CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY FIFTH THIRD BANK AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> Host: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT AS THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL IS SET FOR CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN MINNESOTA, TWO RECENT KILLINGS, ONCE AGAIN BUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE.

WE WILL SPEAK TO ACTIVISTS AND A RETIRED OFFICER ABOUT POLICING IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>>> CALLS TO OPEN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS AT THE CITY CLOSED NINE YEARS AGO.

WE TALKED TO ADVOCATES AS WELL AS THE CITY.

>>> YOU CAN'T HEAR MANY SPEECHES FROM CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR BUT A NEW ONLINE ARCHIVE MAKES HAROLD WASHINGTON'S SPEECH IS AVAILABLE TO READ.

GET THE DETAILS.

>> BY CREATING IT OURSELVES WE ARE ALREADY LIBERATED.

AGAIN THAT IS WHAT OTB IS ALL ABOUT.

>> OUR ARTS CORRESPONDENT ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCES US TO A CHICAGO NONPROFIT OMITTED TO DIVERSITY IN VIDEO.

>>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT, THE TRIAL OF MINNEAPOLIS PLEASE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD IS COMING TO A CLOSE NEXT WEEK.

AS AMERICA WAITS FOR AN OUTCOME THE WAY POLICE OPERATE AND ESPECIALLY HOW THEY USE DEADLY FORCE IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES REMAINS MUCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

IN RECENT WEEKS TWO MORE NAMES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE GRIM TALLY OF POLICE KILLINGS.

20-YEAR-OLD DAUNTE WRIGHT IN MINNESOTA AND 13-YEAR-OLD ADAM TOLEDO HERE IN CHICAGO'S LITTLE EAST VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IN BOTH CASES POLICE BODY CAMP VIDEO IS BEING RELEASED WITH SHOCK AND PROTEST.

JOINING US, ALONZO WAHEED FROM EQUITY AND TRANSFORMATION CHICAGO.

AISLINN PULLEY COEXECUTIVE FROM CHICAGO JUSTICE CENTER AND RICHARD WOOTEN A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE AT GATHERING POINT COMMUNITY COUNCIL.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED WE WILL SHOW YOU AN EDITED VERSION OF THE TOLEDO VIDEO THAT ENDS WITH POLICE GUNSHOT.

THE VIDEO IS HARD TO WATCH AN EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IS USED.

WE START WITH THE MOMENT THAT THE OFFICER NOT OUT OF HIS POLICE CAR AND SHE CHASED TOLEDO THROUGH AN ALLEY.

YOU WON'T HEAR AUDIO 4 AT LEAST 15 SECONDS.

>> POLICE, STOP!

STOP RIGHT NOW!

SHOW ME YOUR HANDS!

STOP IT!

>> Host: I AM TURNING TO MY GUEST, AISLINN.

I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN THIS VIDEO AND IT'S HARD TO WATCH.

THIS IS A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE DAY AFTER THE RELEASE FROM THE VIDEO.

THERE WERE PROTESTS FROM THAT NIGHT MORE ARE PLANNED FOR THE COMING DAYS AND OF COURSE THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THE MAYOR HAS HANDLED THE VIDEO RELEASE AND HOW THE CITY HAS PREPARED FOR THIS PROTEST?

>> Guest: THE MAYOR HAS AGAIN, HANDLED THIS HORRIFICALLY.

AGAIN, RAISE THE BRIDGES WHICH SHE DID OVER THE SUMMER IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT OF THE CITY.

INSTEAD HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING MEASURES THAT WE KNOW HAVE RESULTED IN EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE TRYING TO PROTEST.

THE AG REPORT THAT CAME OUT JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO REVEALED THAT WHEN THE MAYOR RAISED THE BRIDGES DURING THE UPRISING OVER THE SUMMER, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE BRUTALIZED.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE DETAINED.

IN THE BRUTALITY WAS HORRIFIC INCLUDING AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOUNG PERSON BEING DRAGGED THROUGH HORSE MANURE HELD UP BY HIS NECK AND THEN TOSSED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET.

THIS IS ALL THE RESULT OF THE CHAOS AND CONFUSION BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED DOWNTOWN.

