.

Medicaid and People with HIV,” Kaiser Family Foundation, March 2023.

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs),” Kaiser Family Foundation, August 2017.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA),” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Glenview, Northbrook and North Shore events: April 20-26

Submit your event listing at www.dailyherald.com/share; deadline is two weeks prior to event date or registration deadline.

April 20

International Film Screening: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Enjoy a screening of “Teddy Bear” (2012). Dennis, a painfully shy 38-year-old bodybuilder who lives with his mother, sets off to Thailand in search of love. The film will be presented in Danish and Thai with English subtitles. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Pella Windows & Doors Northfield-Ribbon Cutting Celebration: 11 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at 500 Central Ave., Northfield. Join the Winnetka-Northfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Pella Windows & Doors. chamber.wngchamber.com

Next Chapter Book Club: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Come and explore all that popular fiction has to offer. Bring books to life through colorful conversation. This month’s title is “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Women’s Networking Event: 11:45 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at Grandpa’s Place, 1868 Prairie St., Glenview. International Women’s Day is over, but you can still celebrate the strong, successful and talented women in the community. Join the Glenview Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Networking Luncheon. The event is $16 per person and includes lunch, raffles, giveaways and an attendee contact list. This event is sponsored by Busey Bank. business.glenviewchamber.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

For Runners — Healthy Running at Any Age: Virtually at noon Thursday, April 20, through the North Suburban YMCA, Northbrook. Join physical therapist Denise Schwartz of The Manual Touch for this informational running workshop for both new and experienced runners. Get the answers to these questions and more: Why am I an injury-prone runner? As I age, why can’t I run the same as I used to? If I’m hurt, do I have to stop running? Even if I’m healthy, what can I do now to keep running? Register at (847) 272-7250 or www.nsymca.org.

Armchair Travels: 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Ron Vargason and Barbara Sugden will take you on a journey recapping a recent trip to Svalbard, Norway’s Arctic archipelago. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Illustrators’ Club: 4 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Learn how each month’s illustrator tells stories through art, and become an illustrator yourself. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Krafty Kids — Garden Wind Chimes: 4:15 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. For children in grades K-four. Nothing says spring like a wind chime swaying in the breeze. Create your own wind chime to decorate your garden. Registration required. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Google Docs/Drive Basics: Virtually at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 20, through the Wilmette Public Library. Learn how to create documents and manage your files with Google Docs and Google Drive. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Intro to Scratch: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Children in grades three-eight learn the basics of the Scratch programming language to create a simple animation. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

‘The Book of Nature’ — A Discussion with Barbara Mahany: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. The Book Stall hosts renowned author Barbara Mahany for an in-store discussion of her new title, “The Book of Nature.” This event is free with registration. (847) 446-8880 or www.thebookstall.com.

‘Intelligent Lives’ Screening and Discussion: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Join to watch “Intelligent Lives,” a documentary following three young adults with intellectual disabilities as they navigate high school, college and the workforce. Stay after to discuss. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Big Books: 7 p.m. Thursdays, through May 18, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Big Books discussion series features “Palace Walk,” the first novel in a trilogy by Egyptian Nobel Prize in literature winner Naguib Mahfouz. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Cloud Storage: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. What is “cloud” storage and how does it work? Learn about storing your files and pictures digitally. A limited number of seats are available for this in-person program. Program presented virtually via Zoom and in person at the library. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Petra Van Nuis Jazz Concert: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. Singer Petra Van Nuis will perform traditional jazz songs relating to the lunar calendar accompanied by pianist Dennis Luxion in the first floor auditorium. Registration required. (847) 272-6224 or www.northbrook.info/events.

April 21

Trunk Show — Fabiana Filippi: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, at Francis Heffernan, 810 Elm St., Winnetka. Fabiana Filippi is bringing their fall 2023 collection to Francis Heffernan. (847) 446-2112.

Chair Yoga: Virtually at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, through the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library. Join instructor Isabel Raci for a session of gentle chair yoga and guided meditation. Tune in to stretch, breathe, gain flexibility and strengthen the body in an accessible way with seated poses. Perfect for beginners; students will leave class feeling relaxed and grounded. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

‘The Lightning Thief’: 10 a.m. Friday, April 11; 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Center Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. In this adaptation of Rick Riordan’s best-selling children’s novel, Greek mythology comes to life. The mythical monsters and gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking right out of Percy Jackson’s Greek mythology textbook. Percy is a good kid who can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. Upon learning that he is the son of Poseidon, he sets out on a quest to reach the gates of the Underworld and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. $14-$26. northshorecenter.org.

Music and Movement: 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Listen, dance, sing and share in the music with Dan from Top Note Music Academy. Share music through a variety of popular songs, finger plays, bodywork and movement activities. Each class will include live music and a variety of instruments. Register each child and adult that will be in attendance. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Storytime at Wagner Farm: 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Join for farm stories, followed by a meet and greet with animals at Wagner Farm. Drop in. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Earth Day Bingo: 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Senior Center, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. For ages 55 and older. Join for Bingo and win prizes that help to support efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle while contributing to sustaining our environment. www.nbparks.org.

GlenViewings: 2 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. “Till” (130 minutes/PG-13/2022). Based on the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till. Drop in. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

‘The Muppet Spiel’ — 2023 Chicago Curling Club Mixed Bonspiel: 3 p.m. Friday, April 21, to Sunday, April 23, at Chicago Curling Club, 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook. Featuring mixed curling, three-game guarantee, raffles, Saturday night Variety Show. $400 per team. chicagocurlingclub.org.

