>> THANKS FOR JOINING ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES.

A GO.

BRANDIS FRIEDMAN HAS THE EVENING OFF ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

A LOOK AT HOW SMALL BUSINESSES FAIRED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND HOW THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR.

>> LIFELONG FRIENDS BEEN DRINKING JUST KIND OF WANT TO BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THAT CERTAIN WITH THINGS.

>> AND WE INTRODUCED YOU TO 3 FRIENDS TURNING A BEER MAKING HAPPY INTO A BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE A RIGHT FEEL IT.

>> EXPLORING THE NATURAL WORLD WITH THE HOST OF PBS SHOW AMERICA OUTDOORS.

AND MUSIC ICON.

DIONNE WARWICK IS ONE OF THIS YEAR'S KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES.

WE REVISIT HER PERFORMANCE ON FOUND STAGE.

AND UP NEXT, 3 LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS ON WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AFTER >> CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY 5TH 3005TH BANK.

AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> 3RD, WE BELIEVE WOULD DIVERSE VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED.

COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STRONGER A BETTER HOLDS GREAT PROMISE FOR ALL.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE PROUD TO SUPPORT CHICAGO.

TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES TOGETHER.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

WE CAN DRIVE CHANGE.

>> NOW OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS COMES WITH ITS CHALLENGES.

BUT THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON CAN BE A WELCOME GIFT.

FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, ACTUALLY, ACCORDING TO MASTERCARD SPENDING.

PLUS, RETAIL SHOPPING WAS UP ABOUT 3%.

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

JOINING US WITH MORE OUR NIGHT OF FOUNDER OF PLANTS, A LINE AND WEST TOWN AND BUCKTOWN AND MARVEL COOKSEY FOUNDER OF NEXT AND IN BROWNSVILLE.

LADIES, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR LET'S START WITH YOU NICA.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE OFFERING TO FOLKS AND WEST TOWN IN BUCKTOWN.

SO I'M THE FOUNDER PLANT SALON.

AND WE HER HOUSE PLANTS.

>> AND SELF CARE FOR PEOPLE.

SO WE WE SPECIALIZE IN BEAUTIFYING PEOPLE, PLANTS.

>> CANDLES, ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN GET LOST IN THE SHOP AND THEY WANDER AROUND AND THEY FIND SOMETHING TO I HEARD YOU SAY SELF CARE AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A BIG THING THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT DURING THE HOLIDAYS LEADING UP TO NEW YEAR AND WRITE THEIR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN A BIG KIND OF INCREASE OF CUSTOMERS COMING TO SUPPORT YOU WHETHER IT BE FOR CHRISTMAS ARE NOW AS WE GEAR UP FOR 2024, DEFINITELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE FOCUSED GIFTS SO THEY FATALLY APPRECIATE ITS HEALTH CARE AND THEY WANTED TO SHARE.

SO THEY CAME IN THINKING OF WE HAD LOTS OF STOCKING STUFFER, OUR PEOPLE COMING IN LIKE I NEED 6 THINGS LIKE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE AND GOING INTO SPRING BE KIND OF PIVOT A BIT.

AND WE FOCUS ON CLASSES AND POP-UP EVENTS THAT PEOPLE CAN COME IN PERSON.

>> NOW, MARK, I YOU HAVE A LITTLE SELF CARE THAT YOU'RE WORKING UP FOR YOUR FOLKS WELL.

YOU HAVE A THAT PRIMARILY PROVIDE SERVICES.

HAVE YOU KIND OF AN INFLUX IN THAT OF PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET INTO THEIR HEALTH CARE WITH YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> YES, RECENTLY AND EVEN THROUGH HOLIDAY SEASON, EVEN BEFORE THE THIS BEEN UPTICK SO NEXT, MAN IS A SPOT CATERS PRIMARILY TO WHERE WOMEN ARE.

WELL.

