By Todd Thomas

Alexis Haywood, a sophomore point guard for the Truman Community College women’s basketball team and a graduate of North Lawndale College Prep High School recently sat down with the North Lawndale Community Newspaper to discuss her basketball career and academic goals as she works toward her associates degree, and pursues her goal of playing basketball at a four-year university amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

NLCN: After playing basketball at North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP) why did you want to continue playing on the collegiate level?

Alexis: I want to be a pro and I love the game, so I started to take basketball more seriously in high school. And watching my brother Carlos (Carlos Hines, also a NLCP graduate plays at Northern Arizona University) and my role models in the WNBA and NBA made me want to keep getting better, so college was the next step for me.

NLCN: What about your relationship with the late North Lawndale head coach Lewis Thorpe?

Alexis: I wrote a paper once and coach Thorpe called me into his office and told me he was going to put it in the school newspaper – that was my first time meeting him and he asked me if I played basketball, and I said yeah. After that he became like a godfather to me. My relationship with him was smooth and he was my motivation. I wish I could have one more conversion with him, but the last conversation we had he told me to not give up and to keep hooping, because there were times I wanted to quit playing basketball. But once he passed away I promised to keep my word and keep pushing for him.

NLCN: What was your experience as a basketball player and student at North Lawndale?

Alexis: It was a good environment despite what was going on at times in and around the school. We were like a family and I want to go back sometimes. The energy is good there and you have a great support system. They’re not going to let you down and I felt like they were leading me to better things. The coaches stayed on me, but it was tough love and it was a good experience to play for them. But I played on junior varsity first and the competition wasn’t as good as varsity. Varsity is tougher and more intense, and I needed the experience going up against teams like Marshall on the varsity level.

NLCN: Why did you choose to attend Truman Community College?

Alexis: I was at Kennedy King first, but it didn’t work out over there with me and some of the coaches, so I contacted coach Glover at Truman. At first me and my mom were concerned about transportation because I live far away and she didn’t have a car. But coach Glover said the Red Line drops you off right in front of the school so I was like boom – alright I’m ready to go, and started the transfer process from Kennedy King to Truman. Now I like it over here. Coach Glover is one of my biggest supporters and he motivates me as well. I wish this was a four-year college.

NLCN: What was the 2019-20 season like for the Falcons?
Alexis: We went through a lot this season. We started with a full team and ended up with five girls. I’m proud of what we did. We played through injuries and played through it as a family. We did what we could with five girls, and our record could have been better, but we’ll take it. I love my teammates and we did what we could. We stuck together and we have a great relationship.

NLCN: What are some of the challenges of both studying and playing sports?

Alexis: There is a lot of responsibility. You have to focus on academics and once you’re done with that you’ve got to refocus and think about your sports. It’s a lot of pressure but having the support from my teachers and my coaches and my teammates gets you through it. It doesn’t stress me out that much but it is a big responsibility. But if I was a regular student it would be boring. When you have a sport that you love that’s what makes you want to come to school more – that’s what motivates you to get good grades so you can keep playing.

NLCN: Tell me about the change to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Alexis: Taking online classes is sometimes easier as far as being able to use your notes, especially if you have the resources you need. But it’s not good in terms of physically communicating with your teacher. It was better to be online for the most part and at the end of the spring semester we only had a few weeks of e-learning, so it wasn’t that bad finishing the semester online. But when you’re at home you do have to focus more because you want to watch TV, and you want to go out so basically it comes down to discipline.

NLCN: The gym and fitness center at Truman were also closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, how did that affect you?

Alexis: It hit hard because we had been in the gym for the whole season – it was difficult to deal with. When you’re an athlete you want to be in that environment, you want to put in the work and you want to be in the gym. Right after everything closed down all the gyms were closed so I just worked out at home doing whatever I could do. Just working on my body and not playing basketball.

NLCN: There is a real possibility that there won’t be a basketball season for 2020-2021. Are you prepared for that?

Alexis: I was hesitant to stay at Truman when I first found out we weren’t going to have a season. I was already doing bad in some of my classes with basketball, and now without basketball what will happen when I don’t have basketball to motivate me to want to keep up my grades. But after talking to coach Glover and AD Green they encouraged me to stay. They said that since I don’t have basketball I can really focus on my grades and possibly get into a good school that I’m interested in. So I decided that I might as well finish because I want to graduate and go to a university.

