THANKS FOR JOINING US ON CHICAGO TONIGHT.

BLACK VOICES.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

STATE BILL IS JUST A EXAMPLE OF A PLACE THAT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

THE DEATH OF A MAN INCARCERATED STATE.

THE PRISON HAS ADVOCATES QUESTIONING IF IT SHOULD BE CLOSED EVEN SOONER.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ADDRESSING OUR RESIDENTS, MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND IMPROVING OUR RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IS CRITICAL FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON PROMISES BIG ADVANCEMENTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS.

CHICAGO AND START TRAINING FOR FALL MARATHONS.

MEET THE FOUNDER OF A RUNNING CLUB.

MESSAGE IS TO RUN IT YOUR WAY, EVEN IF IT'S SLOW A A.

NOW TO SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING.

THE MAN WHO GRADUATED FROM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WHILE INCARCERATED FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN THAT TIME, WE'VE DETAILED SOME OF THEIR SUCCESSES AS WELL LIKE BEING EXONERATED.

WE'RE GETTING INTO A TOP LAW SCHOOL.

BUT TODAY, A TRAGIC STORY FROM ONE OF THOSE GRADUATES.

MICHAEL BROADWAY DIED WHILE INCARCERATED AT STATE CORRECTIONAL CENTER LAST WEEK.

NOW FAMILY MEMBERS AND ATTORNEYS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW HE DIED.

DURING THE GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR NORTHWESTERN PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR IN PETS.

FIRST COHORT OF GRADUATES MAY LAST YEAR.

I DON'T THINK I'D BE STANDING HERE.

MICHAEL BROADWAY RECEIVED A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT FROM COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER AND RENOWNED AUTHOR TOM I WAS JUST READING THROUGH SOME OF THE BILES AND I YOU KNOW, I READ SOMEONE WHO WAS, YOU KNOW, COPING WITH STAGE 4 PROSTATE CANCER AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

RATHER YOU THE SAME ONE THAT THIS IS YOUR BOOK TO WRITE.

HAVING SURVIVED THAT CANCER WHILE IN PRISON.

HIS CLASSMATES BELIEVE COMPLICATIONS FROM ASTHMA AND HEAT ARE TO BLAME FOR HIS DEATH ON JUNE.

19TH AT 51 YEARS OLD TEMPERATURES THAT DAY REACHED 91 DEGREES AND JULIET OR STATE BILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS LOCATED.

BUT IN E-MAILS PROVIDED TO WT TW NEWS BROADWAY'S CLASSMATE ANTHONY TAYLOR'S WRITES, QUOTE, THEY HAVE A HUGE EXHAUST FAN IN FRONT OF MY CELL AND MIKE CELL THAT HAD BEEN PADLOCKED, NOT A SINGLE WINDOW WAS OPEN.

EVERYTHING WE HAVE FOR VENTILATION PURPOSES IN THE 9 GALLERY IS EITHER CLOSED OR LOCKED.

MIKE AND I TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR A MONTH TO GET THEM TO TAKE THE LOCK OFF THE FAN OR TO OPEN SOME WINDOWS.

ANOTHER CLASSMATE, ABDUL MALIK MUHAMMAD WRITES, QUOTE, WE HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT.

IT'S VERY HOT WITHOUT ANY FORM OF INHALATION.

IT'S NOT EVEN ANY WORKING FANS.

ALL THE FANS IS BROKE.

ONE OF MY CLASSMATES WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT AND EXPLAINING THAT HE COULDN'T BREATHE.

HE ALSO SAYS HE QUOTE, ASKED FOR SOMEONE TO COME OPEN UP THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN NAILED.

SHUT WITH PLYWOOD DUE TO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

ALL THE TOP WINDOWS IS NAILED CLOSED.

NONE OF THE INDUSTRIAL FANS DO NOT WORK BROADWAY WHO SUFFERS FROM ASTHMA BEGAN CALLING FOR HELP ALONG WITH OTHER MEN BECAUSE HE WAS STRUGGLING TO BREATHE.

BUT THE MEN REPORT THAT A NURSE REFUSED TO COME UP TO 9 GALLERY BECAUSE IT WAS, QUOTE, TOO HOT WHEN SHE FINALLY DID MAKE IT SEVERAL MINUTES LATER AT THE REQUEST OF A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, BROADWAY WAS UNCONSCIOUS.