OURSELF, PARENTS COME CITY BUILDING SERVICES THAT THEY MIGHT NEED SUCH HAIR CUTS AND BLOCKING OF THE HERE.

WE ALSO OFFER MANICURES AND PEDICURES SIDE I HAVE A STEAM ROOM IN SHOWER HERE ACCESS AND ALSO EVEN HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE YEAR FOR THOSE.

JUST WANT TO KICK BACK AND JUST HAVE A >> BUS WHEN YOU'RE GETTING YOUR HAIR DONE KNIFE.

YEAH.

IF I UNDERSTAND, BUT I DO ALSO KNOW THAT RISING COSTS ARE RISING COSTS FOR ESSENTIAL GOODS, A BRIGHT, JUST WHAT IT COSTS TO GET YOUR HAIR DYE, MAYBE THE PRODUCTS ARE.

YOU SAYING HAVE YOU SEEN THAT KIND TAKE ISSUE AND THE WORK THEY ARE DOING OF MAYBE HOW PEOPLE ARE UTILIZING THE SERVICES THAT YOU OFFER.

NOT AT ALL.

>> MY STAFF, I'M SORRY, MY CLIENT'S APARTMENT WITH THIS IS NOT WE DO NEED THE SERVICE.

WHEN IT COMES THAT LIST COMPETITOR AND START TO LIKE A DUCK.

BUT ASKED PRODUCT PRICES IN RECENT KNOW.

>> AND I COULD GOING BACK TO YOU.

HOW ARE YOU TAILORING YOUR BUSINESS LIKE LOOKING INTO THE NEW YEAR, RIGHT OFFERING THE SELF CARE SERVICES FOR FOLKS THAT LIKE I SAID OR DONE WITH THE HOLIDAYS BUT HAVE A RESOLUTION THROUGH KIND OF LIKE MOVE ON FROM STOCKING STUFFERS TO WANTING GET THEIR HANDS AND LIKE TALK TO PEOPLE.

SO WE FOCUS A LOT ON.

>> WORKSHOPS, A PLANT PARENT ONE-ON-ONE CLASSES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WILL USE OUR SPACE FOR THEIR OWN TEAM BUILDING EVENTS.

AND SO IT'S A MORE WAYS TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO A SHOP.

WOW, THAT'S SO WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE SEEING AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THOSE SERVICES WITH IT WITH THE WEATHER ALSO BECAUSE WONDER HOW THOSE >> CLASSES SPECIFICALLY HELP PEOPLE GET INTO WITH THEIR PLANTS.

I'M NOT A PLAN I KNOW I WOULD FOR CRYSTALS AND CANDLE.

BRING HOME A TREND.

DEFINITELY PEOPLE THAT I'M GOING TO LIKE, YOU KNOW, JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH, THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY CHICAGO.

IT'S JUST GREAT.

SO ANYWHERE WHERE THERE'S LOTS OF.

>> WE HAVE TOLD THE COMMONS TARA TREES AND IT FEELS LIKE A JUNGLE.

SO COMING PEOPLE SET UP SOME PARTY AND MAKE IT YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE.

BUT WE THERE.

BUT CUT PLANTS WILL POT PLANTS.

THEY MEET NEW PEOPLE AND IT'S A CHANCE FOR THEM TO KIND OF A CAB.

THE SCREEN EXIT EVEN LOOK FORWARD TO.

RIGHT WHEN YOU SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE KIND OF NEW YEAR SALES AND DEALS ARE, HOW THAT KIND OF IMPACTING THE DEFINITELY.

GIFT CARDS WAS HUGE FOR US.

AND I THINK PEOPLE THAT ARE WANTING TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS AND THINKING LIKE I DON'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO GO BY THE CAN HOLD BY THE SMALL HEALTH PLAN.

BUT I'M GOING GO PLACE AN ORDER ONLINE.

AND THAT WAS REALLY HUGE FOR US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.

AND THEN SELL.

OUR CLASSES ALSO ARE VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON.

