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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT...

THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE VS. WADE.

REACTION TO THE HISTORIC REVERSAL ON ABORTIONS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR ILLINOIS.

>> AND AMERICANS HIT WITH STICKER SHOCK AT THE GROCERY STORE AND GAS STATIONS.

ECONOMY WATCHERS WEIGH-IN ON THE IMPACT AND CHANCES FOR A RECESSION.

>> A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH CHICAGO'S NEW DIRECTOR OF REENTRY.

WILLETTE BENFORD JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HER PLANS TO HELP FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE COMING HOME FROM PRISON.

THE DUSABLE MUSEUM GETS A NAME CHANGE WHY IT'S ADDING EDUCATION TO THE TITLE.

AND A LIBRARY IN GARFIELD PARK WITH VALUABLE ART GETS VIBRANT NEW WORK FROM THE ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT, REACTION POURING IN TO THE SUPREME COURT'S HISTORIC REVERSAL OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE.

THAT IS, OF COURSE, THE LANDMARK 1973 DECISION THAT GUARANTEED FEDERAL RIGHTS TO AN ABORTION.

FRIDAY JUSTICES RULED THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION AND SUCH A RULING SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PROTESTORS AND DEMONSTRATORS ON BOTH SIDES SURROUNDING THE SUPREME COURT.

ABORTION REGULATIONS ARE NOW UP TO THE STATES.

AND IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS DECISION, SEVERAL STATES HAVE ISSUED ABORTION BANS.

ADVOCATES FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THIS DECISION WILL IMPACT THOSE SEEKING ACCESS TO A SAFE ABORTION.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE KNEW IT WAS COMING, YOU KNOW, WE WERE PREWARNED IN A WAY, IT IS STILL FEELS LIKE A GUT PUNCH.

AND I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THIS OVERWHELMING SENSE OF LOSS FOR SO MANY, SO MANY WOMEN, SO MANY GIRLS ACROSS OUR COUNTRY THAT THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT VERY NEGATIVELY.

IT REALLY IS GOING TO IMPACT BLACK AND BROWN WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO CAN BECOME PREGNANT THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE ON THE LGBTQ SPECTRUM THAT INCLUDES ANY MARGINALIZED PERSON WOMEN IN POVERTY BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY TO GO TO STATES WHERE THEY MAY SAFELY SEEK LEGAL ABORTION SERVICES.

>> NOW, THE RULING WILL NOT CHANGE ABORTION ACCESS IN ILLINOIS.

BUT THE UCLU WARNS IT IS NOT JUST REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IT COULD IMPACT OTHER RIGHTS THE SUPREME COURT DEEMED CONSTITUTIONAL LIKE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND RIGHTS TO CONTRACEPTION.

>> WHAT I WILL SAY THE CASE IS MORE THAN JUST ABORTION.

THIS PARTICULAR CASE TODAY TALKS ABOUT ABORTION.

BUT IT IS GROUNDED IN THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT RIGHTS WRAPPED UP IN THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR PERSONAL DECISIONS ABOUT USING BIRTH CONTROL.

ABOUT WHO TO MARRY WHO THEY LOVE.

THOSE ARE ALL BOUND UP IN THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND THOSE ARE ALL GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE NOW.

>> ANTIABORTION GROUPS CELEBRATED FRIDAY'S RULING.

ILLINOIS RIGHT TO LIFE RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART... >> AMERICANS ARE ALSO FEELING THE PINCH AS THE U.S.

EXPERIENCES RECORD-HIGH INFLATION.

THE INFLATION RATE REACHED 8.6% LAST MONTH THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 40 YEARS.

FOOD AND ENERGY PRICES IN PARTICULAR SKYROCKETED FORCING THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS RAISING INTEREST RATES TO BRING DOWN DEMAND AND JUST THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CALLED ON CONGRESS TO PAUSE FEDERAL GAS TAXES FOR THREE MONTHS.

JOINING US WITH MORE ON THE IMPACT OF INFLATION AND HOW PEOPLE CAN RESPOND ARE TASSOS MALLIARIS, A PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY.