NLCN: Are you concerned about staying motivated through the school year without basketball?

Alexis: It’s going to be hard, but all I can do is try. My coaches and AD are there for me, so I think I’m going to be good. I don’t see coach every day like I did but talking over the phone still helps – it doesn’t matter if it’s on the phone or in person. Just to know that you have your coaches there to talk to is all that matters. But it is difficult sometimes because before the pandemic I was at school or in the gym in a good environment. But now I’m just at home and there are so many negative activities going on around me. I just have to discipline myself to stay positive and stay focused on my goals, and not give in to what goes on around me.

By: Ms. Chevette M. Conley
Writer/ Photojournalist

On August 28 thousands mobilized in Washington D.C. on the grounds of The Historic Lincoln Memorial for a much anticipated historic march. It marked the 57th Anniversary of the march on Washington that took place in 1963 headed by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King JR. 

Where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Congressman John Lewis was also a major speaker at that famed event.

The march on August 28th was organized by activist Rev. Al Sharpton, the Action Network, and Martin Luther King Jr. III. The Event was held to remind and urge politicians to enact bills to stop murders by racist cops, no Choke Holds, no knees on necks, no shooting just to be shooting black people. It was held to fight for the injustices against black and brown people, lack of fair housing and home ownership, inadequate health care, jobs, mass incarceration, lack of contracts for minority businesses, poor funding for community schools, and lack of good jobs. Injustices that have to be changed!” 

“People came from all over the country to be a part of this history making moment and movement.!” The Rev. AL Sharpton announced the event’s schedule at George Floyd’s Funeral Services. George Floyd was murdered by a white cop in Minnesota, who kneeled on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as he begged for his life, and called out to his mom until he died which was recorded live on video.

The tragic event started protests and riots all over the country. People of all races were saddened and very angry, at the same time. It also started a movement to get justice for Floyd and all of the black and brown people who have died unjustly at the hands and guns of police.

People began forming organized groups to voice their anger about the injustices against black and brown people!” 

There were a lot of References to the statement that was first belted out by Rev. Al Sharpton at George Floyd’s Funeral,” Get your knee off our necks!”, “I can’t breathe!”  Which was Eric Garner’s last words as he was put in a choke hold by a white cop and died. Then Sharpton shouted “Black Lives Matter!”

There were many at this March. The speakers seemed endless. The Event started 7am when the Organizers began setting this in motion , “Al Sharpton even did his own Walk through… to make sure everything was set up to his satisfaction, and safe for the Event goers.

There was a live Band. They kept the crowd entertained. People were singing along with them and some were dancing. All of the Speakers spoke with such Passion & Power. Some. spoke with much sadness over the deaths but, many spoke with Anger!” They made statements like “I’m tired!” Tired of hearing so many new names and hash tags to this list of people who’ve died at the hands of these racist white cops!”

George Floyd’s brother tried to speak on his behalf but, was overwhelmed and couldn’t continue, therefore; his sister Bridget Floyd spoke. She reminded the crowd in her words, “We have to be that voice.” Because George couldn’t be a voice this day. She also said, “We have to be that change.”

Yolanda Renee King the granddaughter of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was amazing. She gave a Powerful Speech it was something to behold!” She let everyone know that her generation was going to make her grandfather’s dream a reality!” This was the same spot Dr. King gave his ” I have a Dream” Speech!”

The crowd loved her!” They cheered, and yelled and clapped… with much approval!” There were many mothers and family members of murder victims who spoke: Jacob Blake Sr. spoke out in anger about his son being shot in the back seven times!” by a white cop in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This took place just 2 weeks before and his son asked him why did they shoot him so many times?” He told him, “Baby, they weren’t supposed to shoot you at all. Jacob Blake Sr. told everyone in the crowd that they had to hold court right now! America was Guilty! Guilty of racism! Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!” 

People began speaking with so much emotion that it brought tears to the eyes of some in the crowd. The mother of Marquise Alston spoke on his behalf. He was 22 when killed by Washington D.C. police in 2018. 