SO THEY'RE ONLINE PERCENT.

WE TRIED TO BE FLEXIBLE.

WOW.

NOW MARVEL.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOUR BUSINESS HAS EXPANDED BEYOND STOREFRONT WHEN WE THINK OF MAYBE PEOPLE WERE COMING IN TO GET THERE.

>> THEY'RE HERE TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAY PARTIES, BUT MAYBE A LEADING INTO THE NEW YEAR.

THEY'RE NOT IN THE SALON THIS MUCH.

>> OH, NO, I'M FOR THE NEW YEAR'S COMING UP.

THE SPOT IS BUSY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT US A LOT.

WERE BUSY BECAUSE THE GUYS ARE COMING IN TO GET THEIR MANICURES AND PEDICURES.

IT'S COME IN AND GET THEIR PATIENTS.

THEY WANT TO LOOK GOOD FOR THE NEW YEAR.

DON'T KNOW THIS TIME WE HAVE AN UPTICK IN BUSINESS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES POP.

WELL, STEPHEN, AND ALSO SHE WAS SAYING ABOUT THE GIFT CARDS, DEBT WE SELL SO QUITE A BIT GIFT CARDS THIS MOST PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO PACKAGES.

THEY WERE JUST COMING IN TO GET JUST ONE SERVICE FOR WHOEVER PERSON BY 4, THEY EVEN PURCHASING MY PACKAGE JUST TO HAVE GET OUTS.

THE MEDICARE MEDICARE FACIAL RIGHT, SO QUITE A BUT YEAH, AND GIVES IT TO PICK IS MOVING UP THIS PEOPLE CAME INTO THE BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WANTED TO HAVE AN ACTUAL GIFT CARDS.

BUT YOU CAN ALSO JUST MIGHT GET PARTS ONLINE.

SO I DO SEE AN PURCHASES AND ALSO PEOPLE WALKING INTO THE STORE WALKING TO THE SPOT.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME.

WHEN I THINK OF, YOU KNOW, GETTING YOUR HAIR DONE, I INSTINCTIVELY GO TO A SALON.

BUT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A DEAL OF SERVICES THAT PEOPLE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE ARE OFFERING MAYBE SALES FOR THE END OF THE YEAR ARE THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO FREE DISCOUNTS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

>> FOR THE WHOLE ENTIRE MONTH DECEMBER US.

HE'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE MY THEY'RE MY FIRST TIME CLIENTS AUTOMATIC 50% AND THAT'S OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU WELCOME TO THE NEXT MAN UP SO THAT'S ALL IN ALL THE TIME.

ONE ALWAYS GETS 50% MY FIRST TIME PORTS.

SO THAT'S THE THING NOT SO PACKAGES ARE DEADLY DISCOUNT.

ABSOLUTELY YOU?

THE FACT IS DISCOUNT FOR THEM IN?

>> NOW WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

BUT LIKE I JUST HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU.

YOU ALL HAVE BOTH MENTIONED THAT PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE YOUR SERVICES BY GETTING GIFT CARDS ONLINE ARE KIND OF ONLINE.

BUT ARE THERE ANY IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING IN THE NEW YEAR WHETHER IT BE A POP-UP OR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESS OR ANYTHING TO JUST KIND OF GET PEOPLE MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE COMING SO WE SELL PLANTS AND WE GROW PLANTS.

SO I CARRY MY COLLECTION.

YOU CAN COME IN AND SEE ME AND MY SPOUSE AND THEY'RE LIKE HIDING GROWING IT.

AND SO PEOPLE WILL COME IN LOOKING FOR LIKE.

>> ARE MORE LIMITED ADDICTION.

ADDITION, ONCE WE CALL THEM THE PRIVATE COLLECTION PLANTS AND SO GOING INTO SPRING, IT'S TIME WHEN PLANS OKAY.

