HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN WITH A SPECIAL BEST OF EDITION CHICAGO.

TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

FOOD INSECURITY IS ON THE RISE.

HOW CHICAGOANS ARE WORKING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> THIS TRAIL DESERVES THE SAME CARE AND TIME THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES?

ADVOCATES PUSH FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAJOR TAYLOR BIKE TRAIL.

>> WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

MODERN PROBLEMS MODERN SOLUTIONS.

>> AND ONE ON ONE WITH CHICAGO, NATIVE AND CREATOR OF THE ANIMATED SERIES YOUNG LOVE.

UP NEXT, A LOOK BACK AT OUR CONVERSATION ON FOOD INSECURITY IN CHICAGO AND WHAT LOCAL GROUPS ARE DOING TO ADDRESS IT RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY 5TH 3005TH BANK AND BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THERE WE BELIEVE WOULD DIVERSE VOICES ARE HEARD AND EMPOWERED.

COMMUNITIES ARE MADE STRONGER A FUTURE 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.

>> THANKSGIVING USUALLY CALLS FOR FILLING YOUR STOMACH WITH TURKEY, MASHED POTATOES DESSERT.

BUT FOR MANY, IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE.

ACCORDING TO THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, ONE IN 5 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA ARE FACING FOOD INSECURITY.

MEANWHILE, A NATIONAL REPORT FOUND THAT 17 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS WERE FOOD INSECURE AT SOME POINT IN 2022.

A SIGNAL THAT FOOD INSECURITY IS ON THE RISE.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THIS, OUR JOE ROCKMAN CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WITH THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, ANGELA TAYLOR WELLNESS COORDINATOR FOR THE GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL.

WILSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE SHRIVER CENTER ON POVERTY LAW AND A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS COMMISSION TO END HUNGER AND REGGIE GUY, DIRECTOR OF THE SENIOR KALANI BOX PROGRAM WITH THE WOODLAWN COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY.

THANKS TO ALL 4 OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

STILL ROCKING ON.

STARTING WITH YOU, PLEASE.

AS WE SAID, THE HOLIDAYS ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING.

GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT NEED LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW.

WELL, AS YOU OPENED THAT, THAT THE STORY THAT NEED IS >> WHAT WE SAW IN THE REPORT THAT CAME OUT ABOUT THE INCREASING IN 2022, IT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW AT THE GREAT CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY.

AN INCREASE FROM 21 TO 22.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD ALL SAY THOSE RESULTS WERE DISAPPOINTING AND DISHEARTENING, AND, YOU KNOW, WE DID NOT WANT TO SEE THOSE.

IT WAS NOT WE HAVE SEEN THE INCREASE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE RESPONDED TO IT AND, YOU KNOW, IT IS OUR GOAL TO TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT IN 2023 AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE INCREASE IN NEED.

>> ARE GIVE US A SENSE IF YOU WOULD, HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE HOW HUNGER IN OUR COUNTRY LOOKS COMPARED TO HUNGER IN DEVELOPING NATIONS?

FIRST AND FOREMOST, A LOT OF PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGE THE HUNGER IS A CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE WE DON'T THINK OF IT IN THE SAME WAY AS WE THINK OF OTHER COUNTRIES.

>> BUT THE FACT IS THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE INABILITY TO PAY FOR THEIR GROCERIES.

THE INABILITY HAVE THAT THEY'RE SKIPPING MEALS.

THEY OR THERE LOCATIONS WHERE THEY'RE NOT GETTING ACCESS TO QUALITY FOOD.

SO IT'S EASIER TO GET CHIPS AND VERY UNHEALTHY FOODS THAN IT IS TO GET FRESH PRODUCE.

SO THIS IS ONE HOW HUNGER MANIFEST ITSELF IN THE UNITED STATES FOOD INSECURITY MANIFESTS THE UNITED STATES.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT DOES TRANSCEND RACE AND ETHNICITY, UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> THE CENSUS BUREAU'S RECENT POVERTY REPORT SHOW THE PARTY ROSE TO 12.2% IN 2022.

MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM 2021, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CAUSE OF THIS IS AND HOW DOES THAT TIE INTO FOOD INSECURITY?