AGAIN WE ARE SEEING THE MAYOR IMPLEMENT THESE DISASTROUS AUTHORITARIAN RESPONSES TO SOMETHING THAT HER POLICE DEPARTMENT IS 100 PERCENT RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> Host: IN THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAID THE RAISING OF LAKESHORE DRIVE BRIDGE THAT THEIR CALENDAR SAID THAT WAS PART OF A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PLAN.

IN THE DAUNTE WRIGHT SHOOTING, ALONZO WAHEED AND WHAT'S COME TO YOU.

THE VIDEO FOOTAGE WAS RELEASED FOR THE OFFICER AS THEY RESIGNED.

THE VIDEO OF ADAM TOLEDO'S DEATH TOOK WEEKS TO RELEASE.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE CITY SHOULD BE PREPARING AND REACTING TO THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH WHEN THEY KNOW THE VIDEO IT IS GOING TO BE MADE PUBLIC?

>> Guest: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WANT TO SAY RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT IT WAS MISFORTUNATE AND A MISHANDLING OF THE WAY THAT THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.

THEY ALREADY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS ON THE VIDEO.

I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO CONTACT COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS THAT ARE ON THE GROUND AND UNDERSTOOD THE PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE THEM DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT THEY KNOW THE BEST WAY AND HOW TO HANDLE OUR COMMUNITY WHICH KEEPS US DIVIDED WITH US UNDERSTANDING FROM THEIR ACTIONS THAT WE CAN TRUST THEM.

THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY.

WITHOUT WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH US TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS THEY ARE GOING TO ALWAYS BE THESE ISSUES WHERE THEY ARE SHOWING THAT THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED, THEY SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED.

THEY ARE THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS HARM AND WITHOUT WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS TO BRIDGE US TOGETHER THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

>> Host: RICHARD WOOTEN, WHAT DO YOU THINK POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE DOING IN REACTION TO VIDEOS LIKE DAUNTE WRIGHT AND ADAM TOLEDO?

>> Guest: THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO DO MORE OF AN INVOLVEMENT WITH PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

WE CAN NO LONGER ACTUALLY BE AN TRANSPARENT.

WE HAVE TO BE TRANSPARENT IN HOW WE DEAL WITH SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.

THE FAMILY SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO WAIT TWO OR THREE WEEKS TO SEE A VIDEO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WAS IN THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY SEEN THE VIDEO.

I THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR THEM TO HAVE MORE OF A LEGITIMACY WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY MAINTAINING EVIDENCE SUCH AS VIDEOS WITH THE FAMILY TO SHOW THEM WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME IN MAKING THEM PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> Host: AISLINN PULLEY DO YOU SEE ANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT REACT TO THE KILLING AND CHANGES TO THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENTS?

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN DO TO EARN TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT?

>> Guest: TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, NO.

NOTHING IS BEING DONE SIGNIFICANTLY THAT RESULTS TO ANY CHANGE OF OPERATING.

IF YOU LOOK BACK IN HISTORY IN 1927 THERE WAS AN ILLINOIS CRIME REPORT THAT REVEALS THAT ALTHOUGH BLACK PEOPLE ONLY MADE UP 5 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION AT THAT TIME, WE REPRESENTED, WE WERE KILLED AT A RATE 10 TIMES THAT OF WHITE FOLKS.

THE DOJ REPORT THAT WAS CREATED AFTER THE POLITICAL CRISIS THAT RESULTED FROM THE VIDEO BEING SHOWN OF JASON VAN DYCK MURDERING LAQUAN McDONALD, IT SHOWED THAT SAME EXACT STATISTIC.

THERE'S A MORE RECENT STUDY THAT SHOWS THE ACTUAL RATE IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT.

IT IS ACTUALLY 22 PERCENT.

BLACK PEOPLE ARE KILLED AT A RATE 22 PERCENT MORE THAN WHITE PEOPLE AND LATINOS ARE KILLED AT EVERY OF 6 PERCENT MORE THAN WHITE PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

>> Host: AND, ALONZO WAHEED WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT POLICE COULD DO TO COUNTER THE PERCEPTION OF THE POLICE IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES?

>> Guest: I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD DO ANYTHING.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ALL POLICE ARE BAD.

WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND THAT ARE NURTURED IN A CULTURE THAT THEY BELIEVE A WHOLE COMMUNITY ARE CRIMINALS AND THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OR THE WHEREWITHAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SHIELD OF PROTECTION AROUND THEM TO PROTECT THEM AFTER THEY GO INTO A COMMUNITY AND KILL THESE INDIVIDUALS, THEN I BELIEVE THAT SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BE DEALT WITH WHERE THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

WE NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THIS SENSE OF HAVING TO PROTECT INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY COMMITTING HARM IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Host: I WANT TO GET RICHARD WOOTEN IN HERE BECAUSE WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

WE KNOW THAT THE DEREK CHAUVIN CASE IS SET TO BE DONE NEXT WEEK.

THEY SAY IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY OF POLICING IS ON TRIAL.

RICHARD WOOTEN, DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT REMARK?

DO YOU THINK SHE MEANT?

>> Guest: WE SEE THIS VERY SIMILAR STRUCTURE IN THE LAQUAN McDONALD CASE.

WE WILL SEE THE RESULTS HERE.

WHEN YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, REALLY QUICK, HAD THERE BEEN A CHANGE OR DO WE EXPECT CHANGE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, AS LONG AS RACISM IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED, AS LONG AS WE ARE NOT HIRING FROM WITHIN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

AS LONG AS WE DON'T MAKE THE OFFICERS LOOK LIKE THE COMMUNITY THEY ARE SERVING, IT'S A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO FIGHT THAT.

THE CHANGE IS NOT HAPPENING AS FAST AS WE WANT IT TO BE BUT WE HAVE TO GET MORE INVOLVED AS A COMMUNITY WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND ALLOW OUR APARTMENT TO BRIDGE THE GAP AGAIN.

>> Host: ALL RIGHT.

A DISCUSSION WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP HAVING AND IS WORTH HAVING.

I THINK AISLINN PULLEY, ALONZO WAHEED AND RICHARD WOOTEN FOR JOINING US.

CALLS TO REOPEN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

STAY WITH US.

>>.

[MUSIC] >> Host: SOME COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ARE CALLING FOR THE CITY TO REOPEN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

IN 2012 MAY AROMA MANUALS MENSTRUATION CLOSE HALF OF THE CITY'S CLINICS.

MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT CAMPAIGNED ON REOPENING THE CENTER BUT HAS FOCUSED HER TENURE SO FAR IN INVESTING IN ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THIS FALL THE CITY ANNOUNCED 32 ORGANIZATIONS ON CHICAGO'S SOUTH AND WEST SIDE WOULD RECEIVE $8 MILLION TO EXPAND SERVICES.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS CALLS FOR THE CLINIC TO REOPEN AND THE CITY'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING MONEY FROM THE CITY.

ARTURO A LICENSED CLINICAL CREATOR OF WELLNESS WITH A GROUP WORKING TO ADDRESS ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN CHICAGO.

MATT RICHARDS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND AMICA 10 DOGGY DIRECTOR OF BLACK LIVES MATTER CHICAGO.

SHE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC WITH STOP CHICAGO.

WELCOME YOU ALL TO CHICAGO TONIGHT.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE TO BORIS WASHINGTON HOWARD ABOUT HOW THE CLOSURE IMPACTED HIS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

HE SAID HE USED TO LIVE JUST BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC BEFORE IT CLOSED.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> THE CLOSING OF THE WOODLAWN CLINIC IMPACTED ME VERY MUCH SO.

AT THAT TIME IT TOOK ALMOST 3 TO 6 MONTHS TO EVEN GET A THERAPIST.

AND THEN I WAS TRAVELING BY AIR AND BUS WHICH IS 4700 NORTH SPOON ARTURO CREEL, LET US KNOW ABOUT THE CLOSURE AND THE IMPACT OF IT THAT HAS OCCURRED.

>> Guest: WE HAVE SEEN IT EXACERBATED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR HELP AND THE DISPARITY IS ACTUALLY A RATIO WHERE WE HAVE SEEN WHERE 22 PERCENT OF THE CITY'S RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE MOST AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE AN ACCESS TO 4.5 THERAPIST FOR THE RESIDENCE WHERE IN COMMITTEES OF COLOR, HAVE AN ACCESS RATIO OF .2 THERAPIST FOR OTHER COMMITTEE RESIDENCE AND THAT IS AN ENORMOUS DISPARITY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Host: MATT RICHARDS, THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED IN THE FALL AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER $9 MILLION BEING ALLOCATED TO 32 ORGANIZATIONS ON THE CITY SOUTH AND WEST SIDE AND HOW IS THAT PROGRAM HELPING THOSE MOST IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES?