Science Explorers — Get the Buzz: 4 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. For children in grades two-five. Find out why bees are extra special and important to our world, and why we should love and care for them. Learn ways to help and build a bee hotel to hang outdoors. Registration required at www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Crafting for a Cause: 4 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Take the Do Something Bookmark Climate Change challenge to share facts about the environment and offer action items to make a difference. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Dungeons & Dragons: 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Explore dark dungeons, battle mighty dragons, and save the innocent. For children in grades five-eight. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

3D Printing & Gardening: 5 p.m. Friday, April 21, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Explore the world of 3D printing through a gardener’s lens. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

April 22

Safety Superheroes: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22, at Winnetka Ice Arena, 490 Hibbard Road, Winnetka. Come out to the parking lots outside the Winnetka Ice Arena and Winnetka Golf Club to learn fire safety tips and participate in a bicycle obstacle course. Participants will learn from local police, fire and bike safety experts. Young Safety Superheroes are encouraged to dress up in capes as they participate in this event. Games, prizes and raffle items will be available. Event is being offered with the support of the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore. Register at www.winpark.org

Spanish-English Bilingual Storytime: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Join for stories and fun activities in Spanish and English. Presented by bilingual speech-language pathologist Paula Acuña of MsPaulaSLP.com. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Resident Open House: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22, at Park Center Lobby, 2400 Chestnut, Glenview. Meet with representatives from the village, park district, library, Chamber of Commerce, Northfield Township. Get a library card, crafts and activities for kids, meet the police, fire and dispatch representatives, complimentary refreshments. Free admission. business.glenviewchamber.com.

Lego Day: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 Oakton St., Niles. All ages. Check out the Chicago Area Lego User Group’s variety of brick masterpieces. Buildings, vehicles, machines, imaginary creatures and Lego art pieces will be on display. Drop in. (847) 663-1234 or nmdl.libnet.info.

Bird feeder and Mondrian Mason jars: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Northbrook Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. All ages. Create and paint a faux stained-glass jar in the style of the artist Piet Mondrian, who became famous for his geometric abstract paintings. Participants will also assemble a rustic bird feeder. Both projects will be made using Mason jars. All supplies included. Instructor is Ruthe Guerry. Register at www.nbparks.org.

How to Survive Your Freshmen Year of College: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Learn tips and tricks to ensure your mental wellness is a top priority, how to take care of yourself and others during your first year away from home, and prepare your mind, body and spirit for this new stage of your life. For high school seniors. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Buddha Belly Family Yoga: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Children and caregivers unplug and bond through moving, breathing and connecting. Presented by Buddha Belly Family Yoga Studio. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

DIY Paper: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Join on Earth Day to discover a new way to be sustainable, giving recycled paper new life through handmade papermaking. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Earth Day Sensory Exploration: 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Explore the various ways nature and recycled materials can be repurposed into art and building. Drop in. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Instrument Petting Zoo: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Ages 7 and older. Come channel your inner rocker as the School of Rock brings instruments to the library for a one-of-a kind petting zoo. Instruments will be available to play. Drop in. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Exploring the Universe — The James Webb Telescope: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Solar System ambassador Sean Fisher-Rohde will teach about the science and history behind NASA’s new James Webb Telescope. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Music of the Mongolian Horse Fiddle: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Local students and teachers perform and speak about the rich history of the horse fiddle, or Morin Khuur, a traditional Mongolian stringed instrument carved in the shape of a horse’s head. Register. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

April 23

Adaptive Hour for Kids & Teens: 11 a.m. Sunday, April 23, at Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 Oakton St., Niles. Children with disabilities or diagnoses, along with their family and friends, are invited to the Library during this special before-hours program. Drop in at the Niles-Maine District Library. 847-663-1234 or nmdl.libnet.info

Lecture — Exploring Chicago History with Tommy Henry: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Wilmette Historical Museum, 609 Ridge Road, Wilmette. Tommy Henry, host of the Chicago History Podcast, will cover a variety of topics surrounding local history in Chicago and its surrounding areas. Tickets for this event are free to members and $5 per person for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event. (847) 920-3605 or wilmettehistory.org.

Chess Club: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Improve your chess game with the guidance of an experienced chess player. Learn how to strengthen your concentration and optimize your play with methods used by the grandmasters. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Short Film Screenings: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. Join Illinois Holocaust Museum for two short films, presented in partnership with JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival: “Joe’s Violin” and “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life. ” Tickets are free, but reservations are required. ihm.ec/jcc.4.23.

Healthy Kids Running Series — Glenview, Spring 2023: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Johns Park, 2101 Central Road, Glenview. Healthy Kids Running Series offers a five-week, cross country style running program for kids ages 2-14. Kids compete each week and accumulate points based on their finishing place. At the end of the series, the top three boys and girls who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. Registration fee covers five races, a technical T-shirt, race bibs, a finisher medal on Week 5 and any sponsor giveaways. (312) 550-5986 or healthykidsrunningseries.org.

Classical Concert — Irving Artists: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. Renowned cellist Alexa Muhly will perform a program of cello sonatas accompanied by accomplished pianist Hiroko Nagahata. Registration required. (847) 272-6224 or www.northbrook.info/events.

Chez Butter — Old-School Soul Concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie. Chez Butter performs classic and contemporary Motown, soul, R&B, and funk hits by artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Gnarls Barkley, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and more. skokielibrary.info.

April 24

Teen Zine Workshop: 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Learn all about zines from Zine Club Chicago’s Cynthia Hanifin in this interactive workshop. The library provides all the supplies for you to make a zine, including snacks — you bring something to say. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Getting What You’re Worth — Negotiating Job Offers, Raises and Promotions: Virtually at 7 p.m. Monday, April 24, through the Glenview Public Library. Gina McClowry, owner of Gina McClowry Consulting, presents how negotiating is a part of life; approaching it with skill and confidence signals that you know your worth and that you will proactively manage your career success. Presented via Zoom. Register. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

April 25

Economic Outlook Breakfast: 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at, Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook, 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. How will the economic climate affect your business in the coming months? Learn about pressures and trends shaping the economy at the chamber’s 2023 Economic Outlook Breakfast. Tom Jalics, managing director and chief investment strategist for Fifth Third Private Bank, is the speaker. Bring your questions. $30. business.glenviewchamber.com.

Spring Safety Tips for Seniors — Northbrook Police Department: 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Senior Center, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. For ages 55 and older. The Northbrook Police Department will present helpful prevention and safety tips to keep residents safe. Community Engagement Officer Jaegers will share trending scams and techniques criminals are using to target residents and ways to help prevent you from becoming a victim. www.nbparks.org.

