Evrod Cassimy

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Evrod Cassimy

Lakina Mabins is a mother of five, working two jobs to make ends meet -- and still, this month she's graduating college at the top of her class, fulfilling a dream 20 years in the making. Mabins now has a degree in criminal justice from Kennedy King College, proof, she said, that it's never too late to accomplish your dreams. “It felt really great, very rewarding because I worked so hard,” Mabins, who was 2025's valedictorian, told NBC Chicago. But the journey to graduation wasn't an easy one.

2 weeks ago | nbcnewyork.com | Evrod Cassimy

When Mika Stambaugh went to the dermatologist for a simple skin check, she didn't expect to leave that appointment with a gaping hole in her face. “Shocked. Shocked. I mean scared, like whoa," the 43-year-old said of her emotions during what she thought would be a routine visit. But the appointment actually marked the start of a months-long nightmare for Stambaugh. “[The doctor] walked in the room. Within one minute he was like, 'What’s that on your face?' I was like 'I don’t know.

2 weeks ago | nbcchicago.com | Evrod Cassimy

When Mika Stambaugh went to the dermatologist for a simple skin check, she didn't expect to leave that appointment with a gaping hole in her face. “Shocked. Shocked. I mean scared, like whoa," the 43-year-old said of her emotions during what she thought would be a routine visit. But the appointment actually marked the start of a months-long nightmare for Stambaugh. “[The doctor] walked in the room. Within one minute he was like, 'What’s that on your face?' I was like 'I don’t know.

Feb 17, 2025 | nbcchicago.com | Evrod Cassimy

Two Chicago-area women are on a mission to encourage African Americans to take mental health more seriously. "I didn’t want to be here anymore and that’s all I knew is that I didn’t want to be, here but I have kids that I had to live for," said Janine Williams. Janine Williams recently detailed the lowest point in her battle against depression, which started with a personal family issue for the mother of two and spiraled into a dark place. “It was lonely," she said. "I felt unsupported.

Jul 17, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Evrod Cassimy

A woman who was trapped in her vehicle on I-55 while surrounded by live power lines during Monday evening's storms is recalling the harrowing experience. Jennifer Sternal told NBC Chicago she was trapped in her vehicle for nearly six hours after tornado-warned storms swept through Will County. As Sternal was driving home around 9 p.m. Monday, it became nearly impossible to see what was ahead of her on I-55 when she encountered a downed power line that was live.