>> WELL, TIES DIRECTLY INTO THE ENDING OF THE PANDEMIC RELATED BENEFITS THAT WERE EXTENDED FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO MOST IN NEED.

SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH THE DROP IN THE END OF THOSE BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR WHEN THE EMERGENCY BENEFITS FOR SNAP WERE DISCONTINUED FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS COME FEBRUARY.

SO OUR PANEL IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU SEE THE MEDIA UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GOING TO PANTRIES.

AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE INCREASE OF MIGRANTS WHO COME TO THE.

>> 2 CHICAGO AREA ARE ALSO PUTTING PROFITS STRESS ON PANTRIES.

SO UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE, RIGHT, RIGHT.

AND WE'RE JUST DEFINITELY GONNA COME BACK TO BOTH OF THOSE THAT YOU MENTIONED WITH REGARD TO THE PANDEMIC ERA OF BENEFITS COMING TO AN END AS WELL AS THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> REGGIE, YOU'VE BEEN HELPING DIRECTLY HUNDREDS OF IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

HOW WOULD YOU THE NEED HAS CHANGED FROM A YEAR AGO?

>> WELL, NEWS HAYNES, DRASTICALLY FROM A YEAR AGO, AS YOU JUST STATED WITH THE PANDEMIC BENEFITS PEOPLE NEED SEE A PROBLEM OF OF AND EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT.

THESE 2 FACTORS DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES.

PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BUYING FOOD OR PAYING FOR HOUSING, BUYING FOOD OR PAYING FOR MEDICAL SERVICES.

SO THIS IS REALLY IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHERE THE NEED FOR FOOD HAS GROWN SO MUCH OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHICH THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE HAVE CHANGED.

YES.

SO WHEN WE START A FOOD PANTRY IN 2019, OUR DEMOGRAPHICS OF 90 STAYING 16 OVER ABOUT 90%.

NOW TODAY SEE 50% SAYING THERE'S A 50 50% PEOPLE AGES 18 TO 55.

OUR DEMOCRATIC HAVE CHANGED AS PARDON ONLY ALL-BLACK FULL PITCHING SERVICE, ALL BLACK RESIDENTS AND WHAT LOT TODAY WITH THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

WE ALSO HAVE A HIGH LATINO MIGRANT POPULATIONS COMES FOOD PANTRIES RECEIVE TO THE NEEDY.

>> I'M JUST GOING TO BUILD BOTH OF THE THE DECLINE OF STRENGTHENING THE SAFETY A FACTOR.

BUT THE FACT IT'S AT THE SAME TIME THAT INFLATION IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST THE INTERSECTION OF THOSE 2 IS CREATING THE INCREASED NEED THAT WE'RE SEEING AND IN BOTH ARE CRITICAL FACTORS.

YES.

>> I'M ANGELA.

YOU ALL OPENED A GROCERY STORE POP UP THIS WEEK.

TELL US WHY YOU FEEL THERE'S A NEED FOR THAT IN GARFIELD PARK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NO GROCERY IN ANY DIRECTION.

ONE MOUNT NORTH-SOUTH YOUTHS, THE WEST, YOU WILL NOT FIND ME QUALITY GROCERY STORE OR GROCERY STORE.

IT ALL IN THE GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY.

WE'VE BEEN FOOD SECURITY ADDRESSING AND FAMILY ISSUES FROM GROWING FOOD BECAUSE WE'VE HOST A NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKET FOR THE 11 YEARS TRYING TO TEACH COMMUNITY.

WE'RE HEALTHY FOOD COMES FROM WHICH IS IN THE AND WE ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO GARNER SOME OF OUR FIELDS, RIGHT WHERE WE NEED WE DON'T NEED A FULLBACK.

YOU CAN GO COMMENTS IN IT CONTAIN, BUT THE NEED FOR THE GROCERY STORE WAS BECAUSE OF THE ENCLOSURE OF THE LET DUE TO THE RENOVATIONS HAVING THEM TO CLOSE EARLY BEING CLOSE TO THE HOLIDAY.

