Chicago News Weekly 11/9 - 11/15/22

notes

Chicago news weekly

Kai EL’ Zabar

editor In Chief

Terri winston vice President

Darnell Pulphus Art Director

editors

Danielle sanders managing editor

Robert starks

Political editor sterling Caprico Fashion editor

Margo Crawford Copy editor Marti worell Arts & Culture editor

Staff Writers sharice Braford

Liz Lampkin

Marcus Bouldin David Pierce Tammy Gibson

Phyllis D Banks

Marti worell wanda wright

Dr. Mila K. Marshall, PhD

Contributors

nnPa newswire

Theresa horton stacy M. Brown Mare Evans Dr. sanja Rickette stinson

8348 S Stony Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60617

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vol. 1 No 7 Wednesday, November 9s, 2022

Chicago News Weekly is published weekly on Wednesday. www.cnwmedia.com

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It’s not over

America’s system is a Representative De mocracy, in which people vote for of ficials that they believe will make deci sions in their best interest.

Yesterday, we voted (or not) to decide who we’re sending to specific offices in Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois to rep resent us. I can only hope that you were committed to par ticipate in the election and that you did your homework. In other words, I hope you took time to learn about each office and understand what the responsibilities are for each. I hope that you checked out each candidate and discovered what they stand for, checked out their past, including their professional performance and if they were an incumbent I hope you checked his or her past voting track record. Did they vote on legislation that you support? Are they a person of integrity? What are their values, and what was their platform? How did it compare to what you want to see happen in your, city, county, state, and country? Did they have a plan? Candidates can make lots of promises, but can they tell you how they intend to execute them?

All these things are important. But let’s say that you didn’t, and your choice of candidates still won. So now what? What is your role now? I mean your responsibility as a citizen in good standing is more than just voting. In other words, how do you maintain a government that will exercise popular sovereignty? First, what does that even mean? Through elections, leaders are chosen by the people to represent them in the exercise of the people’s power. Government can govern only with the consent of the governed. We just voted for candidates to represent us to make decisions on our behalf, while we/citizens also vote directly on laws through initiatives or referendums at the state level. So today, we have what we have.

The first three words of the Constitution, “We the people,” followed with “by the people,” introduce the concept of pop ular sovereignty. But what does the term sovereignty mean? In modern democracies, sovereign power rests with the people and is exercised through representative bodies such as Congress or Parliament. This is even more the reason why you must remain an active participant in the politics of your city, county, state, and country after the election.

Danielle Allen, Harvard professor and political philosopher, ar gues that the essence of democracy is the active involvement of people. She promotes the concept that as human beings we each seek to control our own lives. “Achieving that requires having a role in politics because political decisions have such a big im pact on our life. The idea of human rights captures the notion that every human being ought to have a chance to control his or her own life, including through political participation.” People must understand that who you vote for can determine whether you can feed your family. It’s that simple.

Naturally, you as an individual did not send anyone to the of fice of President or Congress but you did vote as an individual.

Your win identifies those who share similar ideas about what you want to see accomplished through certain offices. So, it’s import ant to join or organize community groups who will express the community’s expectations to their elected officials. Provide your list of concerns, make it a point to meet with them and talk about what you’d like to see happen. Make sure you ask them how they propose to accomplish their platform promises- speech time is over. It’s now ‘do time.’

Organize and stay in communication as an organized body to assure that your representatives hear you and know that you mean business. Elected officials that are in direct communication with their constituency are less likely to go rogue and more likely to perform as their voters voiced. The open communication be tween people and their representative is essential.

This above all else is critical if you want your elected officials to represent you. They need to know that they are being watched closely and that they will not be reelected next term, or you can familiarize yourself with your state laws and see if you can get rid of them before the next official election.

Bottom line . . stay involved.

why young adult Ministries are Dying off in the Black Church

For centuries, people of color have believed or presently believe in a higher power. With that belief came the development of faith; various religious practices, rituals, and traditions to show their dedication to the work of the church, ministry, or their devotion and relationship with a higher power. Black families are often intentional with ensuring their children are introduced to religion and the work of the church at an early age.

Attending service on Sunday, Bible Studies, Sunday School, learning and reciting Resurrection (Easter) Sunday speeches, or joining a ministry suited to one’s gifts and talents are activities that have been passed down from generation to generation to benefit the church as well as individual growth. Being introduced to the work of the church at an early age is an easy task for parents who are avid churchgoers. Small children are guided by them to actively attend services because it’s what they were taught and now they are teaching their children what they were taught to do. Many are excited, hesitant, and impressionable. They attend church because it’s what their parents show and tell them to do. However, when a child matures into a young adult, they become more independent and their views and voices in the church have changed.

Over recent years, there has been a decrease in young adults, ages 18-25, who are not attending church on a regular basis or are not active in ministry work. While this isn’t the first time a downswing of young adults attending church has occurred, the question is why is this a constant thing? Why is it that for individuals who grew up in the church or practiced religion religiously, going to church is a thing of the past? There are many reasons that have caused young adults to leave the church, but not shy away from God. Here are some reasons why:

1. Young adults feel negatively criticized by older generations. Their style of dress, their method of worship, their views or even their dialect are often under the critical microscope of elder churchgoers.

2. Young adults view older church members as hypocrites or insincere.

3. Young adults don’t have a specific place to work in the church that they can call their own, or they don’t understand how the church works.

4. They don’t have a specific understanding of what the church is.

5. They are grappling with past hurt from church members or working in church ministry.

6. Work and additional life responsibilities are at the forefront of their lives.

7. Church is not a safe space for young adults to grow and make mistakes without being shamed and misjudged for them.

8. Many of them attend church because they were trying to appease someone else. While these and other reasons exist, the questions on the table are how do church leaders and elder members begin to bridge the generational gap and change this narrative? What are the necessary steps needed to bring young adults back to the church?

Bridging the Gap- here are some ways:

• Be more transparent. Leaders and elder members have the tendency to make their lives look perfect or carry themselves in a manner that makes them look like they’ve

known the Lord all of their lives. If more people would share their journey and expe riences through discipleship with the younger generation, it would begin to bridge the gap between the two.

• Stick to the Word but be open to new ideas. Structure worship services and events that directly involve young people and meet their spiritual needs.

