[♪♪♪] >> "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... [♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... INTERNET ACCESS HAS BECOME A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF EDUCATION, AS FAMILIES PREPARE TO SEND KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATE OF DIGITAL EQUITY IN CHICAGO.

AND LOCAL AMAZON WORKERS SAY THE COMPANY DIDN'T PROPERLY ADDRESS RACIST DEATH THREATS AND PUNISH EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY SPOKE OUT.

AND THE HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL PURPLE BLOCK PARTY IS COMING TO THE WEST SIDE NEXT WEEKEND.

WE TALK WITH THE EVENT PLANNERS TO HEAR WHAT IS IN STORE.

FIRST OFF TONIGHT, INTERNET ACCESS HAS BECOME SOMETHING LIKE A UTILITY.

DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE WITHOUT.

AND AS SCHOOL STARTS BACK UP STUDENTS ESPECIALLY RELY ON THE INTERNET.

BUT FOR SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS IS STILL TOUGH TO COME BY.

A RECENT ANALYSIS FINDS THAT 80% OF CHICAGO HOUSEHOLDS HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION.

BUT DISPARITIES LINGER ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES WHERE UP TO 40% OF HOUSEHOLDS LACK ACCESS.

A NUMBER OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THAT DISPARITY.

NOW, COMCAST ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO AIMED AT ADVANCING DIGITAL ACCESS AND INTERNET NAVIGATION SKILLS AT SIX LOCATIONS.

JOINING US ARE CARL JONES, JR., VICE-PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR COMCAST GREATER CHICAGO REGION.

CLAIBORNE WADE, FAMILY FOCUS LAWNDALE PARENT LIAISON.

AND DANIEL ANELLO, C.E.O.

OF KIDS FIRST CHICAGO.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CARL LET'S START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR PROGRAM AND COMCAST'S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE Y?

>> CERTAINLY, ANGEL AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

I WILL TAKE A STEP BACK.

COMCAST HAS BEEN IN THE DIGITAL EQUITY REALM OF WORK FOR OVER A DECADE BACK TO 2011 WE LAUNCHED [INAUDIBLE] YOU KNOW, EQUITY IN SOMETHING THAT IS NEW.

BUT EQUITY IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL STRIVE TO ATTAIN.

WE TALK ABOUT DIGITAL EQUITY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

ACCESS AND ADOPTION.

HERE IN CHICAGO, ALL THE 77 NEIGHBORHOODS WE HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET.

BUT HOW DO YOU GET FOLKS TO ADOPT?

BETWEEN PROGRAMS LIKE INTERNET ESSENTIALS AND PORTABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAMS AND CHICAGO CONNECT AND KIDS FIRST AND OUR ADMINISTRATION, THE QUESTION OF COST CAN HOWEVER THERE ARE ISSUES WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IN TERMS OF EQUITY.

AND THAT IS HOW YOU CLOSE THAT DIVIDE BETWEEN THE HARD TO REACH AREAS.

AND THE DIGITAL NAVIGATORS.

AND DIGITAL NAVIGATORS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

THEY INSURE PEOPLE HAVE THE DIGITAL SKILLS TO USE THE COMPUTERS AND NAVIGATE THE INTERNET.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FROM OUR SENIORS TO OUR YOUTH, FROM OUR COLLABORATORS TO INNOVATORS THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF HELPING TO CLOSE THAT GAP.

WE KNOW THERE'S STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE THAT IS WHY WE PARTNER WITH THE YMCA THEY ARE ONE OF MANY OF OUR PARTNERS.

WE KNOW THAT TRUSTED PARTNERS ARE NECESSARY TO GET OUT THERE TO CLOSE THE GAP TO THE 15-20% THAT YOU MENTIONED.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE SO ENGAGED WITH THE YMCA.

>> NOW, DANIEL, THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF INTERNET ACCESS EQUITY, HOW PROGRAMS LIKE CHICAGO CONNECTED AND PROJECT UP BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ADVANCING EQUITY OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS?

>> YEAH, I THINK FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU IT'S NICE TO BE HERE WITH EVERYONE.

I THINK THAT THE OUTCOME OF CHICAGO CONNECTED IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF US DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE AS TREMENDOUS AS IT'S BEEN.