Heroes On the Air: Virtually at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, through the Wilmette Public Library. Steve Darnall will put the spotlight on heroes who made their way from comic strips and comic books to radio in the 1930s, including Little Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy and Superman. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Remix, Repaint, Recycle at Glencoe Youth Services: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Grades 5-8. Come to the Glencoe Youth Services field house and create a sustainable art masterpiece using found and reclaimed items. Limited to supplies on hand. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Upcycled Paint: 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Turn your old eye shadow pallets into watercolor paint. Bring an old eye shadow pallet. Ages 9 and older. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Taste Travelers: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Children in grades four-eight taste and rate unique snacks from around the world. A new country or continent will be featured at each event. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Secrets of a Puzzle Master — A Conversation with Will Shortz: Virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, through the Glencoe, Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, and Winnetka-Northfield public libraries. Will Shortz, editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle and the world’s only academically accredited puzzle master, will discuss crossword puzzles. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org; www.glenviewpl.org; www.northbrook.info; www.wilmettelibrary.info; or www.winnetkalibrary.org,

Garden Design for Beauty and Sustainability: 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. Learn practical techniques for designing an eco-friendly garden with a focus on good design practices and native plant selection. Registration is required. (847) 272-6224 or www.northbrook.info/events.

Mystery Group: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Ann Perks will lead a discussion of “Blackout” by Simon Scarrow. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

April 26

One Book Everyone Reads Book Discussion: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette. Join to discuss the 2023 One Book, Everyone Reads title, “Now Is Not the Time to Panic” by Kevin Wilson. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Preschool Nature Storytime: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Celebrate nature through stories, songs, and hands-on activities for ages 3-5 with an adult. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Traveling with Digital Devices: Virtually at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, through the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library. This class will review the benefits and potential pitfalls of traveling with your mobile device and other expensive technology. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Make Your Own Mini Masterpiece: Wednesday, April 26, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Stop in or grab a kit to take home and make your own mini masterpiece. Then bring it back to be displayed around the library the week of the One Book Everyone Reads author event May 8-12. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Art Explorers: 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Come make a beautiful painting. The library has a variety of art supplies to let your creative side shine. Ages 5 and older. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Series Starter Book Club: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Children in grades two-three discover new books and series to read. Come and talk about this quarter’s title, “The Secret Explorers and Lost Whales” by SJ King. Open to Glenview Library cardholders and students in Glenview schools. In-person registration required; receive a free book while supplies last. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Service Project — Fleece Blankets: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Celebrate National Library Week by making a no-sew fleece blankets. All finished blankets will be donated to JourneyCare Hospice in Glenview. Space is limited. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Bites & Brews: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at The Glen Club, 2901 W. Lake Ave., Glenview. Now in its 10th season, Bites & Brews sets the table for 350 friends and neighbors for a delectable evening of conversation, craft beers and fine wine — and a feast of flavors for every taste bud. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door. business.glenviewchamber.com

Watercolor — Still Life: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Join artist Fran Vail and learn basic watercolor techniques of painting still life. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Marbled Paper: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Make beautiful marbled paper that you can use to make cards, collages and other crafts. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

VA Benefits and Services: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Find out if you are eligible for VA benefits and services, including pensions, health care, education, disability compensation and more. Presented by James Harkins, military/veteran outreach specialist. Presented in partnership with the Village of Glenview Senior Services and North Shore Senior Center. Program presented via Zoom and in person at the library. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

An Evening with Thrity Umrigar: Virtually at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, through the Glenview Public Library the Niles-Maine District Library. Join for a virtual conversation with Indian-American journalist, critic, and novelist Thrity Umrigar. This program is presented in partnership with multiple Illinois libraries. www.glenviewpl.org. or www.nileslibrary.org.

Intro to Judaism: 7 p.m. Wednesdays, April 26-May 17, at Congregation Bene Shalom, 4435 Oakton St., Skokie. Come and learn about Judaism; everyone is welcome. Whether you are interested in gaining more understanding of Judaism, are in an interfaith relationship, or are considering conversion, this is a great opportunity. Intro to Judaism is a hybrid course. It will be held in-person and via Zoom. Rabbi Marcey Rosenbaum has worked as director of Education & Life-Long Learning, Hebrew Seminary instructor and hospital chaplain. $18 members; $36 nonmembers. (847) 677-3330 or www.beneshalom.com.

Ongoing

Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors’: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays through April 23, at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. A dinner party goes hilariously wrong when the host and hostess disappear after one seems to have shot the other. $34-$38. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.

Special Exhibition — ‘The Negro Motorist Green Book’: Museum hours through April 23 at Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. “The Negro Motorist Green Book” highlights the history of “The Green Book,” the annual guide created in 1936 by Harlem postman Victor Green, that provided African American travelers with information on restaurants, gas stations, department stores and other businesses that welcomed Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. Developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in collaboration with award-winning author, photographer and cultural documentarian Candacy Taylor, “Green Book” offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in midcentury America, and how the guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle class. For information, (847) 967-4835 or ihm.ec.

‘The Revolutionists’: Runs through April 30 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. Imagine if four very real women, who lived boldly in France during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, had met and exchanged ideas before losing their heads? What if former queen Marie Antoinette, playwright Olympe De Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle, uncensored and full of ideas, grappled together with how to change the world? By Lauren Gunderson, directed by Elizabeth Mazur Levin. $30-$45. oillamptheater.org.

‘The Porch On Windy Hill’: Runs April 13 through May 14 at North Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. A young violinist and her song collector boyfriend flee the confines of their Brooklyn apartment to the mountains of North Carolina, where the Appalachian music of Mira’s childhood is just the authentic inspiration they’re searching for. Featuring bluegrass favorites and foot-stomping, hand-clapping finest of American roots music. $35-$55. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

Glenbrook South Class of 1973 50th Reunion: The Glenbrook South Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion the weekend of Sept. 30, 2023. The Class Reunion Committee has planned several events around Glenview beginning Friday, Sept 29, and extending through Sunday, Oct. 1. Members of the class interested in learning more should contact David Telleen-Lawton at dtl@alumni.stanford.edu.