• Generate small groups for young adults. Generating intimate groups for Bible study, ministry work training, new membership training, singles ministry, or fel lowship. This will make the church feel like home and create an environment where they feel welcome.

• Assess the needs of young adults without judgment. Take some time to ask young adults what they need from the church rather than assuming things. It’s also helpful to ask what ways the church can help them in their life.

• Give them responsibilities and roles in the church. Provide them with opportuni ties to lead and create programs that will make them feel a part of the church.

• Consistently reach out to the specific age group. Go to college campuses to pick up students for ministry activities, go to various hangout spots where they dwell, engage with them on social media, and plan events that will interest them. Sincerely and consistently reaching out will show a genuine interest and need for young peo ple to come to church.

Young adults are the bridge between the younger and older generations to keep the work of the church moving forward. Without them, the Black church will have a gap, and growth will be stagnant. Leaders and elders hold a major responsibility to reach out to the younger generations and lead and guide them with love in order to successfully pass the torch of ministry work on. If not, then the Black church will slowly fade to black.

Illinois MidTerm ElEctIon rEsults

Illinois voters made their voices heard in the 2022 Midterm Elections. Illinois remains a blue state with Chicagoland voters reelecting Democrats overwhelmingly across all areas of local and state and federal government.

Illinois Governor’s Race

This was a contentious and high-profile race with abortion rights, crime, and the Illinois economy as key issues. Gov. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton were reelected with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

IL attorney General

The race for IL Attorney General was challenged by the upcoming implementation of the Safe-T Act which goes into effect in January 2023. Voters re-elected Kwame Raoul for a second term.

The Race for Us senate

A key race in Illinois is the U.S. Senate race, with the outcome affecting the balance of power in Congress. Incumbent Tammy Duckworth (D) easily defeated Kathy Salvi (R).

Illinois 1st Congressional District

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Illinois’s 1st District will elect a new representative in the midterm election. Jonathan Jackson (D) defeated Eric Carlson (R) and heads to Washington DC to represent one of the largest minority districts in the State.

IL 2nd Congressional District

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) defeated Thomas Lynch (R) in the Illinois 2nd Congressional District race. The 2nd Congressional District includes southern Cook County, Eastern Will and Kankakee County and Chicago’s Far Southeast side. Robin Kelly has represented the second district since 2013.

IL 7th Congressional District

Davis has represented the IL 7th District since 1996 and boasts a long record of leadership and legislation and ran unopposed in the midterms.

IL secretary of state

Illinois also elected a new Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias (D). He defeated Dan Brady (R) and Jon Stewart (L). Giannoulias says improving and modern izing the office is a top priority.

IL Treasurer

Incumbent Mike Frerichs (D) defeated Tom Dem mer (R) and will serve a third term in office as Illinois Treasurer.

Illinois Comptroller’s Race

Incumbent Susana Mendoza retained her position as Illinois Comptroller defeating Shannon Teresi (R)

Cook County Board President

Voters in Cook County vot ed Incumbent President Toni Preckwinkle (D) over her oppo nent Bob Fioretti (R). President Preckwinkle has held the position

of board president since 2010 and was the first Black Woman elected to the office of President of the Cook County Board.

Cook County Clerk

Incumbent Democratic Karen A. Yarbrough was elected to another term as Cook County Clerk defeat ing Tony Peraica (R).

Cook County Treasurer

Cook County sheriff

Thomas J. Dart (D) earned a fifth term as Cook County Sheriff defeating Lupe Aguirre (R) and Brad Sandefur (L). Dart has served as Sheriff of Cook County since 2006.

IL amendment 1

Illinois voters also weighed in on a constitutional amendment aimed to bolster collective bargaining rights in the State of Illinois. Amendment 1, also referred to as the Workers’ Right Amendment, passed with a majority of Illinois voting in favor of the Amendment.

Results are as of the time of printing and ballots continue to be counted and won’t be 100% final until after the Nov. 22 deadline for absentee ballots post marked by Election Day.

City Council approves Mayor Lightfoot’s 2023 $16.4B stability Budget

on Monday, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s FY2023 Budget was approved by City Council. The $16.4 billion 2023 ‘Stability Budget’ reflects the Mayor’s attempt to make Chicago a safer, stronger, and more economically resilient city by reducing debt, addressing en vironmental threats, and increas ing investments for public safety, essential services, and access to reproductive health.

“Over the past three years, we have steered our city through some challenging fiscal storms,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “However, each and every time, we came together to collaborate on how to enhance the quality of life for all of our residents, and emerged to become the stronger, more vibrant city that we are today. This budget is a reflection of our hard work and values, and I thank all of those who helped make it possible.”

“For the second year in a row, the budget in cludes no new taxes and continues to strategi cally invest in building a safer, more equitable Chicago,” said Budget Director Susie Park. “The hard work that began three years ago with the 2020 Budget has enabled the City to set a course for financial stability, and we must keep this momentum going for a strong financial future for years to come.”

Last month, Chicago received its first up grade from Fitch Ratings Inc. in 12 years, raising the City’s rating from BBB- to BBB. Fitch highlighted Chicago’s improving pen sion funding practices, its commitment to maintaining a sound reserve position, and ability to institute structural budget measures that improve its capacity to respond to future cyclical challenges.

In addition to the City’s fiscal decision mak ing, the FY2023 Budget includes allocations for:

Public safety

The 2023-2024 Chicago Works Infrastruc ture Plan includes the purchase of more than 530 police vehicles, 80 fire department vehi cles, facility renovations at more than 50 pub lic safety facilities, construction of a police driver training facility, $10 million in police district upgrades, $14 million for strategically deployed public safety cameras, and the pur chase of bunker gear for new fire department recruits. Separately, the Chicago Police De partment (CPD) plans to invest $13 million to the purchase two helicopters.

homelessness

Mayor Lightfoot has increased funding for homelessness support services for a total 2023 Budget of more than $200 million. These in vestments include the development of per manent supportive housing, non-congregate housing programs, rapid rehousing programs, shelter infrastructure investments and high utilizer diversion housing.

Climate and Sustainability

The new Office of Climate and Environ mental Equity, budgeted for $677,000, is tasked to reach 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for Chicago by 2040.

