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

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

I AM BRANDIS FREEMAN.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOU BEGIN WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT A DIVIDE OF OUR VOTING RIGHTS AS DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS TRY TO GET TO KEY BILLS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR VOTERS AND SEEING THIS DEBATE PLAY OUT BEFORE.

>>> HONORING DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR.

WE SHARE HIS THOUGHTS ON DOCTOR KING'S INFLUENCE TODAY.

>>> IN THIS MONTH, BLACK VOICES BOOK CLUB AND OMAN TO CHICAGO'S BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE.

>>> ILLINOIS CELEBRATES THE FIRST, DOLLY DAY AS WELL.

HIS DAUGHTER CELEBRATES THE IMPACT OF HIS LEGACY.

>> IT FELT LIKE I WAS GETTING PAID TO PLAY GAMES QUITE HONESTLY AND DO THINGS THAT I WANTED TO DO IN MY FREE TIME.

>> IN TODAY'S LAST WORD A LOCAL TECH ENTRE NORA AND WHY SHE THINKS BLACK STARTUPS ARE NECESSARY.

>>> FIRST OFF TONIGHT A BATTLE OVER VOTER RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN DC.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURES ARE PUSHING FOR TWO BILLS THAT WOULD SET NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

THE FREEDOM FOR VOTES ACT WOULD EXPAND VOTER REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES FOR MALE IN VOTING AND EARLY VOTING, ESTABLISH ELECTION DAY AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY AND PREVENT STATE LAWMAKERS TO REDRAW DISTRICTS TO DISADVANTAGE LACKED AND BROWN VOTERS.

AND, THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT WOULD RESTORE POLICE ELECTION LAWS IN HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION A KEY COMPONENT TO THE 1955 VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT THE SUPREME COURT STRIPPED AWAY IN 2018.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ARE CHRISTINA RIVERS, CHRISTINA RIVERS.

STEVIE VALLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHICAGO VOTES AND CHANTAL GRANT THE FOUNDER, LEVEL UP & VOTE.

IN Q2 THE THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

STEVIE VALLES LET'S START WITH YOU.

WE KNOW THAT THE FIGHT FOR VOTERS RIGHTS LEGISLATION HAS BEEN STRENGTHENED BY REPUBLICAN LED STATES AND PLUMMETING LAWS THAT MAKE IT HARDER TO VOTE IN THE NAME OF ELECTION SECURITY.

ILLINOIS CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE SUCH LAWS SO WHY SHOULD CHICAGOANS AND ILLINOIS ENDS CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING?

>> I THINK IT IMPORTANT FOR US TO CARE BECAUSE THE FATE OF THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS TIED TO OUR FATE HERE AT HOME.

JUST BECAUSE OUR LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW AND IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO HAS BEEN VERY GOOD AT VOTING ISSUES, DOES NOT MEAN IT WILL BE THE CASE IN THE FUTURE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL AND MINDFUL OF WHAT IS GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE WE ARE NEVER VER SAFE HERE AT HOME IF ATTACKS ON VOTER RIGHTS ARE HAPPENING ANYWHERE ELSE ACROSS AMERICA.

>> CHANTAL GRANT ACTIVISM AND PUSH FOR THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT WAS DISMANTLED IN 2018, DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO GET THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION FINALLY BACK IN PLACE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF OUTREACH, RIGHT?

ME COMING FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO WHERE VIOLENCE HAS PLAGUED MY COMMUNITY, POOR ECONOMIC STATUS, DIRECT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE REACH EVERYONE AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THE MESSAGE GOES THROUGH.

BECAUSE PEOPLE POWER WORKS, RIGHT?

WE'VE SEEN IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT'S IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT TYPES OF LEGISLATION IS BEING INTRODUCED AND PUSHED FOR EVERYONE.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN AND MOST CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS WANT TO CHANGE THE RULE SO SIMPLE MAJORITY, 51 PERCENT IS NEEDED TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATION AND OVERCOME A REPUBLICAN FILIBUSTER.

RIGHT NOW 60 VOTES ARE NEEDED.

PROFESSOR RIVERS COMING TO YOU CONGRESS HAS REAUTHORIZED THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT MULTIPLE TIMES.HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT?

>> I THINK THIS REALLY STANDS OUT IN AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE RESISTANCE THIS TIME AROUND IS WHAT IT'S OVERLOOKED IS THIS RESISTANCE IS COMPLETELY OUT OF STEP WITH THE GOP VOTE ON PREVIOUS AUTHORIZATIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHT ACT.

