Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, Garien Gatewood, Ending Overpolicing in Black and Brown Communities
ShotSpotter and Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood (Photo Credits: chicagojustice.org and Chicago Mayor’s Office). Chicago officially ended its contract with ShotSpotter, fulfilling Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promise. Depending on who you talk to, ShotSpotter’s end either means that police response to shootings will be hindered, ultimately leading to an uptick in crime, or without it, Black and Brown communities won’t be overpoliced. The city is doing away with a technology whose effectiveness has been questioned. Mayor Johnson recently issued a request for information (RFI) for the city to
Born Entreprenuer Keeana Barber’s Journey to Legacy and Success [Video]
Entrepreneurship often comes to people later in life after they've explored various paths in high school, college, and beyond. But for Keeana Barber, it was different. From the moment she entered this world until she could barely remember, the spirit of ownership coursed through her blood! Witnessing her mother's resilience as a businesswoman navigating the world of fashion and art was inspiring and empowering. Despite the hustle, her mother remained steadfast in her pursuit of success. Watching her mother balance ownership with raising a family fueled Barber's own aspirations. Moreover, observing her
Alicia Carlisle of Chicago’s Turner Drew Academy Wins Prestigious Golden Apple Award
Turner Drew Language Academy students celebrate teacher Alicia Carlisle’s Golden Apple Award (Credit: Tacuma Roeback). Grade school children at the Turner Drew Language Academy on the South Side held pom poms or signs that read “#TeachGolden” but barely held onto their excitement over what would transpire at the school gym. As soon as the door flipped open and first-grade teacher Alicia Carlisle stepped into the room, it all came to a glorious head. They and staff members erupted. They cheered, shrieked, clapped and/or jumped because Carlisle, one of their
Kim Barker: How This Trailblazing Woman Became Bally’s Chief Legal Officer
Kim Barker, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Bally’s Corporation, is not just a legal expert in the gaming industry; she’s a trailblazer playing a pivotal role in a company helping to reshape the gaming landscape nationwide, especially in Chicago. Barker shared her journey with The Chicago Defender, from growing up in Spanish Harlem in New York to helping lead one of the top gaming and betting corporations in the world. Her early decision on a future profession was made possible thanks to her mother, who