Mental health

For the 2023 budget, Mayor Lightfoot is continuing to invest in the mental health of Chicagoans through the ongoing allocation of $89 million for mental health. The invest ments, outlined in the City’s Framework for Mental Health Equity, incorporates input from advocates, experts, community provid ers, patients, and public officials to determine the City’s mental health priorities.

Economic Recovery

The 2023 Budget builds upon the invest ments made as part of the Chicago Recovery Plan to further drive equitable growth and job creation. Additionally, as part of the 2023 Budget, continues to implement a series of new debt relief initiatives and improvements to give low-income business owners, home owners, renters, and others the opportunity to reduce or eliminate utility or administra tive hearings-related debt and apply for pay ment plans. Also, the City will provide ven dors and contractors with a more streamlined method to get paid by the City for goods and services rendered. These enhanced efforts are in addition to relief initiatives currently in place for vehicle-related and utility debt.

Give Light and People will Find the way

Earlier this year, members of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools team and other colleagues had opportunity to attend a training session near the plantation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore where Harriet Tubman was enslaved and where she returned again and again after her own escape to lead others to freedom. The retreat’s theme was “Give Light and People Will Find the Way,” the title indomi table civil rights movement justice warrior Ella Baker used for one of her training workshops at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. This mes sage is relevant to the CDF Freedom Schools program’s work today teach ing young people they can make a difference in themselves, their families, their communities, their country, and their world with hope, education, and action, and the same message could also describe some of the inspira tion the team drew from Harriet Tubman’s legacy.

During the retreat, they visited the Harriet Tubman Underground Rail road National Historical Park in Church Creek, Maryland and sites im portant in her life, including the plantation where her family was enslaved and the dry goods store where she was assaulted and suffered a traumatic brain injury as a child. She was standing inside that store when an enslaved boy ran in being chased by an overseer who ordered Harriet to help grab the boy. When she stood between the boy and the white man and did not move, the overseer hurled a lead weight at her head, leaving her bloody and unconscious. She suffered seizures, sleeping spells, and debilitating head aches the rest of her life, but also began experiencing vivid dreams about God and visions and premonitions about escaping slavery. Seeing these places and the land where she had to travel and hide reinforced how diffi cult her mission was and how much courage and determination she needed to possess in order to survive. Now, through the National Historical Park, a state park and visitor center, the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education al Center, and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway, a 125-mile trail that includes waterways and safe houses she and others used as they fled towards freedom, these sites are preserved as a piece of Ameri can history that can teach and inspire young people today.

Teaching all children about our shared history by exposing them to books by excellent authors like Carole Boston Weatherford and others who are part of the CDF Freedom Schools curriculum, and by taking them to visit important historical and cultural sites like the Harriet Tubman Un derground Railroad National Historical Park, are ways of giving children the light they will need to be prepared to plot their own futures. But this midterm election season reminds us yet again that many adults are fighting this idea today, and many are on ballots right now from school boards to statewide offices across the country. Educate yourself about the candidates seeking to represent you and make sure you are prepared with a plan to vote. Once again, we can never take any office or any election for grant ed. Children cannot vote, but they desperately need parents, teachers, and leaders who will be lanterns, not adults who seek to dim the light.

Edelman is founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund. The post MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: ‘Give Light and People Will Find the Way’ appeared first on The Washington Informer.

Chicago stages for the holidays

It’s

November, the begin ning of the holiday sea son. Every one is making plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and a few others in between. Plans in clude gathering with family and friends for good food and libations, anticipating sharing old memories and creating new ones, and simply being in a space of the kind of joy that only comes during these holiday festivities. While we all look for ward to these warm gatherings, we also look forward to sharing expe riences at Chicago’s many en tertainment venues. To help with your plans, here are a few productions to consider adding to your holiday season activities.

The 1998 Tony Award Win ner for Best Musical, The Lion King, begins its trium phant return to Chicago at the Cadillac Theatre on Nov. 17, running through Jan. 14, 2023. The Lion King was a groundbreaking theatrical en deavor as the first live adap tation of a Disney animated film. The creative team, led by visionary playwright, film, and stage Director, Julie Tay mor known for her masterful use of Asian-inspired masks and puppets in costume de sign, included Tony award winners Garth Fagan (Chore ographer) with Sir Elton John and Tim Rice (Musical Score)! Maybe you’ve never seen this magical production, or you want to experience it again, ei ther way, it’s a fantastic way to spend an evening with family from 6 to 96 years young! Do not wait to get your tickets for this fantastic, jaw-dropping, joyful, energetic stage adapta tion of the beloved animated film or you may just miss out! Tickets sell out fast. Visit broadwayinchicago.org for tickets.

(Black Panther, Marvel’s Captain Ameri ca: Civil War, and Lion King live-action remake) Winston Ntshona (Sizwe Ban zi is Dead ((play)), The Power of One, Dogs of War).

The Island, beginning Nov. 11 at Hyde Park’s Court Theatre, is a story about po litical prisoners, Winston and John’s sur vival on South Africa’s infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 of his 27-year imprisonment. A sobering glimpse into the social, physi cal, and psychological wounds of Apart heid, The Island is a complex work of liberation and a testament to the trans formative power of theatre as these two

man spirit and the innate will to survive in the face of racial oppression and cruelty driven by the de lusion of superiority long held by the white South Afrikaners. The Island is as important now as it was when it was produced by “The Serpent Players “in 1972, we watch mem bers of our political par ty attempt to strong-arm the American democratic foundation. The Island will run through Decem

Blue Heaven, Black En semble Theatre’s much anticipated production featuring the stories and music of five of the most influential Blues musicians of all time is running through Dec. 27. Clap your hands, tap your feet, and sing along with the music of Big Momma Thornton, Howlin’ Wolf, Mud dy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and B.B. King. Visit blackensemblethe atre.org for tickets. Other noteworthy pro ductions for the season include Living All Alone Phyllis Hyman Musical at John Ruffins Theatre 47 in Park Forest, IL. This encore performance runs from Nov. 12 through Dec. 11.