Anthony Benjamin Crump, a lawyer, who represents many of the families, addressed the crowd. Rep. Sheila Jackson from Texas, Democratic National Chairman Tom Perez, Rep. Charles Booker, a video speech from Vice President hopeful, Kamala Harris, and Cong. Ayanna Pressley, who talked about those who fought for, and are fighting for justice. The organizers, and those building up the communities.  There was also a powerful moving speech from Dr. Jamal Bryant, Minister of New Birth Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.  Ahmaud Arbery ‘s mom spoke. Howard University student Government Association President, clergy members, and many Activists, also. Porsche Taylor spoke, she was there with many women bike riders who came across the country to march. There were singers; George Clinton, Bebe Winans and others.

Breanna Taylor was shot by police who raided her house in Louisville, Kentucky!” They didn’t even knock!” They shot her numerous times. Her mother Tamika Palmer urged everyone to stand together. She said., “We need change!” She stated to the crowd ” We have to vote!”

Martin Luther King Jr., III gave a long speech. He talked about the injustices of this country to black people, the things his father fought for, and how he was a victim also. He was only 10 when his father was murdered. His grandmother was murdered coming from church!” Then, the urgency for us to do the work!” Not just the march, but organizations to get the vote out, build up your neighborhood. Get involved to make the change. Be the change. We have to do this ourselves.

Rev. Al Sharpton gave a crowd arousing movement ready, fiery speech! Al Sharpton reminded the crowd what has taken place with all of these Racist killings. That we have to make them stop killing us! “We have to get into some good trouble!,” like John Lewis stated.

Al Sharpton asked everyone, “Would your future generations remember you for your complacency, your inaction? or would they remember you for your leadership, your passion for weeding out the injustices and evil in the world? “After he spoke he recognized many others that were there to represent their Loved ones, who were Murdered. Sadly, there were too many, to have them all speak. The Event had run longer than expected!” It was time to March!’ 

“The March was Beautiful! Everyone seemed to be enjoying the moment,…and Excited to be a part of this Historic Event!” The sun was beautiful and Blazing Hot!” The temperature was 98 degrees and about 103 with the heat index. But, it didn’t stop anyone…who wanted to be apart of this Historic Movement!’ People were everywhere. They filled the Lincoln Memorial and the Park to Capacity and beyond.They ventured from all across the Country. A group even walked 84 miles to get there,.. wearing the same clothes on their backs!” It was a beautiful, moving, sight to see!”

After the March AL Sharpton went on stage that was set up at the end if the March. He thanked everyone fir Participating and prayed and gave a Benediction for everyone to be safe returning to their destinations.

 But’ many people hung around to keep the momentum going, and even started other marches afterwards.

The Movement will continue.”But, let’s do the work and get the Murders to STOP!!”

Ms. Delores Thompson, a resident who lives on the 900 S Keeker block, received a letter from Attorney Thomas R Raines representing the owner of the property located at 917-927 S. Keeler Ave. NLCN did make attempts to reach Atty. Raines for comment and left messages with his staff.

The letter states that they are required by law to notify property owners within 250 ft of the property that they are trying to get rezoned. The current zoning of the property is zoned as 17-5-0102 M1, Limited Manufacturing/Business Park District. The primary purpose of the M1, Limited Manufacturing/Business Park district is to accommodate low-impact manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing and distribution activities that occur within enclosed buildings. The district is intended to promote high- quality new development and reuse of older industrial buildings.

The owner MJA Chicago, LLC is trying to get it rezoned as 17-5-0103 M2, Light Industry District. The primary purpose of the M2, Light Industry district is to accommodate moderate-impact manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing and distribution uses, including storage and work-related activities that occur outside of enclosed buildings. The M2 district is generally intended to accommodate more land-intensive industrial activities than the M1 district, according to the Chicago Zoning and Land Use Ordinance.

24th Ward Ald. Michael Scott stated, “unless there is community approval, it won’t happen.”

Representatives speaking on behalf of residents were Ms. Delores Thompson, Ms. Cynthia Sanders,Sandra Spellman and for the church Pastor Angela Spivey, and Deacon Harvey Russell.
For more on this story with photos and video go to our website www.nlcn.org

By Todd Thomas

Having a healthy diet can be challenging for anyone, and the challenge is even harder for people living in some of the low-income and often undeserved areas of Chicagoland where grocery stores and produce markets are few and far between.