IN THE PAST THERE WAS ALWAYS A VIGOROUS DEBATE OVER THOSE EXTENSIONS AND EXPANSIONS OVER THE LOT AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED IT.

FOR EXAMPLE IN 1975 THE SENATE APPROVED THE REAUTHORIZATION 77 TO 12 VOTE AND IN 1982 THE SENATE APPROVED AN EVEN HIGHER MARGIN OF 85 TO 8 AND IN 2006 THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE EXTENSIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

AND THAT IS WHEN THE REPUBLICANS WROTE A MINORITY REPORT EXPRESSING THE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THOSE AMENDMENTS BUT THEY DID VOTE TO APPROVE SOME OF THE VERY BIPARTISAN HISTORY AND THAT REALLY STANDS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

I THINK IT'S ALSO INTERESTING THAT THERE'S 15 REPUBLICAN SENATORS NOW WHO VOTED FOR THOSE THREE AUTHORIZATIONS IN 2006.

>> WHY ISN'T IT BIPARTISAN TODAY?

IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD FROM KIERSTEN CINEMA.

SHE WOULD NOT SUPPORT IT BECAUSE OF THE LOCK OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT AND SHE DOES NOT WANT TO PUSH IT THROUGH UNLESS IT IS BIPARTISAN.

SHE HAVE A POINT ABOUT THAT IN THIS COUNTRY?

>> I SUPPOSE SHE HAS A POINT BUT AGAIN THERE IS THIS HISTORY OF BIPARTISANSHIP THAT SEEMS TO BE LEFT OUT.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THIS WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING REPRESENTATION FROM IDEOLOGY AND RACE.

IT ALL GETS INTERMIXED AND INTERWOVEN AND THAT CAN INTENSIFY THE DISTINCTION IN DISAGREEMENTS.

I THINK WHAT ALSO GETS OUT LEFT OUT OF THE MIX IS THE ROLE OF THE SUPREME COURT IN TAKING THE VOTING RIGHT ACT INTO THE SAME PLACE.

ON SOME LEVEL IT SEEMS THAT THE MINORITY REPORT REPUBLICANS OFFERED IN RESPONSE TO THE 2006 REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ACT SEEMS TO BE THE MAJORITY POSITION THESE DAYS.

AT LEAST AMONGST SENATE REPUBLICANS.

>> STEVIE VALLES WHAT IS THE SENATE LOOKING TO DO AND WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HIM AT.

>> I'M GLAD THEY ARE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

AS SOMEONE WHO IS IN CHICAGO WHO IS BLESSED TO LIVE IN A STATE WHERE WE HAVE PASSED A LOT OF THESE LAWS THAT ARE GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LEGISLATION ALREADY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TO ADDRESS VOTER SUPPRESSION AND PROACTIVELY GIVE MORE PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT AND REMOVE BARRIERS.

IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE THINGS LIKE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION AND EXTENDED EARLY VOTING.

FOR THE LAST ELECTION WE HAD ALLA DROP BOXES.

WE EXPANDED VOTE BY MAIL AND WE HAD AUTOMATIC VOTER EDUCATION.

I DO BELIEVE THERE'S MORE THAT COULD BE PUT IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO BE MORE IN LINE TO WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN ILLINOIS.

THAT IS PART OF THE FIGHT.

WE LIVE IN STATES WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO PASS MORE PROGRESSIVE VOTING RIGHT LAWS AND WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING THAT SO WE CAN EMPOWER OTHER STATES AND HOPEFULLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO THE SAME IN THE FUTURE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE BEING DONE BUT I'M HAPPY THAT THEY'RE DOING ANYTHING.

>> CHANTAL GRANT WHAT CAN CHICAGOANS DO TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE?

>> FIRST IS TO GET EDUCATED, RIGHT?

GET EDUCATED AND I BELIEVE IT'S OUR POLITICIANS RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK OUT AND SEEK OUT THOSE WHO CAN THOROUGHLY EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATION.

I WAS A PART OF THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN THEY WERE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION FOR MAKING SURE THE AUTOMATIC VOTING AND ALSO FOR THE VOTING IN COOK COUNTY JAILS.

THAT IS A START, RIGHT?

WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT TAKING THAT AWAY.

RIGHT?

WHEN IT COMES ACROSS FEDERALLY.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD START AND I THINK IT IS VERY PROGRESSIVE.