Arts & Culture

Hyde Park’s Court Theatre is taking its audience on a different kind of African journey with their production of “The Island,” written by South African play wright, novelist, actor & director, Athol Fugard along with two more South Af rican playwrights & actors, John Kani

prisoners find strength, purpose, and friendship after long days of grueling toil at meaningless tasks in the prison quarry, while secretly rehearsing a twoman version of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone While this African journey is the polar opposite of the feel-good ex perience of Disney’s The Lion King, perhaps it will provide the audience with a deeper understanding of the hu

ber 4. Visit courttheatre.org for tickets. Continuing with African themes, the long awaited and much discussed sequel, Black Panther II: Wakanda Forever will open in movie theatres on November 11 and I cannot wait! On Thursday No vember 10 Hyde Park’s Harper Theater will host an advanced screening at 6:30 pm and I am certain it will be a packed house! Tickets are $25.00.

A Christmas Carol, Goodman Theatre’s cher ished holiday retelling of the Christmas classic is celebrating 45 years as a Chicago tradition and must see for holi days. It runs from Nov. 19 through Dec. 31 and tickets are on sale now! Visit goodmantheatre.org to get yours.

Stay tuned to Chicago News Weekly for more of what’s happening for the holidays in Chi-town!

fashion

how The Metaverse & nFTs are Changing Fashion

e all know that the fashion world is always changing. But what you may not know is that the Metaverse and NFTs are having a major impact on the industry. From fashion designers to models to trendsetters, everyone is starting to hop on board the Metaverse train. And we’re here to give you the latest insights on how this new technology is changing the fashion world as we know it.

what is the metaverse?

First Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities and grow businesses. The metaverse is a virtual world that people can explore and interact with. It is a digital space where people can create their own ava tar, choose what they look like, and in teract with others. It is a space and place like the universe where it all happens. It is the future of digital connection.

The metaverse is a digital world where you can buy and sell virtual goods, like clothes and accessories for your avatar. NFTs are digital assets that are stored on the blockchain. They are unique,

Wmeaning that there is only one copy of them in existence. NFTs can be bought and sold, and they can also be used to represent ownership of digital items, like clothes or art. The combination of the metaverse and NFTs is changing the fashion world because it allows design ers to create virtual clothing that can be bought and sold like any other piece of clothing. It also allows people to try on clothes before they buy them, without having to leave the comfort of their own home.

what are nFTs?

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital assets that are unique and not interchangeable. Unlike cryptocurren cies, which are all of equal value, NFTs can be used to represent anything that is one-of-a-kind, including digital art, photos, videos, and even virtual real estate. With the help of the Ethereum blockchain, NFTs are stored securely and can be bought, sold, or traded like any other asset. The value of an NFT comes from its uniqueness. While there are an infinite number of cryptocur rencies in circulation, there will only ever be a limited supply of NFTs. This shortage creates demand and drives up prices. This technology has the potential

to upend the industry. In the future, we may see more designers experiment with NFTs to create limited-edition col lections and one-of-a-kind pieces. We may also see the rise of virtual fashion shows where attendees can purchase garments directly from the runway via their digital wallets. No matter what happens, it’s certain that NFTs will have a major impact on fashion in the years to come.

how are the metaverse and nFTs changing fashion?

The metaverse is a virtual world that people can explore and interact with. NFTs are digital assets that can be bought, sold, or traded on the block chain. The combination of these two technologies is changing the fashion world. Designers are now creating virtual clothes that can be bought and sold as NFTs. These clothes can be used in the metaverse to create a unique look for avatars. This new type of fashion is called meta-fashion. Meta-fashion is still in its early stages, but it has already caught the attention of some big names in the fashion industry. Meta-fashion has the potential to change the way we think about clothes and fashion. It

could also lead to new ways of buying and selling clothes.

How can fashion designers use the metaverse and NFTs to create new designs?

Fashion designers can use the metaverse and NFTs to create new designs in a number of ways. For exam ple, they can create 3D models of their designs that can be viewed and interact ed with in virtual reality (VR), or they can create animations or short films that showcase their designs in a unique and engaging way. Additionally, fashion designers can use NFTs to sell their de signs online, or they can create interac tive experiences that allow people to try on and purchase their designs in a virtu al setting. Ultimately, the metaverse and NFTs offer fashion designers a new way to showcase and sell their designs, and the possibilities are endless.

Finally, some experts believe that the impact of the metaverse and NFTs on the fashion industry will be huge. It could most definitely lead to a more sustainable and efficient industry, as garments can be designed and produced digitally without the need for physical textile production. This would open up fashion to a whole new audience of virtual reality users.

seasonal affective Disorder (saD)

It happens every year. We fall behind, literally. Just this past weekend it happened again, we fell behind. If you are not sure what I am re ferring to I am talking about the time change. It happens every year around the same time of the year. For many people, this is also the annual change in their mental health. Some people don’t connect the dots, the connection with the seasonal change and the change in their moods. Others get it but just chalk it up to the loss of summer and the limited amount of daylight we experience during this time. It is possible that if you are severely affected by the time change during this time of year, you may have Seasonal Affec tive Disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or winter pattern SAD normally happens in late fall or early winter, it is a type of depression that is related to the change in seasons. In less frequent cases SAD can happen during spring and early summer, which is referred to as summer pattern SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder can have a significant impact on how a person feels, how they think and how they function daily. SAD can be self-diagnosed, but in severe cases, it is important to seek professional diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of Seasonal Depression include:

• Feeling down or sad most of the day or every day

• Loss of interest in activities that you enjoy

• Sleeping too much

• Low energy and sluggishness

• Overeating and weight gain

• Social withdrawal

If you believe that you experience these symptoms during the same time each year talk to a medical professional about the changes you notice. It is possible that millions of Amer icans suffer from SAD and do not realize that they have the illness. SAD is also seen more frequently in women than men and more common in individuals living in the north where daylight hours are shorter during late fall and winter months. Seasonal Affective Disorder can also be hereditary. There is still ongoing research to completely understand the origins of Seasonal Affective Disorder. People with SAD may have limited amounts of serotonin which regulates mood, these serotonin levels seem to decrease in the winter. Anoth er contributing factor to SAD is that individuals affected by SAD may produce too much melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Too much melatonin can cause excessive sleepiness. One other contributing factor to Seasonal Affective Disorder is vitamin D deficiency. This is caused by less daylight during the winter months which can further affect the levels of serotonin.

