N'DIGO STUDIO

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report , 5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We’ll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring Black doctors & nurses, Black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders/deathcare workers- funeral directors.

In this finale episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with some of Chicago's finest musicians and singers. Performances include the incomparable singer Teresa Griffin, Bassist Extraordinaire Frank Russell , The NuBlu Band , Pianist and music director Fred Nelson III, Billy Branch Blues Harmonica player, singer Nellie Tiger Travis , duo Roderick Dixon and Alfreda Burke , & co-host /singer Eric Thomas.

Find out more about N’DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com

Follow Hermene Hartman On Facebook

Executive Producer – Hermene Hartman/N’DIGO Studio

Co-Producer – Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer/Editor – Erik Hammond – Clear Vision Multimedia

Talent Curator - Lynn Orman - Orman Music & Media Group 

In partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report , 5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We'll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring Black doctors & nurses, Black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders/deathcare workers- funeral directors.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Spencer Leak Jr. Vice President Leak and Sons Funeral Homes, Augustus Cage President Emeritus Cage Memorial Chapel & Cremation Services , and Lou Rago of Rago Brothers Funeral Homes. 

Mr. Cage discusses the principle function of a funeral director being to guide the family through the celebration of life in a structured yet respectful manner. He further describes the limitations on the services that funeral directors offer due to Covid 19 and the effect it has had on his business, staff, and clients they serve.

Spencer Leak Jr. shares how his business has increased tremendously. His heartfelt testimony of how the pandemic hitting so quickly affected his emotional well being to the point that he was initially most concerned about whether or not he could continue to service clients at the level Leak and Sons Funeral Homes is known for.

Lou Rago had an incident early in the pandemic where he had to call the police during a service to help calm funeral guests who were angry about the mandated capacity restrictions.

Find out more about N'DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com

Follow Hermene Hartman On Facebook

Executive Producer - Hermene Hartman/N'DIGO Studio

Co-Producer - Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer/Editor - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multimedia

In partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report , 5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We'll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring Black doctors & nurses, Black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders/deathcare workers- funeral directors.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Dr.Terry Mason, Peridontist Dr. Yetta McCullom, Dr.Kyra D. Barnes, D.D.S., & Nurse Practitioner Wanda Matthews.

Dr.Terry Mason details the origins of the corona virus/covid 19 and why it affects African Americans in higher numbers than other communities. He breaks down the chemical cortisol and how it wrecks havoc on the human body in turn contributing to the many factors associated with the "lack" in black & brown commmunities as it relates to health disparities. Ultimately, Dr. Mason says there is nothing inherent about being black that predisposes black people to covid 19. In actuality it's where Black people live, work, & play that creates the divide.

Nurse practitioner, Wanda Matthews, openly discusses how she, her husband, and 17 year old child contracted covid 19 and how each of them had entirely different symptoms with her husband suffering the worst.

Dr.Kyra Barnes sheds light on the fact that dentists have some of the strongest and safest protocols that protects against infectious diseases. She notes that adpating her practice to this new complicated norm has been challenging. In order to insure the safety of her patients and dental team it calledl for a large investment in additional PPE, supplies, and equipment.

Dr. Yetta McCullom in her personal life lives by the hashtag #notseenuntilthevaccine . However, during the protests, Dr. McCullom's practice was vandalized by looters. Fortunately they were able to recover quickly due to the help of the community. It's important to her to continue to support the BLM movement and the mission of equality.

Find out more about N'DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com

Follow Hermene Hartman On Facebook

Executive Producer - Hermene Hartman/N'DIGO Studio

Co-Producer - Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer/Editor - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multimedia

In partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report , 5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We'll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring black doctors & nurses, black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders/deathcare workers- funeral directors.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Fashion Designer Barbara Bates , Dionne Williams of D.Williams Public Relations and Event Management Group , Owner and Executive Chef Erick Williams at Virtue Restaurant & Bar , Noelle Diprizio VP & Co-founder of Chicago Distilling Company, and Annah Mitchell owner of Gobble Doggs , to discuss how their businesses have survived during this pandemic.

Erick Wiiliams had a decrease in business of 75%. The concerns around the new business processeses for his restaurant were overwhelming. His initial thoughts were to insure that his team was in a position to sustain themeselves vs. implementing furloughs as other restaurants have done. Virtue quickly moved to "take out" soley to create a revenue stream and strong nest egg for the team.