BAYLOR'S REPORTS, QUOTE, SHE IMMEDIATELY INJECTED HIM WITH NOR CAN EVEN THOUGH I TOLD AND ANOTHER INMATE.

AND I TOLD HER THAT HE HAD REALLY BAD ASTHMA.

HE WRITES THAT EVENTUALLY A STRETCHER ARRIVED.

BUT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE STRAPS TO SECURE THE PATIENT.

HIS CLASSMATES CARRIED HIM DOWNSTAIRS IN A BED SHEET.

TAYLOR SAYS, QUOTE, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE.

WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS WE'RE NOT SAFE HERE AS A RESULT OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE BROTHER DIED.

THE SPOKESPERSON FOR SEE WOULD ONLY CONFIRM BROADWAY'S DEATH AND THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

WHEN GOVERNOR PRITZKER WAS ASKED ABOUT THE DEATH AT A SEPARATE EVENT, HE ACKNOWLEDGED CONDITIONS AT STATESVILLE POOR ENOUGH TO WARRANT ITS CLOSURE AND REBUILD SLATED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE.

CAREFULLY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IMMINENTLY.

MAKE CHANGES IN OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM.

IN PARTICULAR.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO CLOSE AND REPLACE STATE, THOUGH.

AS YOU KNOW, WE COMMISSIONED A STUDY LAST YEAR.

THAT SHOWED THE TERRIBLE CONDITION OF SOME OF HER PRESENCE AND THE NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT.

IT HAD BEEN DISSED INVESTED FROM THE ENTIRE PRISON SYSTEM FOR MANY YEARS.

AND WE NEED TO RECTIFY THAT.

THE STATE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO DEMOLISH STATE BILL AND REBUILD IT IN THE CURRENT LOCATION AFTER A STATE COMMISSION REPORT LAST YEAR DEEMED IT QUOTE, NOT SUITABLE FOR ANY 21ST CENTURY CORRECTIONAL CENTER.

ADVOCATES SAY STATE THOSE CLOSURE IS LONG OVERDUE.

AND FOR MUCH MORE ON THAT, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

MEANWHILE, BROADWAY'S ATTORNEYS SAY THEY WERE REPRESENTING HIM FOR HIS POST CONVICTION PETITION WHERE HE CLAIMS TO BE ACTUALLY INNOCENT OF THE CRIME IN WHICH HE IS CONVICTED, WHICH IS FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

HE'D SERVED 18 YEARS OF HIS 75 YEAR SENTENCE.

A SURPRISE IN LEE COUNTY COURT TODAY.

THE ALLEGED HIGHLAND PARK 4TH OF JULY SHOOTER DID NOT TAKE A PLEA DEAL.

PROSECUTORS HAD EXPECTED ROBERT CRIMO THE 3RD TO PLEAD GUILTY TODAY AND ACCEPT A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT POSSIBILITY FOR PAROLE.

A COURTROOM PACKED WITH VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE THERE ONLY TO SEE THE DEFENDANT REJECTS THE PLEA, WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

THE CASE IS SET FOR TRIAL IN FEBRUARY.

AMAZON DRIVERS DEMONSTRATE OUTSIDE OF SKOKIE DELIVERY FACILITY.

THE DRIVERS WORK FOR 4 STAR EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY CONTRACTED BY AMAZON'S LOGISTICS DIVISION TO DELIVER PACKAGES.

THOSE DRIVERS FILED A PETITION TO UNIONIZE AS MEMBERS OF THE TEAMSTERS LAST WEEK.

IN A STATEMENT, AN AMAZON SPOKESPERSON SAID THIS PROTEST WAS INITIATED AND HAS BEEN ATTENDED BY MOSTLY OUTSIDE ORGANIZERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T WORK FOR AMAZON AND HAS HAD NO IMPACT ON OUR OPERATIONS OR ABILITY TO DELIVER FOR CUSTOMERS.

4 STAR EXPRESS DELIVERY IS AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED COMPANY THAT VOLUNTARILY CLOSED ITS BUSINESS ON MAY 30TH AND NO LONGER DELIVERS FOR AMAZON.

BUT DRIVERS SAY IT'S AMAZON.