WE COULDN'T SIT THIS AND NOT ADDRESSED IT.

NOWHERE.

YOU'VE GOT TO GET ON A BUS TAKING A LIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE COMMUNITY ACCESS.

AND SO, OF COURSE, IT'S DIFFERENT.

THIS IS A GROCERY STORE, NOT FOOD PANTRY WHERE FOOD IS IS GIVING AWAY WITHOUT COST HOW PRICING ITEMS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, HEALTHY FOODS ARE STILL AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE HAVING COMPETITIVE PRICES.

>> BASED ON ITEM STATE, WHEN WE SEEN WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF YOUNG PEOPLE DOING THE RESEARCH TO SEE WHAT THE PRICES ARE.

A CROSS.

COMMUNITY HAS DEVELOPED A GROCERY STORE.

ADDITION TO YOU OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT HAVE BEEN MEETING THINGS TO LAST YEAR TO FIGURE COLLECT DATA FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF GROCERY STORE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT TYPE OF FOOD ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO EVEN AT THE POP UP HERE.

NOW THAT WE HAVE EACH AND EVERY CUSTOMER IS GREETED WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE CONVERSATION IS SAFE WITH HIM TO TAKE THAT.

THE PROTESTS HAVE MANY PEOPLE YOU SHOP AND 4, WHAT TYPE OF PRODUCT.

SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THAT YOU DON'T SEE HERE TODAY SO THAT WE CAN INCORPORATE THAT INTO A IN THE AND LIKE AND BEFORE PACE WE WERE OPEN, MAYBE ONE DAY A WEEK OR 2 DAYS A WEEK.

WE'RE OPEN FOR DAYS WEEKEND.

WE WILL BE RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR AND WE'RE HOPING THAT GROCERY STORE THAT WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY OPEN ABOUT IT.

JOE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

FOOD INSECURITY CONTINUES TO RISE DESPITE BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC SOMEWHAT.

>> WELL, AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE LOSING JOBS, INFLATION, THOSE DON'T PIVOT QUICKLY, TOO SOLUTIONS.

AND SO THEIR LONG-STANDING SOLUTION.

SO I DO THINK IT'S THE INTERSECTION OF THOSE THINGS.

I THINK THE IS CRITICAL.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD ALSO SAY LOOK AT WHERE IT'S HAPPENING.

SO WHEN YOU PEEL THE ONION BACK ON THE ON THE RESEARCH, YOU'LL SEE THAT HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN ARE.

I'M MORE LIKELY TO A FOOD INSECURE IN CHICAGO.

BLACK HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN ARE 33% OF THOSE.

AND SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES OF POVERTY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES OF INEQUITY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DISINVESTMENT AND THEN ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE FOCUS FOR THE FOOD DEPOSITORY.

WE, OF COURSE, PROVIDE FOOD THE LEVEL A DIVE RESPONSE IN THE FOOD RESPONSE.

BUT IT'S ALSO STRATEGIES AROUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE THINK ARE CRITICAL >> ADVOCATES AS WE'VE DISCUSSED OF STRESSED, YOU KNOW, ROLLING BACK THOSE PANDEMIC ERA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS LIKE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT EMERGENCY SNAP BENEFITS AND THE IMPACT THAT HAD ON FOOD INSECURITY THE FAMILIES THAT NEED AUDRA.

WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD THAT WASHINGTON REINSTATES ANY OF >> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING NO MATTER WHAT WITH THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE KNOW THAT POVERTY AND POVERTY AND HUNGER, POLICY CHOICES.

THIS IS NOT THE FAILING OF AN INDIVIDUAL BUT A FEELING OF OUR SYSTEM.

AND SO WE AS AFRICANS CONTINUE TO PUSH BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THE ACTUAL BENEFITS OF AN INFUSION MONEYS.

INFUSION OF FOOD INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING PEOPLE.

AND SO YOU DON'T NEED ANY MORE EVIDENCE AND WHAT YOU SEE WITH CHILD POVERTY RATES OVERALL, POVERTY RATES, HUNGER RATES DECLINING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO EVIDENCE IS RIGHT THERE.

SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR THINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE FEE STRENGTHENING AT THE SNAP WHICH HAS BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF A HUNGER PROTECTION PROGRAM EXPECTING AGAINST HUNGER IN UNITED STATES.

WE NEED TO BOLSTER OUR CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THEIR IMPACT, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN YOU HAD SCHOOL BREAKFAST SCHOOL LUNCH AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE FEEDING KIDS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE FAT IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

JILL SAID SO ELOQUENTLY AND THAT IS HOW WE REALLY HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WHEN PEOPLE ARE IMPOVERISHED, PEOPLE STRUGGLING NICE WITH THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT CORRELATION BETWEEN RATES HUNGER, RISING IN FOOD, INSECURITY.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO GO TO BECAUSE AS MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID A LIVING WAGE, PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE THEY ALL INTERSECT.

YOU MENTIONED HEALTH CARE.

REGGIE, YOUR PANTRIES FOCUS NOT ONLY ON FEEDING PEOPLE BUT MENTAL HEALTH THE 2 GOING.

YES.

SO WE TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FOOD SECURITY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO NOW NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE A FOOD DISTRIBUTION TWICE A WEEK.

WE ALSO PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH NURSES, COUPLE MINUTES 2, BUT THAT'S A NATION.

>> CLINICS ALSO PROVIDE HEALTH AS WELL AND HELP SEMINARS CURRENTLY WORKING, YOU KNOW, VERSUS CHICAGO TO ADDRESS THE GROWING MET MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF OUR OWN FOOD PANTRY.

CLIENTS ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN LIFE.

DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT KNOWING DIFFERENT RESOURCES, SO GO AND LOOK TO GET HELP.

SO WANT TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE AT THE FOOD PANTRY AS WELL GETTING MENTAL HEALTH SEMINARS AND HEALTH SERVICES.

SO WE KNOW MAYOR JOHNSON IS EXPLORING OPENING A CITY OWNED GROCERY IN AREAS THAT ARE FOOD DESERTS.

ANGELA, DO YOU THINK THE MODEL LIKE THAT MIGHT WORK?

IT COULDN'T.

HOW'S THAT THE PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITY?

IT'S ONE THING THAT COME IN.

THE COMMUNITY CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND PEOPLE SPEAK UP.

AND THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

IN THE END, IT GOES WHEN IT COMES.

FACT, IT DOES IS NOT REFLECTIVE WHAT THOSE COMMUNITIES WE'RE CULTURALLY DIVERSE HERE IN CHICAGO AND WE ALL NEEDS.

BUT IF THE GOVERNMENT COMES LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY >> AND PROVIDE US WITH NOTHING TO CREATE DAY.

I KIND OF LEAN INTO IS UP TO US TO STAND UP AND STEP OUT FOR A SELF TO GENERATE SOMETHING HAPPENING IN HOPE THAT THEY WILL GET BEHIND AND SUPPORT US.

>> YOUR TAKE ON ON CITY OWNED GROCERY STORE.

WELL, IT'S WHY I SPENT THE EARLY PART, MIKE OR IN THE GROCERY INDUSTRY.

AND SO I DO FEEL LIKE IT'S POSSIBLE.

YOU KNOW, ISSUES AROUND COST AND SCALE, BUT THEY'RE ALL THERE ARE SMALL AND LARGE GROCERY STORES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT DO.

WELL, I THINK YOUR POINT ABOUT I'M LISTENING TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS IS REALLY WHAT COMPANIES DO.

THEY LISTEN AND THEY THEN STOCK WHAT'S NEEDED AND THEY ARE ALREADY DOING THAT WORK.

SO THE I ASSUME THAT IT'S POSSIBLE AND APPLAUD THE EFFORTS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

REGGIE 10 SECONDS.

START?

I THINK IT'S GREAT IDEA BY MIA JOHNSON COME UP WITH THE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR PROBLEMS WE SAW ON EXIT THIS OF THE BIG BOX STORES SPECIALLY DOING AT THE WAS ELECTED.

SO HOPE YOU COME TO THE GREAT SOLUTION TO HELP THE FOOD IS ACCUSING THE WEST OF SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO.