Barbara Bates received a call from two friends suggesting that she shift to making masks for first responsders. Her first run of 500 masks were dontaed to Mt.Sanai Hospital. After that Ms. Bates was determined to learn more about making masks safer and as a result she worked with a manufacturer who has a patent pending product that could be shaved thin enough to be placed into fabric thus giving her masks much needed filters. To date Barbara Bates designs have provided thousands of masks to first responders.

Noelle Diprizio like everyone else went into survival mode. Her company partnered with other craft distilleries and the FDA to map put how to use a product they alread know how to make, ethanol, and the result was making hand sanitizer. They started out servicing first responsders and nursing homes ultimately opening the opportunity to purchase within their commmunities.

Dionne Wiliiams' business was hit very hard. Since she is a publicist and evet planner she initially contacted all her event clients to see if they would consider producing virtual events. Most clients postponed until 2021 but a few moved forward with online fundraisers, panel discussions, webinars, etc. On the PR side her business focused on "content is king" by partnering with influencers and producing facebook live shows.

Annah Mitchell too saw her business decline tremendously during the pandemic. As the owner of Gobble Doggs food truck, a food kiosk, and catering company Annah initially ceased everything until she could find her footing on how to best move forward. Now with the phase 3 reopening the food truck is out but business has been very slow. Annah's positive attitude is simply that she understands that her business has to be built back up one step at a time. 

Find out more about N'DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com

Follow Hermene Hartman On Facebook

Executive Producer - Hermene Hartman/N'DIGO Studio

Co-Producer - Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer - Jerald Miller - Jerald Miller Design

Co- Producer/Editor - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multimedia

In partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report , 5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We'll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring black doctors & nurses, black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders/deathcare workers- funeral directors.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Pastor Marvin Hunter from Grace Memorial Baptist Church and Rev. Ira Acree from Greater St. John Bible Church. Both guests contracted Covid 19 and they will be describing their experience with the virus and how it affected their families, friends, & congregations.

We wouldn't be Chicago if politics wasn't mentioned at some point. Both Pastor Hunter and Rev. Acree share their frustrations with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot as it relates to churches being declared non-essential during the pandemic.

Find out more about N'DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com

Follow Hermene Hartman On Facebook

Executive Producer - Hermene Hartman/N'DIGO Studio

Co-Producer - Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer - Jerald Miller - Jerald Miller Design

Editor - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multimedia

In partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join your host Hermene Hartman for this special report ,5- part Zoom series, Covid While Black in partnership with Robert R. McCormick Foundation. We'll be discussing mental health, talking to survivors of the corona virus, in addition to featuring black doctors & nurses, black entrepreneurs, and the much ignored last responders- funeral directors.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Kesha Hammond (Clinical Professional Counselor), Erika Hendrick (Author & Mental Fitness Junkie), Jerald Miller (Web Designer), and retired couple Eric and Lavetta Thomas.

We discuss and define what mental health is and how it affects the black community. Our guests candidly express their personal experiences while living through a Pandemic & Protests.

Find out more about N'DIGO STUDIO at ndigo.com 

Follow Hermene Hartman On Twitter

Executive Producer - Hermene Hartman/N'DIGO Studio

Co-Producer - Joi Mitchell

Co- Producer - Jerald Miller - Jerald Miller Design 

Commercial Editor - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multimedia

In partnership with Robert R.McCormick Foundation

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Maurice Cox, a Social Engineer who is Chicago’s Commissioner of Planning and Development. Maurice has a clear vision for urban planning in Chicago now and in the future. We discuss his various ideas and plans to build on the unique identity of Chicago’s many great neighborhoods to enhance the quality of life for Chicago residents. 

Maurice explains his vision and inspiration as it relates to urban planning. Maurice is committed to building a city where families can and want to live and prosper. People want dynamic and safe streets, they want parks and local businesses of a high standard that allow them to live comfortably and thrive. 

We discuss Maurice’s 20 minute neighborhood plan, a vision to build neighborhoods that are equipped with shopping centers, parks and other community facilities within a 20 minute walk of peoples homes. Maurice explains how he plans to maximize the living standards and facilities for the people living in the areas he is overseeing. 

Maurice outlines the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which gives grants to local entrepreneurs to enhance their neighborhood in various ways. We discuss the value of enhancing each of Chicago’s unique identity to drive business and cultural engagement. We discuss these topics and much more so tune in for insight into the future of Chicago’s urban areas. 