THAT'S THEIR TRUE EMPLOYER SINCE THEY WHERE AMAZON UNIFORMS AND USE TRUCKS WITH THE COMPANY'S LOGO FOREST ARE EXPRESSED DELIVERY DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

UP NEXT, PLANS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES HAVE LONG CALLED FOR THE CITY TO REESTABLISH 19 OF THE CITY OPERATED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY CLOSED CHICAGO.

CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR HAVE CAMPAIGNED ON THE PROMISE TO DO SO.

LAST MONTH, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON STARTED MAKING GOOD ON THAT PROMISE.

ANNOUNCING PLANS TO REOPEN THE ROSELAND HEALTH CLINIC AND PHASE OUT POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THE MAYOR'S PLAN AND WHAT EFFECTS IT MIGHT HAVE ARE NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES PROFESSOR IN GROUP SIGLER COMEY SHOULD JONES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SYSTEM A COMMUNITIES STRATEGY SPECIALISTS CANDICE COLEMAN FROM THE ORGANIZATION ACCESS LIVING AND KATHLEEN GUAVA WITH THE CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO START FIRST IF I COULD WITH ALL OF YOU IN GETTING YOUR REACTION TO MAYOR JOHNSON'S PLANS TO REOPEN THOSE PREVIOUSLY CLOSED HEALTH CLINICS A YEAR.

LET'S START WITH THE POLICE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S CERTAINLY ENOUGH UNMET IN THE CITY TO GO AROUND.

AND SO ANY EFFORTS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY AND TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IS AN IMPORTANT ONE.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM THEIR ESTIMATED 300,000 PEOPLE ACROSS OUR CITY THAT HAVE ON THAT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONSIDER HOW THE REOPENINGS OF THESE 3 CLINICS ARE IS GOING APPROPRIATELY ARE PERHAPS NOT QUITE MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

CANDACE, IN QUESTION TO YOU, IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE PUBLICLY MENTAL STAR, YOUR SAME QUESTION.

IT NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS PUBLICLY OPERATED HEALTH CLINICS RUN BY THE CITY?

YES, BELIEVE THAT THE MORE OPTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO OPEN UP ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS NEEDED.

I KNOW FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE CLOSING OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS THAT THEY'RE STILL TRUST.

THAT NEEDS TO BE BILL.

BUT WE CITY IN TERMS OF LIKE THEIR INVESTMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THESE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.

BUT I BELIEVE IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

KATHLEEN.

ANY INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT I THINK THE POINTS MADE HERE ARE SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU WE HAVE TO INTENTIONAL APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM AND UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF IT.

AND REALLY IT CAN'T JUST BE CERTAIN FIELDS INVOLVED IN THAT.

I REALLY BELIEVE IT'S A BIG SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.

AND WE NEED TO TAKE A VERY INTENTIONAL APPROACH HISTORICALLY ONE THAT WE HAVEN'T TAKEN HISTORICALLY.

SO.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD OK, THIS WAS YOUR REACTION.

SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT THE PEOPLE WANTED.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ADVOCATED FOR FOR MANY YEARS.

ARMY ARE REALLY LISTENED.

IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY HAS EXPORT.

DO YOU THINK RELYING ON PRIVATE NONPROFIT FUNDER STUFF AND THIS EXPANSION WILL BE ENOUGH.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT AS OVERARCHING INVESTMENT IN THE CASINO CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I KNOW FUNDING IS A BIG PART OF THE CONVERSATION, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT.

WHAT PEOPLE NEED WITH WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS AND SO IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM THE FUNDS RATE.

IT'S KIND OF THINK ABOUT A COUPLE THAT WOULD COME FROM MAKING THIS KIND OF INVESTMENT.

YES, ANGER PART OF MAYOR JOHNSON'S PROMISES, OF COURSE, TO PHASE POLICE RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES INSTEAD THE ALTERNATE RESPONSE TEAMS WOULD DOUBLE IN SIZE AND BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THOSE CALLS.

TELL TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT.

PLEASE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS INVOLVED IN MENTAL HEALTH CALLS, THAT THAT CAN LEAD TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE PRESENTING IN THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT THAT CAN EXACERBATE THE CRISIS IN THE 2.

DANGER FOR BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AS WELL AS THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING INVOLVED AS WELL AS KIND OF INCREASING THAT PIPELINE OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ENDING UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS OPPOSED TO GETTING THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.