>> PROFESSOR RIVERS WE HAVE ABOUT 35 SECONDS LEFT WHAT CAN IT MEAN FOR VOTERS WITH THESE CHANGES IF THESE BILLS ARE NOT ENACTED?

>> IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT AND COULD MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO EXERCISE THEIR WROTE TO VOTE TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

WE ARE ALSO CLEAR THAT THESE LIMITATIONS PROPORTIONALLY IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT HAVE A HISTORY OF THEIR VOTE BEING SUPPRESSED FROM THE BEGINNING.

I THINK IT MEANS THAT VOTERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS.

I'M ENCOURAGED ABOUT IN HIS ASIAN SUCH AS LEVEL UP IN CHICAGO VOTES HERE IN ILLINOIS BECAUSE OF THEIR LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION OF ENGAGEMENT.

WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO NOT JUST BECOME ENGAGED BUT EDUCATED AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT GOOD THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT MY THANKS TO STEVIE VALLES, CHRISTINA RIVERS AND CHANTAL GRANT FOR JOINING US.

>>> THE ONGOING RIGHT FOR VOTER RIGHTS AS NATION MARKS MARTIN LUTHER KING VOTING DAY MONDAY.

THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER WAS ESSENTIAL TO GETTING THE VOTING RIGHT ACT OF 1965 PASSED INTO LAW.

MONDAY IS ALSO AN OFFICIAL DAY OF SERVICE ENCOURAGING AMERICANS TO GET BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE SPIRIT OF DOCTOR VISION OF THE COMMUNITY.

HERE IN CHICAGO DOCTOR KING LED THE MOVEMENT TO FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UNITED WAYS METRO CHICAGO WILL HAVE A ZOOM WEBINAR WHERE LOCAL TAKE ROCKSTAR.

[UPBEAT MUSIC] WILL TALK ABOUT THE MOVEMENT.WE ASKED DILLA HOW DOCTOR KING'S ACTIVISM IS INFLUENCING THE ACTIVISM TODAY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE SAYING IS THAT DOCTOR KING WAS NOT AFRAID OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE TIME.

SO WHAT WAS THE THEN SORT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY WAS NEVER SHY, HE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM BEING ON FILM OR STEPPING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA TO USE HIS MESSAGING TO ADVOCATE FOR THE ACTIVIST TODAY.

WE NEED TO BE THAT SAME WAY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PARALLELS I SEE, THE WILLINGNESS TO USE THE MOST AVAILABLE TOOLS AND THE OTHER THING IS OVER ALL YOUTH.

A LOT OF ACTIVIST TODAY ARE VERY YOUNG.

I THINK ABOUT OUR BROTHERS LIKE JAMAAL GREEN AND HE'S A VERY YOUNG ACTIVIST WHO WAS A PARALLEL TO DOCTOR KING'S LIFE.

THESE VERY YOUNG.

>> DUE TO COVID UNITED WAY OF METRO TO CHICAGO IS URGING PEOPLE TO PUT TOGETHER CARE KITS FOR NONPROFITS.

AND SEVERAL OTHER AREA BUSINESSES ARE CELEBRATED THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.com.

OF NEXT THE NEXT ELECTION IN OUR BLACK VOICES BOOK CLUB.

A CELEBRATION OF BLACK CHICAGO AND THE CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HELP SHAPE THE CITY IS A FOCUS ON THE LATEST SELECTION OF OUR BLACK VOICES BOOKCLUB.

THE BOOK ENERGY NEVER DIES AFRO OPTIMISM AND CREATIVITY IN CHICAGO TAKES READERS THROUGH DIFFERENT POINTS OF TIME IN CHICAGO'S BLACK HISTORY AND REFLECTS ON HOW THOSE MOMENTS INFLUENCE THE CREATIVITY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF ENTREPRENEURS AND ARTISTS TODAY.

JOINING ME WITH MORE IS AUTHOR AND LOCAL HOST AND PRODUCER AYANA CONTRERAS.

IT IS SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SO MANY WORDS.

>> YES, IT'S A MOUTHFUL.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?

>> IN MY JOB AS A RADIO HOST I WAS ABLE TO.>> Guest: A LOT OF OLDER ARTISTS AND.

>> Guest: A LOT OF YOUNGER FOLKS.

I REALIZED THERE WAS SUCH A UNIQUE PARALLEL BETWEEN WHAT THEY WERE SAYING AND THERE WAS SO MUCH CONNECTIVE TISSUE.