Guest

Maurice Cox - Chicago Commissioner Of Planning & Development

Credits

Executive Producer - N'DIGO Studio

Audio Director - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multi Media

Producer - Joi Mitchell

Audio Editor - Scott Stronach - Soundmind Editing

Sponsors

ComED

Mcdonald's

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode join us as we speak with Edie Moore, founding member and executive Director of Chicago Norml. Today we are discussing the legalization of Cannabis. We discuss general Cannabis knowledge, common questions and the potential business opportunities of the new industry. 

Edie discusses the work she has done to educate people on the recreational and medical use of cannabis and what will happen to those who are currently incarcerated due to cannabis-related crimes in light of legalization. 

Edie explains some of the health benefits of CBD, particularly for women, including pain treatment and migraines. She also explains why it has taken so long for legalization to take place in the state of Illinois. We explore the issues associated with Cannabis still being illegal on a federal level and the efforts Edie and others are making to pressure the government to legalize Cannabis nationally. 

We discuss the new business opportunities that are opening up to black people in our community as a result of recreational legalization. We discuss the pros and cons of legalization in Chicago including the potential for increased tourism. We also examine where the tax revenue from the legal Cannabis market might be used to improve our community. 

About Chicago NORML

Chicago NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high-quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.

Our chapter further strives to educate and motivate undeserved, underrepresented and over-policed communities to de-stigmatize and accept the cannabis plant as a vehicle for political, economic, and health & wellness empowerment.

Guest

Edie Moore

Founding Board Member & Executive Director of Chicago Norml

https://www.chicagonorml.org/

Credits

Executive Producer - N'DIGO Studio

Audio Director - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multi Media

Producer - Joi Mitchell

Audio Editor - Scott Stronach - Soundmind Editing

Sponsors

ComED

McDonald's

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode your hosts Hermene Hartman and Shannon Peoples speak with Erick Johnson, a reporter for the Chicago Crusader, Stephanie Trussell, an unapologetic republican and radio talk show host, and Garry McCarthy, a former police Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department and candidate for Chicago mayor. In this episode we discuss the changing world of local and national politics.

We touch on current political issues such as the teachers strike and the recent controversy surrounding the selection of Chicago’s new police chief. We explore various issues concerning how politics influences how things get done and who gets selected for the job.

Stephanie Trussell explains why she supports Donald Trump and how her experience with Hillary supporters converted her into an unapologetic republican. She goes on to describe what aspects of her community and our country at large are, in her view, better off under Trump. Together we explore black issues and which of the current presidential candidates might serve our country most appropriately.

N'DIGO STUDIO, making talk real again!

Guests

Garry McCarthy

Erick Johnson (journalist)

The Crusader

Stephanie Trussell (political pundit) (Twitter)

Credits

Executive Producer - N'DIGO Studio

Audio Director - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multi Media

Producer - Joi Mitchell

Audio Editor - Scott Stronach - Soundmind Editing

Sponsors

McDonald's

ComED

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode your host Hermene Hartman speaks with Author Aaron Cohen and music Artist Terisa Griffin. We discuss Aaron’s new book ‘Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power’, a comprehensive historical review of the music history in Chicago and the underlying socio-political-cultural environment in which the music was produced. Aaron Cohen is a Professor of Humanities and a Music Journalist and Terisa Griffin is great Singer and active member of the modern Chicago music scene. 

We discuss how the music of Chicago was intertwined with the politics of the city as the 60s and 70s progressed. We talk about the progression of music from the 60s to today. We highlight the unique sounds and influence that Chicago-based artists like Curtis Mayfield and the musicians of Motown have had on the broader music community. We examine how that trend continues today through such artists as Kanye West and Chance The Rapper. 

Terisa explains how the music of Chicago has influenced her own artistic expression. She speaks of the great arrangements by Curtis Mayfield, the rap lyrics of Malik Yusef, and how these and many other great Chicago-based musicians have inspired her musical career.

We explore how different cities across the United States had and have their own sound and how Chicago musicians had to create their own identities in order to stand out. We explore the messages ingrained in lyrics by artists such as Curtis Mayfield, and how the expression of black culture is evident in the music. 

We discuss what Rhymefest meant when he said that Chicago music lives in the future. Aaron explains that Rhymefest was inspired by the great Chicago musicians of the past, who always seemed to create new musical sounds that would go on to influence the rest of the music industry. 

N'DIGO STUDIO, making talk real again!

Guests

Author Aaron Cohen

Music Artist Terisa Griffin

Credits

Executive Producer - N'DIGO Studio

Audio Director - Erik Hammond - Clear Vision Multi Media

Producer - Joi Mitchell

Audio Editor - Scott Stronach - Soundmind Editing

Sponsors

ComEd

Mcdonald's

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.