January 21, 2021

Choose Compassion Mission:  At Choose Chicago, we “Choose Compassion” and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful work culture of a brilliant mix of people because we are equally different.  We firmly believe in the strength and power of our diverse group of partners, employees and clients to drive business and innovation while building on a collaborative connection within our community and the neighborhoods we serve.

I HAVE A DREAM...

As I reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, an activist for civil rights, I am honored to serve as chair of Choose Compassion. It’s an uncomfortable time in the world. Violence, rage, misunderstanding, lack of respect, and racism are prevalent. BUT, we have the option to CHOOSE compassion – to be intentional, inclusive and treat those who don’t look or think like us equitably and with compassion. Through Choose Compassion, we invite you to agree to disagree, get uncomfortable, learn, ask hard questions, and gain knowledge of why racism STILL exists in 2021, just as it did in 1963 – when Dr. King delivered his I HAVE A DREAM speech. 

You can be a part of the movement toward continual progress!

With compassion,

Roz

P.S. Don’t forget to attend Diversity, Equity & Inclusion training w/Gus Martinez, Diversity Consultant, 1/26/21 (staff & management) and 1/28/21 (leadership) @ 10am CST. See you soon!

New discoveries about Black History Month & our Community!

Cool & Surprising Black History Month Facts:

Why February? This celebration began as a one week celebration (Negro History Week) to encourage the study of African-American history, during the second week of February also coinciding with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas’ birthday.

In 1955, Claudette Colvin, a 15-year old schoolgirl, refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus. Claudette’s actions were nine months before Rosa Parks and the launch of the Montgomery bus boycott.

Who was Percy L. Julian?  A famous Illinoisian and research pioneer chemist with over 130 chemical patents. A high school is named after Percy on the southside of Chicago. Ironically, graduating from 8th grade, he wasn’t allowed to attend high school due to being black, but eventually went on to earn his Ph.D.

In the Wild West, one in four cowboys were Black.  One of the most famous cowboys was a former slave named Bass Reeves who eventually became a Deputy US Marshall.

What’s happening in our Choose Compassion community?

Target Lab X Black History Month Celebration is proud to present a FREE immersive professional development experience! Register here!

Get your #blackeats on @ Lexington Betty Smokehouse & visit Semicolon Bookstore to help change the narrative of what black book buying and literacy looks like!

Need help having a difficult conversation with a family member or friend, use “Together We Heal” conversation cards as a resource for your next interaction!

This little girl is on the move! “Hey, black child” viral sensation, Princess Pe’Tehn from Bronzeville,started reading @ 18 months, was featured on Windy City Live @ age 3, and is now one of the top readers in the nation @ age 7.

Check out an interview with our very own, Anthony Molino and Sandi Robinson,Co-Founder, ChiGivesBack & Area Director of Sales of Marketing, Godfrey Hotel & Hotel Essex Chicago. Sandi and her partners are doing a great work in the community!

Becoming a Choose Compassion Ally!

Tell us what you think or submit feedback for our next newsletter to rstuttley@choosechicago.com.