Young Entrepreneurs Making A Difference In Chicago

Despite the negativity and violence surrounding the youth there's still hope for brighter days, thanks to the young leaders making a difference for the up and coming generation to have something more positive to look forward to.

On the south side of Chicago three African American teenagers named Devin Buckley, Chris Berry and Regis Luckett started a production company called VIP Productions.The 16-year-olds have launched their own company after working at the new Blue 1647 Englewood Business Accelerator., VIP Productions services include picture editing, video editing, posters, event photography and event filming.

David Buckley said he's glad him and his partners started their own company because it shows black children can do something other than playing sports.

"I'm glad that we're doing this because this can show young black kids that you can actually do something, that playing sports isn't the only way you can make it in life," Buckley said.

Another young business owner who is paving the way for today's youth is Moziah Bridges. Bridges started his own bow tie line called Mo's Bows at the age of 9. In 2014 when he was 12 he appeared on the entrepreneur show called "Shark Tank". Now at age 13 the young entrepreneur's bow tie business is now worth $200,000. He also signed deal with Neiman Marcus and Cole Haan.

Children are blessed with many talents. Instead of focusing on sports, these young leaders want other children to know that they to ocan be leaders by starting their own business. Children without leaders and positive role models to look up to often fall prey to the streets. Many of them feel they have no outlet but with more young leaders more better days will come.
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla

Simeon High School: Track Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault

While one teacher at Simeon Career Academy is fighting to save her job as well as the Electricity Shop program another teacher is giving the school a bad name. 

According to the Chicago Tribune, Gerald Gaddy, who is a volunteer track coach assistant has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated battery. He was accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with three teenage girls ages 15-17 who were also on the track team.

According to police reports, the incidents occurred between January 1st and June 25th at Simeon Career Academy high school located on 8100 S. Vincennes Avenue.

The 15-year-old accused the coach of squeezing her buttocks. The 16-year-old accused him of fondling her buttocks, making comments about her figure and asking her to be his girlfriend. The 17-year-old admitted to having sex with the 42-year-old on his desk in his office. She also told people that she was dating Gaddy.

Gerald Gaddy aka Coach Babyface who lives in the 8200 block of Maryland Avenue is being held on a $300,000 bond. Spokesman Joel Hood for Chicago Public Schools said Gaddy has been barred from CPS activities while the investigation continues.

If this assistant coach is guilty he should be barred from CPS. Although he ought to be ashamed based on his actions it's clear that he is not. No man his age should be interested in a 15, 16, or 17 year old. On top of that he has a girlfriend whom he was living with. Hopefully she's not his girlfriend anymore. The sad thing is there's no telling how many other teenage girls he has done this too.
Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla

Chicago: Simeon High School Teacher Fights To Re-Open Electricity Shop Program

On July 15th Ms. Latisa KIndred brought together former students, parents and local union electricians in a quest to help get her job back by re-opening the Electricity Shop program. Today she was a guest on the Cliff Kelly show of WVON discussing the matter at hand. Kindred is doing all she can to help save our youth and give them hope.

It was just last week when Kindred learned her position at Simeon Career Academy has been terminated. The Electricity program as well as the auto shop program was taken out the school without even notifying the parents.

During the support meeting several of Ms. Kindred's students spoke about how much of an influence their teacher had upon their lives and their careers. One of her students named Jordan Robinson said that in the beginning he wasn't a fan of Kindred because she made him work. He added that before she came going to class was like going to a party. Robinson is now a construction manager. Another student named Victor Hines who graduated this year from Simeon with a 3.6 GPA is an electrician helper with local 134 in Chicago.

Michael Veno who graduated last year from Simeon last year had no desire to be an electricians now a first year electrician apprentice.

A former female student of Kindred's told a story about she inspired three boys from her neighborhood to register for electricity classes at Coyne Institute.

Ms. Kindred is fighting to get her position back. To her this is more than just a job. For her it's not about a paycheck. Kindred began working at Simeon high school in 2007. Throughout the years she has made an impressive impact on many students lives including those who had no interest in electricity.

To help re-open the Electricity Shop program and help get Latisa Kindred's job back you can contact Alderman Howard Brookins at 9011 S. Ashland, Unit B
Chicago, IL 60620 
ward21@cityofchicago.org

He can also be reached at 773-881-9300!

You can also contact the principal, Dr. House at Simeon Career Academy, as well as, the board of education. It is a must that we do all we can to help support Ms. Kindred to help our children have a better future. Ms. Kindred is passionate about what she does and she is a great role model and teacher to her students! Let's us stick together and help each other!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla