*WARNING*

This episode discuss thoughts of suicide

Teens at BBF sit down to discuss the conversation of mental health awareness month and how unfortunately a lot of teens aren't taken seriously when it comes to their mental health. Two students discuss their unfortunate attempts at suicide and how it effected them and their families.

Help is available. Speak with someone today. Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.

When it comes to going out on dates, hanging with friends or even just being out with family, who should pay the bill? After a viral video of a group of friends bashing a lady's husband for not paying for their food at their friend's birthday party, the teens question the rules around splitting the bill.

After looking up our neighborhood online via a real estate website called Property Club, the teens discovered not only is their neighborhood considered dangerous, but it's the FOURTH on the list as the MOST dangerous neighborhood in Chicago!

According to Property Club

North Lawndale was a growing and developing neighborhood on Chicago's West Side, but it was greatly affected by the 2008 recession. The neighborhood has 34,794 residents, and it's estimated that approximately 70% of men aged 17-45 in North Lawndale have criminal records. Because of such negativity, North Lawndale is one of 10 priority communities selected as a part of the initial phase of Chicago’s INVEST South/West commercial corridor improvement strategy. After talking with State Rep. Yolanda Morris, we learned how the city and state are trying to turn our neighborhood around

Check out the latest podcast as Jocelyn, Melnay and Janiya discuss living as teens in Chicago and the truth about their neighborhood North Lawndale.

 WARNING. THIS PODCAST MAY BE TRIGGERING FOR SOME AUDIENCE AS IT DISCUSSES GUN VIOLENCE AND TEENS REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM. PODCAST DISCUSSES SAFE MEASURES TO HELP PREVENT FURTHER VIOLENCE.

Want to help your community keep guns off of Chicago's streets? CPD’s gun turn-in program and to find out about upcoming gun turn-in times and locations, contact the Office of Community Policing at 312-745-5900.

Illinois State Representative Yolonda Morris of the 9th District stopped by the BBF Building Brighter Futures For the Arts Center to hear the concerns of Chicago's youth during our after school program with the True Star Podcast. During her visit, she allowed the teens to voice their concerns about their neighborhood of North Lawndale and ways they can work now to make changes.

Rep. Morris is a Certified Nurse who recently became the 9th District State Representative in September of 2023. She says her mission while in office is to build a stronger North Lawndale

Building stronger and more united communities is not a task for one, but a collective effort. Together, we are unstoppable!" she says.

On Tuesday February 20th Beyoncè woke up not only to dropping a brand new hair care line called Cécred but also historical news that she was the FIRST Black Women in American history to take the #1 spot on the US Billboard Country Music charts.

Even with the excitement from her fans, some country music diehards are not necessarily feeling the singer's "new style".

BBF Podcast host Christian, Chaniya, and James gather to answer the age old question about the true origins of country music and how this Black History Month we need to show more Black Country artist love.

On this episode we analyze and discuss beauty standards, double standards and society standards.

What are they?

How are they present in the world?

How do they affect the youth/teens as a whole?

The team also shares what types of positive and negative standards they set for themselves.

On this episode the team discusses how the youths social environment influences them. Including social media, peer pressure and interacting within their friend groups.

We also share the best ways that the youth can improve their social environments and what free programs are available to help them get jobs and find safer places to hang out.

The reviews of ⁠Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are in⁠

and the teens of BBF sit down to talk the REAL pros and cons of the popular new upgrade. The real question is, is it worth the money?

Chicago actress/singer Shaylin B. performs for the second season of Lo-Fi. A platform that promotes talented artists and musicians from Chicago to the world and an audience that loves and appreciates music.