WE REALLY WERE TRYING TO COLLABORATE AND COME TOGETHER AND STAND UP A PROGRAM THAT COULD CONNECT KIDS AND FAMILIES AS FAST AS POSSIBLE WHEN COVID HIT AND WE ALL WENT INTO SHUTDOWN MODE.

TODAY, THE PROGRAM IS SERVING 77,000 C.P.S.

STUDENTS AND OTHER STUDENTS ARE PART OF IT THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

BUT 77,000 STUDENTS ARE ON THE PROGRAM AND 42,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT DATA AND THE CAVEAT THIS IS 2020 DATA IT'S NOT THE FULL LENGTH OF THE PROGRAM BUT WE'RE SEEING A REMARKABLE IMPACT FROM CHICAGO CONNECTED WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE CONNECTED TODAY.

THAT NUMBER WAS ONE IN FIVE WHICH IS THE 20% CITED.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE CITY IT'S BEEN CUT IN HALF IT'S ONE IN 10.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE POPULATION WHERE IT'S THE RISING OF THIS WORK AND THE WORK THAT COMCAST IS HELPING LEAD HOW TO CONNECT EVERYBODY AND THAT IS WHERE THAT ONE IN FIVE IS REAL FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD WITH KIDS THERE'S TWO THAT DON'T HAVE KIDS IN THEM.

CHICAGO CONNECTED WE SEE THE IMPACT IN THAT COMPARISON OF DATA.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER FRONTIER THAT WE HAVE TO WORK ON.

>> CLAIBORNE WADE TELL ME WOULD YOU SAY THAT PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM CHICAGO CONNECTED FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BENEFITING FROM THE PROGRAM?

>> YES, ANGEL GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU AND GOOD TO BE HERE WITH DAN MY FELLOW CO-HOSTS HERE.

THE PARENTS WHO ARE BENEFITING FROM THE CHICAGO CONNECTED PROGRAM ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THE PROGRAM THAT THEY ARE FEELING AS IF THEY ARE RECEIVING THE BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAM.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND MAY NOT EVEN HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

SO I THINK THAT THAT'S WONDERFUL AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, WE'LL DEFINITELY SEE THEM SOAR HIGH.

>> CARL, LET'S JUMP BACK TO YOU.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT CORPORATIONS LIKE COMCAST HAVE FOR ADDRESSING THESE KINDS OF INEQUITIES?

>> GREAT QUESTION AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE LAUNCHED PROJECT UP.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS.

AND THAT PART DEALS WITH HELPING MENTIONED YOUNG KIDS, CREATORS, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE EXPOSED TO THE DIGITAL WORLD.

WE KNOW THAT HAVING ACCESS TO JOBS AND HEALTHCARE AND INTERNET HELPS CLOSE THAT GAP.

KIND OF HELPS TAKES FOLKS FROM WHERE THEY ARE TO WHERE THEY CAN BE.

AND WE KNOW THAT IS A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IS IMPORTANT PART.

ONE PART.

OUR PART IS TO BE GOOD PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FINDING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRUST, WHO HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HELP CLOSE THAT GAP.

IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A CORPORATE PARTNER AND HELPING TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH PROJECT UP AND ALSO INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND HAVING GREAT PARTNERS TO COLLABORATE WITH AND TEACH US THINGS AND WORK WITH US SO WE CAN HELP CLOSE THAT GAP.

I THINK THERE WILL ALWAYS BE WORK IN THAT SPACE.

ACCESS AND ADOPTION PIECES OF THE PUZZLE HOW DO YOU GET OVER THE BARRIERS BEYOND ACCESS ADOPTION AND HAVING TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

>> DANIEL WOULD YOU SAY THERE ARE FACTORS PREVENTING INTERNET ACCESS THAT HAVE PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE INCREASED ACCESS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT AS MUCH AS WE MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THE CONNECTIVITY THE FACT THAT THERE'S ONE IN FIVE OR 20% OF CHICAGOANS STILL ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET SPEAKS VOLUMES IN TERMS OF WHAT WE STILL HAVE TO DO.

