In the Loop

America’s top art museums and galleries have, by and large, ignored people of color from artists and curators to senior leadership. But now the tide is changing, and more and more mainstream museums are looking to include more people of color in an effort to attract more diverse visitors. Earlier this month, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago promoted Naomi Beckwith to senior curator. She joins guest host Kyra Kyles to talk about her exciting new role, her vision for the MCA and diversity in the arts.

The music world was dealt a major blow on Thursday when Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76. She grew her musical roots in her father’s church in Detroit. She was officially crowned the Queen of Soul in Chicago.  Morning Shift checks in with four Chicago singers across genres who share how Aretha Franklin influenced their approaches to music. 

The music world was dealt a major blow on Thursday when Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76. She grew her musical roots in her father’s church in Detroit. She was officially crowned the Queen of Soul in Chicago.  Morning Shift checks in with four Chicago singers across genres who share how Aretha Franklin influenced their approaches to music. 

Aretha Franklin passed died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The iconic singer known as the Queen of Soul was 76. Franklin was one of the most enduring and respected voices in American music. Her hits like  “Respect,” “A Natural Woman” and “Chain of Fools” inspired generations of fans. Morning Shift talks with Ayana Contreras, Sound Opinions producer and host of Reclaimed Soul on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo Joining me now to pay tribute to the soul singer is Sound Opinions producer and Vocalo’s Reclaimed Soul host Ayana Contreras.  

Aretha Franklin passed died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The iconic singer known as the Queen of Soul was 76. Franklin was one of the most enduring and respected voices in American music. Her hits like  “Respect,” “A Natural Woman” and “Chain of Fools” inspired generations of fans. Morning Shift talks with Ayana Contreras, Sound Opinions producer and host of Reclaimed Soul on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo Joining me now to pay tribute to the soul singer is Sound Opinions producer and Vocalo’s Reclaimed Soul host Ayana Contreras.  

At the end of a busy day, you look forward to a quiet house. The kids are asleep, the TV is off, and just when you’re about to relax and enjoy the silence, you hear it: bzzz. Bzzz. The energetic hum of a bee -- make that thousands of bees. They could be in your attic, or made their way into your walls. Either way, you want them out. But you can’t just poison them — poisoning a honeybee hive can have a ripple effect that can kill honeybees within a one-mile radius. So what can a homeowner do? Morning Shift sits down with Bill Whitney, veteran beekeeper and owner of City Bee Savers for the do’s and don’ts of dealing with hives in your home.  

At the end of a busy day, you look forward to a quiet house. The kids are asleep, the TV is off, and just when you’re about to relax and enjoy the silence, you hear it: bzzz. Bzzz. The energetic hum of a bee -- make that thousands of bees. They could be in your attic, or made their way into your walls. Either way, you want them out. But you can’t just poison them — poisoning a honeybee hive can have a ripple effect that can kill honeybees within a one-mile radius. So what can a homeowner do? Morning Shift sits down with Bill Whitney, veteran beekeeper and owner of City Bee Savers for the do’s and don’ts of dealing with hives in your home.  

Chicago Police officers often work in high stress, traumatic and dangerous environments that can jeopardize their mental health. A draft consent decree released last month would improve and expand officer support systems and treatment options. If approved, the proposal would address mental health, substance abuse and emotional challenges that can impact officer safety and job performance. Chief Barbara West of the Bureau of Organizational Development and Walter Katz, the mayor’s lead policy adviser on public safety, join the Morning Shift to talk about officer wellness and mental health resources outlined in the consent decree. GUESTS: Chief Barbara West, head of the Bureau of Organizational Development Walter Katz, deputy chief of staff for public safety LEARN MORE: Gov. Rauner studying police consent decree and how to support ‘our heroes’ (Chicago Sun-Times 7/31/18) Consent decree draft proposal (pgs. 100-113)

Chicago Police officers often work in high stress, traumatic and dangerous environments that can jeopardize their mental health. A draft consent decree released last month would improve and expand officer support systems and treatment options. If approved, the proposal would address mental health, substance abuse and emotional challenges that can impact officer safety and job performance. Chief Barbara West of the Bureau of Organizational Development and Walter Katz, the mayor’s lead policy adviser on public safety, join the Morning Shift to talk about officer wellness and mental health resources outlined in the consent decree. GUESTS: Chief Barbara West, head of the Bureau of Organizational Development Walter Katz, deputy chief of staff for public safety LEARN MORE: Gov. Rauner studying police consent decree and how to support ‘our heroes’ (Chicago Sun-Times 7/31/18) Consent decree draft proposal (pgs. 100-113)

When Jenny LeFlore became a mom, she learned there was plenty to do with her child… if she was willing to drive up to Lincoln Park from her home in Bronzeville. And when she got there, LeFlore often found they were the only people of color at the event. LeFlore went on to found Mama Fresh, a blog and lifestyle group dedicated to moms — both new and experienced — by creating a community that values diversity-in terms of both people and options for exploring Chicago with your little ones.  She joins the Morning Shift to talk about the project and to share tips on how to make each day with your child meaningful.