While Seasonal Affective Disorder can be very serious and

AprIl ryAn

april Ryan is CNN Political Analyst, DC Bureau Chief for TheGrio, au thor, speaker, and mother who celebrates Black women’s resil ience and strength, championing those who have transformed their pain into progress despite eco nomic, political, and social chal lenges in her new book, “Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem”. The book celebrates America’s founding Black moth ers as ‘sheroes,’ as well as today’s Black women leaders like voting rights activist Stacey Abrams, for mer Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Vice President Kamala Harris. April Ryan also pays tribute to moth ers, nurses, teachers, activists, and community leaders.

April Ryan is the longest-serv ing Black female White House Correspondent. Over the last 25 years, she has covered numer ous historical events throughout five presidential administrations. She’s the only Black woman re porter covering urban issues from the White House, a position she has held since the Clinton era.

Celebrates Blackwomen with new Book

Ryan says she wrote this book to mark the incredible strides Black women have made. “I’ve seen a lot of change, and I have to cele brate it. There are so many of our ancestors who tried to get into the very spaces we are in now. This is about marking the moment when no one else will and who better to mark the moment than the longest-serving Black woman in the White House? I stand on the shoulders of some trailblazing Black wom en.”

to do, I wouldn’t be in that place asking questions for our community. In those moments, it wasn’t about me. It was about the broader picture, the broader narrative about a community that’s underserved. If I responded negatively, I would have fallen right into the trap.”

While she has served as a White House correspondent through five presidencies, April Ryan was thrust into the national spotlight during the Trump presidency after she was repeatedly yelled at, told to “sit down” and disrespected by the former president during White House press conferences. When asked why how she maintained her professionalism during that time Ryan says it was bigger than her at the moment. “It was really my home training. The things my mother and father taught me. I’m in that sacred political space and if I was in that space doing things that people expected me

April Ryan says working as a member of Black Media is imperative to serving our communities. “I’m thank ful for my job. I’ve worked in Black media during my entire career. I love working as the Washington DC Bu reau correspondent for “The Grio”. Our focus is our community. We ask questions about everything, but my particular focus is on news for the Black commu nity because a lot of our stories don’t get movement or questions until there’s a crescendo moment.” Black Media has the unique freedom to tell our stories and report on our issues from our perspective.”

April Ryan believes Black women deserved to be cele

brated across all areas of life. “When Black women put their minds to it, they are winners. We understand what has to be done, the lay of the land, and how to survive. It’s just intrinsic. This book is my love letter to America about Black women, our strength, our fortitude, and what we bring to the game, how we change the game, and how we make the game better for a better day. Things are still hard, but you always know who’s on the front line. It’s always been us.”

“Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem” is available now wherever books are sold. Danielle Sand ers can be found on social media @DanieSandersOffi cial (IG/FB) and @DanieSanders20 (Twitter)

Ethel payne posthumously

Inducted Into the Chicago literary Hall of Fame

Ethel

Payne, a trailblazing journalist known as the “First Lady of the Black Press,” was inducted posthumously to the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Wednesday, November 3, 2022. Those also in ducted posthumously were Pulitzer Prize-win ning novelist Carol Shields and fantasy writer Ray Bradbury.

The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame honors and celebrates literary heritage and authors with Chi cago roots whose words captured the essence of the City of Chicago. The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame began in 2008 as a Chicago Writer’s Associ ation project.

Ethel Payne’s eldest niece, Sylvia Peters, was in attendance to accept the award. Peters is a nation ally recognized educator and was a Chicago Public Schools principal. Peters received a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Administration and Supervision. One of her many honors, Peters was awarded the Whitman Leadership Award for Out standing Principals in Chicago.

Peters discussed her close relationship with Payne. Peters reminisced as a young child rid ing on the North Shore train up to Great Lakes, where Payne ran a service club for people in the Navy. Peters remembers passing out political fold ers in the neighborhood where she grew up in Chicago. Peters said Payne was serious yet funny, a great cook, and was always fashionable wearing her many signature hats.

Peters recognized her niece Hailey Samples, who is following in Payne’s footsteps. Samples were ac cepted into the National Honors Society in Jour nalism from Loyola University. “Ethel Payne has her handprint all over us,” says Peters.

Peters says America is moving in a direction that is not healthy. “We have not looked into our own souls and our own stories. We are allowing our society, government, and churches to be highjacked by illiterate people. Peters talked about her displeasure with certain books being taken out of schools and libraries. “My Aunt Ethel is spinning in her grave,” says Peters.

Peters discussed times Payne had been beaten in Mississippi, Alabama, and Chicago and how she almost gave up her life as a journalist. Peter says if there is going to be any change, such as the change that Payne almost gave her life for, it’s up to every one to look into themselves.

Peters was happy that Payne was being honored,

how she gave her life to writing, and how she inspired and helped people keep their minds on freedom. “We must gather together and keep our minds stayed on freedom. I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom. That was my Aunt Ethel’s mantra. I’m asking all of you to let that be your mantra,” says Peters.

Ethel Payne, a native of Chicago, was born on August 14, 1911. Payne graduated from what was then Lindblom Technical High School in Janu ary 1930 in the Englewood neighborhood. After graduation, Payne went to Tokyo as an Army club director and began journaling when she observed the discrimination against black soldiers. Payne’s writing caught the attention of L. Alex Wilson, a reporter for the Chicago Defender. Payne’s jour nalism talents led her to work as a staff writer for the Chicago Defender in 1954. Payne covered im portant events such as Brown v. Board of Educa tion, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the Little Rock Nine.

Payne moved to Washington, DC, and was one of three African Americans with credentials in the White House press corps. Payne’s career spanned six presidents, some of who found her questions about the injustices of African Americans irritat ing. Despite the sexism and racism, Payne experi enced as a White House correspondent, she con tinued to use the power of the pen to report the struggles of segregation.

In 1972, Payne was the first African American female to work for a national news organization as a radio and television commentator for CBS’s Spectrum and Matters of Opinion. After 25 years with the Chicago Defender, Payne served as a pro fessor for the School of Journalists at Fisk Uni versity. On May 29, 1991, Payne passed away in Washington, D.C.

In 2002, the United States Postal Service honored Ethel Payne with a stamp as part of the Women in Journalism. In 2022, Payne was honored post humously at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with the inaugural Dunnigan-Payne Prize for Lifetime Career Achievement, which recog nizes meritorious service throughout an individu al’s career as a White House correspondent.