I THINK SOME OF THAT COMES DOWN TO HAVING LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS BE THE ONES THAT ARE BRINGING SOMETHING LIKE CHICAGO CONNECTED OR THE NEW PROJECT THROUGH COMCAST TO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS FREE AND THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES.

CHICAGO CONNECTED WE PARTNERED WITH 35 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

MANY ARE STILL SUPPORTING ON THE DIGITAL LITERACY FRONT.

AND ONCE YOU GET THERE, I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS A THREE-LEGGED STOOL WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DIGITAL EQUITY.

YOU HAVE THE CONNECTIVITY PIECE IN TERMS OF INTERNET AND YOU HAVE THE DIGITAL LITERACY PIECE, AND YOU HAVE DO THE PEOPLE HAVE DEVICES IN THEIR HOMES?

AND ONE OF THE SUCCESSES IS QUIET ONE IS THE LITERACY SIDE WHERE WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A DIGITAL COUNCIL AND DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING PARENTS WHO DESIGNED A FREE DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM THAT IS AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON C.P.S.

'S WEBSITE.

THAT THERE IS 15,000 HOURS OF LOGGED TIME IN TERMS OF PEOPLE GETTING CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING FOR JOBS.

IN ADDITION TO PEOPLE GOING ON AND LEARN HOW TO USE THE INTERNET AND USE E-MAIL.

AND THE FINAL PIECE IS IMPORTANT IS WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT DEVICES AND WHEN WE LOOK AT DATA AND THINK ABOUT CONNECTIVITY, THERE'S STILL THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH DEVICES IMPROVED BUT THE REALITY IS PEOPLE ARE GETTING SMARTPHONES.

AND YOU REALIZE THAT LAPTOPS AND COMPUTERS HASN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH WHICH HOUSEHOLDS HAVE ACCESS AND WHICH DON'T.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP AN INTERESTING POINT ABOUT DIGITAL LITERACY AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO END WITH THE LAST QUESTION TO CLAYBORN ARE ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY COMFORTABLE, ARE THERE GAPS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

BUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WORKED ON IS WE BROUGHT IN CLASSES FOR PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO LEARN -- UNDERSTAND HOW TO NAVIGATE ZOOM, HOW TO WORK GOOGLE CLASSROOM, GOOGLE MEETS.

AS LONG AS WE ARE PROVIDING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES FOR OUR PARENTS, FOR OUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT AS I SAID BEFORE, AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR KIDS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN BIG WAYS.

>> LOTS TO DO THIS UP COMING SCHOOL YEAR.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR NOW, THANKS TO CARL JONES, JR., CLAIBORNE WADE AND DANIEL ANELLO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A GROUP OF CURRENT AND FORMER EMPLOYEES OF A JOLIET AMAZON WAREHOUSE ARE ACCUSING THE COMPANY OF ALLOWING A RACIALLY HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

THEY FILED CHARGES WITH THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION THE CHARGES OUTLINE RACIST DEATH THREATS AGAINST BLACK EMPLOYEES THAT CAME DAYS AFTER THE GROCERY STORE MASS SHOOTING IN BUFFALO THAT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE TARGETED BLACK RESIDENTS.

AS "CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS SOME OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ALSO SAY THEY FACED RETALIATION FROM AMAZON SINCE SPEAKING OUT.

>> WE PUT IN A PREDICAMENT WHERE WE ARE IN FEAR EVERYDAY FOLLOWING THE SITUATION.

>> ON MAY 25, EMPLOYEES AT AMAZON'S DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE IN JOLIET FOUND GRAFFITI THREATENING OF LIVES OF BLACK WORKERS.

>> WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULD GO HOME.

AND WITH NO PAY OR WE COULD STAY AND KEEP WORKING.

>> WORKERS SAY AMAZON DID NOT SEND A MESSAGE TO EMPLOYEES UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER THE THREAT WAS FOUND.

AND TORI DAVIS SAYS SHE WAS FIRED AFTER TALKING WITH COWORKERS AND DEMANDING ACTION FROM MANAGEMENT.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING AWAY UNTIL THEY TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

>> ATTORNEY TAMRA HOLDER REPRESENTS THE WORKERS AND THEIR COMPLAINT TO THE EEOC AND SAID THE GRAFFITI WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF DISCRIMINATION.