>> AGAIN, THAT WAS A CONVERSATION, A RECENT CONVERSATION WITH JOE ROCKEY ON ANGELA TAYLOR, AUDRA WILSON AND REGINALD GUY.

OUR THANKS TO THEM.

UP NEXT, HOW A LOCAL TRAIL HELP SOUTH SIDERS GET ON THE ROAD TO WELLNESS.

>> THE >> LAST 2 DECADES HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE RAIL LINES THAT CRISSCROSS THE CITY CONVERTED INTO BIKE TRAILS, BUT NOT ALL OF THOSE TRAILS WERE CREATED EQUALLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE CHAMPIONS OF THE MAJOR TAYLOR TRAIL SAY IT'S HELPED THEM GET ON THE ROAD TO WELLNESS.

NOW THEY'RE ASKING FOR THE CITY AND COMMUNITY TO KICK IT INTO HIGH GEAR AND GET THE TRAIL THE AMENITIES.

THEY SAY IT DESERVES PRODUCER ERICA GUNDERSON RECENTLY BROUGHT US THE STORY.

HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK.

IT ALWAYS MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A KID.

WHEN I GET ON MY BIKE.

>> I'VE GOT THE WIND IN MY HAIR.

I'VE GOT THE SIGHTS.

THE SOUNDS THE SMELLS.

JUST BEING OUTSIDE AND IT DOES.

IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE REALLY YOUNG AND HAHA FOR MEMBERS OF THE MAJOR TAYLOR CYCLING CLUB RIDING ALONG THE MAJOR TAYLOR TRAIL.

IT'S A MAJOR PART OF STAYING HEALTHY IN MIND AND BODY.

IT GIVES HIM PEACE OF MIND IS VERY RELAXING.

I DON'T LISTEN TO HEADPHONES OR ANYTHING BECAUSE NATURE IS MY.

>> SOUND SYSTEM THAT ENJOYING WHILE I'M WRITING MY TOLD ME.

>> A GOES WILL BE COPD AND TYPE 2 DIABETES.

MAYBE IF I IF I WASN'T WRITING, I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TODAY.

SO THIS KEEPS ME GOING.

>> RIDING ALLOWED ME TO SEE THINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NORMALLY WOULD NOT SEEN, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW, DRIVING A CAR.

IT WAS BASICALLY MENTAL HELP FOR ME.

SO COMING THROUGH HERE, ABLE TO TALK TO MY GIRLFRIEND YOU KNOW, ABLE TO COME UP HERE, SEE THE GREENERY.

>> THE TRAIL IS NAMED TO HONOR BLACK CYCLING CHAMPION MARSHALL MAJOR TAYLOR BILL GASTON, WHO FOUNDED THE MAJOR TAYLOR INTERNATIONAL CYCLING ALLIANCE CREDITS THE TRAILS NAMESAKE WITH GETTING HIM ON A BIKE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> WHEN I FIRST LEARNED ABOUT HIM AND FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD ALL OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

MY THOUGHT WAS ANYBODY THAT WAS AFRICAN AMERICAN SHOULD RIDING A BIKE AND CHEERING ON MAJOR TAYLOR.

>> AND GIVEN ALL THE TRAIL HE'S DONE FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING.

THE MAJOR TAYLOR CYCLING CLUB SAYS IT'S TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE SOME OF THAT LOVE BACK.

THE TRAIL WAS COMPLETED IN 2006, BUT AS AN EARLY RAILS TO TRAILS PROJECT CLUB SECRETARY BRENDA DIXON SAYS THE CONVERSION WAS PRETTY BARE BONES.

AND SINCE THEN, THE CLUB SAYS THE TRAIL NEEDS MORE AND BETTER AMENITIES TO BRING IT UP TO THE STANDARDS.

OTHER LOCAL TRAILS ENJOY.

>> PORTA POTTIES, REST STOPS.

SHARES GARBAGE CONTAINERS.

>> LIGHTING OVER 80% OF THE TRAIL ACTUALLY GOES THROUGH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

TRAIL STARTS AT DAN RYAN.

WOODS.

