Conversations With The Citizen

Maizelle Hutson is a baker who owns Maizelle’s Delights where she creates pound cakes with different flavors. Hutson, who said she got her love of cooking from her mother and grandmother, started out by baking cakes for special events and giving them away to people. It was a way to share her love for baking with others.

Vegans and vegetarians have more and more options for dining out these days. One of those options is Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, located at 1368 ½ E. 53rd St., in Hyde Park. Laricia Chandler Baker, best known as Chef Fab, is the owner of Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat. Baker said when she became a vegetarian, it was hard to find favorable food that tasted good.

Keisha Rucker earned the name “Mz. Hyde Park” because she grew up in Hyde Park and attended elementary and high school there. Now, she is running a business in the same community. Rucker is the co-owner of The Soul Shack, which is located at 1368 E. 53rd St.

Anthony Waller has always had a passion for food. Growing up, he was surrounded by family members who cooked. Waller started his career in the food industry as a busboy at the Hyatt and is now the founder of Catering Out the Box, which has been around for 18 years.

What started out as a food truck is now a successful brick and mortar restaurant with quite a following. Phil Simpson and Andrew Bonsu are the owners of Phlavz Bar & Grille, located at 717 W. Maxwell St.

Sandi Robinson, co-founder of ChiGivesBack, knows the importance of raising funds to provide resources. She also knows the importance of having a good team to support you in your endeavors.

Ibie Hart realized she was interested in politics while in law school at Loyola. She wanted to advocate for Black and brown children in the education system, so she got into the education law program, focusing on education reform policy, as well as school discipline laws and guidelines.

Tiffany Henyard, a senior Village of Dolton Trustee, grew up in the village and has served on the board since 2013. Now, Henyard is running for Mayor of Dolton. Henyard announced her run for Mayor on Thursday, Oct. 8. The election is Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021.

Thaddeus Jones was the first African-American Alderman in Calumet City when he was elected in 1996. Now, he wants to be the first African-American Mayor of the city, which is in the South Suburbs. Jones, who was born and raised in Ford Heights, is also an Illinois State Representative of the 29th District. Jones said Calumet City is in a state of despair because people have walked away from Calumet City, much like people did in Ford Heights.

In the last few years, Kina Collins has been organizing around the movement for Black Lives. Collins, a native of the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side, was integral in helping organize around the killing of LaQuan McDonald. Most recently, Collins ran for the 7th District Congressional seat.