Family Storytime: 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Singing, dancing, stories and bubbles for ages 5 and younger with parent/caregiver. Tickets for storytime will be available the morning of the event, at the Youth Services Desk, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Family Storytime: 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Stories, songs, and fun with the Youth Services Librarians. Drop in. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Baby Storytime: 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Free. Rhymes, songs, and fun for ages through 23 months with an adult. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Time for Twos: 9:30 a.m. Fridays at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. For children ages 2-3 with caregiver. Join for stories and creative activities connected to that week’s stories. This class is aimed at children who have not yet entered 3-year-old preschool. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Little Dabblers: 9:30 a.m. Fridays at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Drop by for messy fun and explore art, science and your senses. For ages 2 and older with caregiver. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Family Storytime: 10 a.m. Fridays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, Northfield Branch, 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfield. Singing, dancing, stories and bubbles for ages 5 and younger with parent/caregiver. Tickets for storytime will be available the morning of the event, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Baby Storytime: 9:30 a.m. Mondays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Rhymes, songs, and fun for children through 23 months with an adult. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Drop-In Free Play: 9:30 a.m. Mondays at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Little ones can drop in to explore and play with a different selection of toys and manipulatives each week. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Time for Twos: 9:30 a.m. Mondays at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Ages 2-3 with caregiver. Join for stories and creative activities connected to that week’s stories. This class is aimed at children who have not yet entered 3-year-old preschool. Register at www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Family Storytime: 10 a.m. Mondays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, Northfield Branch, 1785 Orchard Lane, Northfield. Singing, dancing, stories, and bubbles. Tickets for storytime will be available the morning of the event, at the Youth Services desk, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Monday Movers: 10:30 a.m. Mondays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. For children of all ages with an adult. Wear your dancing shoes and join the Youth Services librarians as they twirl into the week. Drop in. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Baby Time: 11:30 a.m. Mondays at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. Babies 14 months and younger with a caregiver. Build early literacy skills with songs, rhymes, bounces, and books while enjoying the company of other babies and caregivers. glencoepubliclibrary.evanced.info www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Baby Time — Stay and Play: Noon Mondays at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave, Glencoe. Babies 14 months and younger with a caregiver. After attending Baby Time, stay and play for a while. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Lapsit Storytime: 9:15 a.m. Wednesdays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Share rhymes, bounces, and tickles on your caregiver’s lap. For ages 12 months and younger. Register at (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Family Storytime: 9:30 and 10 a.m. Tuesdays at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Stories, songs and rhymes for the whole family. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Baby Storytime: 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Join for a storytime focused on early literacy, complete with stories, songs, baby bouncing and movement exercises for ages 18 months and younger with parent/caregiver. Tickets for storytime will be available the morning of the event, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Toddler Storytimes: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview. Shake your sillies out at this fun, interactive storytime for children ages 2-3 with an adult. Register. (847) 729-7500 or www.glenviewpl.org.

Tales for Tots: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Glencoe Public Library, 320 Park Ave., Glencoe. All ages with caregiver. Join for books, songs, and more to build early literacy skills, then stick around after stories to play and socialize. Stories: 10:30-11 a.m.; play: 11-11:30 a.m. Drop in; space may be limited by room capacity. www.glencoepubliclibrary.org.

Big Kid Storytime: 4 p.m. Tuesdays at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Stories and songs for ages 4 and older. (847) 256-5025 or www.wilmettelibrary.info.

Family Storytime: 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Singing, dancing and stories for ages 5 and younger with parent/caregiver. Tickets for storytime will be available the day of event, at the Youth Services desk, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Baby Storytime: 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. Join for a storytime focused on early literacy, complete with stories, songs, baby bouncing and movement exercises for babies through 18 months with parent/caregiver. Tickets for storytime will be available the day of the event, on a first-come, first-served basis. (847) 446-7220 or www.winnetkalibrary.org.

Lobe Sciences, Ltd. Announces the Acquisition of Altemia & Company

  • Move Affirms Lobe’s Position as an Orphan/Rare Disease Drug Development Company and expands portfolio to include 4 Orphan Disease Programs
  • The Company expects to Launch Altemia™, a Medical Food, and Generate Commercial Revenue in the Second Half of 2023
  • Acquisition also Includes an International License Agreement With Double Digit Royalty and Milestone Payments, Commercial Inventory and Intellectual Property.

lobe sciences ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTCQB: LOBEF) (“Lobe” or the “Company”), a North American Biopharmaceutical Company committed to discovering and developing patient-focused medicines for Orphan and Rare diseases today announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a 100% interest in Altemia™ & Company, LLC (“Seller”) which includes all assets, know-how, intellectual property and commercial inventory of the Seller (the “Transaction”) to manage patients suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (“SCD”). The Seller has no current or long-term liabilities.

Mr. Philip J. Young, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated, “Starting in the second half of 2023 we will launch our first commercial product, a medical food called Altemia™ for the management of SCD. This product has been well studied in human clinical trials. It is a proprietary, patent pending formulation based on decades of research and will add commercial revenue this year and beyond. By targeting the 55 major SCD clinics in the United States we will be able to efficiently provide support and education for clinicians and other health care providers charged with treating this vulnerable population. As we prepare for launch and commercialization, I will be able to call upon my previous successes launching and selling Orphan Drugs in specialty markets. Altemia™ will be positioned as a cost-effective medical food option for patients and payers seeking alternatives to drug products with significant side effects. We will be announcing further information related to our commercial plans shortly. In addition to Altemia™ we have acquired a clinical stage asset, SAN100 which is being developed as a prescription drug alternative for the treatment of SCD uniquely in children. This indication may qualify for the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher.”

Maghsoud Dariani, CSO of the Company added “SCD affects approximately 100,000 patients in the United States and millions more across the globe. (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell-disease 04102023) Altemia™ must be used under the direct care of medical professionals who are required to write a prescription for the product. Obtaining safe and effective treatments to lessen the debilitating effects of this disease is a constant struggle for patients globally. We believe that Altemia™ and our follow-on prescription product, SAN100, will become an important component in the daily lives of patients with SCD around the world.”