SO I THINK BY INVOLVING A SOCIAL WORKERS OR MENTAL HEALTH STAFF THAT ARE APPROPRIATELY TRAINED TO NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE PRESENTING IN THE MOMENT, BUT TRAINED IN DE-ESCALATION PRACTICES IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, BUT ALSO IN THAT CONTINUUM OF THAT'S BEEN COMMISSION, YOU SAW A NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS SPECIFICALLY FOR BLACK HOW DOES MENTAL ILLNESS SHOW UP DIFFERENTLY IN THAT DEMOGRAPHIC IN OUR DEMOGRAPHIC?

YEAH, I THINK BLACK WOMEN EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS THAT ALL WOMEN EXPERIENCE, BUT THEY MAY HAVE A GREATER INTENSITY OR GREATER SEVERITY.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT IMPACT BLACK WOMEN DIFFERENTLY.

OUR POVERTY DISCRIMINATION AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES GREATLY IMPACT WOMEN'S ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS SERVICES AND ALSO TO RECEIVE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE.

I ALSO THINK SOMETIMES BLACK WOMEN ARE MISDIAGNOSED FOR MORE SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND THAT MS DIAGNOSIS CAN LEAD TO GAPS IN TREATMENT.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE THAT ARE DIFFERENT.

AND THEN I WOULD ALSO SAY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND TRAUMA.

THE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS THAT BLACK WOMEN EXPERIENCE IN BLACK WOMEN HAVE HIGHER RATES OF CRIME.

VICTIMIZATION AND ALSO ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VICTIMS.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THAT IMPACT BLACK WOMEN DIFFERENTLY.

AND ALSO THE COMBINATION OF THOSE STRESSORS ALL HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME.

KATHLEEN, TELL US IF YOU WOULD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO IT.

CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PRETTY DIVERSE TEAM OF PROVIDERS THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION.

ABSOLUTELY.

OUR PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE SOLUTIONS, MENTAL HEALTH INSIDE OF THE AND I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH WHAT PEERS HERE SAID ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INTENTIONAL AND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR RECEIVING SERVICES THAT THEY GET ADVERSE EXPERIENCE AND THEY'RE EVEN FURTHER TURNED OFF.

SO WE PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SERVICES.

FAMILY THERAPY IS A HUGE SERVICE.

WE PROVIDE.

WE'RE IN THE SCHOOLS ON A SHIP, SOUTHWEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

AND WE ALSO ALSO HAVE AN OUTPATIENT LOCATION AT 79TH IN RACINE, AND WERE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY.

SO WE TRY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE CARE.

WE ALSO DO PREVENTION WORK.

DO DIFFERENT THINGS TO RETURN TO UPLIFT AND SUPPORT.

NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES, BUT BOTH LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES BETTER.

I'M CANDICE, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TREATMENT TRAUMA CAMPAIGN FROM THE COLLABORATIVE FOR COMMUNITY WELLNESS SEEKING TO CREATE 24 OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE.

HOW MIGHT A RESOURCE LIKE THIS SORT OF MITIGATE THE DANGERS OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS?

WELL, OFTENTIMES ONE, THE TIMING OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ISN'T KNOWN.

YOU.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE PRESS GOT CRISIS.

SO ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU CAN MITIGATE IS HAVING ACCESS TO SERVICES AND SUPPORT POINT TIME.

THE SECOND THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY POINT OF ENTRY YOU CAN GET ACCESS CARE.

AND EQUAL TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU CAN VIEW ON ONE SIDE OF THE CITY ORDINANCE THE CITY AND HAVING TRAVEL TO OR FROM TO GET THERE.

USUALLY EXACERBATES THE SITUATION IS SO CREATE ACCESS POINTS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

BUT I MEAN, IS THERE MORE THAT YOU THINK THE IN THE STATE COULD BE DOING TO SUPPORT THE WORK ALL OF YOU ARE ARE COLLECTIVELY DOING.

COMMISSIONED TO COME TO YOU FOR THAT ONE.

I THINK INVESTED FINANCIALLY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT SO THAT THE SERVICES CAN BE SUSTAINED REGARDLESS OF WHO'S IN OFFICE.

BUT I ALSO THINK THERE'S A MISSING LINK BETWEEN COORDINATION OF CARE AND THERE ARE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING GREAT WORK.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE CAN LOOKING LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.

BUT WHAT I FOUND IS THAT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES.

THE COURT, A NATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN THE CONNECTION IN THE AWARENESS THAT DESERVES, YOU KNOW, JUST AS MUCH ATTENTION IS FUNDING.