WELL, I HAVE TO GET GET UP THERE AND GET A WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING UP NEXT, MEET THE FOUNDERS BEHIND AT BLACK OWNED BREWERY.

>> MAKING >> CRAFT BEER TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE AND TEAMWORK.

WE RECENTLY MET A TRIO THAT MIXES BOTH FUNK AND CULTURE INTO THEIR BRUCE REPORTER, JOANNA HERNANDEZ TO LOGAN SQUARE TO TELL US ABOUT FUNKY TOWN BREWERY.

>> FROM MAKING BREWS IN A GARAGE TO WINNING WORLD BEER COMPETITIONS.

BY THE WAY, THAT JUST WON DOUBLE GOLD IN THE TASTING ALLIANCE PEER COMPETITION, BEST-IN-CLASS BABY.

>> IT'S THEIR PALE.

ALE CALLED HIP-HOP SON ARE IN BREAUX.

THAT KICK STARTED THE TRIO INTO THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY TRIAL AND ERROR AND MULTIPLE TRIALS.

LIKE FINALLY, I CAME UP WITH THIS ONE >> DO LIKE THEM NOT HAVING THE RIGHT EAST WE WANTED JUST SUBSTITUTING THAT HOUSTON THEN TAKING THE FINAL PRODUCT DO LIKE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING FOR.

LIKE SOMETHING TROPICAL AND NOSE.

BUT LIKE WHEN YOU DRINK, IT IS EASY TO DRINK AND WE SAT DOWN WITH RICH BLOOMFIELD, GREG WILLIAMSON, EXACT DATE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY.

ALWAYS ON BLACK.

HE WILL BRING IN CRAFT BEER PARTIES AND STUFF KIND OF KNOW SHOWS LIKE A LANE THERE.

>> NOW WE'RE TOO NUTTY FOR US TO.

>> EXPLAIN BEER THAT TASTES AIR MADDUX TO WHY THE LABELS TO LIKE THESE UNDERSERVED GROUPS.

WHAT STARTED AS AN AD AND 2017 BECAME A REALITY WHEN THEY FOUNDED FUNKY TOWN BREWERY IN 2021 LANDING A SPOT AT PILOT PROJECT BREWING COMMUNAL BREWHOUSE THAT MAKES AND SELLS OR BEER.

WANT TO JUST BE PUTTING A BOX.

SO FUNKY.

>> IT GENERALLY SHOULD GENERATE YOU.

THE WORD IS ALWAYS HAD LIKE A POSITIVE CONNOTATION WHERE THIS LAKE WITH MUSIC OR SOMETHING CREATIVE.

AND THEN WE THOUGHT ABOUT LIKE PERSPECTIVE AS BLACK PEOPLE LIKE THERE'S FUNK.

AND ALEX FROM THE 70'S, YES, THOSE FUNDED DOLE.

>> AND YOU CAN FORGET PARLIAMENT.

OR THE GRASS WITH FUN FIGHT FOR LIGHT IS JUST THE BUSINESS PARTNER SAYS THESE BIG NAMES REPRESENT BLACK CULTURE.

>> SOMETHING THEY ARE DRIVEN TO SHOWCASE AND THEIR BRAND IT TRACTION IS GOING TO SEEING YOURSELF WITHIN THAT PRODUCT.

>> SO YOU GO IN THERE AND YOU CAN HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE LABELS AND JUST BE LIKE THAT HAS TO BE.

THAT HAS TO MADE BY BLACK PEOPLE.

>> AND THE CREATIVITY OF THE LABEL SAYS IT ALL.

SOME INSPIRED BY CHICAGO WITH NAMES.

I WILL THE AND AMBER L THAT IS A CHICAGO SLANG WORD, MEANING SO ON AND SO FORTH OR THEY'RE SEASONAL HOME COMING THROUGH.

WE'RE PRESENTING THIS PERIOD OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES >> MEDIUM BODIED LITTLE BIT MORE A GOOD FRIENDS SAY IT'S TAKEN DETERMINATION AND SACRIFICE TO TURN THEIR DREAM INTO A BUSINESS.