AND IT RUNS ALL THE WAY THE WHAT'S IT'S AN 18.6 MILE TRAIL THAT RUNS LITERALLY LITERALLY.

I'M NOT KIDDING YOU THROUGH THE HEART OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.

BUT IN THE 90'S, WHEN WE WERE PLANNING WITH THE CITY'S PLANNING RAILS TO TRAILS PROJECT, THEY WEREN'T AS I GUESS, SOPHISTICATED AS THEY ARE NOW WITH LIKE YOU SEE SOME OF THE 606 TRAIL THAT HAS ALL OF THESE BEAUTIFUL AMENITIES.

>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, THE TRAIL HAS NEVER BEEN COMPLETED BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING THAT ALL OF THE OTHER TRAILS ARE GETTING TODAY.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS TRAIL UNTIL IT IS UP TO STANDARD LIKE EVERY OTHER TRAIL THAT'S BEING PLANTED THAT.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE JOIN THE MAJOR TAYLOR CLUB THAT HAD HEALTH CHALLENGES WHEN THEY JOIN.

AND WITH THE NEW YEAR TO ARRIVING HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT DISAPPEAR IS STAYING WIVES THIS TRAIL.

GIVEN ALL THAT IS ALL WE NEED IS THE SAME HERE ON THIS TRAIL.

LIKE ALL THE OTHER TRAILS, IT WILL SAVE LIVES.

>> FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES.

THIS IS ERICA GUNDERSON.

>> AND THE MAJOR TAYLOR TRAIL KEEPERS ARE RAISING $100,000 TO GET A STATUE OF MAJOR TAYLOR HIMSELF ALONG THE TRAIL AS WELL AS CALLING UPON CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS TO MAKE TRAIL IMPROVEMENT.

THEIR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER IS NEXT.

SEPTEMBER.

YOU'LL FIND MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

UP NEXT, WE REVISIT OUR CONVERSATION WITH CHICAGO NATIVE MATTHEW CHERRY ON HIS NEW SERIES.

YOUNG LOVE.

>> YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE BELOVED OSCAR-WINNING ANIMATED SHORT FILM HAIR LOVE.

IT'S CENTERED AROUND A BLACK FATHER NAVIGATING HOW TO CARE FOR HIS DAUGHTER ZURI AND HER HAIR.

FILMMAKER MATTHEW, A CHEERY EXPANDED ON THAT SHORT FILM BY CREATING YOUNG LOVE FEATURING SURREY AND HER FAMILY LIVING ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO.

HERE'S A LOOK.

>> I KNOW WITHIN A TWO-HOUR ZING, YOU NOT NEED YOU CAN YOUR HEAD AND NOW.

>> JUST TRYING TO HELP BECAUSE AND YOU ARE READY FOR THAT RED CARPET GUERRERO.

>> WREG'S SHAY THE LOOKING FABULOUS AND LOOK OVER THERE.

IT'S AS YOUR WITH ONE OF THE MOST ELEGANT HAIRSTYLES I'D EVER SEE.

WAIT, WHAT IS THIS?

>> JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON HIS NEW SERIES IS CHICAGO NATIVE MATTHEW, A CHERRY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME.

>> REVENUE.

>> YOUNG LOVE IT SET ON THE WEST SIDE, SPECIFICALLY WEST WHY WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> I MEAN, BOTH MY SIZE AND MY FAMILY ARE THE WEST SIDE OF A CHICAGO.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WHEN IT COMES CHICAGO REPRESENTATION IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA, ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT CHICAGO, NORMALLY THE SOUTH SIDE AS WE GET ALL THE REPRESENTATION.

SO JUST REALLY WANT HONOR MY FAMILY KIND OF THE LIFE THAT AND THAT THEY LIVED AND KIND OF HOW THEY HAD STRUGGLE AND COME YOU KNOW, IS GOING TO SHOW LOVE TO THE WEST SIDE OF COURSE, THAT MEANS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WESTSIDE CHICAGOANS YOU KNOW, IT WILL RESONATE WITH THEM.

BUT IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HOPING THE SERIES MIGHT RESONATE WITH CHICAGOANS?