THEY WERE SAYING SO MANY OF THE SAME THINGS AND I WANTED TO PUT THEM IN CONVERSATION WITH EACH OTHER AND I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WAS A COOL WAY TO DO IT.

LET'S LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TITLE IS VERY POWERFUL AND THERE'S A STORY BEHIND THAT ARE TELLS ABOUT THIS TITLE ENERGY NEVER DIES.

>> MY GRANDMOTHER GATHERED US AROUND HER KITCHEN TABLE IN WEST CHESTERFIELD A FEW YEARS BACK AND TOLD US THAT SHE HAD STAGE IV CANCER.

THE WHOLE FAMILY GATHERED AROUND AND I'M SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO HER AT THE TABLE AND EVERYONE WAS UPSET EXCEPT FOR HER AND ONE FAMILY MEMBER ASKS OUT LOUD WHY AREN'T YOU UPSET YOU MAKE SHOULD BE UPSET THIS IS TERRIBLE.

MY GRANDMA TOOK A BIG BREATH AND SAID ENERGY NEVER DIES.

FOR ME I WAS WORKING ON A BOOK AT THE TIME AND IT IMMEDIATELY CRYSTALLIZED ALL THE IDEAS I WAS TRYING TO CAPTURE IN THE BOOK.

>> AS YOU SAY THAT I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT IT WAS JUST YOU AND SHE WHO WEREN'T NECESSARILY UPSET OR AS UPSET OR SHOWING YOUR UPSET THIS THEN EVERYONE ELSE AT THE TABLE.

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU GET SOME OF THIS FROM HER?

>> SURE.

IN SO MANY WAYS I FEEL LIKE I AM HER.

I'M THE NEXT, 2.0 VERSION OF HER.

THE REASON I WASN'T UPSET AND MAY BE THE REASON WHY SHE WASN'T UPSET IS BECAUSE SHE LIVED HER LIFE.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

SHE TOOK RISKS AND TRY THINGS AND WAS NOT AFRAID.

WHEN YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE THAT WAY IT MAKES THE END I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE A LITTLE EASIER TO DEAL WITH?

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE THE ENERGY THAT SHE WAS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO.

>> WHY IS CHICAGO THE RIGHT CITY FOR A BOOK LIKE THIS?

>> I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.

THEORETICALLY A BOOK LIKE THIS COULD BE WRITTEN FROM A LOT OF CITIES ESPECIALLY FROM A CITY WITH A MOLTEN CORE.

BUT CHICAGO SPECIFICALLY, NOT ONLY ARE WE GREAT AT CREATING THIS REALLY EXCITING IDENTITY, SELF-DETERMINATION BUT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE A WHOLE LOT OF MEDIA THAT WAS DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT THE GROWTH DELAY GLOBE THAT ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATES THIS CONCEPT.

EVERYTHING FROM EBONY AND JET WHICH BECAME PUBLICATIONS OF RECORD FOR BLACK AMERICA TO MUSIC GROUPS LIKE EARTH WIND AND FIRE AND ARTISTS LIKE MANY REPORTS AND.

>> THE TERM AFRO OPTIMISM IS IN THE TITLE BUT ALSO COMES UP A LOT IN THE BOOK.

TELL US WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT IT MEANS.

>> ESSENTIALLY IT IS A CONCEPT THAT DESPITE EXTERNAL PRESSURES AND OPPRESSION THAT WE DO HAVE OWNERSHIP OF HOW WE REPRESENT OURSELVES IN THE WORLD AND WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.

IT WAS REALLY SOMETHING THAT WAS IN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE CONCEPT OF AFRO PESSIMISM WHICH I HEARD A LOT IN RECENT YEARS WHICH IS BASICALLY THAT WE ARE DOOMED BY THE FACT OF OUR BLACKNESS.

BECAUSE OF THESE EXTERNAL PRESSURES.

I WANTED TO TAKE THE ONUS OFF THOSE EXTERNAL PRESSURES AND PUT IT ON TO US.

NOT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD IGNORE IT OR IT ISN'T REAL BUT THAT WE HAVE AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF CREATIVITY AND POWER WITHIN THAT WE CAN MANIFEST.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT FEELING HOPEFUL OR OPTIMISTIC IS SOMETHING THAT WE AS BLACK PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH THAT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DO?

>> EVERYBODY HAS TROUBLE SOMETIMES ESPECIALLY IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS, GLOBALLY WITH BEING UP THE.