>> I'VE FROM THE BEGINNING OF FUNNY LITTLE KIDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE ALSO DOING THINGS THAT THEY PROBABLY THOUGHT THEY'D TO DO TO MAKE TRAILBLAZING THEIR WAY INTO THE INDUSTRY, HOPING ONE DAY TO OPEN A STORE FRONT OF THEIR OWN IS NOT JUST FOR LIKE I WAS BREAKING BARRIERS AS >> BREWERS IS ABOUT GETTING MORE PEOPLE INTO IT AS WELL, SEEING THEMSELVES IN RACE FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

I'M JONATHAN ON THIS.

>> WOW.

LOOKS VERY TASTY.

NOW, FUNKY TOWN SPEARS CAN BE FOUND AT OVER 100 LOCATIONS AND CHICAGO.

NEXT BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND A CONVERSATION RECORDED EARLIER.

>> AMERICA IS FULL OF WILD SPACES THAT HAVE SHAPED AND BEEN SHAPED BY THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY IN THE PBS SERIES, AMERICA OUTDOORS HOST BARRETT THURSTON EXPLORES OUR COUNTRY'S RELATIONSHIP TO ITS NATURAL PLACES IN ITS SECOND SEASON PREMIERE EPISODE, THURSTON GOES TO CHURCH ON THE SUWANNEE RIVER.

HERE'S A LOOK.

>> AS YOUR CONGREGATION, YOUR HUMAN CONGREGATION OF THEY USED TO THIS.

NOW TODAY, LOOK FOR SORT LIKE ALL REVERSING IS BACK OUT TO THE SWAP AGAIN.

HERE WE GO NOTED, THEY LOOK SO FORWARD TO WE'VE GOTTEN SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME I REALLY ENJOY THE SERVICES.

WE'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE SERMON?

HOW DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT TO DO WITH OUTSIDERS?

WELL, DEFINITELY I FEEL LIKE OF A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION TO NATURE ITSELF, TRYING TO GET BACK WHAT GOD INTENDED.

THERE'S TIMES WHERE YOU CAN FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ISOLATED BECAUSE YOU ONLY IN SIZE.

SO COMING BACK IS LIGHT.

RECONNECT.

AND JOINING US IS THE SHOW'S HOST, BARRETT THURSTON, WHO IS ALSO A WRITER, COMEDIAN AND PODCAST HOST.

>> TODAY.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> HELLO, BRANDIS.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

HELLO.

W T THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S THAT SCENE WITH THE IN THE OPENING OF THAT EPISODE THERE SINGING THIS, THE SPIRITUAL WADE IN THE WATER >> OVERLOOKING THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP, I GREW UP IN MISSISSIPPI AND IN THE CHURCH AS WELL.

AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT MOST OF US CERTAINLY NOT ON A TRAVEL SHOW.

VISITING THAT SERVICE TEACH TO TEACH YOU ABOUT AMERICA?

NOT MEANT TO I YOU KNOW, IT TAUGHT ME THAT AND WILDLIFE PLANT LIFE OR AS MUCH A PART OF THIS COUNTRY IS THE PEOPLE IT TAUGHT ME THAT SOME OF OUR GREATEST IN CLIMATE HEROES, IN PARTICULAR A VARIANCE POOR BLACK FOLKS IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> AND IT'S ONLY THE SWAMPS CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLACES.

I THINK OF THE SWAMP IS SOMETHING THAT'S NEGATIVE.

WANT TO DRAIN THE SWAMP IS MONSTERS LURKING IN THE SWAMP?

AND OKEFENOKEE.

IT IS A MAGICAL, BEAUTIFUL PLACE, DOING A LOT OF WORK TO HELP PRESERVE WHAT WHAT REMAINS OF OUR STABLE CLIMATE.

