2 | EDITORIAL VOICE AFRIQUE March/April 2009 Shoshi Mabina LetterAfrique joins the celebration of March from as Women’s History Monththe with Rosie Editor the Riveter on the cover. Celebrating women’s achievements and contributions increases our consciousness and raises our opinion of women. The strength of a woman is not tested when promotions, raises, higher stipend and respect are not offered. In addition, aggressive methods used to weaken the strength of women tell a person they are worthless. Aggressive methods that comprise of battery, vulgar name associations of the physique, introductions to dope, rape and character defamation. We can do our part by giving back to women who deserve our recognition. How? Parents, adults, seniors, teenagers are all asked to take down posters, website graphics, ring tones, cell phone wallpapers, turn off television shows, music, movies and anything that endorses public figures who engage in aggressive methods against women. Through out this month’s issue you will find acknowledgments of the successful impact women have among every aspect of our society, including your life. THE OFFICIAL SHOP OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA The shop has been servicing other prominent figures inside and outside the community since 1927. Legends including boxing champion Mohammed Ali, Mayor Harold Washington, Hall of Famer Lou Brock, movie director Spike Lee, Japanese entertainer/comedian Nozomu Sato, Chicago Bears players, White Sox owner Bill Vect, Entertainment Attorney Walter M. Dale and Lakers/Celtics Basketball player Rick Fox. Known as the “lucky charm”, all come to the location for the unique grooming techniques and exclusive house call services. Tourists visiting Chicago and canvassing the Hyde Park neighborhood, can stop in the barbershop to receive an array of special a la cart grooming, take a picture with his barber next to the encased chair, buy memorabilia Now patrons can get the Presidential look too, when visiting the historic such as tee shirts with cost of $20.00 and limited edition Giclée prints Hyde Park Hair Salon landmark, with “The Obama Cut”. President priced at $1,700 of The President seen in rare form sitting in his chair Barack Obama has been receiving premium quality haircuts there, nearly receiving a haircut. every week, for over 20 years. Since becoming President, co-owner and Master Barber Zariff continues to service the President. Hyde Park Hair Salon is located: 5234 S. Blackstone President Obama signed the exact chair where he sat while receiving his Chicago, IL 60615 haircuts is now on display in a donated R.S. Owens custom design case. (773) 493-6028 Owens is responsible for creating the awards given to the stars at The (773) 493-5611 Emmy Award Show, Country Music Award Show, NASCAR Nextel Cup Hours of operation: 7 days per week, 9a.m-8p.m Ceremony, The London International Advertising Award Gala, Britannia Award Show and the Oscars. *The barbershop accepts walk-ins* Established as a tourist destination as “The Official Shop of President Services offered are as follows: Barack Obama” by the City of Chicago, the shop is the third oldest business Full Haircut (specializing in all hair textures), in the heart of one of Chicago’s most affluent, culturally rich and diverse Full Razor Shaves (including beards mustaches, eyebrows and linings), south side neighborhoods. President Obama being the barbershops most Manicure, Pedicure, and Varied Massages prestigious client has brought on huge amounts of media frenzies making the shop an internationally known entity. PUBLISHER Andrew Eperi VICE PRESIDENT David Andrew VP / FINANCE DIRECTOR Cover Story Chomba Musambacine 6 ART DIRECTION Chicago Scene Studio Synthesis EDITOR 4 Shoshi Mabina ADVERTSING EXECUTIVE Shoshi Mabina CONTRIBUTING WRITER Editorial Voice Shoshi Mabina OFFICE MANAGER 2 Julie Mojike CORRESPONDENCE E-mail: African Affairs Section [email protected] Events: 5 Around Town [email protected] Web: www.afriquenewsmagazine.com 8 Mail: AFRIQUE 6600 N. Lincoln Ave. Suite 240 Lincolnwood, IL 60712 773 463-7200 CORRECTION Art & Entertainment (Left) Gorma Minnie (center) Roosevelt University President Chuck Middleton 10 (right) Musu Dixon FOR ADVERTISERS Advertising Media Kit & Rates: 773.463.7200 SUBSCRIPTION INFO $24 per year. Please send subscription info via mail/web AFRIQUE is not responsible for misleading advertisements. Editorials reflect the writer’s opinions and not necessarily those of the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manu scripts or photographs. Cover and contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. 