SEE A LOT OF NODDING HEADS AROUND THE CORONATION OF CARE SO I SUSPECT THAT MEANS YOU ALL AGREE THAT WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANKS ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

SECULAR COMMISSION JONES, CANDICE COLEMAN AND KATHLEEN GOT I THINK EVERYONE UP NEXT, A RUNNING CLUB FOR PEOPLE ANY PACE.

STAY WITH US.

CHANCES ARE YOU'VE ALREADY SPOTTED SEVERAL OF THESE TODAY.

NO, NOT OKAY.

RUNNERS THE POPULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY APP?

STRAVA SAYS RUNNING WAS ITS MOST UPLOADED SPORT OF 2023.

AND ORGANIZERS WITH THE LONDON MARATHON SAY THEY RECEIVED A WORLD RECORD AMOUNT OF APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2025.

RACE.

BUT WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF RECREATIONAL RUNNERS, QUESTIONS ABOUT INCLUSIVITY HAVE ALSO RISEN.

OUR NEXT GUEST SAYS HE DIDN'T ALWAYS FEEL WELCOMED IN THE SPORT.

NOW HE'S GOT A BOOK TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN GET IN ON THE RUN.

IT'S CALLED SLOW A S RUN CLUB.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RUN.

AND JOINING US NOW IS AUTHOR AND A TIME MARATHONER, MARTINEZ EVANS, WHO ALSO STARTED THE ONLINE COMMUNITY.

THE EFRON CLUB.

AND I'M SURE F STANDS FOR ALWAYS OR SLOW.

THAT THANKS FOR JOINING US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU HAVING YOU OFTEN TELL THE STORY OF HOW YOU GOT STARTED WITH RUNNING.

OUR DOCTOR TOLD YOU THAT YOU NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT OR YOU WOULD DIE.

YOU RESPONDED WITH I'M GOING TO RUN A MARATHON.

HE LAUGHED WIRE RUNNING.

WELL, HOW DID IT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED RUNNING BEFORE THAT?

ABSOLUTELY SO I WAS BEING FACETIOUS.

WHAT I'M TOLD IS DOCTOR, I WAS GOING TO RUN AMERICA BECAUSE HE WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO START WALKING ON THE TRACK AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

I'M LIKE, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE SO, YOU KNOW, I AM.

SO IT'S LIKE I WANT TO RUN A MARATHON.

HE LEFT THAT AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, GOING ROLL.

SO THAT'S WHAT I DID.

DID YOU PULL MARATHON OUT OF THE AIR LIKE THAT?

VERSUS, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HAVE STARTED SWIMMING OR BUT IT WAS MARATHON.

YEAH, IT CAME OUT YOU KNOW, WHEN SOMEBODY IS GOING AFFECT YOU, TRY THINK ABOUT ANYTHING NOT PUT HANDS ON THEM.

SO I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING I CAN SAY IS, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO RUN AMERICA.

RUN 8 OF THEM SINCE HE SAID THOSE IT WAS DURING ONE OF THOSE RACES, THOUGH SOMEONE YELLED SOMETHING UNKIND BUT YOU ARE INSPIRED BY IT.

AND BY THOSE WORDS, WHAT ARE AND THEN WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND?

SO I WAS RUNNING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON AND OTHERS GUYS TOLD ME, HEY, BUDDY, YOU'RE I WILL SAY THE SAY YOUR SLOWLY OF.

HE TOLD ALL.

SO IMAGINE BEING 15 MILES INTO YOUR MARATHON.

YOU'RE ALREADY SOMEWHAT DELUSIONAL.

I TO THOSE ARE DEALING WITH THIS GUY AND WANT TO SOMETHING A STORY.

SO YOU I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M GOING SOMETHING TO PROVE WRONG AS WELL AND TRY TO SLOW YOU FRONT ABOUT WAS THIS A FELLOW RUNNER WHO SAID THIS TO YOU?

BRAND IS I DON'T KNOW.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

I DON'T KNOW.

TOO, WAS ON THE SIDE, COURSE, WITH A BEER IN HAND.

SO NOT LIKE WE'RE RUNNER WITH A BEER NOT RUNNING IN THE RACE WITH YOU, THOUGH, IS ACTUALLY NOT RUN THE RACE WITH OKAY.