“I began research in the fundamentals of SCD over 12 years ago and believe that the disease has been misunderstood,” said Dr. Sancilio, Founder and President of Altemia™ and Company, LLC. He went on to say that “During the last several years, our team began to realize that SCD could be managed with consumption of docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, but due to its lack of bioavailability, consumption of amounts that could affect SCD were nearly impossible. It would require a patient to consume up to 10 huge soft gelatin capsules of prescription products each day to match a single dose of Altemia™. The search for a super-bioavailable form of this fatty acid led to a technology using a natural emulsification process that was adapted for this new product. By using this formulation and triglyceride esters instead of the ethyl ester, we can provide the equivalent of 10 or more soft gels in one packet of Altemia™.” Clinical trials were initiated in 2021 and completed recently showing Altemia™ to significantly reduce C-reactive protein in patients after the first month of intervention. C-reactive protein is a biomarker related to inflammation and when controlled may impart a positive effect for SCD sufferers. This led to patent filings and soon after, license agreements with distributors in Europe and elsewhere.”

He went on to say “I am very happy to complete this transaction with Mr. Young and the Lobe team. Our group has invested a lot of time and several million dollars to bring us to the commercial launch phase of our first product. It’s great to know that Mr. Young will be managing the sales and distribution of this product, allowing our development team to focus on its own strength.” Altemia was designed with patented Natural Emulsion Technology™ (NET™) allowing consistent and reliable fatty acid bioavailability. Altemia is simple to administer – a small daily packet of a great tasting cream is taken by mouth or mixed with food daily.

Mr. Young concluded, “This transaction will transform our company into a revenue generating biotech company committed to treating Orphan Diseases and separating Lobe from the myriad of clinical stage companies in North America and Europe. We will be able to use the revenue from the SCD sales to fund ongoing and planned clinical activities with L-130 and L-131. I look forward to providing updates as we move forward with the planning and launch of Altemia for the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease.”

Terms of the Agreement

Pursuant to the Agreement, Altemia shareholders will receive total consideration of $3,800,000 through the issuance on a pro-rata basis of an aggregate of 76,000,000 common shares of Lobe (each a “Lobe Share”) at a deemed issue price of $0.05 per Lobe Share. All Lobe Shares to be issued will be subject to contractual restrictions on transfer, pursuant to which 25% of the Lobe Shares issued will be transferable on the closing of the Transaction and further 25% on delivery of inventory to a Lobe designated storage facility; 25% on the first commercial sale allowing the trademark validation; and 25% on successful completion of SAN100 Tech Transfer Documentation (batch records for R&D batch) and Samples of SAN100 are delivered to Lobe.

Lobe will pay a tiered royalty of up to 10% on annual net sales of $125,000,000 or more and issue 3,000,000 warrants upon the first achievement of $20,000,000 in annual sales. The transaction also provides a 5% payment on the net sales revenue received for the sale of a Pediatric Priority Review Voucher for the approval of our SCD prescription drug for the Pediatric Orphan indication.

The Transaction will be completed pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements under applicable securities laws. None of the Lobe Shares issued to Altemia shareholders in connection with the Transaction will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and none may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any Lobe Shares, nor shall there be any distribution of Lobe Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Shares for Debt

The Company also announced that on April 14, 2023, pursuant to the January 23, 2023 press release, it issued 2,166,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share to the Company’s directors as settlement of directors fees payable of $108,300.

About Altemia™

Altemia™ is a trademark registered to Altemia and Company, LLC of Stuart Florida. Altemia™ is the brand name of a patent pending oral emulsion consisting of a proprietary mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acid triglyceride esters clinically evaluated to reduce inflammation associated in adults with SCD. The term medical food, as defined in section 5(b) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee (b) (3)) is “a food which is formulated to be consumed under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” SCD is among a few inborn errors of metabolism specifically named in legislation that qualifies as treatable with medical foods. More information is available at http://altemiascd.com/. This product should not be confused with a previous product development program with a similar name. That program also called Altemia (SC411) was the project name used during the development of a drug product to treat SCD in children.

About Sickle Cell Disease

SCD is a group of hereditary red blood cell disorders. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In someone who has SCD, the red blood cells (RBC) become inflamed under certain stress conditions resulting in among other symptoms, an increase of C-Reactive Protein (a biomarker for SCD). Inflammation causes the RBC’s membrane to become hard and sticky, and this tends to slow or even block blood flow in the blood vessels (capillaries) of the limbs and organs. This slowing of the blood cells causes a cascade of events that results in pain and vaso-occlusive event (VOC). The sickle cells also die earlier than normal red blood cells and the bone marrow cannot make enough new red blood cells to replenish the dying ones, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells called anemia. Blocked blood flow may cause pain and other serious problems such as infection, acute chest syndrome and stroke. Populations that suffer from SCD have a shortened life span. According to the CDC, it is estimated that SCD affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States, occurring among approximately 1 out of every 500 Black or African American births and 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic American births. A similar number of patients are affected in Europe. There are millions of patients in the Middle East, Africa and India. Lobe plans to sell the product globally, either directly or through partners.

About lobe sciences ltd.

Lobe Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing patient-friendly, practical psychedelic medicines. The Company, through collaborations with industry-leading partners, is engaged in drug research and development using sub-hallucinatory doses of psychedelic compounds and the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness. Each of our New Chemical Entities, L-130 and L-131, are being developed to address unmet medical needs in neurological therapeutic applications.

For further information please contact:

lobe sciences ltd.
Philip J Young, CEO
info@lobesciences.com
Tel: (949) 505-5623

NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release (including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, research and development using psychedelic compounds, and the development of innovative devices and delivery mechanisms to improve mental health and wellness) are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of the forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including changes to the regulatory environment; that the Company’s drug research and development activities may be unsuccessful; that drugs and medical devices produced by, or on behalf of, the Company, may not work in the manner intended or at all, and may subject the Company to product liability or other liability claims; that the Company may not be able to attain the Company’s corporate goals and objectives; and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings from time to time, as available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend to update any of the included forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable Canadian securities laws.