>> Guest: THANK YOU BRANDIS.

THE MAYOR'S STRATEGY HAS INCREASED SINCE SHE'S BEEN IN OFFICE AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON EXPANDING CARE TO SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE CARE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO PAY, HEALTH INSURANCE STATUS OR IMMIGRATION STATUS.WE MADE THAT A MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN AREAS PRIMARILY ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE.

ALL SERVICES ARE UP AND RUNNING AND HAVE BEEN SINCE LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE INTEGRATED MENTAL HEALTH OFFICIALS OR ARE ABOUT TO ACROSS THE CITY'S 9-1-1 SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE ARE FUNDING TEAM-BASED CARE BECAUSE NOT ALL PATIENTS ESPECIALLY PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX NEED A BENEFIT FROM HAVING FOLKS COME TO THEM RATHER THAN HAVING THEM IN A CLINIC.

WE HAVE THANK YOU MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE CITY'S ENTIRE HOMELESS SYSTEM AND WE'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY BUSY BECAUSE WE HAVE TRIPLED THE BUDGET.

THERE'S NO DOUBT WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

WE ARE REALLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THAT.

>> Host: AND YOU ARE ONE OF THE ONES WHO ARE CALLING ON THE CITY TO REOPEN THE CLINICS.

WISE AND IMPORTANT WHEN THE CITY SAID THEY ARE MAKING INVESTMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH IN OTHER AVENUES.

>> Guest: IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE OPEN THE PUBLIC MENTAL HAIR CLINIC.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE.

PRE-PANDEMIC LAST YEAR WE HAD AN ALDERMAN CALL THE SITE THAT THE CITY SAID WERE AVAILABLE AND MANY WERE NOT.

MANY DID NOT ANSWER THE PHONE OR RESPOND IN ANY WAY.

WE NEED PUBLIC CLINIC SO THAT WE CAN HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE IN ADDITION WITH CHICAGO WITH GENTRIFICATION AND POLICE BRUTALITY IS CAUSING AND EXACERBATING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR THE CITY AND THEY SHOULD TAKE SPOTS ABILITY FOR HEALING CHICAGO.

BILL AND DIANA, YOUR AGENCY IS AMONG THOSE RECEIVING THE FUNDS FROM THE CITY'S INVESTMENT.

HOW HAS THAT IMPACTED THE WORK YOU ARE ABLE TO DO?

>> Guest: IT HAS IMPACTED US FOR A VARIETY OF WAYS.

ONE IS THAT IT HELPS WITH THE FIGHT OF EQUITY.

WE SEE THESE ISSUES FOR A LONG TIME.

WITH THE MONEY THAT THE CITY HAS ALLOTTED FOR THE GRANTS WE ARE WORKING EXCLUSIVELY WITH FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE WEST SIDE.

RIGHT NOW ANYBODY CAN CALL US AND GET SERVICES RIGHT AWAY.

THE FACT IS THAT IT IS REALLY FOCUSED ON PREVENTION SERVICES INSTEAD OF CRISIS SERVICES.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF DOING CRISIS WORK WELL BUT WE USUALLY DEAL WITH ONLY CRISIS FROM THE BEGINNING AND HELP THEM GET ACTION RIGHT AWAY AND TELL PART OF US ALLOCATING BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THE CITY GAVE US, ALLOCATING THE RESOURCES THAT GOES DIRECTLY FOR THE WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY CAN CALL AND GET SERVICES RIGHT AWAY WITH US WHETHER IT IS TRAUMA AND HEALING, WHATEVER THEY NEED.

>> Host: ARTURO, YOU HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING RESET BILLY ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE CITY.

ARE THE NEEDS BEING MET?

>> Guest: ABSENTLY NOT.

WE ARE TALKING $8 MILLION.

THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

I WOULD LIKE YOUR VIEWERS TO INVEST $8 MILLION BY 1.7 BILLION.

THAT IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE CITY IS PUTTING TOWARDS POLICING.

WE ARE TALKING PENNIES TOWARDS EVERY DOLLAR THAT'S BEING PUT TOWARDS POLICING THAT IS BEING INVESTED IN THE CITY.