Tammy Gibson is an author, re-enactor, and black history traveler. Find her on social media @sankofatravelher.

politics state attorneys seeBail Reform Law as Chance to Better Protect Communities

Theclock is ticking down until the Safe ty, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act be comes effective. The SAFE-T Act was enacted in 2021 and creates a number of reforms to the criminal justice system in Illinois including changes that affect policing, pretri al detention, bail, and sentencing.

In 2020, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus introduced the bill which included criminal justice re forms, and reforms in education, health care, and economic services. Included in the IL SAFE-T act ini tially were changes in police train ing, oversight, pretrial processes, and more. The bill also included two pri or legislative proposals: The Pretrial Fairness Act sponsored by Senator Robert Peters and a police reform proposal by Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Initially opposed by Republican lawmakers, several provisions were removed from the bill including qualified immu nity for law enforcement officers. The amended bill was passed by a vote of 32-23 in the State Senate in January 2021 and was later approved by the House. Governor Pritzker signed the bill into law in Feb of the same year. Illinois is one of the first states to eliminate cash bail however the legislation includes other provi sions affecting criminal justice reform in Illinois. At the heart of the SAFE-T Act is a provision known as the “Pre-Trial Fairness Act” which eliminates cash bail in Illinois. Currently, the system allows judges to set an amount of cash bail or bond for detained individuals. As long as detainees can pay their bail amount, they could be released prior to trial. This means that under the cur rent system potential violent offenders can be released from jail if they are able to pay their set bail amounts. In contrast, non-violent offenders who are unable to pay bail amounts sit in jail until their court dates. According to a study by Loyola University, more than half of the arrests (56%) made in Illinois in 2020 and 2021 were for low-level crimes that did

not require prison time such as retail theft or tres passing. Lake County’s State’s Attorney says the Pre-Trial fairness act will allow prosecutors to close low-level cases quicker and provide them more time to work on more serious and violent cases.

The Pre-Trial Fairness act aims to add equity among those who are arrested. When the new law goes into effect in Jan. 2023, the role of cash bail will be elim inated. Judges will determine whether detained indi viduals pose a risk to others and their communities if released. Judges have the authority to deny release after a hearing if it is determined that the detain ee poses a threat or has a likelihood of flight. Illi nois State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx says all cases will go through a detention hearing but there are certain fac tors prosecutors will illustrate to determine if a per son is dangerous or likely to skip town to avoid trial.

In addition to the elimination of cash bail, the IL SAFE-T Act includes changes to policing practices including limits on the use of daily force, a ban on chokeholds, and the requirement for all law enforce ment agencies to use body cameras by 2025. Also included are changes to police misconduct policies.

Critics of the bill say the SAFE-T ACT is going to

cause a “purge”, a reference to the 2013 film, The Purge, where characters had the ability to commit violent crimes for 24 hours without facing an arrest or penalty.

The new law puts people accused of low-level crimes under different restrictions, such as house arrest, to en sure they don’t commit another offense and appear in court. Legal experts have argued this is a more feasible form of supervision than jail simply because, detain ment impacts one’s professional and personal life greatly.

Critics of the legislation say the IL SAFE-T Act and Pre-Trial Fairness Act were rushed through by legis lators without being debated. However, the law was passed two years ago with versions of the law dating back to 2017’s Bail Reform Act. The legislation was debated and amended after discussions with judges, prosecutors, politicians, activists, and law enforcement.

Opponents of the SAFE-T Act say police will have less power in arresting criminals but law enforcement officers will still have the power to take anyone into custody that they find to be a threat to public safety.

The overall goal of this legislation is to prioritize pub lic safety over an individual’s access to money. The IL SAFE-T Act becomes effective on January 1st of 2023.

show Me the Money

looking for a ganja gig? Are you trying to be paid in full? Do you wonder about how best to get your foot in the door? We have heard time and time again about the billions of dollars this industry gen erates but what does that mean for workers? Tens of thousands of jobs are emerging east of the Mississippi in post industrial states and this is great news for markets with high rates of BIPOC unemployment.

The industry is valued at $25 billion in the United States and the industry adds on average 280 new jobs per day according to the annual Leafly Jobs Report. According to the study 2022 saw a 31% increase in legal sales and complimentary increases in hiring. Since 2019, legal cannabis jobs have doubled from 211,000 to 428,059 in 2022. The report highlights on average a 27% growth in jobs annually. This is great news for the industry…and what does this mean for Black Illinoisains looking to grow their banks through bud?

Early in 2022 Black Illinoisians were found to be unemployed at nearly double the national rate according to the U. S. Census, Current Population Survey. Black workers are at greater risk of job insecurity and job loss due to economic turndowns and often have longer spans of unemployment in comparison to white workers.

Illinois is not an easy state to do business. Besides Black Illinoisians having higher rates of unemployment, the state has been identified as one of the more politically corrupt states in the nation and Chicago as the most corrupt city. As politics and profits go hand in hand the people who get pinched are the aspiring small businesses and others who just want a good paying job that doesn’t cost 50% of their paycheck to commute to. Black commuters have been shown across the nation to have the longest commutes to work than their white counterparts. As cannabis continues on its equity path, hopefully a holistic awareness will guide practices and policies for equitable paychecks.

The industry has “extensive long term growth, global opportunities and all skills are transferable” shared Stephen Philpott Jr. environmental researcher and Co-founder of Anzisha Consulting. Yes, the cannabis industry is a labor market with potential to create jobs but Phillpot points out outdated policies, decision makers with no industry experience and limited immediate opportunities are concerning.

Race absolutely still matters in the American education system and workplace. Underrepresentation has its consequences for soliciting, hiring, retaining and ad vancing Black employees in many sectors.

Cleveland School of Cannabis and the Harrington Institute President Tyrone Rus sell believes programs like THI’s can increase marijuana literary and industry IQ’s of Black participants through a model of learning from other Black professionals and leaders. The Harrington Institute offers self paced modules for the general public. Their average student has little to no knowledge about the plant or industry and are seeking guidance from personal use to professional. Having diverse industry professionals at the learning stage is a step in the right direction. Philpott believes certificate programs are valuable for people who are brand new and with the state of Illinois having 11 community colleges offering courses there are many opportunities to learn locally and advises job seekers to volunteer with community organizations that intersect with cannabis as a way to get into the industry and diversify their network and increase their understanding of the industries real impacts from the grassroots.

