
Owner of Chicago's Momentum Coffee worries about tariffs, possible recession
Nikki Bravo is the owner of Momentum Coffee, which has six locations in Chicago. CBS News Chicago has featured Momentum Coffee several times, most recently when Bravo and her husband, Tracy Powell, were preparing for an influx of customers during the Democratic National Convention last summer while calling attention to National Black Business Month.
CBS News Chicago checked in with Bravo on Wednesday to see how she was doing with the uncertainty in the market.
She said she is already feeling the pinch.
"We, as coffee shop in Chicago, are like many other small businesses — working on very slim margins, OK?" Bravo said. "And so any blip, any shutdown that has lenders tightening up, consumers not spending dollars, impacts our ability to continue to do our business."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Social Security Warning Over Changes Issued by Bernie Sanders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senator Bernie Sanders issued a warning about potential changes to Social Security implemented by the Trump administration on the program's 90th anniversary this week. A Social Security Administration (SSA) spokesperson told Newsweek on Friday: " As Commissioner Bisignano has repeatedly emphasized, ensuring the long-term financial health of these trust funds remains a top priority. The Social Security Administration is committed to working with Congress and other stakeholders to protect and strengthen these vital programs, ensuring that millions of Americans can continue to rely on Social Security for a secure retirement and support in times of disability—both now and in the future." Why It Matters August 14 marked the 90th anniversary of Social Security, relied on by millions of Americans who receive retirement, survivor and disability benefits. About 74 million people receive benefits administered by the SSA, the agency said in July. While the program remains broadly popular among Americans, the program has faced questions about whether it could become insolvent as soon as the 2030s without significant reform. Many Americans are concerned about potential cuts to the program or that individuals who are paying into Social Security may not receive benefits when they reach the age of retirement. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, speaks during the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, speaks during the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, sounded the alarm about changes to the program in a video posted to X on Thursday. He warned that individuals like President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire who led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before his falling out with Trump, have been "working overtime to try to dismantle Social Security and undermine the confidence that the American people have in it." "Since Trump took office, his administration has fired at least 7,000 employees at the Social Security Administration, shut down Social Security field offices and made it more difficult for seniors and the disabled to receive the benefits they have earned over the telephone," he said. SSA field offices lost nearly 5 percent of their staffs between March 2024 and March 2025, according to union data from the AFGE Social Security General Committee. Some states, however, saw more than 10 percent of SSA workers leave in that time. Sanders also ripped claims by DOGE that millions of Americans who had been marked deceased, some up to 360 years old, were still receiving benefits as an "unmitigated lie." "Our job today is to stop any and all efforts to destroy Social Security," Sanders said, touting new legislation that would reverse Trump administration cuts to the SSA and prevent the closure of field offices. Trump released a statement Thursday pledging to defend Social Security, "rewarding the men and women who make our country prosperous, and taking care of our own workers, families, seniors, and citizens first." He wrote that his efforts to "aggressively" root out waste and abuse, which includes "stopping payments to the deceased and eliminating benefits for those who do not legally qualify," will strengthen the program. "These measures will save American taxpayers billions of dollars every year and ensure that future generations receive the benefits they spent their lives paying into. At the same time, I am making the Social Security Administration more efficient, more responsive and more effective than ever before—reducing wait times and delivering the payments the American people worked hard to earn," Trump wrote. A YouGov poll released in March found that 54 percent of Americans believed Social Security cuts would have a negative effect on their financial security. Only 13 percent said it would have a positive effect, while 16 percent said it would have no effect. The poll surveyed 3,567 adults on March 12. What People Are Saying Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent: "In a world of complexity and uncertainty, Social Security has done exactly what its name implies. It has provided rock bottom security for our nation's elderly and disabled." Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, on X: "Right now, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are quietly creating problems for Social Security so they can later hand it off to their private equity buddies." Elon Musk told Fox News in March: "What we're doing will help their benefits. Legitimate people, as a result of the work of DOGE, will receive more Social Security, not less." What Happens Next Social Security remains a challenge that Americans will face over the coming years as lawmakers work to prevent the program from going insolvent.

USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Left on Read in Wichita, Kansas has diverse books and wellness workshops
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have owner Latasha Eley Kelly of Left on Read in Wichita, Kansas, just in time for National Black Business Month. What's your store's story? Left on Read opened in November 2024 as a specialty bookstore focused on Black authors, stories and cultural narratives that don't always get the spotlight. It's a Black-owned, woman-owned space that blends literature, creativity and wellness. It offers curated books, community events and resources that affirm and empower. The store has an intimate but dynamic feel, designed to spark conversation, connection and a deeper appreciation for diverse storytelling. What makes your independent bookstore unique? Left on Read stands out as a bookstore that prioritizes Black voices while welcoming all who appreciate rich, diverse storytelling. Customers love the curated book selection, the cozy yet engaging atmosphere, and the sense of community it fosters. It's more than a place to buy books − it's a space for conversations, cultural connection and collective growth. From book clubs to wellness workshops, Left on Read serves as a hub for learning, creativity and empowerment. I'm most proud of creating a space where people feel seen, valued and inspired to engage with stories that reflect their experiences and expand their perspectives. What's your favorite section in your store? My favorite section is our Black Independent Author Showcase, which features books from self-published and independently published Black authors through our consignment program. This section gives authors a dedicated space to reach new readers while retaining more of their sales compared to traditional publishing and distribution channels. By spotlighting these books, we help amplify voices that often don't get mainstream shelf space, making it easier for customers to discover fresh perspectives and support Black writers directly. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? I often recommend "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson because it's a beautifully layered story about family, secrets, and cultural identity. The novel weaves together past and present, exploring how history and heritage shape who we become. I recently hosted a local sorority chapter's book club meeting to discuss it, and the conversation was rich with reflections on generational ties, resilience and the ways food connects us to our roots. It's a novel that sparks meaningful dialogue and stays with readers long after they finish. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? One book that deserves more attention is "Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts" by Rebecca Hall. This powerful graphic history uncovers the often-overlooked role of Black women in leading resistance against slavery. Blending historical research with personal narrative, Hall brings these untold stories to life in a compelling and visually striking way. It's an essential read that challenges the way history has been recorded and reminds us of the strength and defiance of Black women who fought for freedom. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? Shopping at Left on Read – and other independent bookstores – means investing in spaces that center culture, community and conversation. We intentionally curate books that reflect the richness of Black stories and perspectives, ensuring that readers see themselves in the narratives they consume. Independent bookstores like ours create spaces for dialogue, learning and empowerment through author events, wellness workshops and community-driven programming. Supporting indie bookstores means keeping these spaces alive, where storytelling is about representation, healing and connection. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? Of note, on July 17, we hosted a private screening and community discussion of "Sinners," the latest film directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan. Following the screening, we facilitated a conversation unpacking the film's cultural and historical layers, particularly its relevance to Black Southern identity and contemporary storytelling.


Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
L.A.'s Black Business Scavenger Hunt returns for its fifth year
Prosperity Market, a mobile farmers market and online shopping marketplace, is back for a fifth year with its annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt. It partnered with BLK Events LA, a community resource and event curation hub that spotlights Black businesses, parties and more, for a special event in Sherman Oaks for National Black Business Month.