>> YOU KNOW, WHICH IS RELATED WILL YOU KNOW, CHICAGO'S WERE IMPROVED.

BUT WE REALLY JUST WANTED TO SET IN THE HARD WORK, A CITY THAT KIND OF JUST REPRESENTED STRONG AND WESTERN VALUES.

>> SHOWS ABOUT A YOUNG MILLENNIAL COUPLE WITNESSED EVEN ANGELA, WE'RE JUST COMING UP THIS HEALTH-CARE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE MIX THERE.

26 YEARS OLD AND THE OF THIS YOUNG DAUGHTER THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO BE PRESENT FOR.

SO THEY'RE BOTH TRYING TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS, BUT ARE ALSO WE TURN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GIVING THEIR DAUGHTER A GOOD LIFE, TOO.

SO YES, THE NEW CHARACTERS, THE READING THE FINE AND HARRY LINICK CHICAGO ZONE ALSO STARTED HIS NEW CHARACTERS AS THE SERIES GRANDPARENTS.

AND WE HAVE TEAM ARE CRACKS IN EARLY ROUNDS.

SO REALLY DO SHOW THAT'S FUN, FUN COMEDY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

>> SO GOING BACK A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WITH HAIR LOVE, YOU FIT A LOT OF STORY AND A LOT OF EMOTION INTO JUST A FEW MINUTES.

HOW DID YOU HAHA?

>> YOU JUST THE POWER OF ANIMATION, YOU KNOW, GOT A GREAT TEAM HAD A NEW NEW, A STORY.

WE WANTED TO TELL NEW.

YOU KNOW, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS HAIRSTYLE JURY WANTED TO THE SUPER IMPACTFUL.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THE MOM KIND OF LOST ALL HER HAIR DEALING WITH CHEMO WITH SOME I'VE SEEN BEFORE, YOU KNOW, SEE THE BIG JOB JUST HOW IMPACTFUL, YOU KNOW, HAIR IS TO BUY PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY JUST FELT LIKE A REALLY GREAT PART OF THE STORY GOING TO DROP IN ON THIS FAMILY.

AND NOW SHE'S FEELING BETTER AND GET BACK TO WORK IN THE SHOW.

>> I'M HERE.

LOVE WAS BORN OUT OF WANTING TO PROMOTE HAIR AMONG YOUNG, YOU KNOW, MEN AND WOMEN COLORED WOMEN OF COLOR, YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW MUCH OF OUR HAIR IS WRAPPED UP IN OUR IDENTITY AS BLACK PEOPLE.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S ALL OF IT.

YOU KNOW, IN SHOW WE REALLY TRY TO SHOWCASE JUST BEFORE RANGE, YOU KNOW, FROM PEOPLE WITH, YOU KNOW, NATURAL CUTS TO LOGS TO NO HAIR, YOU KNOW, WE EASE EVERYTHING BETWEEN?

THAT JUST MAKES US WHO WE ARE THE END OF THE DAY.

IT'S LIKE WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY AND GIVE YOU FULL CONFIDENCE.

YOU KNOW, >> DID YOU DID YOU EVER THINK THERE'S SORT OF A LACK OF IN WHAT WE SEE ON TELEVISION AND IN THE MEDIA AND MOVIES WITH REGARDS TO HER HAIR.

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S DEFINITELY COULD HAVE A MOVEMENT IN THE 80'S.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN HAIR YOU KNOW, TRY TO CONFORM A LITTLE BIT TO THE BEAUTY STANDARDS.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS A LOT OF HEAT THAT PEOPLE CAUGHT, YOU KNOW, ROCK AND AFROS BACK IN THE 70'S AND THINGS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS ALL EVOLUTION.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SO MANY AMAZING TALENT.

BETTER ROCKING THESE NATURAL HAIRSTYLES.

THESE GOING TO BE RIGHT AT THE FOREFRONT JUST COOL TO SEE LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE CROWN ACT IN ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THESE MOVEMENTS THAT ALLOW US TO BE WHO WE ARE.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN WEAR LOCKS AND WORK A CERTAIN JOBS AND, YOU KNOW, WASN'T LIKE THAT.

