ALEX HERNANDEZ.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, THE NEW GUARANTEED INCOME PILOTN COOK COUNTY IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE $500 PER MONTH FOR TWO .

WILL TALK TO ONE OF THE OUTREACH PARTNERS ABOUT WHO CAN CAN APPLY AND THEIR HOPES FOR THE PILOT.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN CAN LEARN TO MAKE OPEN CENTER FR THE ARTS.

THE CHICAGO FESTIVAL IS RETURNING IN PERSON.

THIS TIE IT IS HELD AT NAVY PIER.

WE WILL TALK WITH THE FOUNDERS ABOUT LOR CULTURE AND PREVIEW THE FESTIVAL.

PLUS, LOCAL AND SONGWR AND SONGWRITER WHO PUT SURVEILLANCE WILLA ROOTS INTO HR INTO HER COUNTRY TINGED INDIE R. INDIE ROCK.

AND WE TAKE INSIDE A BOUTIQUE AND SPEAK WITH A WOMN A WOMAN.> >> A NEW GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT FOR COOK COUNTY RESIDENCE.

WE WILL HAVE THE DETAILS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

> >> CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINA VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART IN PART BUT THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

THERE IS A NEW GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT IN THE .

THE COUNTY.

THE COOK COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THIS WEEK.

THE PROGRAM WILL PAY 3250 RESIDENTS 3250 RESIDENTS OF COOK COUNTY $500 PER MONTH FOR TWO YEARS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS JOSEPH LOPEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPANISH COALITION FOR HOUSING.

THE ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF THE ELITE OUTREACH PARTNERS FOR THE PILOT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND AND YOU WALK US THROUGH THE ELIGIBILITY PROCESS REQUIREMENTS?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

THE THE PILOT PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIRES APPLICANTS TO BE 16 YEARS OR OLDER, BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY.

IT IS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

AND RECENT ADDITION, FOLKS HAVE AN INCOME LEVEL OF 2% OF 250% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, ABOUT $69,000 OF $69,000 OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME.

THE PILOT WILL BE OPEN FROM OCTOBER 6, WHICH BEGAN YESTERDAY, THROUGH OCTOBER 21.

>> IT BEGAN THURSDAY.

WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE APPLICATION ASKED FOR?

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE READY AND NEED TO KNOW?

>> THE INTENT WAS TO PROVIDE A USER-FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE.

IT ISY BASIC.

FOLKS WILL NEED TO PUT THEIR BASIC INFORMATION LIKE EMAIL, FULL NAME, A PHOTO, IT CAN BE A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO OR SELFIE AT THIS POINT.

VERY BASIC INFORMATION TO GET TE APPLICATION COMPLETED.

APPLICATION, IF SELECTED, THOSE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE ENGAGED BY THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION.

>> PREVIOUS INCOME AND RESIDENTS.

>> WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY MIGHT NEED HELP WITH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING?

ARE THERE SPANISH RESOURCES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH COUNTY PARTNERS.

THERE ARE ARE SIX KEY COMMUNITY-BASED ORGS SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNT.

THE COUNTY.

AS AN ORGANIZATION, ORGANIZATION, WE OFFER BILINGUAL OUTREACH.

WE PROVIDE H IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH ACROSS CK COUNTY COMMUNITIES.

WE WILL OFFR WILL OFFER BOTH INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AS WELL AS APPLICATION AS APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO HELP FOLKS APPLY DIRECTLY.

WE HAVE TEAM DEPLOYED ACROSS THE CY THE COUNTY HOSTING APPLICATION ASSISTANCE.

>> AS YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

HOW WILL PEOPLE BE SELECTED?

>> THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL GO THROUGH A LOTTERY SYSTEM.

IT IT IS RANDOMIZED SELECTION.

THEY IS REALLY TO GET AS MANY FOLKS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

OUR GOAL IS REALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS ARE AWARE OF THE OPPY THE OPPORTUNITY AND OUR TEAM AND PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTY ARE WORKING TO PROVIDE THESE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE EVENTS.

FOLKS MAY HAVE TECHNOLOGY ISSUE.

TECHNOLOGY ISSUES.

THE KEY IS TO HAVE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, S TO DEVICES TO COMPLETE THE APPL, THE APPLICATION, AND THESE PUBLIC EVENTS WILL PROVIDE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> HOW ARE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS SPREADING THE WORD?

>> WE'RE ONE OF THE LARGEST NONT HUD CERTIFIED ORGANIZATIONS IN COOK COUNTY.

WE SERVE OVER 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS ANNUALLY.

