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The CDC reported that suicide is increasing at a faster rate for Black youth than it is for any other racial or ethnic group.

According to minorityhealth.hhs.gov, In 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death, respectively, for blacks or African Americans, ages 15 to 24.

Join the BBF Podcast as host Christian, Semaj, and Javon discuss the topic of mental health and how it effects them as young black men living in the North Lawndale community of Chicago.

 

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*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.

On this episode the team weighs in with their experience on the effect of drugs on teens. Breaking down our knowledge with good/bad usage, moderation & personal experience.

We also share the different ways access has increased and how this has had the biggest impact.

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.