4 | CHICAGO SCENE AFRIQUE March/April 2009 CONGRESSMAN BOBBY L. RUSH RECEIVES KENNEDY-KING COLLEGE DISTINGUISHED ServiCE AwarD Left: Wellington Wilson, CCC Chancellor Wayne D. Watson, PhD, Center: Congressman Bobby and Carolyn Rush, KKC President Clyde El-Amin, Joann Horton, PhD. Congressman Bobby L. Rush, by incorporating past events of how 1st District, Illinois, received the student protests lead to the emergence Distinguished Service Award at the of the college’s first Black president, First Alumni Scholarship Gala, Friday as well as how that tradition has been March 13 in the Main Theater at sustained. The video is based on Hyde Park Hair Salon (The Official Barber Shop for President Barack Obama) Kennedy-King College. Congressman research compiled for a book they are Is Searching For Top Performing Barbers/Cosmetologists, Rush recounted his days as a Black co-authoring about the college from its Massage Therapists & Nail Technicians Panther recruiter in the late 60’s and how inception through 2007. To Join Our Selective Team of Master Barbers students were politically engaged and KKC was founded as Woodrow We are only looking for grooming professionals motivated by the Black consciousness Wilson Junior College in 1935 and was With movement to evoke change. Proven high powered consistent clientele. operated by the city of Chicago until The evening featured an historic first it became part of the State of Illinois REQUIREMENTS u Must be able to travel. conversation with all living presidents community college system in 1966. u Commissioned 60/40 employee. The school was renamed in 1969, to of Kennedy-King College: current u Possess Professional Work Ethic. president, Clyde El-Amin, City honor Robert F. Kennedy and Martin u Participate in requested ventures associated with the salon including Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Wayne Luther King, Jr. but not limited to: not-for profit events, in-house promotions etc. u D. Watson, Wellington Wilson, Joann Maintain and provide salon with client database. Performances were done by KKC u Exhibit Exceptional Performance skill Horton and Harold Pates who was 2009 Idol Winner Emanuel McKenzie- WHAT YOU WILL GAIN streamed-in live from California. Jones, second runner -up Serilla Gross, u Relationships with high-powered exclusive patrons The transition years from Wilson Jr. KKC Choir, Sh’Von Nicolle, MUNTU u Option to secure yourself & family with health-care benefits College to Kennedy-King College Dance Theater, Chocolate Chips u Image Enhancement opportunities were captured in a video presentation Theatre Company and local recording u Positive work environment with heavy community involvement u covering late college presidents, artists. And soo much more Maceo Bowie, the college’s first Proceeds from the event support the For consideration please contact: Black president and Ewen Akin with revitalization of the Kennedy-King Kenya Renee interviews by KKC professor’s emeriti, (Relations Representative for Hyde Park Hair Salon) College Alumni Association under Robert L. Cruthird and Jeanette (773) 698-0912 the leadership of former KKC scholar Williams. They shared compelling Blackberry: [email protected] and retired staff member, Madie [email protected] insights of the college’s social history Cannamore. AFRIQUE March/April 2009 AFRICAN SECTION | 5 ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA HONORING WAL-MART IS INVESTING FIRST LADIES OF AFRICA BY SHOSHI MABINA IN THE FUTURE that will help future generations uphold the legacy Dr. King stood for by studying his work, ideals and vision for America. It’s personally gratifying to be part of Wal-Mart’s effort to invest US Doctors for Africa (USDFA) African Synergy Against AIDS in the continuing history of Black will host benefit gala in Los and Suffering, formed in 2002 with America. I’m constantly aware Angeles, California on April 21, the aim of “pooling our efforts for that whatever I’ve achieved in my 2009 at 7PM in The Beverly Hills more concerted and concrete action own life is the result of investments Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Boulevard to alleviate suffering” and fighting others have made in me. They in Los Angeles. The benefit will HIV/AIDS throughout Africa. ranged from the highly motivated honor African Synergy Against Collaborations to date include the AIDS and Suffering, a non- opening of maternal health clinics, teachers in our schools to the governmental alliance organization HIV treatment centers, orphan care Wal-Mart is the presenting sponsor elderly “porch ladies” who watched of 22 first ladies from Africa. The programs and vocational training of Tavis Smiley’s “America I over the community’s children. formal attire gala supports the first- schools. In July 2008, African AM: The African American They delivered the message that ever U.S. based Leadership for Synergy approached USDFA Imprint,” a four-year touring we were the future, and our future Health Summit that will highlight to begin a five-year partnership museum exhibition that celebrates would only be limited by our own the first ladies’ initiatives to forge focused on expanding these efforts the impact African Americans’ goals and commitment. new partnerships with U.S.-based across the continent. The April 2009 actions, innovations and teachings agencies and corporate foundations, summit will be the first undertaking have had on nearly 400 years of No matter who you are, or how you and identify actionable goals of this partnership. American history. The tour opens do it, giving back is one of the best regarding HIV/AIDS, maternal and on Dr.