Students at Betty Shabazz produced 12 shows in the first school semester of 2023 and another 12 shows in the second school semester of 2024. One of the students’ guests during the first semester was international business woman. Zoe Ma, a regular commentator on The Female Solution Global Radio/TV Show. She was born and raised in China. and taught the students how to introduce themselves in Chinese, in preparation for a future exchange with students in China. She shared a bit about the education, culture and business opportunities in China.
The second semester culminated with a live show with 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Tengfei School in Beijing, China, who, under the guidance of their American-born English instructor Lavinia Weisser, introduced themselves in English to the BSICS students. This was an opportunity for the students from both countries to truly make international ties and remove culture and language barriers.
With the help of BSICS instructor Baba Jared the BSICS students introduced themselves in Chinese. The BSICS students interviewed English Instructor Lavinia Weisser , who then introduced her 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. The students from China answered questions from the Betty Shabazz students, sharing facts about their school.
Betty Shabazz International Charter School students Brandon Chamus and Aqeel X interview book author Patience Kirkland during a live podcast at the Soulful Chicago Book Fair Saturday April 20, 2024, demonstrating skills they learned during the 12-week training class from the Higher Learning Network NFP. Photo by Naimah Latif.
Dr. Wallace "Gator" Bradley Addresses Youth on Violence
Tragic Mass Shooting at 71st and Woodlawn Brings Community Together For Peace
Dr. Wallace "Gator" Bradley, political consultant and TV Talk show host, addresses the youth after a tragic mass shooting at 71st and Woodlawn in Chicago. Unity among adults in nurturing and protecting young people is the key to transforming broken communities. Parents and police must be on one accord and need guidance, nurturing and opportunities to excel in life. Anger and frustration eplodes into gun violence in neighborhoods where economic opportunities are absent and families are fractured. (Video by Birds Eye View Productions 2)
By Naimah Latif
ON AIR Daily News
"We are fathers, grandfathers, some of us like myself are great grandfathers," declared Dr. Wallace "Gator" Bradley to the grief stricken crowd that gathered in the Woodlawn community after a tragic shooting at 71st and Woodlawn Thursday July 4, 2024 that claimed the lives of two women and a child and left two children in critical condition. Dr. Bradley, political consultant and TV Talk Show host of The Bradley Report airing on Cable TV 19 in Chicago, addressed the acts of violence that keep residents in a state of fear.
"This is a message to those that feel they can continue to shoot our women and children," he said, pledging to organize men to form a united front, along with the police, to protect the community.
Founder of the organization United in Peace, Dr. Bradley encourages youth to resolve differences rather than resort to gun violence. He works with elected officials to encourage the passage of laws and policies that alleviate the suffering of residents living in economically distressed communities. Mayor Brandon Johnson urged community residents to come together so that acts of violence don't "become normalized."
Members of the community cried and prayed as they listened to the hurt and pain of family members of the victims. Community Safety Brothers Keepers is the organization that evolved out of this 4th of July weekend tragedy, and residents, elected officials, clergy, and police pledged to work together to stop violence and to reveal those involved without fear of revenge.
"We speak through TikTok," Dr. Bradley said to the youth, letting them know that the elder adults can also communicate effectively through social media.
Members of the ON AIR Daiy News Team met at Portillos restaurant on Taylor and Canal in Chicago to strategize for the daily coverage of the Democratic National Convention August 19-22, 2024 in Chicago. Left to right are Dr. Wallace Gator Bradley, TV Talk Show Host, Lloyd DeJohnette, Videographer, Brewster McCauley, Videographer and Engineer, John L. Alexander, Photographer and Publisher, Joshua Hicks, Reporter and Sports Editor, Marcus Robinson, Photographer and seated, Naimah Latif, Reporter and Managing Editor, ON AIR Daily News.