LEGENDARY REFLECTION
Jennifer L. Hodges
Legendary Reflection
Mixed Media
10ft X 2ft
2022
ARTIST STATEMENT
Through my abstract work of art, I intend to capture and give voice to the myriad aspects of the human experience. My work represents a contemporary exploration of the Black experience with a spotlight on the various aspects of Black femininity. I intend to evoke feelings, stimulate thought and enhance ambiance. My work is a place for me to explore without boundaries, relish in liberated creativity and challenge thought, education and experience. It is my voice captured in one moment, and on one canvas in time. I draw creative inspiration from the metaphysical, psychology, and spirituality. My choice of color combination and texture through mixed media aims to inspire spirituality, cultural connection, and an overall sensory connection for the viewer, making them feel represented in the work of art.
Legendary Reflection is an extension of Jennifer’s Beauty In Darkness Series, which represents the individuality, beauty, and resilience of Black American experiences.
Legendary Reflection honors Overflow Coffee’s history as the former home of Vee-Jay Records. The art is comprised of original records broken and assembled on the canvas along with authentic piano rods, guitar strings, sheet music, bamboo paper, mesh, hemp string, and wire. Recoding artists who released hits on the Vee-Jay label are featured in the art, including Jerry Butler, The Beatles, Betty Everett, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and the Dells.
BUILDING A COMPANY THAT MAKES AN IMPACT
In 2011 a group of investors interested in taking a different approach to addressing a key social issue decided to pull together funding to launch CleanTurn, a professional commercial cleaning company founded in Cleveland, OH. The goal was to create a for-profit company intentional about leveraging its profit to fund supportive services for its team members and to reinvest in community outreach activities. CleanTurn is dedicated to changing perceptions and shattering the myth that a person’s past dictates their future and creates supportive employment for justice impacted individuals.
In 2021, CleanTurn launched a second branch in Chicago. In an effort to raise awareness of the need for justice reform and supportive employment, CleanTurn, in partnership with Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBI) and Represent Justice, hosted a screening of the feature-length documentary, Apart, at Mox.E Coworking. The documentary follows three unforgettable mothers as they return home from prison and confront the multiple challenges to rebuilding their lives after being incarcerated and separated from their children for years.
Women are the fastest-growing incarcerated population in the country, and the majority are mothers, further impacting future generations. More than 80% of women who enter the carceral system have experienced victimization or abuse in the past. Approximately 200 women in the US are released from jails and prisons every day. Reentry resources that take into account the trauma they have endured and the unique challenges they face are desperately needed for women impacted by the justice system. Opportunities with supportive employers as well as entrepreneurship education and resources can even the playing field for women and their families who’ve been impacted by the justice system and provide hope for the next generation.
Common Cup Stronger Than Ever!
The Common Cup in Rogers Park closed in Feb 2021 to reevaluate and regroup after the worst of the pandemic. Systems were strengthened and the shop reopened later that Fall. The Common Cup is now STRONGER THAN EVER!
- The café is getting busier due to more available seating
- New products, such as sweet and savory breads, oatmeal, parfaits, and seasonal specials like mini vanilla matcha pancakes for St Patrick's Day
- Homemade cold brew, matcha, flat whites, white chocolate mochas, and seasonal drinks
- Speed of service is helped by the new prep table and dual panini press
- Greeting all customers on arrival and thanking them for the visit upon departure
- A huge thank you to the Team for their creativity, collaborative spirit, and willingness to try new things
- In the last payroll, the team made over $2 thousand dollars in credit card tips.
Our customers have noticed and they love to show their appreciation!
Thanks to the leadership, barista team, and awesome Common Cup customers for this success story!
Follow @thecommonchi
BRUNSWICK RECORDS HONORS BARBARA ACKLIN
from Stephanie Gadlin's article @chicagocrusader
"With a voice as smooth as honey mixed with hot buttered soul, Barbara Acklin became one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the 20th Century. Regarded as the “First Lady of Brunswick,” or soul empress, Acklin sold millions of records, and is responsible for chart-topping hits such as “Have You Seen Her,” and “Stoned Out of My Mind,” by The Chi-Lites.
In recognition of Black History Month, Brunswick Records honored Acklin for her lifelong contributions to American music."
Brunswick Records' Chicago office was located at 1449 S. Michigan Ave, which also formerly housed the headquarters of Vee-Jay Records and is currently home to @overflowchicago. The coffee shop pays homage to its history with specialty espresso drinks like the Vee-Jay and Record Row, a wall of framed album covers produced by Vee-Jay Records, and a wall-sized photo mural of the original Vee-Jay executive team.
"In 1966 Barbara Acklin took a receptionist job at Brunswick ... where she went on to help craft the label’s signature sound, making it a music powerhouse for a decade. Brunswick was instrumental in developing a new genre of music, called “Chicago Soul,” a sound rich in full-bodied gospel, blues and jazz."
Acklin's daughter, Samotta, was interviewed at Overflow Coffee by both @wgntv and @nbcchicago, for a segment about Barbara to be aired during #womenshistorymonth.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Excerpts from Stephanie Gadlin's article @chicagocrusader
Women's "HER" Story Month at Entrenuity and Overflow: Meet the Artists
Yolanda Richards, founder of Imagery by Chi, Mox.E Member and Entrenuity's photographer of choice, has been working as a professional photographer since 2015, focusing mainly on event photography and headshots/portraits. Yolanda is hosting a Women's History Month Art Exhibit at Overflow Coffee on March 12, 2022. We are excited to partner with her for this event featuring local Black women artists!
Jasmine Sims is a spoken word artist and a story teller. She has been writing since she was a child and began spoken word in high school. It is her desire to tell of her faith in Christ and experience in hopes into encourage to seek God and not give up in life.
Jennifer L. Hodges is an Abstract Acrylic & Mixed Media Visual Artist from Detroit, Michigan. Her creative career has been strategically integrated in her formal education and has spanned over 20+ years. Hodges began writing poetry at age 11 to manage personal trauma and began painting while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Hodges now exhibits across the U.S. and her work has been added to many private collections. She is consistently creating new work in her Chicago, Southside studio.
Yolanda Richards fell in love with photography at a young age and in 2015 established "Imagery By Chioma." Through her photography, she believes in the power of storytelling and capturing powerful moments in time. Yolanda is excited to curate more events in the Chicago/Chicagoland area to promote and support local artists and their talents.
WELCOME BACK!!
The reopening of The Common Cup in September was met with resounding support from the Rogers Park community. People continue to voice their joy at the return of the shop, telling the baristas how happy they are to get their coffee at their favorite neighborhood shop once again.
The Rogers Park Business Alliance recently hosted a ribbon cutting extravaganza for newly opened (and reopened businesses) in the neighborhood and Common Cup was excited to be included! The support of the Rogers Park community and the Business Alliance helped make reopening a dream come true and sales continue to show that the community is thrilled to have us back.
Since reopening in September, Common Cup has hosted two events in the shop, one with Loyola’s Sunrise Movement group and a book signing event with local author Joe Rulli and Shy City House. We look forward to hosting many more events in the future and keeping the coffee brewing in our community!