2022 IS THE 50th MILESTONE YEAR.

WE HAVE BEEN CONNECTED TOE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THESE DECA.

THESE DECADES.

WE ARE SPREADING SPREADING THE WORD, MUCH LIKE WE DO WITH THE OTHER PROGRAMS, H IS THROUGH OUR NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS, GOVERNING OFFICIA, GOVERNING OFFICIALS, AND REALLY REALLY ACROSS THE SOCIAL MEDIA S MEDIA PLATFORMS ACROSS OUR CURRENT CLIENT BASE FROM THE HOUSING STAND POINT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE PROMOTG ARE PROMOTING THROUGH EARNED MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES, BOTH WITH REGULAR PRINT AS WELL AS RADIO AND TELEVISION PRINT.

>> ONCE PEOPLE ARE SELECTED, HOW DID THEY RECEIVE THE MONEY?

MONEY?

>> THE PAYMENT PROCESS IS THROUH IS THROUGH A PAYMENT ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTLY.

THAT PROCESS TRADITIONALLY WILL BE WITH A SET UP PAYMENT FOR THAT HOUSEHOLD TO RECEIVE THOSE PAYMENTS.

REALLY TAKING THE MODL THE MODEL THAT HAS BEEN UTILIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN SMALLER PILOT PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE THESE PAYMENTS.

OFTENTI, PAYMENTS.

OFTENTIMES, THE PAYMENT PROCESS WILL BE COORDINATED DIRECTLY WITH THE HOUSEHOLD.

>> ACCORDING TO THE U.S. 2020 CENSUS, NEARLY 13% OF COOK COUNY RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY.

THAT THAT IS NEARLY 700,000 PEOPLE.

WHAT CAN THIS PROGRAM TO FOR FAMILY STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET?

>> ONE OF THE KEY PROJECTIVE OUTCOMES TO THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE INCOME INSTABILITY.

TO HELP FOLKS UTILIZE ADDITIONAL INCOME TO PAY FOR BASIC NEEDS TO STABILIZE THE CURRENT SITUATION, BUT WE ALSO L THAT FOLKS KNOW HOW BEST TO USE USE THIS ADDITIONAL INCOME.

PRIOR PILOTS HAVE PROVEN THAT O.

THAT OUT.

IT IS REALLY HELPING TO STABILIZE HOUSEHOLD INCOME, E ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR HOUSEHOLDS FOR HOUSEHOLDS, AND IN ADDITION, ALSO IMPROVE BOTH ECOC AND FINANCIAL AND HEALTH WELLNESS OVERALL IN THE HOUSEHOLD, GIVEN THAT THEY ARE ALLEVIATING STRESS, THE BASIC FINANCIAL BURDEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINA VOICES RIGHT AFTER THIS.

> >> A SERIES OF EVENTS CALLED JOURNEY CHICAGO ARE TAKING PLACE AT CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY.

LITTLE LITTLE VILLAGE OPEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS AMONG THE ORGANIZERS OF THOSE EVENTS.

A TWO DAY WORKSHOP IS A WAY TO KEP THE TRADITIONS OF MEXICO A LIVEE IN CHICAGO.

>> THIS WAS CREATED EIGHT YEARSO IN 2014.

A GROUP OF ARTISTS GOT GOT TOGETHER TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE ACTUAL ART SPACE IN OUR COMY OUR COMMUNITY.

SINCE THEN, WE FOCUS ON PROVIDING A SPACE THAT THAT HIGHLIGHTS EXHIBITIONS, LIKE THE ONE YOU SEE HERE, WORKSHOPS, AND PUBLIC ART.

ALSO, REALLY CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY EVENTS.

THE WORKSHOP NEXT WEEK IS CREATING THINGS THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY MADE IN MEXICO FOR THE DAY OF THE DEAD WITH SUGAR.

THEY ARE DECORATED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYRUPS AND OS AND ORNAMENTS TO MAKE THEM HOWEVER YOU IMAGINE THE.

ONE OF OF THE THINGS WE ARE SO EXCITED EXCITED ABOUT BEING PART OF THE THE JOURNEY CHICAGO IS TO HAVE PEOPLE COME TO THE COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, OR HOWY ENVISION THE COMMUNITY.

FAMILY AND PEOPLE, EVERYTHING THAT IS IN EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY, AND WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE THE ARTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT WANT PEOPLE TO SEE WHEN THE COME IS TO FIRST SEE THE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY, AND SECOND, TO LEARN ABOUT OUR TRADITIONS.

WE DO THE SUGAR SKULLS EACH YEAR .

