This week on SSW Radio, we spoke with the HUEY Gang team, learned about mental health in Black communities, and investigated the racist origins of a childrens song
Team first schemes last.â Thatâs one of rap collective HUEY Gangâs mottos. Lawrence Mead, who goes by âThe Law of HUEY,â considers HUEY Gang to be than just a group of artists; itâs a brotherhood. âIâm more closer to them than some of my family members,â Mead told South Side Weeklyâs Erisa Apantaku. She sat down with several HUEY Gang members to discuss the challenges of being a collective and learn about HUEY Gangâs aspirations for the future.
Later in the hour, SSWâs Olivia Richardson interviewed Camesha Jones (Sista Afya) and Dr. Obari Cartman about their upcoming Black Mental Wellness Weekend. âThere is a lack of access to quality,â Sisa Afya told Richardson. With the Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services taking a 1.9% decrease in the 2018 fiscal year budget, Jones believes the effect on accessing mental health care will be severe.
Jones, a social worker, recognized that she knew many mental wellness practitioners that community members donât know of. She says that part of the purpose of Black Mental Wellness Weekend is to build âthe connection for people, so that they actually know who are the people in their communities that are doing the work that they would need.â
In this weekâs episode, the Weekly Read comments on the racist origins of a popular ice cream truck song.
SSW Radio is the Weeklyâs radio hour, featuring stories and interviews from the people of the South Side of Chicago. SSW Radio airs Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-4pm on WHPK 88.5 FM.
Support community journalism by donating to South Side Weekly