WHAT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE ON THE TERM AFRO OPTIMISM IS A TOXIC POSITIVITY.

THE END OF THE DAY WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IS THE REASON WHY BLACK PEOPLE ARE THE WAY WE ARE AND THAT WE WILL BE 20 YEARS FROM NOW, 50 YEARS FROM NOW IS BECAUSE SOMEBODY LOOKED IN THEMSELVES AND SAID WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING BETTER I'M GOING TO KEEP MOVING IF NOT FOR ME OR MY KIDS OR MY GRANDKIDS BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK BACK RIGHT, WE MIGHT BE DOOM AND GLOOM THE SECOND BUT IF WE LOOK AT THIS VIDEO OF POLICE BRUTALITY OR WHAT HAVE YOU BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE WERE AS A PEOPLE 20 YEARS AGO, 50 YEARS AGO 100 YEARS AGO THERE'S DEFINITELY PROGRESS.

>> AYANA, WE HAVE 20 SECONDS LEFT, WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

>> IT IS FOR EVERYBODY.

IT IS FOR THE AUNTIES, THE UNCLES, ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO BE REMINDED OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE.

>> AYANA CONTRERAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AGAIN THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS "ENERGY NEVER DIES", AFRO OPTIMISM IN CHICAGO.

END THIS MONDAY MARKS MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY BUT IN ILLINOIS IT WILL RECOGNIZE THE FIRST MOHAMMED ALI DAY.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER ADDED JANUARY 17TH TO THE LIST OF COMMEMORATIVE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN THE STATE.

TO CELEBRATE THE ILLINOIS MUSLIM COALITION WHICH ADVOCATED FOR THE HOLIDAY IS HOLDING A VIRTUAL EVENT HONORING THE BOXING LEGEND.

THE EVENTS TITLE DELIBERATE DIALOGUE WILL FEATURE SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE SPEAKERS INCLUDING REVEREND JESSE JACKSON AND MOHAMMED ALI'S DAUGHTER, MARYUM ALI.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW LOOK COMES TO MIND THE MOST IS THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE ABOUT WHY HE TOOK THE STAND HE TOOK.

WHY HE DEMANDED HIS HUMAN AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE RELIGION OF HIS CHOICE AND WHY HE CONFRONTED VARIOUS FORMS OF OPPRESSION AND VIOLENCE AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND OTHER NONRULING PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WHY HE SO PUBLICLY AND PROUDLY HAD SELF-LOVE, SHOWED SELF-LOVE AND PRIDE AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND MUSLIM.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHY HE DID THESE THINGS, MOHAMMED ALI DID NOT EXIST IN A VACUUM.

HE WAS DEFINING CENTURIES OF FALSE NARRATIVES ABOUT WHO WE WERE AS A PEOPLE.

HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF FALSEHOODS ABOUT BLACK INFERIORITY AND WHITE SEGREGATION.

NOT BEING ABLE TO DRINK FROM CERTAIN WATER FOUNTAINS, BEING MADE TO FEEL LESS THAN HUMAN IN THIS REALLY WAR ON HIM AS IT DID MANY AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

>> MARYUM ALI DAUGHTER OF MOHAMMED ALI WHO DIED FROM PARKINSON'S DISEASE.

HE WOULD HAVE BEEN 80 THIS YEAR.

>>> TECH STARTUPS USUALLY LOOK TO BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM GET UP AND RUNNING BLACK TEXT OFTEN DON'T GET THE SAME AS THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

JUST UNDER THREE PERCENT OF VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDING IN 2020 WENT TO LACKING LATINO STARTUPS.

THIS LED TO TECH RISE.

IT WAS STARTED BY P 33 A CHICAGO NONPROFIT SUPPORTING THE CITIES TECH COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF STARTUPS THEY THINK OF A WHITE MALE IN A HOODIE BUILDING A COMPANY IN A GARAGE OR BASEMENT AND THAT REALITY IS THAT GREAT IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE LOOK AT IDEA STAGE FOUNDERS AS THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY TO USE CAPITAL AND ACCESS TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> THROUGH WEEKLY TECH COMPETITIONS, TECH RISE HAS AWARDED $900,000 TO 40 BLACK AND LATINO STARTUPS SINCE LAUNCHING IN APRIL.

THEY HELD A FINALE EVENT WHERE THE BEST OF CHICAGO'S TECH COMPANIES COMPETED FOR THE LARGEST PRIZE YET, $100,000.

THE WINNER OF THAT FUNDING IS THE FOUNDER OF US CYBER SECURITY BUSINESS.

SHE IS PARTICIPATING IN A NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN TO SHOWCASE CHICAGO'S TOP TECH LEADERS.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HER DURING A PHOTO SHOOT FOR TONIGHT'S THE LAST WORD.

>> MY NAME IS DOCTOR CHRISTINE IZUAKOR AND I AM THE FOUNDER OF CYBER POP-UP.

CYBER POP-UP IS AN ON DEMAND CYBERSECURITY POP UP WITH HIGHLY SKILLED FREELANCERS.

I REMEMBER THROUGHOUT MY CAREER I GOT EXPOSURE TO A LOT OF CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES ON BEING COMPANIES OF ALL SIZES ARE BEING REACHED AND EXPENSE DIFFERENT ATTACKS BUT MOST COMPANIES DON'T HAVE A CYBERSECURITY TEAM IN-HOUSE.

ARCH COMPANIES DO, FOR SURE BUT A LOT OF THE SMALLER ONES DON'T.

I CREATED THIS AS A SMALLER PLATFORM SO FOLKS CAN GET ACCESS TO CYBERSECURITY EXPERT RIGHT WHEN THEY NEED IT.

I STARTED OUT TRYING TO BE AN EYE DOCTOR AND I FAILED MISERABLY AT THAT.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE IT FORCED ME TO EXPORT DIFFERENT AREAS AND EAGER OUT WHAT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT AND I DISCOVERED THE CYBERSECURITY SPACE AND I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

IT FELT LIKE I WAS GETTING PAID TO PLAY GAMES, QUITE HONESTLY AND DO THINGS THAT I WOULD DO IN MY FREE TIME.

I REALLY ENJOYED IT AND I EVENTUALLY SHIFTED MY ENTIRE FOCUS TO THE CYBERSECURITY SPACE.

THERE'S DIFFERENT LAYERS TO THE CHALLENGES OF DIVERSITY IN TECH.

I STARTED NOTICING THE PROBLEM EARLY ON BECAUSE I STUDIED THIS AND I REMEMBER BEING IN MY CLASSES AND REALIZE THAT I WAS OFTEN THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE CLASS OR THE ONLY PERSON OF COLOR IN THE CLASS.

IT STEMS DOWN TO THE EXPOSURE AT EARLIER AGES AND REALIZATION THAT THIS IS A CAREER PATH.

LIKE I MENTIONED WASN'T TRYING TO GET INTO CYBERSECURITY IT WAS A ACCIDENT THAT FELL INTO AND I FELL IN LOVE.

SEEING EXAMPLES AND THINGS OF FOLKS WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE AREAS.

ONCE YOU GET INTO CORPORATE AMERICA OR INTO SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS I THINK IT CAN BE HARD TO FEEL INCLUDED OR LITTLE BIT CHALLENGING TO ACTUALLY GROW AND FLOURISH.

ONE OF THE THINGS I STRUGGLED WITH WAS TRYING TO FIT IN AND TRYING TO BE SOMEONE I WASN'T TRYING TO MAKE SURE I AM IN AN AREA WHERE I STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB I DIDN'T WANT THAT TO DISTRACT PEOPLE FROM THE VALUE I COULD CONTRIBUTE.

THAT'S ANOTHER AREA OF CHALLENGE PERSONALLY FOR ME IN THE PAST AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK ORGANIZATIONS OR ANYONE WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE A SHIFT INTO DIVERSITY AND TECH HAVE TO ATTENTION TO AS WELL.

AS YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS INTO AN ORGANIZATION OR A PLACE HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THEY FEEL INCLUDED?

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS OKAY WITH BEING THERE AUTHENTIC SELF?

IT'S ONLY THEN THEY GET THE MAXIMUM OUTPUT FROM PEOPLE.

>> THEY SAY THAT TECH RISE IS ONE WAY TO BRING DIVERSITY INTO THE INDUSTRY.

A NEW SEASON KICKS OFF THIS APRIL AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.com/NEWS FROM THE VERY LATEST ON WTTW NEWS INCLUDING THE MAYOR OF AURORA PLANS TO ENTER THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON SATURDAY NIGHT NO THAT YOU CAN CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES SPINNING AT 10 PM.

JOIN ME AND PARIS SCHUTZ FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT.

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

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>