AND CHRISTIAN NWASIKE, A CHICAGO FINANCIAL ADVISER AND CHAIR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FINANCIAL ADVISERS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

PROFESSOR LET'S START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT IS CAUSING THE INFLATION WE ARE EXPERIENCING?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THREE SPECIFIC WAYS OF INFLATION.

IF WE GO BRIEFLY A YEAR AGO, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER WE WERE RECOVERING COVID, PRICES WERE GOING UP AT APPROXIMATELY 3-4%, THE ECONOMY WAS DOING WELL.

AND AT THAT TIME WE DISMISSED IT.

AND WE SAID IT WAS TRANSITORY, IT WAS NOT GOING TO LAST.

WELL, GO TO OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.

THE ECONOMY CONTINUED TO DO WELL AND TO GROW VERY, VERY FAST AND THERE WERE AS YOU RECALL A BIG DEMAND FOR USED CARS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT PRODUCE THE NEW ONES, AIRLINES HAD DIFFICULTY WITH PERSONNEL.

INFLATION FROM 4% GROWS TO 6%.

AND QUICKLY, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH AND APRIL WITH THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

SO THE 8 ALMOST 9% INFLATION I CAN BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU THAT 6% IS BECAUSE THE U.S. ECONOMY IS VERY ROBUST AND GROWING VERY QUICKLY.

AND THE OTHER 3% COMES FROM THE GLOBAL MARKETS.

>> CHRISTIAN OVER TO YOU, WHAT IS THE IMPACT THEN BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING RISING FOOD AND ENERGY PRICES WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THOSE TWO THINGS ON EVERYDAY AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES?

>> GREAT QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON THIS PANEL.

ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE IMPACTS IS THAT WE WILL LOWER INCOME FAMILY WILL HAVE LESS DISCRETIONARY INCOME TO USE TO ACTUALLY SECURE ITEMS THAT THEY NEED FOR EVERYDAY LIVING.

IN TIMES OF INFLATION, WE ALREADY KNOW IT SAPS UP ANY DISCRETIONARY INCOME FOUND IN OUR HOUSEHOLDS AND THOSE DISCRETIONARY INCOMES ARE USED TO PLAN VACATIONS, PLAN FOR RETIREMENT, SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY.

AND WE HAVE FAMILIES NOW TAPPING INTO THOSE RESERVES JUST TO SURVIVE TODAY.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS WE EXTRAPOLATE THAT DOWN THE ROAD WE WILL HAVE LESS PEOPLE PREPARED FOR AN ACTIVE OR EVEN A STABLE RETIREMENT SITUATION.

>> CHRISTIAN DO YOU THINK THERE IS A DISPORPORTIONATE IMPACT ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

>> ABSOLUTELY THERE IS A DISOR PORTION AT IMPACT ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

SEVERAL REASONS.

ONE YOU WILL FIND THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN GENERAL IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS ARE STILL EXPERIENCING HIGHER THAN NORMAL COMPARED TO OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AS OF RIGHT NOW ILLINOIS, EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR BLACK AFRICAN-AMERICANS IS 11.1% AS COMPARED 5.31% FOR HISPANICS.

THERE ARE LESS PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND LESS INCOME IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND LESS HELP AVAILABLE FOR OTHERS THAT MAY NEED THAT.

REACH OUT TO FAMILY MEMBERS TO BORROW MONEY JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE WE HAVE WITH THIS IS YOU FIND THAT MOST BLACK AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE IN POSITIONS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY OR MINIMUM WAGE JOBS.

WHEN YOU HAVE AN INCREASE OF INFLATION WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN TAKE-HOME PAY, THAT IS HAVING THE FAMILIES AND BREAD WINNERS BRING HOME LESS MONEY AND SO CRITICAL DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE ABOUT WHETHER THEY GO SEE DOCTORS OR PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

AND THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS AND POSITIONS THAT NO FAMILY IN AMERICA SHOULD BE IN TODAY.

>> TO ADDRESS INFLATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISED INTEREST RATES THREE TIMES SINCE MARCH.

LIKELY TO DO SO NEXT MONTH.

HERE IS WHAT JEROME POWELL HAD TO SAY IN THE SENATE HEARING COMMITTEE.

