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

Earlier this week, basketball superstar Michael Jordan, spoke out in an open letter about the gun violence that has been taking place across the U.S. specifically amongst African-Americans killed by police officers. In the letter, Jordan simply stated I can no longer stay silent , he also offered to donate $2 million dollars to help fight the cause, $1 million to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and $1 million to the International Association of Chief's of Police's Institute for Community-Police Relations. While this is a very noble act, many are wondering what took His Airness so long to speak out against something that has been happening for years. Even some of Jordan's biggest fans took to their social media pages to react to him breaking his silence. It was just a short time ago when the youth were killing each other over a pair of his Air Jordan sneakers and never once did the basketball icon utter a word publicly about it. I oftentimes heard cries from people

Seven-time Grammy nominated R&B Diva, Kelly Price, will be performing TONIGHT at the Promontory in Hyde Park for the launch of Forever Friday Chi ! Kelly Price kicks off the Forever Friday Chi concert series which is guaranteed to bring you an experience you don't want to miss! Other guests include Brandn & Friends performing a live Jazz tribute to the Isley Brothers and DJ Thunder, DJ Sundance and DJ John Styles. There is still time to get tickets for tonight's special performance, Standing Lounge- regularly $35 on sale for $25 with the promo code "GENVIP" - to purchase click here  http://goo.gl/P4gb98  or you can come kick it with us at the After Party and groove until 2am, advance tickets on sale for just $20- to purchase click here  http://goo.gl/CvZ35t  . There are a few Premium seats left for $40 which includes access to the VIP Red Carpet and Corporate Reception from 7pm-9pm, hosted by Senator Napoleon Harris and Filmmaker Christop

Small kids are usually afraid of the dark. Sometimes they are scared to enter a dark room or even scared to go to sleep in the dark. Darkness can be a little intimidating to both kids and adults if you allow it to be. While I'm not really afraid of the dark (at least not in familiar places lol!) I am afraid of the darkness that is in the air.. There seems to be a dark spirit looming around causing things to go terribly wrong. Anyone with a heart is mourning with the families in Newtown, Connecticut. What would possess someone to commit such a violent act? Some of God's youngest angels are gone, too soon. I won't even talk about all of the senseless murders that are taking place on the streets of various cities, including my own, Chicago. These young men are so trigger happy, no one values a precious life anymore. And then there's the Kansas City Chiefs football player who left his new baby girl in this world with no parents to care for her. Why? What could possibl