WE NEED THE CITY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM TO REOPEN THE CLINICS AND MAKE THE CLINICS A SAFETY NET FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITY COULD WE FOUND THAT EVEN AFTER THIS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, WE FOUND 86 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS IN A RECENT CITYWIDE SURVEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THERE COMMUNITY.

ADDING A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO ORGANIZATIONS DOES NOT INCREASE THE ACCESS TO CARE WHERE WE HAVE SUCH DESPERATE NEED FOR SERVICES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY.

>> Host: MATT RICHARDS I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> Guest: OUR FOCUS IS STRENGTHENING THE SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES CARE REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY HEALTH SERVICE STATUS OR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

OVER 200 HEALTH CENTERS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO ARE REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE COMMUNITY CENTERS ACCREDITED BY THE STATE.

FIVE OF THOSE, OVER 200 CLINICS OPERATED BY THE CITY.

WE VALUE THOSE CLINICS AND HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS SINCE THE MAYOR HAS TAKEN OFFICE.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY, FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORMED FOUR OF THE FIVE SITES THAT NEED ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT.

IT'S NOT CITY SERVICES VERSES THE BROADER SYSTEM.

IT IS BOTH.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE FROM THE BEGINNING IS INVESTING IN OUR OWN CLINICS WITHIN RECOGNIZING THAT FOLKS GET THEIR CARE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO INVEST IN THOSE LOCATIONS AS WELL.

>> Host: OKAY, THAT IS WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

OBVIOUSLY AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

OUR THANKS TO OUR GUESTS FOR JOINING US.

>> Guest: THANK YOU.

>> Host: BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

SIGNIFICANT.

>> Guest: AS YOU MENTIONED, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR AS IMPORTANT AS HAROLD WASHINGTON WAS FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND NOW GROUNDBREAKING HIS ELECTION WAS, THERE'S SO FEW RECORDINGS OF HIS SPEECHES.

THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS DIGITIZED ORIGINAL SCRIPTS HEAR THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM ONLINE FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS YOUR EVERYTHING FROM WELCOMING COMMENTS FOR DIGNITARIES LIKE ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU TO BUDGET ADDRESSES, TOO COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES.

IT IS ALL THERE PEOPLE TO READ FOR FREE.

>> Host: REMIND US, WHAT MADE HAROLD WASHINGTON'S SPEECH IS SO MEMORABLE?

>> Guest: THE ARCHIVES REMIND US HOW MUCH WARMTH, HUMOR AND OPTIMISM THERE ARE IN HIS SPEECHES.

THE IMPORTANT THING AS WELL, IN THE YEARS SINCE HIS DEATH WE'VE HEARD SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HAROLD WASHINGTON AND IN EVERYTHING HE WANTED THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

WHEN YOU READ HIS SPEECHES, HAROLD IS TELLING HIS STORY.

HE IS GIVING YOU INSIGHT TO HIS THOUGHT PROCESS, HIS STRATEGY, IT IS A GREAT WAY TO HEAR FROM THE MAN HIMSELF, REALLY CLOSE TO WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY CARE JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.

IT PUTS THE WORDS BACK IN THAT, HAROLD'S MOUTH, I THINK.

>> Host: IT IS A GOOD WAY TO TAKE A TRIP BACK WORDS.

PATTY WHATLEY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> Guest: THANK YOU AND US.

>> Host: YOU CAN READ PATTY'S FULL STORY ON A WEBSITE.

IT IS ALL AT WTTW.com/ NEWS.

>>> IS A CHICAGO NONPROFIT TELEVISION.

THE GROUP HOLDS ORGANIZATIONS ACCOUNTABLE.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE GROUP BEFORE IT'S ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF THEIR ANNUAL CONTEMPORARY ART.

HERE IS A LOOK.

[MUSIC] WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES HAVE BEEN CAST OUT OF FILM AND TELEVISION AND BEING AS WE ARE IN THIS REALLY UNIQUE POSITION TO AMPLIFY ARTISTS AND CELEBRATE THE UNIQUE GIFTS THAT ARE SECTIONAL IDENTITIES BRING TO THE WORLD, WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL IS THAT NOW WE HAVE THE FOUNDATION.

>> IT'S THE FOUNDATION ABOUT FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING.