>> WEARING CONFIDENCE OUTFITS IN THE WORKPLACE.

COMPLAINTS FROM WORKERS ABOUT OTHER WORKERS USING THE "N" WORD WITH IMPUNITY.

>> AMAZON SPOKES PERSON TELLS WTTW NEWS AMAZON WORKS HARD TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES FROM ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION AND TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EMPLOYEES FEEL SAFE.

HATE OR RACE IISM HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY AND ARE NOT TOLERATED BY AMAZON.

>> HOLDER SAYS AMAZON HAS THREATENED AND FIRED WORKERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT SAYING THEY VIE LATED A CONFIDENTIALITY VIOLATED A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.

>> THIS CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT WAS NOT MADE FOR LOW WAGE WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

BUT I BELIEVE IT IS A TOOL TO SILENCE THOSE WORKERS.

>> NICOLE PORTER IS A PROFESSOR AND SAYS CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS ARE A WAY FOR COMPANIES TO PROTECT THEIR TRADE SECRETS FROM COMPETITORS.

>> PROCEDURES THAT TURNED OUT TO BE EFFECTIVE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

LOTS OF EMPLOYERS DO HAVE EMPLOYEES SIGN CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS THAT IS QUITE COMMON.

>> BUT PORTER SAYS THEY CAN'T BE USED TO STOP EMPLOYEES FROM SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THEIR WORKPLACE.

AS FOR THE EEOC CHARGES, THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE TO PROVE THE RACISM WAS PERVASIVE AND UNWELCOME AND THE COMPANY FAILED TO ACT.

>> THE EEOC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE AND SOMETHING I THINK LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S SEVERAL PLAINTIFFS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT THE EEOC WILL TAKE THAT MORE SERIOUSLY THAN THEY MIGHT ONE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE BRINGING A CLAIM.

>> THE EEOC MIGHT FILE A LAWSUIT, CALL FOR MEDIATION OR LEAVE IT TO THE PLAINTIFFS TO SUE.

AS FOR THE THREATS WORKERS SAY THEY'VE FACED FOR SEEK OUT.

THE EMPLOYER CANNOT RETALIATE BECAUSE THEY FILED A CHARGE.

NOW, PROVING THAT CAUSATION PIECE IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT.

>> WORKERS WANT TO DO THIS WORK.

THEY WANT A GOOD PAYING JOB.

THEY WANT TO GET HOME SAFELY AT THE END OF THE DAY BUT WE NEED TO SEE ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE COMPANIES.

>> WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR JUSTICE IS A NONPROFIT IN WILL COUNTY AFTER THE DEATH THREATS THEY WORKED WITH AMAZON EMPLOYEES TO PUBLICIZE THE INCIDENT AND BRING THEIR CONCERNS TO MANAGEMENT.

>> TALKING TO MORE WORKERS JUST DISCOVERING A HOST OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES.

WORKERS HAD CONCERNS ABOUT AND WHAT WORKERS FELT WAS INADEQUATE PAY.

>> GIVEN THE EXPLOSION OF AMAZON WAREHOUSES IN RECENT YEARS, MARCOS CENICEROS SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION HAS A LOT TO TACKLE.

>> WAREHOUSING IS THE NUMBER ONE EMPLOYER IN THE REGION.

AND WHAT WE SEE IS THAT WHAT DOES NOT GET BETTER IS ARE THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF THE WORKERS THEY ARE GETTING WORSE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THE WORK.

>> AS FOR THE EEOC CHARGES TAMRA HOLDER SAYS... >> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GATHER AS MUCH INFORMATION AS IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT AMAZON LISTENS TO US AND FIXES THIS WORK ENVIRONMENT.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> >> AND AMAZON SPOKESPERSON DID NOT RESPOND TO FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKER CLAIMS OF RETALIATION OR THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.