Healthy food advocates have attempted to address the issue in recent years, but many Chicagoans on the West and South sides of the city still live in food deserts and could benefit from a quality source of affordable and healthy groceries.

One company that could fill the void is Forty Acres Fresh Market. The company started a little over two years ago and operated pop-up markets in the Austin community, while also delivering produce boxes throughout the Chicago area. The plan was to open a permanent store, but the coronavirus pandemic put that idea on hold for the time being.

“Are people going to want to come out – we’re going to be a small store and are people going to want to shop in a small store – are they going to feel safe,” said Forty Acres owner Liz Abunaw. “Also, this is not a good time to start a construction project and we don’t know what the real estate market will do – are we headed to a recession or depression.”

Abunaw used to patronize Stanley’s Market on Elston Ave. and thought that the West Side could use a similar type of business.

“Somebody needs to put something like this on the West Side – somebody needs to put a Stanley’s on the West Side, finally I thought why don’t I do it,” Abunaw said. “We were barreling down that path and then COVID hit.”

Abunaw was also motivated by a bus trip to the West Side not long after she moved to Chicago a few years ago where she could not locate a bank or grocery store within a mile of her location.

“You can find fried chicken and liquor stores, but not a strawberry,” she said.

The coronavirus has people wary about gathering with others and concerned that a trip to the grocery store could lead to exposure to the virus. Consequently, there has been an uptick in shoppers ordering their groceries online for delivery.

“We’re fine doing deliveries for now and we’re doing over 200 deliveries a week. We’re fortunate because we’re in an industry that people are flocking to right now, and because it’s an essential business we don’t have to shut down,”Abunaw said. “We deliver daily, and our delivery fee is only five dollars. We accept SNAP and we take multiple forms of payment – we’re about as accessible as it gets.”

She also said that the safety of everyone involved is paramount.

“We do contactless deliveries; we wear masks and gloves and there’s more frequent hand washing – we’re just more diligent. We were always sanitary now it’s like a hyper-vigilance,” she said.

Lawndale Christian Health Center (LCHC) has been selected as one of several Coronavirus testing site. They are located at 3860 Ogden Ave. This particular coronavirus is called COVID-19, an abbreviation for coronavirus disease 2019 has been plaguing the world, since early January when a whistleblower reported it in China. The whistleblower also contracted the disease and unfortunately has died. Now, the disease, spread around the world by physical contact and airborne means has reached Chicago and it is on the Westside of Chicago.

In Chicago, the number of COVID-19 cases are 28,567 and deaths 1,206, according to the City of Chicago Dept. of Public Health (CDPH).  More data can be found by going to https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/latest-data.html

North Lawndale Community News (NLCN) visited Lawndale Christian Health Center with Bruce Miller, CEO of LCHC. Miller arranged an interview with Dr. Bruce Rowell, a pediatrician by practice and the Chief Clinical Officer for Quality at LCHC. Rowell was the 2nd pediatrician to work at LCHC. He started there in 1995, where he worked for about 7 years. Then he moved into more administrative duties and became Chief Clinical Officer. When asked what has kept him at LCHC for the years he’s been there, he stated, “It’s our faith-based and community mission….to show and tell about the Christ-spirit providing quality affordable healthcare.”  What that means to him, he said, is that we deliver the best medical care that we can, that its ultimately, competent and compassionate to our patients.” Over 25 years, Dr. Bruce Rowell has gotten to know his patients and families, especially kids that he has seen as babies grow up and go off to college and have kids of their own. He said, “it has been a treasure to see.”

When LCHC saw that COVID-19 was happening, they formed a COVID response team with other health leaders and clinicians at LCHC. Remarked Bruce, “We started meeting on a daily basis to keep abreast of recommendations and what we needed to do to best care for our patients.” Some of the first things that they wanted was to protect their staff and their patients. He used the principals of protect, detect, and respond as missions of the COVID response team, making sure they were caring for their staff and patients using appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and following CDC guidelines for infection control.

LCHC has five satellite clinics and an Adult Day Center. Some had to be closed because of the State of Illinois COVID-19 “Stay at Home” mandate orders for essential businesses. LCHC had to consolidate down to their main campus. But now the Adult Day Center site has been repurposed and COVID-19 drive thru testing by appointment, in addition to their main campus clinic. LCHC had to also close down group programs for recovery and pregnant women groups, behavioral health groups, and the fitness Center. The Tomato Cafe has also been turned into take out and pickup only.