SO THERE'S THERE'S LAYERS TO THAT SWAMP INTO MY VISIT THERE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE REVEREND AND HIS CONGREGATION.

>> AND YOU VISIT MORE THAN ONCE.

AS WELL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NAME AMERICA OUTDOORS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SHOW, WHAT QUALIFIES AS OUTDOORS BECAUSE OF THE FIRST SEASON YOU VISIT THE LA RIVER, WHICH IS NOT TECHNICALLY A RIVER TO THE DEFINITION ISN'T STRICTLY NATURAL.

>> AS AN LA RESIDENT NEW, THOUGH I AM, I MUST DEFEND MY AREA.

THE LA RIVER IS IN FACT A RIVER.

IT IS NAVIGABLE.

I KAYAK TO IT.

I FLY FISH ON IT COURT.

QUITE A BIG SLIMY, BUT VERY LARGE, BEAUTIFUL CARP.

SO BE TALKING TRASH ABOUT ONE HOLIDAYS TO THE RIVER.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

SO WHAT QUALIFIES AS OUTDOORS IS A REALLY GOOD ANYTHING OUT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR.

WE DID A WHOLE EPISODE ON ON LA IN OUR FIRST SEASON AND WE FOCUS ON BACKYARD GARDENING.

WE'VE LOOKED AT HIKING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS WITHIN THE COUNTY LIMITS.

SO YOU CAN HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR WINDOW SILL AND YOU'RE GROWING HERBS OR FLOWERS OF FEEDING BIRDS.

AND THAT'S YOUR WAY OF CONNECTING WITH THE OUTDOORS.

THAT IS JUST AS VALID AS THE TIME I SPENT IN UTAH IN BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON ROCK CLIMBING WITH THE LEGENDARY ROCK CLIMBER NICKY SMITH, WHICH IS COMING UP A SOON TO AIR EPISODES FOR THE FOR THE YOU TIME.

SO EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN THOSE 2 POINTS IS OUTDOORS.

IF IT INVOLVES GOING OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR OR YOUR FLAP OR IF YOU STILL LIVE IN THE 70'S, THOSE LITTLE BEAD DOORWAYS, WHATEVER IT IS, A SEPARATES FROM OUTSIDE.

YOU STEP OUTSIDE.

SHOW IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CONNECTION WITH THAT WORLD OUTSIDE.

>> OUTDOORS.

YOU YOUR SHOW.

MAKES ME THINK OF THIS OTHER COUPLE OF CHICAGO COUPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY CALL THEMSELVES BLACK PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND WE'RE ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING OUTSIDE WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, HIKING AND THEY HAVE TO IDENTIFY AS BLACK PEOPLE OUTSIDE BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THERE'S A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP THAT BLACK AMERICANS HAVE WITH WHATEVER OUTSIDE IS.

SO THE OTHER MARGINALIZED TELL US ABOUT THAT.

THAT COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE OUTDOORS.

>> YEAH, THAT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FOR SOME OF US.

THE OUTSIDE WAS A FORCED LABOR CAMP FOR SOME.

IT'S A SIGN OF TORTURE.

AND IN DEATH AND PAIN.

FOR SOME, IT IS A SIGN OF SITE OF INJURY.

AND THE PHYSICAL BROKENNESS.

PEOPLE WERE FALLING OFF OF THINGS AND INJURED THEMSELVES DOING BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

SO WE DON'T SHY AWAY FROM THAT IN THE SHOW.

THIS IS LARGELY A CELEBRATION.

THERE IS MUCH TO CELEBRATE ABOUT THE HUMAN CONNECTION TO NATURE WITH IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND HONESTLY, BEYOND.

BUT THE IDEA OF SOME ACKNOWLEDGING THE HURT THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE OUTDOORS.

THE SEPARATION THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED THROUGH COMMERCE AND CAPITALISM BUT ALSO THROUGH POLICY REDLINING THROUGH ALSO DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.

