Conversations With The Citizen

LaTanya Johnson founder of LaTanya Jonhson and the youth of Englewood joined us for "Conversations With The Citizen. LaTanya, established her organization on June 19, 2013. The organization has been established to work with youth ages 5-13 to provide after school activities including education, recreation communication skill building, social opportunities, advocacy and support. Most importantly this program provides strong relationships with capable, caring, and positive adults, a key component of helping children succeed in a dangerous and violent environment like the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago. “It takes a village to raise a kid. We lost that. I want to bring that back,” Johnson said. “If I can target 100s of kids, we can make this community, our city, a better place,” stated by Founder, LaTanya Johnson.

Greater Chatham Initiative's Mrs. Sims-Spears and Ms. Hardy joined us to discuss their latest projects and how they were able to help business in their corridor pivoted during COVID. They were excited to share what they are doing on the 9, (79th Street).

Quilen Blackwell is the President and founder of the Chicago Eco House, whose mission is to train inner-city youth in sustainable social enterprises to alleviate poverty. Quilen discussed with "Conversations with the Citizen", the organizations two signature programs, the Flower Farm and its 3D Printing youth social enterprises.

"Conversations With The Citizen, welcomes Nikkita Randle, owner of "Twisted Egg Roll". Twisted Egg Roll, founded in January 2015, out of the love for food and a passion for cooking. Nikkita tells us why she decided to go into business and the story behind Twisted Egg Roll. If you love an Asian staple but with an American flare you would love what she has to offer. Visit her website: twistedeggroll.com to get and idea of what's available for purchase or to place a catering order.

Joining us today for an episode of "Conversations With The Citizen", is Ahmand Smith. Ahmand is an entrepreneur and author of "Kodi Blackman The Eclipse," a book about a young Black man who discovers that he is a superhero. It is the first in a series of books. The book is available on Amazon and other places where books are sold.

Conversations with the Citizen Welcomes Vernard Alsberry to today's episode. Mayor Alsberry is the president of the Village of Hazel Crest. He is running for the 5th District Cook County Commissioner seat. Alsberry looks to fill the vacant seat of Commissioner Deborah Sims. Petitions for candidates began on Thursday, Jan. 13, and continue through Monday, March 14.

Fernando Jones, the Blues man, visited "Conversations with the Citizen" as our guest to close of the holiday season of 2021. Fernando is the founder of Blues Camp International. Jones founded the free blues camp in 2010 and hosts it locally on the campus of Columbia College Chicago, where he is an adjunct professor in the music department.

"Conversations with the Citizen", Welcomes Greg "Olskool Ice-Gre" Lewis today for a conversation. Lewis is in concert today at the Promontory. Greg Lewis, known as Olskool Ice-Gre, one half of the Adult Hip Hop group Abstract Mindstate. He talks about Hip Hop, how he met his partner EP Da Hellcat, working with Kanye West and his book, "I Refuse to Quit: The Autobiography of a Dreamer."

Conversations with the Citizen Welcomed Christopher Jewett, Director of Corporate Development at Bally's Corporation. Christopher sits down with us to discuss what it would mean for Chicagoan's if Bally's comes to town. Bally's currently have a proposal on the table to bring gaming to Chicago. This project brings with it Jobs, Partnerships, Community Investments and Economic Growth for the City. Listen to what Christopher had to say.

Nicole Murray of Agape Creative Boutique, Agape Collective and curator of Kulture Museum joined us in the studio to talk about working with creative professionals who share her same vision, mission and alignment.