>> IN ADDITION TO THE OPEN WORKP OPEN WORKSHOP, OPEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS ALSO TAKING PART INN HOW CHICAGO NEXT WEEKEND.

IT IS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STOP NOW WITH WHAT TO EXPECT OUR BROTHER AND SISTER AND COFOUNDES OF THE FESTIVAL, LAUREN AND PETER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

US TODAY.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PURPOSE BEHIND HAVING HAVING THIS FESTIVAL.

>> THINK SO MUCH FOR HAVING US .

US TODAY.

THE PURPOSE IS REALLYO REALLY TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PLATFORM FOR A BROADER COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE TO ENJOY AND BETTER UNDERSTAND THE THE NUANCES AND CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWRIDER LOWRIDER CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

WE REALLY HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHT THE ORIGIN STORY OF LOW WRITING.

IT IS A PHENOMENALN PHENOMENAL MEXICAN-AMERICAN, CHICANO INGENUITY.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT LOWRIDERS TT CAPTIVATES PEOPLE?

>> PROBABLY THE ART AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF IT.

ALSO, THE BOUNCY VEHICLE IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

FOR ME , AND TALKING WITH WITH THE COMMUNITY, IT IS REALLY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF F. THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

THAT IS WHAT I GET THE MOST OUT MOST OUT OF IT.

I ENJOY MEETING MEETING PEOPLE AND TALKING TO EVERYBODY.

THAT IS WHAT WE TAKE TAKE AWAY FROM IT THE MOST.

THAT IS THE BEST PART.

>> WHAT DOES LOWRIDER CULTURE MEAN TO THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY?

>> OFTENTIMES, THE MIDWEST IS NOT REALLY SEEN AS HAVING A THRIVING LOWRIDER COMMUNITY.

IT IS OFTEN REGULATED TO GEOGRAY OF CALIFORNIA AND THE SOUTHWEST.

THE SOUTHWEST.

NEXT SATURDAY DURING THE FESTIVAL WE WILL HAVE OVER 40 CLUBS REPRESENTING CLUBS REPRESENTING THE MIDWEST.

A PHENOMENAL GATHERING AND CELEBRATION OF THE CULTURE.

ULTIMATELY, IT IS THIS EXPRESSION OF IDENTITY, WHICH IS REALLY GROUNDED IN MASTER CRP MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP, CUSTOMIZED CARS AND MASTER MACHINERY THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE LOWRIDER CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING PEOPLE SHOWOFF AND PRESENT THEIR VERY BEST NEXT WEEK.

>> HOW MANY CARS DO YOU EXPECT?

EXPECT?

>> OVER 250.

>> AND POSSIBLY 40 MOTORCYCLES.

ROUGHLY 70 BICYCLES AS WELL.

>> HUGE EVENT.

BOTH YOU AND YOUR SISTER FOUNDED THE CHICAGOR FESTIVAL.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT THAT PLAYS INTO YOUR MISSION?

>> I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

THAT IS A HARD ONE.

WE ARE BROTHER AND SISTER AND CONSTANTLY FIGHT, BUT I THINK SINCE WE ARE BROTHER AND SISTER, IT MAKES IT.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE PASSIN BEHIND IT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CREATIVE COLLABORATORS FOR OVER 15 YEARS.

15 YEARS.

WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD GOOD IDEA OF HOW EACH OTHER THINGS AND HOW WE CAN PUSH TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES.

AND SO, AND SO, WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT FORMULA OF PAST FESTIVALS WE HAVE CURATED.

THIS IS JUST A REY LOVELY COLLABORATIVE MOMENT FORS FOR US.

AS CHICAGO WINDS THAT CHICAGOANS, IT IS A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR US AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS FESTIVAL IS BEING HELD INDOORS.

AND IT IS AT NAVY PIER, SUCH A A CUT ICONIC PLACE.

I WILL BE DT FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVALS?

>> THE >> THE ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE WILL BE THAT WE ARE OUTDOOR.

THE CARS ARE PEACOCKS STRUTTINGN THE CATWALK.

THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE CAN'T DRIVE UP AND DOWN, BUT THEY WILL BE STATIONARY.

IT IS NICE TO SHOW OFF A LITTLE BIT MORE.

A COUPLEF CARS WILL HAVE FULL DISPLAYS, WHICH WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS THIS FOR A WHILE IN CHICAGO.

>> >> FOR PEOPLE GOING FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT?

>> IT WILL BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL URBAN LANDSCAPES AS THE BACKDROP, BUT I THINK WE HAVE BEEN QUITE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOWE ARE BRINGING IN ELEMENTS OF THE THE OUTDOORS INTO THE SPACE FROM THE ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE.