ALWAYS LIKE EVEN CERTAIN SCHOOLS ARE LIKE TURN THAT HE'LL BE MAKING GRADUATED.

THEY ANSWERED.

1000.

GREAT.

SO IT'S JUST CRAZY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY FLEE.

THERE'S BEEN A TENSION MADE TO IT.

SO NOW WE CAN GET BACK TO BEING OURSELVES.

YEAH.

>> YOUNG LOVE PICKS UP WHERE HAIR LOVE LEFT OFF.

AND I STARTED WATCHING YOUNG UP WITH MY 10 YEAR-OLD SON AND HE TOLD ME I CAN'T WATCH ANYMORE.

BUT WITHOUT HIM, WE KNOW THAT IN THE SHOW, AS WE'VE 6 YEAR-OLDS ARE E IS THE DAUGHTER OF STEVE IN VOICE OF MISS GOODY.

ALSO KNOWN AS KID ANGELA YOUNG BOYS.

BUT USE THE RAISE.

YOU'VE GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE STORY THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL WHAT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

THE CITY, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME ALSO THE HAIR IS ITS OWN CHARACTER.

>> THAT WE JUST REALLY WANTED TO REPRESENT FOR YOUNG FAMILIES.

YOU YOU KNOW, FATHERS THAT TATTOOS AND THAT LOOK LIKE YOUR TYPICAL FATHER THAT WAS PRESENTED IN THIS THAT COMES BACK IN THE DAY?

WELL, YOU THAT MEETING LIKE THAT I GOT AT LIKE I AM A SHOW FOR MY DAUGHTER 100% LESS ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK AT JUST YOU SHOW UP.

AND YEAH, IT'S JUST AN EXTENSION.

YOU KNOW, WE GET A CHANCE TO SEE STEVEN.

HIS WORLD TURNED ME IS THE PRODUCER TRYING TO COME UP IN THE CITY.

WE SEE ANGELA WORKING IN THE NATURAL HAIR SALON THAT SHE WORKS AND TRYING TO KIND OF GET BACK FROM THIS ILLNESS AND SEASON KIND OF FILES OR JOURNEY AND JUST TRYING TO GET BACK TO.

SHE WAS IN FILM SHE'S LOST A LOT OF TIME AND THERE IS VERY, YOU KNOW, JUST SUPER CONFIDENT BECAUSE HE'S THE TYPE INS E KID THAT WANTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD SHE SEES A PROBLEM.

SHE'S GOOD, TRY TO FIX IT.

SO IT'S A REALLY FUN SHOW IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT BOTH ADULTS AND KIDS CAN WATCH.

>> YES, HE'S A PRECOCIOUS LITTLE PERSON.

ISN'T SHE?

THAT YOU YOURSELF?

YOU HAD AN UNCONVENTIONAL CAREERED.

PATHY WENT FROM BEING A FORMER NFL WIDE RECEIVER TO ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER FEW SECONDS LEFT.

WHEN DID THIS PASSION FOR YOU BEGIN?

>> REALLY JUST GROWN UP IN THE CITY.

YOU OBVIOUSLY JUST GROWN UP WATCHING GREAT MOVIES.

SO MANY AMAZING LOCAL VIDEO STORE THAT RELEASED FROM HIM YOU KNOW, WANTING TO BE ABLE TO TELL MY OWN STORIES TO KNOW SHOWCASES THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, REALLY GOOD TO SEE.

THERE'S A KIND GET SUCH A BAD RAP AND MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND A MISS SCHOOL TO PUT SOME THE WORLD THAT SHOWCASES THE POSITIVE SIDE OF KIND OF CHICAGO AND JUST HOW FAMILIES PULL TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> AGAIN, THAT WAS OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE WRITER AND DIRECTOR MATTHEW CHERRY.

YOU CAN WATCH THE YOUNG LOVE SERIES ON MAX.

AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5, 30 10 FOR A SPECIAL BEST OF EDITION OF CHICAGO.

TONIGHT, LATINO VOICES NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT, BLACK VOICES BRANDIS FRIEDMAN STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A CLIFF AND CLIFFORD LAW CHICAGO, PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL THAT IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION