Weekend Edition: Pastors' Wives 7th Annual Luncheon / What About theChildren?

Building Generational Leaders FORWARD THINKING On Getting Ahead. . . Making Progress is Simple Special Correspondent: Allyson Scrutchens Every Fri Like Tweet Pin +1 in Subscribe Building Generational Leaders CLICK FOR DETAILS (Paid AD) FORWARD THINKING Forward Planning's Allyson Scrutchens (middle) and Cong. Robin Kelly and representative from FCHC On Getting Ahead. . . Making Progress is Simple Special Correspondent: Allyson Scrutchens Every Friday is an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the week. No matter what, you are better today than you were yesterday. Keep your head high and remember that the only person that can truly stop your progress is you and you alone. Your Network Should Help You Build Your Network... I recently had the opportunity to be the event planner for Family Christian Health Center’s 15th Anniversary Celebration. The event was hosted by LaRoyce Hawkins from NBC’s Chicago PD at Tall Grass Arts Association in Park Forest, IL. It was truly a success and exceeded all of our fundraising goals. I was able to secure this awesome event due to a recommendation from the amazing Kelly Fair of Polish Pebbles. Through a simple email introduction, she fostered a new long term relationship for my business and, for that, I am grateful. When you understand the reality of your network being your net worth, only genuine and humble individuals are within the circle you call your associates/friends. Everyone in your network should be working towards their individual purpose driven goals, while empowering your ideas and sending collaborations your way. There should be no envy in your network, because only those who work as hard as you will actually survive. Others will be envious of your growth, instead of focusing on theirs. They will choose complacency rather than moving forward. I wrote a previous blog sub-titled “I only grow apart from those who don’t grow.” Honestly, I can’t be stagnant. I don’t understand what it is or how people accept it. I will never judge another for their complacency in life, but I will not drown in it with them. We should always keep God-fearing positive individuals around us to accompany us on this purpose walk. This experience has granted me the opportunity to appreciate the fact that I have an awesome network that is helping me build my net worth. If Kelly would not have taken the time to virtually introduce FCHC and myself, I would not be able to talk about this event today. Frankly, Forward Planning would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for my network. Surround yourself with like-minded people who want the best for themselves and you. Support them and they will support you. "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. Life is already filled with those who want to bring you down." - Oprah Winfrey CLICK FOR DETAILS (Paid AD) TBTNEWS HEADLINESPastors' Wives 7th Annual Luncheon Celebrating seven years of providing free health screenings and educational programming, the First Ladies Health Initiative of Chicago & Gary begins its 2015 program with a kick-off luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Saturday, June 13 at 12pm. During the luncheon, approximately 180 First Ladies (pastors’ wives) and healthcare professionals will hear informative panel discussions on diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect the African American and Latino communities. Panels will be fielded by renowned healthcare professionals including Dr. Julia Morita, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Dr. André Artis, Head of Cardiology for Methodist Hospitals of Gary, Dr. Claudia Boucher-Berry, specialist in pediatric endocrinology with UIC, Cynthia Tucker of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Brenda Blackmon, an award-winning journalist and representative for the Alliance for Lupus Research. Panels will be moderated by Val Warner of Windy City Live, who returns for her 4th year of hosting this event. Special guests for the event include Diana Rauner, First Lady of the State of Illinois, who is expected to address the assembled group to discuss her personal perspective on the state of health in the African American and Latino populations of Illinois. GRAMMY-award winning gospel singer, CeCe Winans will serve as the keynote speaker, and will also perform during the luncheon. The First Ladies Health Initiative was created in 2006 by the Danielle Ashley Group, a Chicago-based public relations firm and is sponsored by Walgreens. This multi-denominational program is geared towards the pastors’ wives who oversee the program in their individual churches. Over the past seven years, more than 75,000 people have received free health screenings. More information on the First Ladies Health Initiative is available at FirstLadiesHealth.com or contact Lorraine Miller at 312.470.0270 or 312.510.2958 or lmiller@danielleashley.com. Café Mocha Radio Chat Texas Pool Party We all have seen the