SHANEEN KNOWS

*** This article was written 8/2018 *** It's the third week of school for Chicago Public School students. I've seen a lot of dads walking their kids to and from school which is a beautiful sight. However, it's  still disheartening to think   about  the massive  school closures that took place this summer , coupled with all  t he  violence  that is going on  in the Chicago  area.  Going back to school should've been an exciting time for both parents and students but with fewer schools open in the city this school year, there was more of a concern than a relief. I can't help but wonder why  millions of dollars is  going towards the re-beautification of Navy Pier, one of the city's main tourist attractions, but no money has gone towards the beautificat ion of C hicago Public Schools or keeping them open. No money has gone towards making Chicago a safer place to live. If you ask me, Navy Pier looks fine just the way it is. Over the summer, forty-nine Chicago school

It seems as though Beyoncé isn't exactly hoppy about the idea of having a beer named after her. New York City beer maker, Lineup Brewery, found out the hard way after creating an unauthorized German-style beer called Bïeryoncé . The brewery owner, Katarina Martinez, is a huge Beyoncé fan and after missing the star's concert she thought it would be a cool idea to create a beer in her honor but little did she know, the Drunk In Love singer would clap back with a cease and desist letter.  Martinez said the refreshing pilsner was originally made for an Oktoberfest event and soon became so popular it was sold to several bars around NYC and gained a large following on the brewery's social media sites. I'm guessing the name of this special brew isn't the only issue here. The beer can's label looks very similar to the lettering on Queen Bey's 2013 self-titled album, Beyoncé. What do you think? After receiving the cease and desist letter on Monday, Ma

  Fans of the iconic Lena Horne will soon be able to see her face on postage stamps everywhere. In 2018, the United States Postal Service will honor the legendary singer, actress, and civil rights activist with her very own postage stamp in the Black Heritage Series.   The USPS Black Heritage series started in 1978 to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans and their vital role in U.S. history. The first stamp in the Black Heritage series featured Harriet Tubman (1820 - 1913) and next year, Lena Horne (1917 - 2010) will mark the 41st issuance of the Black Heritage series stamp. Other notable Black history makers who have been featured on the Black Heritage series stamp include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 -1968), Malcolm X (1925 - 1965), John H. Johnson (1918 - 2005), Shirley Chisholm (1924 - 2005), Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable (1745 - 1818), and last year's honoree Dorothy Height (1912 - 2010). I remember one of my favorite artists, Mr. Chuck D of Publ

  Ladies, have you ever found yourself carrying more in your purse than you should? Do you carry an oversized purse the size of a duffle bag? What about carrying both a purse and a second bag such as a tote? I see this every day going to and from work... women with an excessive amount of items draping from their shoulders, and I'm not referring to mothers who must carry diaper bags and additional items in their purse, but women with no children in tow. It's nothing wrong with carrying a stylishly oversized handbag or a cute tote, or both... the problem is the bigger the bag, the more you put in it, and before you know it you've got your whole life stashed away in your purse! So what's really in a purse that women feel they must have with them everywhere they go? Well, being a woman isn't easy, we require a lot more than men do. I'll just get straight to it... for example, feminine products. Women need those dreadful items and it would be no fu

If you haven't heard about this story by now then you've been hiding underneath a pretty big rock. On August 26, 2016 San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, made a power move on the field when he refused to stand up during the national anthem in protest for racial injustice and minority oppression. Although this wasn't the first time Kaepernick protested (he sat during the anthem in the first two preseason games) it was highly noticed because this time he was in uniform. Kaepernick told NFL media in an exclusive interview I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color... To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder. For anyone who thought Colin Kaepernick's actions were just preseason shenanigans, guess again. Kaepernick continued to

    Does the woman in the picture remind you of yourself? If so, Houston we have a problem!   I am a firm believer in enjoying life and seizing the moment... Work hard and play harder is the name of the game! I know how important it is to live a fulfilling life, to me, I'm not living if I'm not fulfilled. On work days, I choose to leave the office and go outside for lunch, especially during the summer months even if I pack a lunch... There's something about breathing in the fresh air, it gives me new life. Haven't you heard the saying stop and smell the roses ? Well, I really do, I stop and smell flowers whenever I see them... Or like the closing line from the talk show The View, take a little time to enjoy the view , and I always do! At some point we have to stop and relax our minds, not just when we are sleeping. It's ok to get distracted sometimes and enjoy a good laugh or have a little fun, it's good for the soul. Some even say those are the thing