>> AT THE FED WE UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIP THAT INFLATION IS CAUSING AND STRONGLY COMMITTED TO BRINGING INFLATION DOWN AND MOVING EXPETITIONLY TO DO SO.

WE HAVE THE TOOLS AND IT WILL TAKE.

IT IS ESSENTIAL WE BRING INFLATION DOWN IF WE ARE TO HAVE A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF STRONG LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS THAT BENEFIT ALL.

>> COULD THIS MOVE LEAD TO A RECESSION?

>> THE ODDS AT THIS POINT ARE ABOUT 50%.

THE DISCUSSION AS YOU HAVE READ IN THE NEWS IS WITH ILLUSTRATION OF A SOFT LANDING.

SO LET ME SIMPLY SAY THAT IN ORDER FOR THE AIRPLANE TO SOFT LAND, IT STARTS AT 40,000 MILES AND TAKES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TO DROP TO APPROXIMATELY 20.

AND THE LAST 15 MINUTES, IT'S THE SOFT LANDING.

IN FEW OF THE FACT THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS LATE IN ACTING, INSTEAD OF MOVING GRADUALLY, A QUARTER OF A PERCENT VERY, VERY SLOWLY THEY ARE DOING WHAT WE WITNESSED VERY RADICAL, 75 BASIS POINT CHANGES.

AND WE ANTICIPATE FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MEETINGS TO BE AT LEAST THAT MUCH MAYBE THEY WILL ADJUST IT DEPENDING WHAT THE SITUATION IS.

IN VIEW OF THE SIZE OF THOSE INCREASES, THE PROBABILITY OF A RECESSION INCREASES.

>> CHRISTIAN AS A FINANCIAL ADVISER WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE BE DOING TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY AS WE EXPERIENCE INFLATION AND POTENTIALLY A RECESSION?

50/50 TASSOS MALLIARIS TOLD US.

>> AND THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I ALWAYS RECOMMEND FAMILIES SEEK OUT A FINANCIAL ADVISER TO SPEND TIME AND TALK ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL SITUATIONS.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT.

AT THE ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FINANCIAL ADVISERS, ONE THING WE'VE MADE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS ACCESS TO FINANCIAL ADVICE.

SO ON OUR WEBSITE, MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN REACH OUT AND LOOK FOR FINANCIAL ADVISERS IN ZIP CODES CLOSEST TO THEM.

AND SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATIONS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THEIR FINANCIAL PICTURE LOOKS LIKE TODAY.

AND HOW THEY CAN MANIPULATE THEIR CURRENT SAVINGS OR SEEK FINANCIAL SITUATIONS TO PREPARE THEM FOR WHAT IS COMING DOWN THE ROAD.

I SPEND MY TIME WITH COMPLIANTS EXPLAINING IT'S CRUCIAL TO SPEND TIME WITH AN ADVISER.

I ASK ALL YOUR GUESTS AND LISTENERS TO LOOK FOR A FINANCIAL ADVISER AND TAKE THEIR ADVICE.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THOSE FAMILY ALSO HAVE IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO MAKE.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

TASSOS MALLIARIS AND CHRISTIAN NWASIKE THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING US.

>> THE HISTORIC DUSABLE MUSEUM HAS A NEW NAME.

IT IS NOW THE DUSABLE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM AND EDUCATION CENTER.

THAT CHANGED FROM THE DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

MUSEUM LEADERS UNVEILED THE REBRANDING AT A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.

THE HYDE PARK CENTER WAS FOUNDED IN 1961 AND IS THE OLDEST INDEPENDENT BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM IN THE U.S. >> BECAUSE EDUCATION IS ALWAYS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF OUR MISSION HERE, WE DECIDED TO PUT IT IN OUR NAME AND REALLY OWN AND CLAIM OUR EDUCATIONAL ROLE.

AND IT IS ESPECIALLY TODAY SO VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYONE, NOT JUST BLACK CHILDREN, BUT ALL CHILDREN, ALL PEOPLE, DESERVE TO LEARN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, WHICH IS BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY, IS AMERICAN HISTORY.

BUT ALSO THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING THE CONNECTEDNESS OF BLACK PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT BY SPREADING THE WORD BY ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING THESE STORIES AND THESE NARRATIVES AND CREATING A GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTEDNESS BETWEEN ALL PEOPLE, THAT WE CAN GO FORWARD MAKING GOOD HISTORY TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE.