ALSO, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE KNOWN FOR.

WE ARE ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING REALLY GREAT BLACK AND BROWN DJS AND INDIGENOUS PRESENTATIONS THROUGHOUT THE EVENT.

IT IS REALLY THIS TAKEOVER, THE NOTION OF A TAKEOVER.

LOWRIDER IS COMING TO NAVY PIER .

REALLY REALLY STRETCHING OUT ACROSS 170,000 SQUARE FEET.

FOR THIS ONE DAY, IT IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING A PHENOMENAL CELEBRATION PHENOMENAL CELEBRATION FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY OF PEOPE WHO ARE JUST CURIOUS.

WE ARE QUITE EXCITED.

>> WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS THIS FESTIVAL?

WHAT MESSAGE WILL PEOPLE WALK AWAY WITH?

>> IT IS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONT.

HERITAGE MONTH.

I THINK WHAT WE WE HOPE FOR PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY AWAY WITH IS THAT THIS IS AN AMERICAN INVENTION.

THE IDEA OF LOWRIDING, WHICH IS BORN OF SOL CHANGE, SELF-EXPRESSION IN OUR.

OUR COUNTRY.

IT IS REALLY GROUNDED IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS,O ENVIRONMENTS, CHICAGO -- MEXICAN -- MEXICAN-AMERICAN.

I WANT PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY WITH THAT AS A HISTORICAL MOMENT AN ELEMET AN ELEMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF IT.

IT HAS BEEN OVER0 YEARS SINCE THE LAST INDOOR EVES INDOOR EVENTS OF LOWRIDER CARS.

CARS.

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO PRESENT IT TO CHICAGO .

>> WE NEED TO GIVE OUT THE DETAILS OF THE EVENT.

HOW CAN PEOPLE ATTEND?

>> YOU CAN GET TICKETS ON THE NAVY PIER WEBSITE.

YOU CAN BUY EVERYTHING ONLINE .

IT IS OCTOBER 15 FROM 10:00 TO 8:00.

250 PLUS CARS.

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE OUT.

WE HAVE ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, BEER, A LOT OF COOL STUFF.

>> WHAT ARE YOU TAKING OUT OF THE EVENT?

WHAT MESSAGE WILL THE EVENT LEAVE FOR YOU?

>> THAT WE DID IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] ] WE ARE BACK AFTER COVID.

I DIDN'T THINK THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE DID IT TOGETHER.

>> IT IS A SAFE EVENT FOR FAMILIES.

>> IN HONOR OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, WE'RE SHINING A A LIGHT ON LATIN AMERICAN TRADI.

AMERICAN TRADITIONS.

THERE IS A A BIG CELEBRATION SYMBOLIZING THE ENTRANCE OF A GIRL INTO WOM.

INTO WOMANHOOD.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION CALLED A QUINCEANERA, A SUITE 15.

THIS WEEK WE HEADED TO A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS IN LITTLE VILLAGE TO SW YOU MORE ABOUT IT .

>> Reporter: GETTING TO A QUINCA IS ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS.

>> WHERE'S MY FRIEND OVER THERE?

>> Reporter: IT REQUIRES A BIG PUFFY DRESS, AND OF COURSE, A BEDAZZLED CROWN.

>> I FEEL LIKE I AM 15.

I AM GI.

AM GIDDY.

>> Reporter: AND MANY LATIN AMEN COUNTRIES, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CELEBRATIONS IS A QUINCEANERA.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO HE WOULD NEVER SEE THE ALL OVER DETAIL DRESS.

>> Reporter: EVELYN IS THE OWNER THE OWNER OF A QUINCEANERA BOUTIQUE IN THE HEART OF LITTLE LITTLE VILLAGE .

SHE RUNS THE BUSINESS ALONG WITH HER SISTER AND MOTHER.

>> WE OPENED IN 2006.

WHEN WE STARTED, WE STARTED ACTUALLY OFFERING A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYT.

OF EVERYTHING.

WE HAD WEDDING DRESSES AND PROM DRESSES , COMMUNION DRESSES, TUXEDOS.

>> Reporter: THEY MIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE 1980S.

1980S.

LIKE MANY, HER MOTHER STARTED WORKING AS A SEAMSTRESS.

THEN SHE GRABBED AN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE HER OWN SHOP.

WHEN EVELYN WAS 21 YEARS OLD, SHE TOOK OVER THE BOUTIQUE.

>> WHEN WE FIRST STARTED, MY MOM WOULD MAKE DRESSES.

I WOULD PITH IN WITH, I LIKE THE TOP OF THE STRESS FROM THIS CATALOG, AND I I LIKE THE SKIRT FROM THIS CATALOG, SO HOW CAN WE MAKE IT DIFFERENT TO MAKE IT OUR OWN?

>> Reporter: WITH THAT GIFT, THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR CONTINUES TO BUILD A BRAND.

SHE SHE KNOWS THAT SHE OWES HER MOTHER.

>> SHE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN ME.

SHE NEVER SAID I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: HER SISTER FEELS EQUALLY DEDICATED.

THE PARTY, THE ENTIRE FAMILY PITCHES IN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

PE ARE WILLING TO PAY UP TO $2000 FOR DRESS.

AND THE TRESSES ARE .

ARE GLAMOROUS.

>> THE BEAUTIFUL LONG TRAIN.

>> Reporter: THESE WOMEN KNOW THERE IS AN ART TO GLITTER.

>> THAT WAS A REALLY FUN ASSIGNMENT.

I THOUGHT I WOULD SHOW YOU MY SWEET 15 DRESS.

IT WAS ABOUT 17 YEARS AGO.

BACK TO TO YOU, ALEX.

>> THAT WAS A VERY NICE DRESS.

> >> THE EXPERIENCE OF GROWING UP GROWING UP WITH BICULTURAL ROOTS CAN FEEL LIKE BEING CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WORLDS.

BUT IT CAN O FEEL LIKE HAVING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

THIS LOCAL MUSICIAN AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NATIVE PERFORMS UNDER THE NAME AS A TRIBUTE TO HER OWN CULTURE .

SHE SAYS YOU CAN HEAR THE BEST OF BOTH OF HER CULTURES IN IN THE MUSIC SHE CREATES.

HERE SHE SINGS HER NEW RELEASE AND URBAN PARK.

[ MUSIC ] >> WHEN I STARTED WRITING THE S, I WAS THINKING A LOT ABOUT MY IDENTITY AS A PERSON.

IT IS A SONG THAT IS ALSO ABOUT LOVE AND A LOT ABOUT SELF-LOVE.

IT IS ABOUT APPROACHING YOUR PAST WITH CARE.

I HAVE BEEN STUDYING STUDYING POETRY.

BOTH MY PARENTS ARE POETS.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN POETR.

I STUDIED IT IN COLLEGE.

THAT IS WHAT MY ENTRY POINT TO WRITING SONG WAS.

I DIDN'T REALLY START WRITING MUSIC IN EARNEST UNTIL I WAS AROUND 19.

GETTING INTO THE CHICAGO MUSIC COMMUNITY AND SEE WHAT WAS OUT THERE, I REALIZED, IF YOU JUST WRITE ONE SONG, IT CAN BE A CATALYST AND A DOORWAY THAT OPE.

THAT OPENS.

ACTUALLY I CAN WRITE A SONG.

NOW I HAVE WRITTEN A BUNCH OF SONGS.

BASICALLY WHEN I STARTED USING IT, I WAS THINKING A LOT MORE ABOUT MY CULTURAL IDENTITY.

MY MOM IS FROM VENEZUELA AND I GREW UP IN A TINY TOWN IN THE M. THE MIDWEST.

IT HELPS TO ORIENTF AND KNOW THAT IT IS OKAY.

YOUR SPANISH ISN'T PERFECT.

IT IS OKAY IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE THESE DUALITIES OF YOUR IDENTIT.

YOUR IDENTITY.

JUST ACKNOWLEDGIG JUST ACKNOWLEDGING BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

IT IS SOMETHING I SOMETHING I WANT TO KEEP DOING.

>> THAT WAS AN ACOUSTIC VERSION .

DETAILS AND WE CAN HEAR THE FULL VERSION AND SEE THE VIDEO IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

> >> THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEKEND.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE VERY LATEST .

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, MAKE SURE TO READ ABOUT EARLY VOTING VOTING IN CHICAGO.

FIND OUT WHEE TO VOTE BEFORE THE NOVEMBER A SELECTION.

OF COURSE, YOU CAN STILL FIND OUR FESTIVAL GUIDE ONLINE JUST IN TIME FOR ALL THE THE FALL FESTIVITIES THIS SEASO.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING A FUN SATURDAY NIGHT, YOU CAN ALSO CAH LATINO VOICES AND BLACK VOICES ON SUNDAYS BEGINNING AT 10:00 P.M. ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO TUNE TUNE IN HERE EVERY WEEKDAY MORN.

WEEKDAY MORNING.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT LATINO VOICES, I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ, THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.