Drug development involves long lead times, is very expensive and involves many variables of uncertainty. Anticipated timelines regarding drug development are based on reasonable assumptions informed by current knowledge and information available to the Company. Every patient treated on future studies can change those assumptions either positively (to indicate a faster timeline to new drug applications and other approvals) or negatively (to indicate a slower timeline to new drug applications and other approvals). This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding anticipated or possible drug development timelines. Such statements are informed by, among other things, regulatory guidelines for developing a drug with safety studies, proof of concept studies, and pivotal studies for new drug application submission and approval, and assumes the success of implementation and results of such studies on timelines indicated as possible by such guidelines, other industry examples, and the Company’s development efforts to date. In addition to the risk factors set out above and those detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings from time to time, as available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com, other factors not currently viewed as material could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although Lobe has attempted to identify important risks and factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors and risks that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/162840

RENUITY ADVANCED FLOOR COATINGS LAUNCHES NEW LOCATION IN COLUMBIA, SC

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As Black Americans, we must say ‘yes’ to therapy | GUEST COMMENTARY

Historically, many Black Americans have found it difficult to embrace what has become a valuable resource in America: mental health counseling and treatment. We have always had a great deal of distrust in health services in general in this country, dating all the way back to the enslavement of our ancestors — and for good reason. Back then, and for decades after slavery was abolished, many Black people were used as guinea pigs by unscrupulous health care professionals who had supposedly sworn to act in their patients’ best interests.

From Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without her knowledge at Johns Hopkins in1950, and the 40-year-long Tuskegee Experiment in which Black men with syphilis were studied but never treated, to the egregious acts committed by Dr. James Marion Sims — a South Carolina physician disturbingly credited as being “the father of modern gynecology” after unnecessarily operating 30 times on a Black enslaved woman named Anarcha — there’s a troubling history.

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These disgraceful practices were brutal and abominable, and they aren’t just footnotes in history books. They live on in the minds of millions of African Americans today when making decisions about health care. Some casual observers might say that was a long time ago and we should just move on. And my rebuttal to those insensitive comments would be: The Holocaust was also a long time ago, but we’ve decided as a civilized society to never forget or minimize those atrocities.

So, even with a full understanding of this history, twice in my life I’ve found myself in therapy sessions sitting across from an unfamiliar white person with a degree in psychology talking about personal struggles that haunt me today. I grew up in Baltimore at a time when acts of violence were prevalent and unfortunately the norm. So, some nights when I’m asleep, I still hear the gut-wrenching sound of bullets fired from handguns on West Baltimore streets. In my dreams, I still hear screams from young victims before they tragically succumbed to their wounds. Those sounds are etched deep in my psyche, and they can never be erased.

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According to the National Institutes of Health the lifetime prevalence of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is highest among Black Americans (8.7%), intermediate among Hispanic and white Americans (7% and 7.4% respectively) and lowest among Asian Americans (4%). Trauma risks vary by type of event. White people were more likely than other groups to have any trauma, to learn of a trauma to someone close and to learn of an unexpected death, but Black and Hispanic people had higher risk of child maltreatment, chiefly witnessing domestic violence. And Asian people, Black men and Hispanic women had higher risk of war-related events than white people.

Exposure to trauma is a real problem, and in Baltimore it’s prevalent regardless of whether you’re a child or an adult. But experiencing trauma as a child can have lifelong consequences. A growing body of research indicates that such Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contribute to negative physical and behavioral health outcomes. Experiencing six or more ACEs may reduce life expectancy by 20 years. In Baltimore, 42% of adults have experienced three or more ACEs, compared to 24% statewide.

We must learn how to say “yes” to therapy. There is enormous value in normalizing being treated by a therapist. It allows you to navigate your feelings, build healthier habits and change your mindset so that your life looks more like you want. I can attest to this, and so can millions of people who have healed after seeing a therapist and gone on to live productive lives. Many of the obstacles that once stood in our way have been lifted. With the expansion of health insurance, access to mental health counseling and treatment has become more accessible to all.

Those old adages that “I can handle this on my own” or that “I don’t need help” must end. We’re human beings, and all humans are flawed and fallible. We must normalize saying things like, “I can’t wait to see my therapist on Friday” or “I need to call my therapist.” Sometimes life can be overwhelming, and when it is, it’s OK to reach out for a helping hand. So, when you feel the need to reach out to a therapist or if you’re afforded the opportunity to do so, just say “yes.”

Kevin Shird (kevin.shird@yahoo.com) is an author and activist.

Assembly Starts Black Women On Political Path

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer

A number of Black women have gone on from the California state legislature to continue their political service in other realms and roles. The OBSERVER highlights a few here — Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Holly Mitchell and Karen Bass.

Ladies First

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-Los Angeles)
Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-Los Angeles)

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-Los Angeles) led from the front and had a number of firsts throughout her career. Brathwaite Burke was the first African American woman elected to the California legislature in 1966. She focused much of her efforts on legislation that supported civil rights and protected youth. Brathwaite Burke served in the state assembly until 1972. A year later, she became the first African American woman to represent the West Coast in Congress. She was the first African American and woman of color to serve as vice chair of the Democratic National Convention. While in office, she authored a bill to prohibit discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace. In 1974, Brathwaite Burke also became the first member of Congress to give birth while in office. That child, Autumn Burke, would later join the California Assembly just as her mother had decades prior.  They were the first mother-daughter to both serve in the assembly. The elder lawmaker later went on to become the first woman and first African African to serve on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Today, she sits on the national board of Amtrak, having been appointed by the nation’s first Black president, Barack Obama. 

Kam In A ‘CRISES’

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles)
Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles)

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles) was elected to the California Assembly in 2018 and the California Senate in 2021. She became a member of the U.S. Congress earlier this year, representing Los Angeles in the 37th District. In her time in the state legislature, Kamlager-Dove saw the passage of her bill, AB 2054, aka the C.R.I.S.E.S. Act, that provides for trained community-led teams to respond to non-violent 911 calls. She also worked to establish the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and the Affordable Prescription Drug Act and sponsored bills aimed at reducing disparities in health care and California’s judicial system.

‘CROWN’ing Glory

Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles)
Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles)

Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) has been described as the “queen of Los Angeles politics.” Mitchell was elected to the assembly in November 2010. She came from the non-pofit sector, but was no stranger to capital connections. She’d previously served in the Los Angeles field office for renowned former state senator, Diane Watson. Mitchell went on to be elected to the state senate herself and served from 2013 to 2020. Today, Mitchell sits on the powerful Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In the Assembly, Mitchell focused on job creation and improving the quality of the state’s public health and education systems and families’ access to them.  She authored the CROWN ACT, which protects people in workplaces from discrimination based on their natural hair. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in July 2019, making California the first state to offer such protection.

Good Trouble

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)
Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)

Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) was making a good name for herself long before “Karen” became slang for White women behaving badly. Bass, a former social worker, served in the California Assembly from 2004-2010. While there, she was a tireless champion for foster youth and helped the state get through the unprecedented budget crisis of 2009. She was speaker of the assembly during her last term, making her the first Black woman in U.S. history to lead in that capacity. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2022, having been encouraged to take over the 33rd Congressional District by retiring predecessor Diane Watson. In December 2022 Bass became the first woman and only the second African African to become mayor of Los Angeles.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Look for more profiles on women  like Maxine Waters, Diane E,  Watson, Barbara Lee and more as our  “A Powerful Sisterhood” series continues.

‘Joe Biden’s Show Lacks Entertainment Value’

We’re Already Living in the Metaverse

Reality is blurred, boredom is intolerable, and everything is entertainment, Megan Garber wrote in the March 2023 issue.

Amid all the speculation about the sources of President Joe Biden’s unpopularity, “We’re Already Living in the Metaverse” provides an explanation: Perhaps he is just unforgivably boring. His show lacks entertainment value; it can’t hold the attention of its audience, those people we used to call “citizens.”

David Ogden Maxwell
Washington, D.C.


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Explore the May 2023 Issue

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Megan Garber perfectly described one of the foundational problems underlying my frustration as a health-care provider: “Healthertainment”—everything from Grey’s Anatomy to health influencers on TikTok—has altered the effective provision of care at all levels. It clogs wait lists, weighs on every patient interaction, alters policy, and profoundly shapes the capacity for reality-based interdisciplinary action. It is breaking people and systems. Our collective intolerance of reality will continue to have real consequences until enough individuals regain a reverence for tedium.

Cymande Baxter-Rogers
Sandwich, N.H.


The postwar film, TV, and news executives weren’t just spewing distraction; they were creating “normalcy”—a normalcy rooted in sameness. Today, thanks to the glut of new entertainment, people who are different are free to share a cornucopia of new stories—and see people like themselves represented in entertainment. The ability to pursue different perspectives may have its flaws, but I hope it can also reshape and redefine what we mean by society, community, and family.

Russell Mawby
Ottawa, Canada


Megan Garber confirms that the dystopian future that Orwell, Huxley, and Postman warned us about has arrived. A culture awash in entertainment has blurred the lines between fiction and reality.

As a pastor, I have had to wrestle with what this means for my congregation and me. Since the pandemic started, many faith leaders have embraced online worship, even creating churches in the metaverse. But I worry this approach reinforces the belief that the most significant experiences in life are about consumption and entertainment. I feel I need “in person” church precisely because so much about it is not entertaining. In an embodied gathering, I am attuned to the needs, joys, and sorrows of the people around me. I lay aside my own preferences to serve others. I have conversations with real people with whom I may disagree. These are precisely the conditions under which our most meaningful human experiences of joy, love, and friendship happen.

Jeff Simpson
Washington, D.C.


Megan Garber replies

Russell Mawby’s letter captures a defining tension of this moment: the fact that the most profound and valuable element of social media—its ability to give a public voice to people who haven’t had one before—coexists with the encroaching dehumanization I highlight in my article. In my ideal world, people are the directors of their own stories, not extras in someone else’s show. I hope that the positive side of this dynamic will win out—and that in the process, just as Mawby suggests, we’ll consider the kind of people we want to be. And the kind of society we want to have, together.


The French Are in a Panic Over le Wokisme

In the March 2023 issue, Thomas Chatterton Williams wrote about how France’s vehement rejection of identity politics made him recalibrate his own views about woke ideology.


As an American-history teacher who has taught in Parisian schools and universities, I wonder which Thomas Chatterton Williams misunderstands more: France or the United States.

Perhaps his most damaging assumption is that social-justice movements are “pitting groups against one another in a zero-sum power struggle.” That is antithetical to the goals of most major social-justice-education projects. Further, his description of the relationship between the French radical left—which is in no way an ideological monolith, as its electoral divisions show—and radical Islam is inaccurate. Views on religion among members of the far left range from supporting socially progressive protections for religious minorities, such as letting students wear the hijab at school, to advocating for attacks on all religious protections, including the privileged status of Catholicism. This so-called islamo-gauchisme is a hoax manufactured by the French right.

Lucas Mennella
Paris, France


As a Frenchman raising four children in California with my American wife, I find that most articles on French social issues by American journalists fail to understand the specificities of France or force an angle meant to show how events in France illustrate a broader trend important in the U.S.

“The French Are in a Panic Over le Wokisme” takes a more balanced view. Far from the usual ideological diatribes that I often encounter here in California, the article makes reasonable considerations that help inform and spur reflection on the important topics at hand.

Alexis de Belloy
Tiburon, Calif.


I agree with Thomas Chatterton Williams’s stance that neither France’s nor America’s approach to identity is ideal. But I am not convinced that an “authentically color-blind society” is the way forward. In some cases we need to elevate race in order to end racism.

