Thursday, August 29
Rioting Follows King's Assasination
On April 4, 1968, Dr. King, had returned to Memphis to lead a nonviolent march in support of the city's striking sanitation workers and was assassinated by a sniper's bullet while standing on the second-floor balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. As news of King's death spread, violent riots broke out in African American neighborhoods in over one hundred cities across the United States.
Wednesday, August 28
Dr. King’s Chicago Stay
On January 26, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. moved with his wife Coretta and their four children to a third floor apartment at 1550 South Hamlin in the North Lawndale community of Chicago. From North Lawndale, King launched what he called the “action phase” of his agenda. The Chicago campaign was focused on (highlighting) racism as a national issue. He led marchers into the Marquette Park and Cicero neighborhoods and declared that “I have never in my life seen such hate … not in Mississippi or Alabama.” He also came to Chicago to show the deplorable living conditions and poverty of African-Americans in the urban north and to display the segregation of housing in northern cities. The 1550 S. Hamlin location was the only place in the North Dr. King ever lived.
McDonald’s Plays Active Role in Chicagoland Communities
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicagoland (BMOA) is serving Chicago’s communities in and outside of their restaurants. According to its’ website, the Chicagoland BMOA is made up of 15 Chicago and northwest Indiana McDonald’s owners who take pride in providing leadership while creating and nurturing their African-American communities while providing education and health-focused initiatives.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson March on Washington: Then and Now
On August 28, 1963, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, participated in the March on Washington as a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Then, a very young Rev. Jackson was fighting for voting rights, public accommodation equality, jobs, and to stem the tide of uncontested violence against African Americans and their supporters. And in nearly 50 years since that historic day, Rev. Jackson has tirelessly continued to fight and advocate for civil rights for all Americans.
50th Anniversary March on Washington
Today, as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, undoubtedly the most famous protest rally in recorded history, we also celebrate the legacy of the man behind it all--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.--who on that day, August 28, 1963, delivered his iconic “I Have Dream” speech on the steps of the nation’s capitol, mesmerizing the nation and the world.
Thursday, August 22
President Clinton takes Swipe at Human Rights Groups, Backs Kagame
Former President Bill Clinton, on an African tour with daughter Chelsea, praised the Rwandan government lead by President Paul Kagame despite increasing evidence that Rwanda is backing ruthless rebels in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
NYC Begins Appeal of Police Stop-And-Frisk Ruling
New York City officials have taken the first step in appealing a federal judge's ruling imposing reforms on the police department's stop-and-frisk strategy after finding the policy intentionally singled out minorities.
August is Black Business Month
This August has been proclaimed as the 10 Annual Black Business Month.
Wednesday, August 21
New “Safe Passage” Routes Designated on Chicago’s West Side
Safe Passage signs are popping up on Chicago’s Westside. So far, signs in have been spotted in the East Garfield and Humboldt Park neighborhoods. With the placement of the new signs comes an announcement from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is recommending to the Board of Education the expansion of its Safe Passage program to include 19 new community-based vendors.
Dixmoor Moves Forward After Police Department Hiccups
The Village of Dixmoor’s Mayor recently fired former Police Chief Robert Fox after he called the Cook County Sherriff Tom Dart’s office for assistance in response to a supposed lack of police personnel on the night of Sunday, August 4, 2013.
Governor Quinn Signs Bill into Law
Aids Minority, Women Owned Businesses
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn has signed House Bill 3267 (HB3267) into law that will create the Disadvantaged Business Revolving Loan Program (DBRLP) which now allows smaller minority and women owned to apply for loans for state construction projects. For many smalls businesses, trying to secure start-up costs involving, insurance premiums, equipment capital, etc. prevented them from submitting timely bids for state approved sub-contracts.
Ald. Opposed to Alternative School’s Planned Location
Controversy surrounding the location of a South Side alternative school is picking up steam as an alderman in the area stands in opposition of the EdisonLearning – Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy planned location.
Mayor Emanuel Visits Greencorps Youth Program
Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently visited with students in the City’s Greencorps Youth program, the $2.5 million program that is providing 600 summer jobs for at-risk students attending 15 Chicago Public High Schools.
Garrett Popcorn Shops Unveils New Mural at Chatham Location
Garrett Popcorn Shops unveiled a mural created by Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes and students from Kenwood Academy and Simeon Career Academy High Schools at its 737 E. 87th Street location in Chatham in partnership with After School Matters and The Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co.
Jackson Park Hospital Offers Free Vaccinations
The Chicago Care Van Program, a mobile health service of the Chicago Department of Public Health and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, will offer free vaccinations as part of Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center’s Annual Health Fair this Saturday. “Margo Brooks-Pugh, vice president of development at Jackson Park Hospital said, “We’re happy the van was available from the City and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to benefit the children of South Shore and their back to school effort of requiring pre immunizations and we have Ald. Michelle Harris to thank for that.”
Jesse Jr., Sandi Jackson Sentenced to 30 Months and One Year, Respectively
Former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., 48, was sentenced Aug. 14 to 30 months in prison for illegally spending $750,000 of his re-election campaign money on personal items and expenses and filing misleading reports to conceal seven years of the illegal activities, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release on the matter.
Tuesday, August 20
Lower Your Cholesterol with Easy Lifestyle Changes
Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level is an important part of good health. While many Americans try to keep their cholesterol in check, some take medication to improve it. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one in four American adults currently take statin medications to help reduce their cholesterol levels.