“We knew that we needed to protect our patients and have them shelter at home like they were supposed to. That meant following guidelines… So the American Academy of Pediatrics and the pediatricians are saying we still need to see, face to face, the younger kids,” said Dr. Rowell. LCHC continues to see their newborns and have their well child visits because immunizations are most important. They deliver 1000 newborns deliveries a year. They also operate a well clinic for prenatal women.

LCHC is using more telemedicine and telehealth and it was a huge as a response. Almost all of their providers now are trained starting first with their psychologists and social workers who work in behavioral health using phone and video through a program called Doxy.me. Their telehealth and telemedicine programs and training help with educating patients about health and providing medicine while staying with “Shelter in Place” guidelines. They still provide essential adult visits in the main clinic.

Anybody who calls, answers the questions have you been exposed, their travel history or what systems you have. If anyone has symptoms like respiratory or a fever gets seen in their respiratory clinic that is separate from their wellness clinic keeping well people away from exposure. Everyone who comes in the facility gets a systems check, and staff have the appropriate PPE. Most of their patients who call are from the community. But they get those who are new patients. LCHC also get calls from hospitals who have Covid-19 patients who don’t have doctors and need somewhere to follow-up. Using tele-visits, they determine if they need to come in or stay at home to self-quarantine, checking on them every day or every other day, using their clinical judgement to determine.

To call LCHC for COVID they use their general number at 872-588-3000. You don’t have to have insurance, “If somebody has insurance, certainly, we would want know that because we could bill them afterward. But we are not currently charging for telehealth visits and we are not charging for co-pays right now, said Dr. Rowell. Our doctors can get on the phone and try and give the best advice. It may be really early for somebody whose conditions are mild. it might be stay at home, or it might be let me give you a telemedicine visit with our doctor because you have all of these other problems and let us work on your diabetes and get that under control in order to get you your medicines or things like that. It might be come to our respiratory clinic, if somebodies breathing heavy,” stated Dr. Rowell.

LCHC stays in close contact with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and their weekly updates for clinicians, also the Chicago Dept. of Public Health and the Illinois Dept. of Public health. They have a provider whose is in charge of infection control, Sarah Diamond. She manages their employee health, making sure they are following all the proper protocols and the recommendations of the CDC and the guidance related to protective equipment and the care and follow-up of patients. LCHC also have other providers to network and learn like the University of Chicago that help with staying on the forefront of the Covid-19, the program is called project ECHO.

LCHC sends tests to state laboratories. They are working on four different ways. In the beginning test results took about 5-7 days. now it’s down to 1-2 days. They also have an Abbott Labs testing machine which can give results in about 15 minutes. Which will allow them to do about 50 tests a day. They have 500 staff in all their clinics and around 150 working in the clinic and telehealth. Never before has LCHC had providers to perform Triage. Dr. Rowell said, I am thankful for our providers being so dedicated to caring for their patients and to our mission and just show Christ and do really good quality medicine. All of our staff are really deemed flexible.

Partnering with the City of Chicago’s Dept. of Public Health, LCHC is caring for at-risk patients at local shelters. LCHC goes to local shelter such as the Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph located Harrison and California Ave, Pacific Garden mission, and also Breakthrough. The goal is to identify people who are not Covid-19 positive and get them out of that situation,” LCHC CEO, Bruce Miller.  The hotel is located in a downtown Chicago at Hotel 166. They are averaging about 155 patients a day. All the Covid-19 positive people are being relocated at Safe Haven. LCHC is using their new Covid-19 testing machine in a mobile strategy because it gives results in 15 minutes and they can identify very quickly, and relocate patients to the appropriate sites. Those that are Covid-19 negative and have other health issues going to Hotel 166 and those that are Covid-19 positive going to Safe Haven. LCHC is hoping to get more supplies for the new Abbott testing machine to continue testing via mobile before they run out. One major problem looming over them is they only have supplies for 72 tests left. The machine took only couple of hours of training and is being used strategically as possible. But having ample supplies will negate the benefit of having the machine.

For more information on Lawndale Christian Health Center contact 872-588-3000 or go to their website at https://lawndale.org/