I’m a 33-year-old white woman. My own identity enters the equation when I consider political events such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade. A color-blind approach to reproductive rights in the U.S. would ignore the fact that Black women have a pregnancy-​related mortality rate about three times that of white women and that abortion bans will disproportionately cause more health complications and deaths for this group. Ignoring race ignores systemic problems that could be remedied with an equity-minded approach. Equity needs numbers—it needs those statistics based on race and ethnicity that France refuses to gather.

Amelia von Wolffersdorff
Washington, D.C.


As a Black American Canadian living in France, I am not surprised by how French intellectuals reacted to Rokhaya Diallo’s comments on identity politics at the 2021 conference Thomas Chatterton Williams describes. I often encountered similar resistance when I worked at a German company and would point out that its product excluded Black-owned businesses. Suppressing our histories and cultures will only lead to more experiences like Diallo’s and like the one I had at work.

Our identities give us unique perspectives and insights that can enrich our communities. Why can’t we embrace our histories, our cultures, and our skin colors, while also embracing everyone else’s?

Carrington Walsh
Paris, France


Behind the Cover

In “American Madness,” Jonathan Rosen describes the failure of the United States to care for the severely mentally ill through the story of his childhood best friend, Michael Laudor. As an adult, Laudor was the perpetrator of a horrific act of violence—but he was also the victim of a system that failed to provide the kind of treatment he dearly needed. The cover features a photograph of Jonathan and Michael outside the Rosens’ home in New Rochelle, New York, where the boys first met.

Oliver Munday, Associate Creative Director


Correction

“Arnold’s Last Act” (April) originally stated that 1.3 million people were killed at Auschwitz, about 1.1 million of them Jews. In fact, 1.1 million people were killed there, of which about 1 million were Jews. The article also stated that Block 4A at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum contained personal items belonging to Holocaust victims. In fact, Block 5 holds those items.


This article appears in the May 2023 print edition with the headline “The Commons.”

This St. Louis pharmacy is working to close the health care divide

Disparities in access to health care can have major consequences for communities. One man is working to close the gap in St. Louis.

ST. LOUIS — April is National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about health care disparities. The lack of access to quality care can have a huge impact on health. And now, one St. Louis man is working to close the gap. 

“You know, in this life, if you get a certain age, it’s like they put you in this grave,” said 86-year-old Gwendolyn Favez, who lives in Kirkwood. 

For so long, Favez said she felt like her doctors just didn’t care. 

“They pay no attention. There’s no communication with the doctor. They don’t talk with you anymore,” she said.

For years, she’s been on Medicare, federal health insurance for people 65 or older. She felt like a number with too many medications. She had 27 different medications for conditions like lupus, heart disease and arthritis. Her nephew and caregiver Patrick O’Neil was bracing for goodbye.

“I don’t even know how to pronounce it half the time,” O’Neil said. “And before you know it, less than a week later, my aunt was literally lying, sitting in her chair like a vegetable. When I walked in, she looked up at me and said, ‘I think I’m dying.’”

Everything changed when they came across a different type of pharmacy: GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness in St. Louis’ West End neighborhood. 

“Would you say GreaterHealth Pharmacy saved your aunt’s life?” the I-Team’s Paula Vasan asked.

“Yes, they did. Yes, they did,” O’Neil said.

“Providing culturally responsive, radically inclusive services to a diverse community is really important,” said Marcus Howard, founder of GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness. “In order for our community to become healthier, we have to bridge that trust gap that has exacerbated throughout history,” he said. 

He said it’s a history that includes Alabama physician J. Marion Sims, who operated on enslaved Black women without consent or anesthesia in the 1840s.

It also includes the infamous Tuskegee experiment that started in the 1930s, promising hundreds of African American men free medical care. Researchers knowingly withheld their disease status related to syphilis, a deadly disease with no cure at the time the study began. Even when penicillin became the standard treatment in the 1940s, researchers intentionally ignored it. More than 100 people died. 

“They feel more comfortable calling us, talking to one of our pharmacists who looks like them, who sounds like them, who can connect with them,” Howard said.

When deciding where and how to open his pharmacy, Howard looked at an analysis from the University of Illinois Chicago based on data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs. Researchers found about 15% of people in the City of St. Louis live more than a mile away from a pharmacy. Others lack access to transportation. 

And others, like Favez, don’t feel listened to, so they skip medication. Their health suffers.

Research shows people on public insurance can suffer the most, according to researchers from the University of Southern California. For example, fewer physicians accept Medicaid, health insurance for people with typically lower incomes. Doctors who see Medicaid patients also get paid less. Jenny Guadamuz with the University of Southern California said that can impact quality — doctors have less time to spend with patients.

Nationwide research from the University of Southern California shows Black neighborhoods, in cities from Los Angeles and Chicago to New York City, have fewer pharmacies that close more often. Why? Because people in these areas are uninsured or publicly insured, which means less profit for the pharmacy. 

In response, some states like Illinois passed a law increasing what pharmacies get paid if they’re in areas with few pharmacies.

Research from the National Academy of Medicine has found that racial and ethnic minorities receive lower-quality health care than white people. That’s even when insurance status, income, age and conditions are similar. Some of this is due to implicit bias, stemming from false and racist beliefs that Black people have higher pain tolerances for example.

At GreaterHealth Pharmacy, a pharmacist sat down with Favez for an hour to go through her medications. 

“They make you feel like you are special. They make you feel like, you know, these people love you,” Favez said.

The pharmacy offers free delivery. In fact, Howard often does it himself. Right now, he said he’s looking for investors to help sustain his work. It’s work that O’Neil believes is the reason his aunt is still alive.

“He actually said some of these medicines, we’re going to have to switch to a different type of medicine that does the same thing, less dosage because she’s taken too high of the dosage that’s causing effects with the other medicine,” O’Neil said. “Two days later, we were spending four hours in Wal-Mart just because the medications changed. She had her energy back. She had more life to her.”

GreaterHealth Pharmacy is funded through the Missouri Foundation for Health. Right now, they’re working to triple their patient count by the end of next year. If you want to become a patient, you can call them during normal business hours at 314-200-5313. 

If you have a tip on this story or anything else, email Paula directly at paula@ksdk.com.

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