WE'RE MAKING HISTORY RIGHT NOW AT THIS MOMENT.

>> AND A NEW LOGO WAS UNVEILED.

THE DU WHICH ENCOURAGES AMERICANS TO TAKE ACTION AND DO SOMETHING.

UP NEXT, WE'RE ONE-ON-ONE WITH CHICAGO'S NEW DIRECTOR OF REENTRY LEADING AN INITIATIVE TO HELP FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE.

A NEW CHICAGO OFFICE AIMED TO HELP FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE REACT LA MATE IN COAT -- REACTLY MATE.

WILLETTE BENFORD HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE AS CHICAGO'S DIRECTOR OF REENTRY A NEW ROLE PART OF A $13 MILLION INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT REENTRY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LEAVING PRISON.

AND WILLETTE BENFORD JOINING US NOW.

CONGRATS ON THE NEW POSITION.

YOU'VE BEEN SERVING IN THIS JOB AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF REENTRY FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS FIRST ON YOUR AGENDA?

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

REALLY WHAT IS FIRST ON MY AGENDA IS REALLY LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY THAT I COME FROM TO REALLY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT US WITH US.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS, JUST REALLY TOUCHING BASE AGAIN WITH WHAT PEOPLE NEED WHEN THEY COME HOME.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE ARE BASIC NEEDS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY COME HOME.

BUT ALSO THERE ARE NEEDS THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY COME HOME.

EACH INDIVIDUAL'S CIRCUMSTANCES IS DIFFERENT.

AND SO WANT TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS IT HOLISTICALLY SO WHATEVER AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS WHEN THEY COME HOME WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE IT AS A CITY.

>> GIVE US A SENSE OF THE NEEDS?

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

WHAT ARE THE NEEDS THAT THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT?

>> SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT INDIVIDUALS DON'T TALK ABOUT IS THAT OVERWHELMING FEELING OF BEING PRESSURED INTO DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH NEED.

SO THAT A THERAPIST IS PROVIDED FOR EVERYONE LEAVING EITHER IDLC, COOK COUNTY JAIL, HEALTHCARE IS VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THERE'S POOR HEALTHCARE WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE.

AND ALSO COMING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING A JOB WITH LIVABLE WAGES.

YOU KNOW.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BEING ABLE TO HAVE PAID TRAINING.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE GO TO THE TRAININGS AND THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY TO MAKE IT TO THE TRAINING.

YOU KNOW.

SO ONCE A PERSON IS INTRODUCED TO A TRAINING OR WORKFORCE TRAINING, IT SHOULD BE A PAID TRAINING.

SO THEREFORE THEY CAN MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE WHILE THEY ARE GETTING TRAINED.

AND ALSO WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING TO SEE HOW WE CAN PROVIDE STABLE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ARE RETURNING.

A LOT OF TIMES LANDLORDS DON'T WANT TO RENT TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

>> WHEN I CAME BACK HOME I WAS DENIED HOUSING BASED ON MY BACKGROUND WHICH WAS ALMOST 25 YEARS OLD.

AND THERE WAS NEVER A CONVERSATION OR ANYTHING JUST LOOK AT THE PAPER AND DENY SOMEONE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE REALLY WANT TO WORK TOWARDS REMOVING SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE ARCHAIC SYSTEMS THAT PUSH PEOPLE OUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ARREST OR A CONVICTION.

>> A 2018 REPORT BY THE ILLINOIS SENTENCING POLICY ADVISORY COUNCIL FOUND 43% OF THOSE RELEASED FROM PRISON RESID VACCINATE WITHIN THREE YEARS AND 17% WILL RESID VAT IN A YEAR.

HOW DO THE CHALLENGES, MENTAL HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING HOW DO THEY IMPACT RECIDIVISM AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO ADDRESS THOSE THE PRISON RETURN RATES?

>> THE PRISON RETURN RATES I BELIEVE RECIDIVISM IS A SYSTEM WORD IT SPEAKS TO ME HAVING EVERYTHING I NEEDED AND I WENT BACK TO PRISON WHICH IS A LIE.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT RECIDIVISM PRISON, AND ANYTHING ELSE WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT RACE.