UP NEXT, A NEW BLOCK PARTY AIMS TO CELEBRATE THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

>> AN END OF SUMMER CELEBRATION IS COMING SOON TO THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

THE FIRST-EVER PURPLE BLOCK PARTY AND IT'S TAKING PLACE IN GARFIELD PARK.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE AND A CHANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO INVITE THE CITY TO ITS NEIGHBORHOOD AND SHOWCASE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE WEST SIDE NATIVES, BRIAHNA GATLIN, FOUNDER OF PR GROUP SWANK PR.

AND MFN MELO MEMBER OF WEST SIDE HIP-HOP COLLECTIVE PIVOT GANG AND ONE OF THE BLOCK PARTY HEADLINERS.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

BRIAHNA GATLIN LET'S START WITH YOU.

WE SEE FESTIVALS IN DOUGLASS PARK BUT YOU DECIDED TO TAKE THIS FURTHER WEST TO THE GARFIELD PARK MUSIC CIRCLE CENTER.

WHY WOULD YOU SAY THE CELEBRATION ON THE WEST SIDE IS SO IMPORTANT?

>> ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY I DID THIS IS BECAUSE THE WEST SIDE DOES NOT HAVE SOMETHING THAT IT CAN CLAIM AS ITS OWN.

AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST BRING SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SAY IS OURS.

AND JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT LIKE OUR COMMUNITY GETS THE EXPOSURE TO THESE AHAZING THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE CITY.

AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY DON'T EITHER HAVE ACCESS OR THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS OR DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S HAPPENING.

FOR ME, THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE THE PERSPECTIVE OF BEING ABLE TO ENJOY THE FESTIVAL BEING IN A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWS THAT IT'S THRIVING AND THAT THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING THAT IS NOT JUST -- THAT THERE'S MORE POSSIBLE ACTIVITY THAN THEY REALIZE AND THAT WAS THE IDEA.

I WENT TO SCHOOL THERE AND I ALSO AM A GOLDEN DOME GARFIELD PARK SUMMER CAMP ALUMNI.

I WAS ALWAYS IN CAMP THERE.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS LIKE BEING ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PARK IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

SO PEOPLE DON'T GET TO SEE THAT SIDE.

THAT WAS THE REASON I DID IT.

>> MFN MELO WHAT IMPACT OR ECONOMIC IMPACT DO YOU SEE THIS BLOCK PARTY HAVING ON YOUR COMMUNITY?

AND WHY WOULD YOU SAY THE CELEBRATIONS ON THE WEST SIDE INVITING THE CITY ARE SO IMPORTANT?

>> I THINK IT SHEDS A LIGHT ON ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY THAT IS BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

A LOT OF TIMES THE WEST SIDE DOESN'T GET THOSE LOOKS AS FAR AS THE ARTISTS OR THE EVENTS OR THE VENUES.

SO THE FACT THAT SHE IS BRINGING THIS RIGHT DEAD IN THE CENTER OF IT IS AMAZING.

IT'S GOING TO INSPIRE, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT TIME AND GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING TO DO SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AS WELL.

IT IS JUST A HUGE BRIGHT SPOT.

>> YES.

AND ALSO THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT DO YOU SEE BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD RESPONDING WELL OR DOING WELL AS A RESULT OF THE BLOCK PARTY?

>> SURE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TRAFFIC UP AND DOWN THE STREETS.

I IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE WILL STOP AND DO THE THINGS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BUY AND SHOP AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THE TRAFFIC ALONE IS ALWAYS GREAT FOR ANY KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

>> THAT ONLY IS THIS A CELEBRATION FOR THE WEST SIDE BUT THIS IS ALSO A CELEBRATION FOR YOU, BRIAHNA GATLIN, YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE WANTED TO DO FOR YEARS NOW.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ABLE TO TAKE YOUR COMPANY TO THIS NEXT LEVEL WITH THE CELEBRATION IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> WHAT IT MEANS IS I THINK IT'S JUST ANOTHER -- I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AS FAR AS ON THE ENTERTAINMENT SIDE AND ON THE COMMUNITY SIDE I THINK THIS WAS THE PERFECT FUSION.

THERE WERE A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT WERE IN MY WAY AS FAR AS BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, ENTREPRENEUR, AND ALSO JUST HAVING YOU KNOW THE ACCESS AND ALSO THE MEANS TO PULL IT OFF.