SINCE STARTING THIS LAWYER FROM CLUB.

AND OF COURSE, WRITTEN YOUR BOOK WITH YOU BROUGHT BROUGHT TO SHOW US YOUR STORIES, OF COURSE, BEEN WIDELY SHARED.

YOU HAVE EVEN THE COVER STORY FOR RUNNERS.

WORLD MAGAZINE, A NUDE PHOTO SHOOT WITH MEN'S HEALTH MAGAZINE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO HAVE YOUR STORY AND YOUR IMAGE, YOU KNOW, SHARE ON THESE PLATFORMS IN ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPORT, I THINK FOR THIS IS A DEFINITELY A BIG MOVE BECAUSE WHEN I STARTED RUNNING 10 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS THAT THE OUT THAT LOOK LIKE ME.

SO NOW THAT I'M OUT HERE AND BE ABLE TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN BE ACTIVE IN THE BODY THAT THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHANGING BODY IS REALLY IS THIS SO MUCH FOR ME TO JUST BE THAT BEACON OF HOPE FOR PEOPLE OUT THERE.

WHAT WHAT IS IT THAT YOU GET OUT OUT OF RUNNING BESIDES, YOU KNOW, GIVING TO THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CLUB AND GIVING TO OTHERS.

WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?

SO LET ME TAKE MY LIFE RUNNING.

GAVE ME LIFE RUNNING.

GAVE ME SOMETHING WHERE I DIDN'T NECESSARILY.

THINK I WAS GOING TO BE HERE ON THIS ARE RUNNING HAS GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD.

ONE HAS GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO TEST WHICH ALSO RUNNING HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING GOING, OK?

YEAH.

HAHA ALSO RUNNING.

HAS ALSO BEEN SORT OF A MOSTLY WHITE DOMINATED SPORT, RIGHT, DESPITE, YOU KNOW, SOME VERY FAMOUS BLACK PEOPLE WHO WE CAN ALL NAME WHO ARE RUNNERS CARRY RICHARDSON, ALLYSON FELIX HUSSEIN BOLT.

THEY'RE ALL, YOU KNOW, OLYMPIANS, BUT THERE, FASTER RUNNER, SHORTER DISTANCES IN TRACK AND FIELD.

WHY DO YOU THINK MORE BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T INTO RUNNING AND ESPECIALLY LONG DISTANCE I THINK THAT'S A GREAT NOTION.

IS THAT IT REALLY COMES BACK TO DIVERSITY.

I KNOW GROWING UP AS A LITTLE MORE DETROIT.

NOBODY THAT I EVER RAN LONG DISTANCE.

EVERYTHING WAS CRACKED 100 METERS HURDLES.

THINGS OF THAT SORT.

I'M EVEN KNOW WHAT LONG DISTANCE RUNNING LIGHTNING GOT INTO THIS THING.

SO I THINK IS ONE IS AWARENESS.

LANE BUT ALSO PING, BAD.

IT GOES DEEPER THAN THAT, RIGHT?

IT GOES DEEPER.

2, HOW?

IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE JUST DON'T.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.

BUT ENCOURAGE WENT TO BED.

YEAH.

IT'S A MATTER OF OF OF DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT GETTING MORE BLACK PEOPLE INTO THE SPORT?

HOPE THE SAME.

SO I'D HAVE.

YEAH.

LIKE IT.

ALL OF YOUR TRAVELS LIKE KEVIN, WHAT IF YOU NOTICE AND PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE IN THAT YOU GET TO MEET?

OH, YEAH.

I THINK THAT WAY.

YOU THINK ABOUT ME TRAVELING.

I'VE BEEN ON THE 15 DAY, BUT OUR SAYING VARIOUS GROUPS AND VARIOUS RUN ACROSS SCHOOL WHO HAVE POPPED UP MAJORITY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

SO I THINK A BALL HERE CHICAGO SET UP THE PEACE RUNNERS ALSO THINK ABOUT THAT ARE TOO GOOD SEE.

YOU AND WE THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT WE WANT TO 3, 1, 3, SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY VARIOUS BLACK MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE ALSO STARTING ARRIVE.

AND I THINK THESE NEIGHBORHOOD CLOSE A CRUISER CALLED THE IS GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GET MORE OF A LITTLE BLACK FOLK OUT THERE.