YOU KNOW.

BLACK PEOPLE MAKEUP 14% OF THE ILLINOIS ADULT POPULATION BUT 54% OF THOSE INCARCERATED.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE TO ALSO GO TO POVERTY.

AND SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY RESID VACCINATING IT IS SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE HAD WHAT THEY NEEDED AND THEY ULTIMATELY WENT BACK TO JAIL.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

WE ARE SAYING A SECOND CHANCE CITY BUT WE WANT TO BE SOMEONE WHO GIVES A FAIR SECOND CHANCE.

BECAUSE SOME OF THE SECOND CHANCES WERE NOT SECOND CHANCES AT ALL.

WE WERE SETUP FOR FAILURE.

AND SO THOSE THINGS THAT I NAMED ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE SCALED UP SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME BACK HOME THEY ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEM RIGHT AWAY.

THE FIRST 30 DAYS THAT A PERSON IS HOME, IS A CRUCIAL PERIOD.

BECAUSE IF I CAN'T FEED MY FAMILY IN TWO WEEKS THEN I AM IN A DESPERATE MODE.

SO IT'S REALLY SAYING LET'S HAVE RESOURCES SETUP SO THAT WHEN SOMEONE EXITS THE PENAL SYSTEM OR WHEN SOMEONE COMES HOME, AFTER SERVING THEIR TIME.

>> BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE ACCESS TO THOSE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEM.

BEFORE WE'RE OUT OF TIME WE KNOW YOU WERE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

HOW DOES THAT EXPERIENCE SORT OF INFLUENCE THE WORK THAT YOU WILL DO AND THE DECISIONS YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE?

>> IT INFLUENCES IT BECAUSE I'M NOT HERE TO GO ALONG TO GET ALONG I AM HERE BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE AND I ADVOCATE FOR THOSE JUST LIKE ME.

AND THOSE WHO ARE JUST LIKE ME, I WANTED ANOTHER CHANCE A FAIR CHANCE AND I KNOW THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING HOME IF YOU GIVE AN INDIVIDUAL A FAIR CHANCE, THEY WILL EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

>> ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT ARE -- HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB?

>> I MEASURE SUCCESS BY WHEN INDIVIDUALS COME HOME AND THEY HAVE REENTERED THE CITY OF CHICAGO THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED ARE MADE READILY AVAILABLE FOR THEM THROUGH A SEAMLESS PROCESS WHICH IS A ONE-STOP SHOP SO THAT I CAN GET EVERYTHING THAT I NEED.

>> OK. WILLETTE BENFORD THE CITY'S NEW DIRECTOR OF REENTRY THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE CITY HAS HAD A POSITION LIKE THIS.

CONGRATS ON THE POSITION AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, BRANDIS.

>> UP NEXT, VISITORS TO A WEST SIDE LIBRARY CAN NOW ENJOY MUSEUM QUALITY ART WHILE THEY BROWSE.

STAY WITH US FOR A LOOK.

THERE IS MUSEUM QUALITY ARTWORK IN CHICAGO THAT IS FREE FOR ANYONE TO SEE.

IT'S IN THE CITY'S FIRST REGIONAL LIBRARY WHICH OPENED IN 1920 IN THE WEST GARFIELD PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN RENOVATED AND ONE OF ITS NEWEST FEATURES IS A PERSON, A RESIDENT ARTIST.

MARC VITALI HAS AN INTRODUCTION TO AN ARTIST WHO BRINGS VIBRANCY TO HERRENSY.

>> THE LEGLER REGIONAL LIBRARY IS HOME TO A LOT OF BOOKS, BUT ALSO VALUABLE ARTWORK.

AND THE STUDIO OF A NEW ARTIST IN RESIDENCE.

>> I AM HAITIAN AMERICAN VERY PROUD HAITIAN AMERICAN VISUAL ARTIST.

VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN MY CULTURE, FOOD AS WELL AS ART PRACTICES THAT STAND FROM PAINTING TO PRINTMAKING.

