Tag: Hyde Park

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Interview with Mary Stonor Saunders – Founder of Granola for Good 

By Charles Mombo

Photo: Mary Stonor Saunders/@granolaforgood

Meet Mary Stonor Saunders. Mary grew up on Manhattan’s upper west side (back in THE day!), but spent three months a year in a town with only 800 people.  Her mom was from an old American family and held a master’s degree, whereas her father, born in Palestine (his Armenian parents fled the genocide) and never completed his high school diploma. Mary went to her neighborhood public school and one of the wealthiest schools in America. All of this to say, Mary likes to think of herself as someone who is comfortable in a lot of different worlds and believe it informs everything about her.  Continue reading “Interview with Mary Stonor Saunders – Founder of Granola for Good “

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Interview with Dr. Christy Russell – A fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger

Dr. Christy Russell/ Photo Credit: Dr. Christy Russell

Charles Mombo

Meet Dr. Christy Russell. Christy is originally from Columbus, Ohio, born to Nigerian parents and moved to Chicago in August of 2021. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies. For over 20 years, she has worked in higher education at Ohio State University, Auburn University and most recently Vanderbilt University. Continue reading “Interview with Dr. Christy Russell – A fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blogger”

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Interview with Diane Burnham – Executive Director of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC)

Diane Burnham – Executive Director of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC) | Photo Credit: Diane Burnham

By Charles Mombo

Meet Diane Burnham. Diane is the executive director of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC). As the commissioner, she oversees and recommend the annual services, budget and Service Provider Agency to the city. She started in the fall of 2013 and was initially hired as a program manager over community development.  She started before the existence of the Special Service Area (SSA) #61 and the downtown Hyde Park brand. Continue reading “Interview with Diane Burnham – Executive Director of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC)”

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Interview with Executive chef Marco Bahena – BARDAVID Restaurant

Executive chef Marco Bahena/Photographed by Charles Mombo/ Surge Synergy, Inc.

By Charles Mombo

Meet Marco Bahena. Marco is the executive chef at BARDAVID Restaurant. A Chicago native, Marco is a graduate of the School of Culinary Arts at Chicago’s Kendall College. He previously worked at Martín Berasategui, a 3-Michelin star restaurant in the Basque region of Northern Spain. Continue reading “Interview with Executive chef Marco Bahena – BARDAVID Restaurant”

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Interview with Kerese and Kristle: The Millen Twins

Kerese and Kristle The Millen Twins
Kerese and Kristle The Millen Twins

By Charles Mombo

Meet the Millen Twins. Kerese and Kristle Millen are Chicago natives and the founders of xXposure, a visual magazine.  The two-time authors of the books, “There’s Power In Your I Am,” and “Thoughts Become Things,” are educators who believe in instilling positivity into students’ lives.   Continue reading “Interview with Kerese and Kristle: The Millen Twins”

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YogaSix Hyde Park – An Interview With Studio Owners

YogaSix Hyde Park co-owners Sharon Calhoun Norman and Crystal Pinkston

By Charles Mombo


I had the opportunity to sit and talk with the co-owners of YogaSix Hyde Park, Hyde Park’s newest yoga studio. Crystal Pinkston and Sharon Calhoun Norman are very excited to welcome the community to their studio. Beyond the body-heart-mind components of yoga, they’re very focused on bringing diversity and inclusivity to their yoga space. Continue reading “YogaSix Hyde Park – An Interview With Studio Owners”

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Master Barber Robert Leaks owner M.L.S Grooming

Robert Leaks M.L.S. Grooming

Meet Robert Leaks. Robert is a Chicago native, a husband, the father of three sons, a barber stylist, an educator and an entrepreneur who is passionate about his work. His barbershop wall is lined with BARBICIDE® course certificates proving his dedication to the controlled of linfection in his barbershop. Robert also believes that education and mentoring are essential for the growth and development of our future generation. Continue reading “Master Barber Robert Leaks owner M.L.S Grooming”