As for those who are still wondering how much one can make in marijuana… well it depends. The 2022 Vangst Report Cannabis Industry Salary Guide explores trends in cannabis employment and wage data through a national survey. Respon dents’ hourly wages range between $15 - $20/hr across cultivation, retail, lab/ex traction, manufacturing, retail and delivery.

The Vangst Report bulleted that temporary employment is 15% of all full time roles, for economies like Illinois seeking to address the many issues of underemploy ment and lack of access to this industry job security fair wages and access to healthy work life balance are not perks or gifts they are owed to the communities who have suffered from not just the War on Drugs but the war on Black communities, Black health and Black wealth.

As employment opportunities increase there needs to be close attention paid to where jobs are located, hiring practices, retention and advancement of Black talent and more. However, you need businesses open to hire people and Illinois is still waiting for those doors to open.

The Chicago Bulls Rank The 4th Most Valuable Team In The nBa

Forbesreleases their annual NBA team evalu ation for the 2022-23 season and the Chica go Bulls landed #4 on the list. According to the Forbes evaluation, the Bulls are worth a respectful $4.1 billion. That’s a 12% increase from last year’s $3.6 billion net worth, which saw them ranked #5 on the list.

As for the current NBA season, the Chicago Bulls’ ac tive player payroll is well over $145 million. The team’s star guard Zach LaVine will receive $215 million over the next 5-years. That’s an average of $43 million for each NBA season.

The Bulls sold for $9.2 million to Jerry Reinsdorf in 1985, and from 1991-1998, the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls won 6 NBA titles. Since the Jordan era ended, the Bulls have struggled to be a consistent top NBA team. In the last five years, they only made the playoffs once.

However, the team’s future is looking brighter. In addition to Zach LaVine signing his large contract to stay in the Windy City, the organization has also signed free agents DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball. It still remains to be seen if this Bulls team can bring a championship back to the Chi, but for the first time in a long time, the organization is looking like a top team worthy of being called the fourth most valuable NBA organization. The top three teams on the Forbes list include the Golden State Warriors, valued at $7 billion. Followed by New York Knicks at $6.1 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers valued at $5.9 billion. The Boston Celtics round out the fifth spot at $4 billion. According to Forbes, the average NBA team is worth $2.86 billion. That’s a 15 percent increase over last year. It’s also important to note

Jelani Day’s Family Launches new Foundation aimed at Finding Missing Black People

the family of Jelani Day wants to help other minority families with missing loved ones through the “Jelani Day Foundation. His mother, Carmen Bolden-Day, believes law enforcement and media engaged his case with less effort because Jelani was Black. Jelani’s family cried out for help during the high-profile case of white woman, Gabby Petito, whose missing person case gained national media coverage and attention.“Anywhere where you went, it was plastered,” Bolden-Day shared. “At the same time, my son was missing.”Bolden-Day continued say ing, “just as it was important to her family to find her, it was important to me to find him”

According to The National Crime Information Center (NCIC), 177,530 missing person cases filed in 2021were black. Bolden says the foundation will help families struggling to get assistance from the public.“Provide the resources whether it’s financial or getting activ ists involved,” Bolden-Day explained.

“Getting them in touch with media and the peo ple I’ve con tacted. I want to be able to use those resources to help others,” Bolden-Day added.

Jelani was a graduate student at Illi nois State University studying to be a speech pathologist before being de clared missing on Aug. 24, 2021.

Day’s family hosted an all-white party on Aug. 27 of this year to launch the foundation. His mother said it was something he always wanted for his birthday, so she and his siblings made sure to still respect his wishes and legacy. “Jelani was family-oriented, he believed in God, He was driven,” Bolden-Day shared. “I don’t why God chose him, but I’m going to fulfill the purpose”.

For those interested in learning more or donating to the foundation, visit TheJelaniDayFoundation.org.

Flossmoor Forum Tries to heal after the Murder of Madeline Miller

n October 29, 2022, a small group of community members and activists rallied with picket signs outside of Parker Junior Middle School in Flossmoor, IL, to seek jus tice for Madeline Miller, who was killed by a Flossmoor police officer in July. Police were dispatched to Miller’s home on a domestic dispute. Police said Miller charged at the offi cers with a knife. The murder of Miller has not been on the agenda at any Flossmoor Board of Trustees Meetings. Protestors said the killing of unarmed African Americans is a national and regional issue and is bigger than just one police department.

Casey Kueltzo leader of the social justice cam paign, Justice for Madeline Miller, says the Vil lage of Flossmoor has been deflecting their de mands for justice and trying to wear him down. Casey and the protester attended a Community Relations Commission Meeting in July and said it felt like a gaslighting session and is expecting the same at the forum. “The forum is not going to be about justice for Madeline Miller, and that is why I am here,” says Kueltzo.

The Village of Flossmoor held a “Discussion on Community Relations and Polic ing” forum to discuss the concerns and ways to build a better relationship between police officers and the community. Facilitators organized break-out sessions with the attendees to discuss community policing and the healing process.

Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson opened the forum by saying the death of Made line Miller was an incredible tragedy, not just for the families but the entire village. “We have put together this forum to help this community grieve, to talk about ideas and move forward past this tragic event,” says Nelson. She mentioned that village officials continue to meet with the Miller family.

Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis, a facilitator, discussed teaching and talking to his peers about the importance of the relationship between law enforce

ment and the community. Davis stated that he has been involved in difficult conversa tions but says it’s necessary to have equitable engagement and come up with some solu tions while respecting everyone’s opinions to get actionable answers. When Davis was the president of the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police, he was the first to come out with a statement announcing the murder of George Floyd. Davis was involved in the investigation of the Louisville Police Depart ment in the murder of Breonna Taylor. “I come in to seek the truth as it pertains to the community and law enforcement. The truth does not have a color or gender. It’s about getting to the truth,” says Davis.