I MAKE WORK BASED ON WHAT I KNOW AND WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED SO THAT COMES FROM ANCESTORS WHO HAVE GONE ON AND ALSO LIKE CURRENT DAY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL LIVING NOW.

TRAVELS I'VE TAKEN THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA.

VIBRANT COLORS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I SAW.

GROWING UP I SAW HAITIAN ARTWORK IN MY HOUSE AND THAT WAS THE FIRST ART I SAW BEFORE I GOT TO ART HISTORY ONE AND TWO IN COLLEGE.

THAT IS WHY I CHOSE THE VIBRANCY IN THE JOY THAT I KNOW.

>> THE RESIDENCY GIVES THE ARTIST A SMALL STUDIO IN THE LIBRARY.

ALEXANDRA ANTOINE HAS FILLED WITH WITH WORKS BY ARTISTS SHE ADMIRES AND PAINTING WITH HAND SEWN SEQUINS AND COLLAGES THAT FEATURE FOOD.

>> THE OTHER ART FORM IS CULINARY.

I CONSIDER EVERY WOMAN IN MY FAMILY A CHEF.

WHETHER THEY WENT TO SCHOOL FOR IT OR NOT THEY ARE WHAT I CALL A CHEF.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN FOOD.

ESPECIALLY ME.

>> AND SHE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SHE CALLS IT BEING IN THE MIX.

>> IN THE MIX, BUT ALSO LIKE VERY INTENTIONALLY WANTING TO BE IN THE MIX.

NOT JUST HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER TWO WEEKS DOWN THE LINE SO I CAN ASK YOU FOR SOMETHING?

HOW DO WE BUILD THIS CONNECTION.

I ALSO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THE LEGLER REGIONAL LIBRARY IS HOME TO FLOATING FAMILY BY.

AND KNOWLEDGE AND WONDER BY KERRY JAMES MARSHALL.

THAT IS THE ARTWORK THE CITY PLANNED TO AUCTION FOR MILLIONS IN 2018 UNTIL CRITICISM STOPPED THE PLAN IN ITS TRACKS.

AND THERE IS A WPA MURAL FROM THE 1930s WITH DATED DEPICTIONS OF NATIVE-AMERICANS AND A MODERN RESPONSE BY NATIVE-AMERICAN ARTIST.

ALL OF THE WORKS WILL MAKE GOOD COMPANY FOR A NEW WORK BY THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE.

>> ALEXANDRA ANTOINE WILL BE HERE FOR TWO YEARS AND WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE STUDENTS THAT WE WORK WITH IN THE SCHOOLS, ADULTS, TEENS, CHILDREN, AND THEN SHE WILL BE CREATING AN ART PIECE OVER THE TWO YEARS THAT WILL BE HOUSED HERE AT LEGLER.

SHE WAS BORN FOR THIS.

SHE IS HERE AS A ARTIST TO CREATE WORK AND WORK AND CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AS WELL.

I'M EXCITED THAT SHE GETS TO WEAVE IN HER CULTURE AND HER HERITAGE AND HER PASSION.

>> IT IS A BIG DEAL.

NOW, I GOT TO BE HONEST.

I'VE DONE ARTIST RESIDENCIES BEFORE AND THIS IS NEW FOR ME BECAUSE IT IS IN A LIBRARY WHICH I LOVE.

I'VE LOVED THE LIBRARY.

BUT THAT IS EXCITING.

THAT IT IS IN A SPACE WHERE I CAN DO RESEARCH AND DO MY ART PRACTICE AS WELL.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES", THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> ALEXANDRA ANTOINE WILL BE THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT LEGLER REGIONAL LIBRARY THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

THE LIBRARY'S LOCATED ON SOUTH PULASKI ROAD IN WEST GARFIELD PARK.

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF HER WORK ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

CHECK OUT WTTW.COM/NEWS FOR THE LATEST FROM WTTW NEWS.

AND IF YOU ARE WATCHING US ON SATURDAY NIGHT, KNOW YOU CAN CATCH BLACK VOICES AND LATINO VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. AND MONDAY AT NOON, JOIN PARIS SCHUTZ FOR OUR NEXT VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS AHEAD OF THE PBS DOCUMENTARY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

TO RSVP GO TO... >> FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT: BLACK VOICES".

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANKS FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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