I'M NOT JUST ON THE RACIAL FRONT AGENDA AND CERTAINLY WITH SPENT SOME TIME TRAVELED THIS COUNTRY.

I'VE GONE WHITE WATER RAFTING WITH A PARALYZED MAN MOUNTAIN BIKING WITH ANOTHER PARALYZED AMERICAN FOLKS ARE CAPABLE OF A LOT MORE WHEN WE OPEN UP THOSE DOORS TO THE OUTSIDE AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

SO WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE THAT CONNECTION AND PRESERVE THIS PLANET, WHICH YOU IS MY FAVORITE PLANET TO LIVE ON.

>> MY FAVORITE PLANT TO, YOU KNOW, ALL THAT SAID, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU AS A BLACK MAN HOSTING THIS KIND OF SHOW?

>> FUN.

I MEAN, IT IS I GET TO DO.

I GREW UP IN DC I GREW UP IN CHOCOLATE AND I GREW UP WITH ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS.

MY MOTHER WAS THE SIERRA CLUB MEMBER.

SHE WAS ALWAYS TAKING ME AND MY FRIENDS ON BIKE TRIPS AND CAMPING SHIPS IN PART TO GET US OUT OF SITUATION AND THE THREATS FROM GANG WHAT HAVE YOU THAT WAS GOING ON.

SO WAS A NICE ESCAPE AND IT WAS BONDING AND IT WAS FUN.

YOU CAN PLAY TAG.

YOU SCRAPE YOUR KNEES ALL THE THINGS THAT KIDS LOVE TO DO.

SO FOR ME TO BE SOMEWHAT GROWN NOW TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IN OUTDOORS AND MAKE THE SHOW BRINGS ME BACK TO THAT CHILDHOOD TO BE A BLACK PERSON DOING IT IS A CONSTANT REMINDER THERE.

WE HAVE A RIGHT TO THESE PLACES THAT AS MUCH AS THERE IS PAIN AND TORTURE TIED UP WITH OUR EXPERIENCE ON THIS LAND, THERE'S ALSO LIBERATION.

ENJOY AND HEALING.

AND WE BROUGHT A LOT OF A NATURAL CONNECTION TO THIS PLACE WHEN WE WERE BROUGHT HERE AND SO TO TAP INTO SOME OF THAT AFFIRMATIVE CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE AND GET THROUGH SOME OF THE TRAUMATIC CONNECTION.

IT'S BEEN A PERSONALLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

>> BARRETT AND A PERSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> SINGER ACTRESS AND TELEVISION HOST DIONNE WARWICK CAN ADD ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT TO HER LEGENDARY CAREERS.

NOW WARWICK AS ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF TONIGHT'S KENNEDY CENTER HONORS THE ANNUAL CEREMONY CELEBRATES PERFORMING ARTISTS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN CULTURE.

HERE'S WARWICK PERFORMING ON NEVER LOVE THIS WAY AGAIN ON W T TW SOUND STAGE IN 1980.

>> LOOK MY >> MAYBE >> SOMETHING NO ONE >> HAD >> THE MEMORY >> THIS >> WHEN REACHING WELL, ROOM?

>> IN ADDITION KNOW, >> I'M STANDING AND JUST HOW GOOD IS >> WOW.

NOW DIONNE WARWICK IS RECEIVING THE KENNEDY CENTER HONOR ALONG WITH RENEE FLEMING, QUEEN LATIFA BILLY CRYSTAL AND BARRY GIBB.

THE CEREMONY AIRS TONIGHT AT 07:00PM ON CBS.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE W T TW DOT COM SLASH NEWS FOR THE VERY LATEST FROM W T TW NEWS AND JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

NOW WE LEAVE YOU WITH A LITTLE CELEBRATION FROM THE DUSABLE MUSEUM ON THE SECOND DAY OF KWANZAA.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE CHICAGO TONIGHT, VOICES.

I'M A CHILLY DO THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT, A AND LAW