As participants left the gymnasium and went into break-out rooms, the protestors erupted in anger objecting to the forum’s agenda and demanding a general discus sion about Miller’s murder. One protestor yelled the forum was a sham.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School student and activist Titilayo Anoma attended the breakout session. Anoma said while she was giving suggestions, two men kept interrupting her and said Anoma was at the forum for hashtags on social media. Anoma said one of the men was in her face and made inappropriate and racist re marks. Anoma’s mother intervened to protect her daughter. The tension resulted in pushing and shoving between the protestors and police. Anoma said there was no progress at Saturday’s forum. “It was completely pointless. People had questions about Flossmoor policing, and the facilitator could not answer the questions because he is not from the Flossmoor area,” says Anoma.

The participants reconvened to share what each group discussed. Their concerns are that since Miller’s death, the anger in Flossmoor is at its boiling point. There needs to be a way to reduce the trauma and stress and for the village to acknowledge

Rising Chef Makes her Mark at Currency Exchange Café

ariya

Launched in 2021 to support culinary hospitality artists following the pandemic, Retreat is an artist-led operation that supports creative entrepreneurs and BIPOC artists.

Chef Ariya began her tenure at Retreat in October, and says her food honors traditional black foodways, experimenting with custom seasonings that elevate and preserve the integrity of fresh local ingredients. She credits her grandmother with instilling her love of the culinary arts. “It was a shared experience for both of us. My great-grandmother couldn’t use her arms or legs very well, so I became those for her. She would instruct me and show me how to create dishes in the kitchen. It’s an experience I’ll treasure forever.”

As part of her residency, Chef Ariya will offer a rotating menu with different themes. She’ll be mentored by Chef Ellison Park. Chef Ellison says Ariya was a perfect candidate for the program. “Chef Arya creates menus that are fantastic and full of fresh and bold flavors. She’s a cook that is observant,” Chef Ellison said. Before her residency, Chef Ariya enjoyed working at Nieo Osteria on Chicago’s gold coast and the Publican. In addition, she has enjoyed success as a private caterer. She says this residency is a

dream come true and credits her mother for supporting her in her aspirations. “I’m thrilled to be a part of a program that allows me to work on everything I’ve ever dreamed of. While refining my definitive work.”

Chef Ariya says she wants residents on the south side to enjoy fine dining experiences without traveling downtown or to the north side. She currently uses some of her own sauces and seasonings in her dishes and hopes to own a store where she can sell them in the future. She began creating her own spices and seasonings during the pandemic and loves to visit farmer’s markets, gardens, and other grocery stores to find inspiration. Currently, she has a lemon pepper, all-purpose, jerk, and seafood seasoning line.

Chef Ellison says mentoring a new generation of BIPOC culinary artists is important. Chef Ariya agrees and says she looks forward to paying it forward to other future chefs.

Chef Ariya Taylor will serve her menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday evenings at Retreat’s Currency Exchange Cafe located at 305 East Garfield Boulevard in Chicago.

Follow chef Ariya on Instagram @AriyaTaylorFood.

Fancy French Toast . . . with a Twist

It doesn’t have to be Halloween to enjoy to inner ‘pumpkiness’ of pumpkins. You can try something fancy, and tasty, but healthy. This pumpkin stuffed French toast is the perfect breakfast for those health minded individuals.

Pumpkin is a staple autumn veggie healthily and deliciously used in many recipes. Pumpkin with cinnamon is a familiar autumn smell in some homes and many bakeries with a touch of cinnamon in the air. They are a perfect duo to create something magical and tasty.

I know that pumpkin pie will never beat out your favorite sweet potato pie but give it a try. French toast stuffed with pumpkin and topped with maple syrup is that step to forever loving pumpkin.

And just think pumpkin is a versatile veggie that can taste amazing in soups and desserts. With all that pumpkin after the carving is done you’ve got to put it to good use. In soups, you can balance the sweet pumpkin taste with bacon or gorgonzola, but in dessert, its partner in crime is the cinnamon.

Sugar or honey is an alternative for those who love sweet desserts, but some like pumpkin just as it is. Pumpkin-stuffed French toast is smooth, delicious, buttery, and finger-licking good. Whether you fry your French Toast in butter or olive oil, pumpkin French toast is one of those breakfast recipes you will want to make more often. It’s done in minutes, and the aroma is simply irresistible. It’s fall and thanksgiving is coming up soon so be explorative and try different pumpkin recipes because after you have the French toast stuffed with pumpkin your love affair with pumpkin will be official.

Pumpkin is rich in vitamins and minerals and is a great antioxidant and nutrient. It boosts the immune system, lowers the risk of certain cancers, and is good for skin problems. One of the best advantages of pumpkin is its low calorie intake, helping people to lose weight.

What type of bread is the best for French Toast? Bread here plays the most import ant role as due to its freshness and softness, this French Toast filled with pumpkin tastes amazing. Ummm, ummm!

Choose brioche, Challah, white sandwich bread, or French baguette. It really depends on your preference: if you want your toast sweeter, then brioche or Challah will be the best option, and if you want it less sweet, sandwich bread or baguettes will be the way to go. Most Americans always choose butter. The aroma and taste are simply un believable. If you’re going for healthy, then olive oil is the choice to make. Butter adds flavor and calories, while oil won’t disrupt the taste and will be less caloric and health ier.

Equipment: baking tray skillet

The ingredients: 6-8 slices of white sandwich bread, half of the baked pumpkin, pureed 1 tbsp cinnamon 2 tbsp brown sugar Two whole eggs 1 cup of milk, butter The quantity of spices you will use depends on the sweetness of the pumpkin.

how: to make pumpkin French Toast roll-ups:

Cut halves of the pumpkin and one half set aside for another recipe, but the other half cut into cubes. Take a baking tray, lay a sheet of parchment paper, and lay down the pumpkin cubes. Coat them in some olive oil, optional. Bake for about 20 min utes or until they are soft and tender at 350F. Take them out of the oven and let them cool down. Meanwhile, take a large cutting board, cut the edges of the sandwich bread, and flatten them with a rolling pin. Set aside. Take a bowl and, with the help of a fork, puree baked pumpkin cubes. Fill each slice of bread with pumpkin filling and then roll them up. In another bowl, mix the eggs with the milk. Coat the rolls in the egg and milk mixture and quickly fry them in a hot buttered skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side to avoid burnt bottoms of the French toast. On a platter, mix cinnamon with sugar, and while hot, roll them into the mixture until they are fully covered. Top some maple syrup and serve immediately. https://www.delicerecipes.com