OTV IS A PLATFORM FOR MULTI-HYPHENATED ARTISTS ENCOMPASSING IDENTITIES WITHIN RACE, GENDER AND CLASS.

THEIR ANNUAL SHOWCASE OTV TONIGHT EXPLORES HOW THEIR ARTISTS ARE ROOTED AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND TELEVISION.

>> ALL OF OUR ARTISTS COME TO US WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF BACKGROUNDS.

WE ARE FIGHTING A PLATFORM FOR THOSE ARTISTS TO TELL THEIR PARTICULAR STORIES AGAIN UNINHIBITED.

>> IS VERY TRANSACTIONAL IN HOLLYWOOD.

YOU PITCH AN IDEA AND COOL, WE LOVE YOUR IDEA, EVEN IF IT'S THE MOST FRAGILE PIECE OF ART, THOSE THINGS ARE NOT REALLY CONSIDERED.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED IS IS GOING TO SELL, IS IT GOING TO CROSS PROSPER?

OTV'S MISSION IS TO MAKE SURE THEIR ARTISTS VISION IS 1ST AND FOREMOST AND WORKING WITH ARTISTS THROUGH THE ENTIRE NATION THROUGH THROUGHOUT WHATEVER LEVEL THEY ARE ASKED TO THEIR COMPLETION.

>> OTV ARTISTS AGREE.

THE UPCOMING SHOWCASE WILL GIVE A SNEAK PEEK OF THEIR SECOND SEASON SERIES LOW STRONG WHICH EXPLORES THE ANTICS OF TWO BLACK QUEER CHICAGOANS.

>> YOU SEE THIS ALL THE TIME PAY THE MORE CONTENT THAT COMES OUT FROM BLACK CREATORS, THE MORE WE WILL SEE EVERY PART OF THAT SPECTRUM AND THAT IS A REALLY POWERFUL THING.

>> SHOWCASING DIVERSITY.

AS BLACK PEOPLE, WE ARE DIVERSITY BUT THERE IS DIVERSITY WITHIN THAT.

THERE'S OTHER SUBSETS OF PEOPLE.

>> LOUD, LEG LANGUAGE, LEG BABBLE, SLICK WITH CARD, AND GLAMOUR.

>> FOR ARTIST E'MON LAUREN IT IS VITAL THAT THE ARTISTS ARE EXCLUSIVE NOT JUST BROWN AND BLACK.

>> I LOVE ACTING.

I LOVE ART AND SINGING.

I LOVE THEATER.

BUT, THERE ARE TROPES THAT WHITE HOLLYWOOD LIKES.

WE DON'T CARE.

WE KNOW THAT OUR BLACK IS BOUNTIFUL.

OUR BOUNTY IS BEAUTIFUL.

TO THE POINT WHERE OUR AUTONOMY IS OURS, LIKE EVERYBODY'S VOICE, MIND, BODY IS THEIRS AND THEIR OWN AND NOT JUST AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR BLACK PEOPLE.

IT IS ABOUT LANGUAGE.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS FOR ME.

I LIKE TO MAKE LANGUAGE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.MY LANGUAGE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.

>> THE ACCESSIBILITY THAT OTV WORKS TO PROVIDE FOR CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES IS NOT JUST FOR ARTISTS BUT EXISTING INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE MCA AS WELL.

THAT IS WHERE IT'S ANNUAL SHOWCASE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED FROM.

>> INSTEAD OF REMOVING OURSELVES OR IMMEDIATELY JUMPING TO A REACTION, WE WANTED TO MAKE THE LONG DREAM RIGHT HE MET THE LONG ROAD AHEAD WHICH IS, ROOTED IN LIBERATION AND EQUITY AND IS ONE OF THE BLUEPRINTS OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO HOLD A SEAT IN COMMUNITY AND ALSO HOLD A SEAT WITHIN THESE REALLY NUANCED, TROUBLED, HISTORICALLY PROBLEMATIC INSTITUTIONS.

AGAIN, BRIDGE A GAP FOR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, I AM ANGEL IDOWU.

>> Host: GOT MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE ON HOW TO STREAM THEIR SHOWCASES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS INCLUDING LAST NIGHT.

>>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

JOIN PARIS SCHUTZ AND ME TONIGHT FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

FOR ALL OF US AT CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>