McKinney, Texas, pool party footage. On Café Mocha Radio, Judge Hatchett breaks it all down, first as a judge and then as a mom. Plus, she will share personal stories of raising a son and how to keep our children safe. Dr. Karen January, an author and educator based in Chicago, joins the discussion to talk about rearing children and recognizing when you have a problem child. She is an expert on youth and their sometimes problem behavior – and an expert on male/female relationships and family issues. An educator with 25 years as a teacher, counselor and behavioral specialist, Dr. January currently works with incarcerated juveniles. She is author of Lessons Mama Never Taught Me. Café Mocha Radio is hosted by MC Lyte, Loni Love and Angelique, syndicated in 25 markets and airs on SiriusXM Channel 141. The segment of Café Mocha Radio, featuring Dr. Karen and Judge Hatchett will air in Chicago on Saturday June 13, 10 am-12 noon, on WSRB-FM 106.3. To reach Dr. January for media and speaking opportunities, contact Lynn Norment Media at lynn@normentmedia.com or 312-427-3121. What About the Children What About the Children movie trailer, which is Rated G with no profanity, sexual or violent content, can be seen on http://youtu.be/jT4rnpxiyrA. What About the Children is a film about the struggling relationship between the parent and the child, and how the child deals with the neglect. This is film was an official selection at the Las Vegas Black Film Festival, and the Chi-Town Mutli-Cultural Film Festival. The film has received a strong letter of support from Cheryl Boone-Isaacs, the Oscar's President. This film will encourage and inspire healing, reconciliation and forgiveness within our families, communities, churches, and, especially, among our youth. NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD. You can purchase your copy by contacting writer, director and producer, Cortez Mack at jkbu2003@yahoo.com. FOR MORE DETAILS! CLICK! THE TRUTH SALUTES... Media and community leader Carl West received certificate of appreciation from PLN What is PLN? The Parent Leadership Network (PLN) meetings are held monthly and are designed to inform parents and community members on district initiatives, learn strategies and obtain resources to bridge the connection between school and home. As a FACE Manager, I am committed to providing exceptional Family and Community Engagement connections that create positive change for ALL children and families. My goal is to make sure ALL Parents are informed on CPS initiatives and engaged in their child's education. This past Thursday, Network 13 hosted our annual Parent Leadership Network End of Year Extravaganza at U.S Cellular Field. We welcomed and also thanked our parents and community leaders who continue to be supportive and do remarkable things for the kids. The event was greeted by Mr. Phillip Hampton, Chief of FACE, who saluted the leaders with certificate of appreciation. There were remarks by other Network representatives like Ms. Judy Camacho (Network 6), Mr. Lionel Smith (Network 13), Mr. Jesse Ruiz, Interim CPS CEO and Ms. Andrea Hall, FACE Supervisor. - Thyatiria A. Towns, Family and Community Engagement Manager - Network 13 TBTNEWS UPDATE Greeted by potential voter in New Hampshire Democratic candidate for president of the United States decided to use Amtrak to travel Greeted in Iowa at local eatery by senior citizens Presidential Candidate Wilson Takes 'People's Candidate' Message to New Hampshire, Iowa and New York Presidential candidate Willie Wilson of Chicago was greeted with smiles and cameras during his first of many visits to New Hampshire. Wilson met with patrons of the world-famous Murphy's Diner in Manchester, where diners were eager to shake hands, pose for photos and hear about his candidacy, which he says is "inclusive of everyone, regardless of party affiliation." His travels to New Hampshire began when he boarded an Amtrak train in Chicago to greet passengers in five states, including New York, in a move resembling an old-fashioned "whistle stop" tour. The New Hampshire tour follows Wilson's successful visit to Davenport, Iowa and Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Wilson, who also is an Emmy Award-winning gospel music singer, will return to Iowa on Saturday, June 13, to perform in the Robert Couch Annual Men's Musical at Third Missionary Baptist Church. Wilson will be accompanied by his orchestra, Singsation!, which is featured every Sunday morning on his gospel music television show. The musical will include a number of male choruses throughout the community. More than 250 people are expected to attend the free concert. Wilson is known for his rags-to-riches story that includes growing up poor in Louisiana, to now sitting at the helm of a nearly $100 million medical supplies empire. To read more about Wilson, visit williewilson2016.com. For information, contact Denise Spencer, Willie Wilson for President 2016 at 312.371.6239 or dspencer6239@gmail.com. Content & NGLC Leadership Luncheon Partner (click fo