SO FOR ME, IT'S BEEN LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE.

I'VE TRIED TO PARTNER WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND IT DIDN'T WORKOUT.

OR THE RIGHT TIMING.

IT ENDED UP BEING THE RIGHT TIME AND I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WAS WHEN I SEE THAT MY MOM WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF SOMETHING, I WAS ON THE WEST SIDE FOR JUNETEENTH I WAS LIKE I CAN DO THIS.

AND SO IT WAS DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, INSPIRING AND BUT ALSO IT PUSHED ME.

SO FOR ME IT'S GOING TO OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES, I THINK, FOR NOT ONLY FOR MY COMPANY BUT THIS IS BIGGER THAN ME.

THIS IS TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU KNOW, YOUNGER KIDS, BLACK AND BROWN KIDS TO SEE THAT YOU KNOW WE CAN DO A LOT OF THESE THINGS AND WE CAN BE IN THE INDUSTRIES ON THAT FESTIVAL PRODUCTION ANGLE TO PRESENT THESE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OF EVEN JUST HAVING THOSE TYPE OF JOBS OR THOSE TYPE OF CAREERS.

I THINK THIS IS BIGGER THAN ME JUST DOING IT FOR MY COMPANY.

IT'S MORE ABOUT US BEING ABLE TO CREATE THAT PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THAT WE CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE ON THAT END ON THAT SIDE VERSUS ALWAYS BEING ON THE TALENT SIDE OR ALWAYS BEING THE ONES GOING UP TO PERFORM.

IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANGLE AND THERE'S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

WHY NOT?

IT'S BEEN ON MY HEART FOR A LONGTIME TO DO.

I'M JUST EXCITED BECAUSE IT'S A BIG PICTURE.

AND I JUST WANT TO BE -- I'M THE PERSON THAT IS HELPING CREATE THE PLATFORM FOR IT.

>> AND YOU MENTIONED JUST THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU ARE PROVIDING FOR ART ACTIVES THE LINEUP IS GREAT.

WE HAVE BAJA BANG, JIM JONES AND PIVOT GANG.

WHY YOU TOUCHED ON THIS WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT PROVIDING THIS PLATFORM FOR LOCAL ARTISTS IS IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, A LOT OF THE LOCAL ARTISTS HERE SOMETIMES THERE'S POLITICS GAME THAT YOU HAVE TO PLAY.

SO FOR ME, I'M CUTTING A LOT OF THE RED TAPE IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

I'M CUTTING A LOT OF THE NON-ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES THAT A LOT OF THEM, THERE IS A LOT OF TALENT HERE AND THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSIC.

AND I'M STRESSING THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE'RE KNOWN FOR A CERTAIN KIND OF MUSIC BUT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER KINDS OF MUSIC AND I LOVE DRILL AS FAR AS THE ORIGINALITY OF IT AND WHERE IT CAME FROM.

BUT THERE'S SO MANY OTHER KINDS OF ANGLES OF MUSIC AND PERSPECTIVES THAT COMES FROM CHICAGO.

AND SO I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PUT IT ON A PLATFORM AND GIVE PEOPLE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

YOU STILL GOT TO WORK FOR IT.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT EXISTS.

AND WE NEED A LIGHT ON THAT POSITIVE SIDE OF THE MUSIC THAT COMES FROM CHICAGO.

AND I FEEL LIKE, AGAIN, AND THIS IS JUST ME, I FEEL LIKE THE WEST SIDE DOESN'T GET A LOT OF LOVE.

TIME FOR US TO DO IT.

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE DIVERSITY OF MUSIC AT THE PURPLE BLOCK PARTY WILL OFFER BEING ABLE TO HEAR MFN MELO AND PIVOT GANG PERFORM AND THE OTHER HEADLINERS.

I HATE THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

BUT OUR THANKS TO BRIAHNA GATLIN AND MFN MELO.

BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

AND WHILE YOU ARE THERE YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR SUMMER FESTIVAL GUIDE.

AND IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT, KNOW THAT YOU CAN ALSO CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. AND JOIN BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND PARIS SCHUTZ NEXT WEEK AT 7:00 P.M. ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE.

GOOD NIGHT.

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