SOME PEOPLE GET INTO RUNNING AS A MATTER OF WEIGHT LOSS WEIGHT MANAGEMENT.

AND YOU'VE SAID IT'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT.

WE LOSS FOR YOU YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE WHEN YOU'RE OUT RUNNING?

YOU KNOW, WHAT IS WHAT IS IT?

WHAT DOES IT DO FOR YOU?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

WHAT ARE WHY A MARATHON?

HAHA ALWAYS JOKE THAT A MARATHON.

YOU RUN.

26.2 MILES TO FINISH ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM WHERE YOU STARTED.

DIDN'T GET VERY I DIDN'T WANT THINGS.

I THINK FIRST THINGS FIRST IS THE SATISFACTION OF PEOPLE.

IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT SHOWING UP TO THE FINISH LINE AND SOME MIGHT LOOK AT ME.

LOOK AT MY SIDE.

JUST LIKE, OH, THIS YOUR FIRST TIME.

THOSE LIKE NOPE, THIS IS NUMBER 9 NUMBER THE OTHER THING IS THAT.

THE PRICE THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FORM AT RIGHT.

YOU CAN'T BE S AMERICA.

YOU KNOW, THE GUY WHO STARTED WHO AND THE FIRST MARITIME RIGHT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO GO WITH THAT.

AND I THINK THAT MINDSET THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE THE REPETITION AND TRAINING OF MARATHON TRAINING MAKES ME A BETTER PERSON.

YOUR BOOK IS IT'S PART MEMOIR, PART GUIDE FOR RUNNERS.

WHAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WISH THAT YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT?

SO FROM STORE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WISH I WOULDN'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST STARTED OFF.

THIS IS PRODUCT CALLED BY THE THING RIGHT DOWN.

PUT IT DOWN BY YOU PUT IT ALL.

YOU MOVING PARTS ALL YOUR BITS BYTES THAT ROAD TOGETHER AND WILL PREVENT WHAT I CALL THAT CHANGED LAST YEAR.

SO YOU GO OUT THERE YOU WANT AND YOU THINK TOM GOOD AND YOU GO TAKE A HOT SHOWER.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE BEEN CUT ALWAYS SOMEBODY WOULD TELL ME ABOUT GOT A LONG TIME AGO.

DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DISPELLING ANY METS, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE NAME OF THE CLUB, SLOW A F TRAIN, IT KIND OF LIKE MEAN, EVEN FROM ME INSPIRATION IS IT'S OK TO BE SLOW.

IT IS OKAY TO BE AT THE BACK OF THE PACK.

YEAH.

SO WE MAYBE SOME DAY.

MOST RACES ARE PERMITTED AT PARADE.

LET THAT SINK IN.

SO THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A RACE PERMIT.

THERE'S ONLY A PARADE PARADE PERMIT.

SO ONCE YOU GET THERE EARLY SAW THE WAY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY COMPETING FOR MONEY, ALL OF US ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PARADE.

SO THERE'S THE LAST TIME I CHECKED.

I REMEMBER SEEING A SANTA CLAUS FLOW.

TRY TO BEAT ON THE HUMUS FLOAT IN THE PARADE LIKE EVERYBODY'S DOING THEIR THING AND ENJOYING THE JOURNEY ALONG TO THE FINISH LINE.

AND THAT WAS THE RUNNING RACES.

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE AN EXCUSE TO GET DRESSED FUN.

WHEN YOU GO FOR THAT RUN LAST QUESTION THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BEFORE WE LET YOU GO.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK AND FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS I HOPE THAT PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS BOOK IS THAT THEY CAN DO IT.

THEY CAN RUN.

THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WRITE MY STORIES ABOUT RUNNING.

BUT THIS BOOK AND MY STORY IS REALLY ABOUT PROVING LONG AND LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOUR BODY.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO WAS GET UP AND START.

OKAY.

MARTINA 7, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

VET.

AGAIN.

THE BOOK IS CALLED EFRON CLUB.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO RUN.

AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES.

WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW OF THE HOTLY ANTICIPATED DEBATE BETWEEN PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND NEW PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT UNCOVERS THE HISTORY OF AN ANCIENT CIVILIZATION IN MEXICO.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES GREATEST TREATMENT, STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

CLOSED CAPTION WAS MADE SINCE CHICAGO PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH, PROUD SPONSOR PROGRAMMING PROPERTIES PRICE AND STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE