Wednesday, December 28
A New Year’s Resolution to Drive Sober, Buckle Up
DUI and seat belt patrols scheduled for final weekend of year
As 2016 comes to an end, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are making a final push to keep traffic fatalities down during the New Year’s holiday weekend. This collaborative effort will include statewide roadside safety checks, seat belt enforcement zones and other patrols focused on the late-night hours.
Tuesday, December 27
NBC’s ‘The Voice’ 2016 Finalist SA’RAYAH Talks about her future and more
Los Angeles, CA -- Sa’Rayah, NBC’s The Voice 2016 Finalist, sees a big future in the stars for herself. Megastars Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus both lead the blooming artist throughout the six-time Emmy award winning reality show. Cyrus paired Sa’rayah with fellow voice contestant Aaron Gibson; the pairing proved to be a success.
Snapshots of 2016
The year 2016 had its highs and lows while events ebbed and flowed revealing some news stories that rocked while others proved to be shockers. Through it all, the Citizen was there covering everything
The year started out with an unforgettable photo spread featuring America’s First Lady Michelle Obama who rocked on the Citizen’s fashion pages. The First Lady has graced the covers of other publications including appearances in Vogue and Better Homes and Gardens. Turning to local events, the Citizen brought readers news about the Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM’s PTO which hosted a fundraiser, “Steppin’ For Success,” in Chicago Heights while the Black Ensemble Theater in 2016 presented “Don’t Make Me Over,” a play about Dionne’s Warwick’s success.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM
CELEBRATE KWANZAA AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM Chicago, IL.- The DuSable Museum of African American History in collaboration with Bolozi Wazee / Shule Ya Watoto will present the 2016 Kwanzaa Celebration, on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 12:00 Noon until 2:30 PM. The event will take place at the Museum, located at 740 East 56th Place (57th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue) in Chicago.
The 2016 Presidential Election and Mental Health
OP-ED
The end of the 2016 presidential election marked the conclusion of a period unlike any other in recent years. The contentious, bitter, and often hate filled rhetoric has created a level of anxiety, stress and even depression among many Americans that will likely have long-term consequences. The practice of civil discourse seemed all but lost in the theatrics. The emotional toll that this election has had on the human psyche cannot be underestimated.
AARP Foundation Draws Attention to Social Isolation with the Launch of Connect2Affect
NEW PLATFORM DRIVES AWARENESS, PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SOLUTIONS FOR OVER 8 MILLION OLDER ADULTS AT RISK OF ISOLATION OR LONELINESS
WASHINGTON, DC - AARP Foundation recently announced the launch of Connect2Affect, a response to the growing epidemic of isolation affecting more than 8 million older adults. The goal of Connect2Affect is to create a network that not only builds awareness about social isolation and its impact, but also identifies solutions.
NNPA News Service and Trice Edney News Wire Establish Partnership to Empower the Black Press
WASHINGTON, DC) - Approaching the 190th anniversary of the 1827 founding of the Black Press, the News Wire Service of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a national trade association of more than 211 Black owned newspapers, has become the chief subscriber of the 6-year-old Trice Edney News Wire in a partnership that aims to strengthen and empower Black newspapers across the country.
Teen Moms, Now Millionaire M.O.M.s, Celebrate the Launch of Their New Book
HOMEWOOD, IL - Twelve women came together recently to celebrate the launch of their new book Millionaire M.O.M.. In this book, all of the women share their how they overcame their teen motherhood experiences to become successful businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and community activists.
GARTH CONSTRUCTION RECEIVES HIGH HONOR
The Chicago Department of transportation has selected Garth Construction Services, Corp. as the Outstanding Minority Contractor of the Year for their work installing precast, granite and limestone elements as part of the the Chicago Riverwalk Project.
Friday, December 23
DCFS’ Home for the Holidays campaign reunites families and finds forever homes for 1,742 children in care
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director George H. Sheldon today announced that the department found a forever home for 1,742 children in care, surpassing the goal of 1,000, as a part of the Home for the Holidays campaign.
5 Tips for Easy Holiday Shipping
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and holiday gift-giving and receiving is at the top of everyone’s to-do list. There are several simple steps you can take to make those deliveries a little easier. Here are five ways you can keep the holidays merry and bright, and experience the excitement of making (and receiving) special deliveries this holiday season.
STEVE HARVEY RETURNS TO THE APOLLO FOR ‘SHOWTIME’
Steve Harvey has a lot on his plate these days. The comedian, who is beloved by millions, was recently busy preparing for the reboot of the classic “Showtime at the Apollo” talent contest that aired on Fox December 5 at 8 p.m.
NEARLY 15,000 HOURS CODED IN FIRST THREE WEEKS OF CHICAGO’S INAUGURAL “CODE60+” CHALLENGE
Expanding on Hour of Code, students, teachers, and parents explore boundless digital learning opportunities this winter as campaign heads into winter break
Chicago students are yet again leading the pack in computer science and digital learning, with nearly 15,000 hours of coding completed by youth in just the last three weeks. As part of the City of Chicago’s Code 60+ Challenge, an unprecedented six-week campaign that builds on the global Hour of Code, the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and Chicago City of Learning (CCOL) have already connected 164 schools, and nearly 8,000 youth from communities across the city to a network of coding opportunities in classrooms, in communities, at home and online that will continue throughout the winter break and through January 13.
Thursday, December 22
Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli Helped To Make Christmas A Joy For Families with the help of his Staff
“This is one of my favorite programs all year,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor. “It’s a great feeling when you see the excitement in a child’s eyes when they see all the wrapped presents, and then you see the parents so thankful that they can provide a good Christmas for their children.”
Tuesday, December 20
TIF Tool Kit sheds light on how to benefit from TIF dollars
Carolina Gaete and Cecile Caroll De Mello, co-directors of the TIF Tool Kit are spreading the word on how communities across the city can benefit from the Tax Increment Program (TIF) program in their Blocks Together initiative.
Chicago remembers President Obama
President Obama’s term as the 44th President of the United States comes to an end on January 20, 2017. He is the first African-American President from Chicago who coined the phrase, ‘Yes we can.” During Obama’s administration, he launched a desperately needed health care plan called the Affordable Care Act which helped millions of Americans obtain affordable health care insurance.
Author and Conscious Commerce Expert Who Lived Exclusively Off Black Businesses for Entire Year Announces New Venture
Author, Activist and Conscious Commerce Expert Maggie Anderson recently announced her latest venture MAGGIESLIST.com. The website, built by iSwop Networks is an empowerment resource for consumers whose habits, attitudes, and moral compass drive a duty and desire for buying from Black-owned businesses; and all institutions committed to supporting economic growth in the Black community.
Atlanta based sneaker company, Sneakerscustom.com, generates buzz worldwide
The sneaker industry has gone thru many evolutions over the past 30 years. From the emergence of global brands like Nike, Jordan, Adidas and Converse to high-end designer sneakers from Gucci, Armani and Polo, now the newest development in the sneaker business is the "custom sneaker" designed for organizations, schools, celebrities or anyone with aspirations of making their own sneaker brand.
Nogginwear Old Glory Hat chosen for Mariah Carey's "Sweet Sweet Fantasy" Concert in Hawaii
Nogginwear, the First & Only Limited Edition Hat Subscription, is celebrating having their Old Glory hat chosen as a special gift in the swag bag for Mariah Carey, Jussie Smollett, special guests and entourage on her "Sweet Sweet Fantasy" tour in Hawaii.
WorldRemit and Xpress Money announce global money transfer partnership
London & Dubai - Digital money transfer service WorldRemit and global money transfer brand Xpress Money recently announced a partnership to open up new remittance routes across Africa and Asia.
Teamsters Black Caucus brings job opportunities to the south side
To offer local residents an opportunity to earn a decent living wage, the Chicago Chapter for the Teamster National Black Caucus sponsored their first annual job fair, December 12th at The Rink, 1122 East 87th Street, located in the heart of the Eighth Ward.
Thornton Township wins Township of the Year
Thornton Township received the Illinois Township of the Year award at the annual Township of Illinois Annual Educational Conference in Springfield recently. The township received the award previously in 2004 and 2008.
Tuesday, December 13
Santa Delivers to the Children of Riverdale
The Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter (JASSAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in conjunction with Jassac Charitable Foundation, Inc. hosted their annual Breakfast with Santa event recently. This year's recipients were the children of the Riverdale community.
Boston based Brink 212 Showroom Designer Angelica Timas nominated for Boston Fashion Award
Angelica Timas has been nominated for a Boston Fashion Award in the Evening Wear category
Miami company releases handmade bamboo sunglasses and iPhone7 cases
The Woody Brand recently announced the U.S. release of the handmade floatable "Woody" sunglasses & iPhone 7 wooden cases. The "Woody" series sunglasses provide several benefits that separate themselves from the competition.
Luster's Pink® new paraben free products offer breath of fresh air for naturalistas!
The natural evolution of Luster's Pink®now includes new paraben and mineral oil free hair care products for ingredient conscious consumers. Luster's Pink® Shea Butter Coconut Oil Silkening Leave-In-Conditioner and Moisturizing Hair Lotion are the newest additions to the Shea Butter Coconut Oil line launched earlier this year.
'Blacknificent Mile' becomes focus on 79th Street
In memory of an economic development pioneer who advocated for black economics, Project 5,000 dedicated the recent grand opening of the BIZ BOP (Building Our Prosperity) business center located at 642-644 E. 79th Street, to Dr. Webb Evans, a black Chicago economist remembered for his ‘buy black’ advocacy.
$1.3 M federal grant given to improve health insurance coverage
The Department of Insurance (DOI) was recently granted $1.3 million dollars in federal funding to improve consumer and healthcare provider outreach. According to a DOI press release, the grant will provide more resources for DOI health plan and oversight data analysis.
Roosevelt Alumni Chapter names lounge after late Chicago Mayor
In commemoration of the legacy of the first Black mayor of Chicago, Roosevelt University South Side Alumni Chapter has named a student lounge in honor of the late Mayor Harold Washington.
Prominent South-African artist paints street mural in Hyde Park
To celebrate its January 2017 grand opening at 1447 E. 53rd Street, Nando’s “Peri Peri” South-African Portuguese restaurant recently commissioned Kilmany-Jo Liversage, a famous South-African mural painter to paint an oversized graffiti mural (10 ft. high by 36 ft. wide) on the inside of the new Hyde Park Restaurant.
Chicago organization wins $30k from Mazda and NBCUniversal
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), through the Mazda Drive for Good® charity program and its annual partnership with NBCUniversal, has selected My Block, My Hood, My City as the recipient of $30,000 in goods and services as part of its Mazda Drive for Good contest.
Tuesday, December 6
BETTY SHABAZZ ACADEMY HOSTS GIVING TUESDAY FOR SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
The Betty Shabazz International Academy Charter School recently hosted “Giving Tuesday.” Giving Tuesday is hosted the following Tuesday after Thanksgiving as a means to raise funds for its Super Arts Project.
Treasurer Frerichs Signs Resolution Calling on Wells Fargo to Require Independent Board Chair
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently that he has co-filed a shareholder resolution with Connecticut State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier to require a change to Wells Fargo bylaws. The change would require the C hair of the Board of Directors to become an independent member of the board.
Misconduct costs millions in Chicago settlements
In June of this year, the Chicago Reporter launched a "Settling for Misconduct," database that includes more than 655 lawsuits brought against Chicago police ocers and the City of Chicago over a three-year period; with payouts totaling more than $210 million dollars. Police misconduct includes false arrest, use of excessive force, forced confession, sexual harassment, illegal search, and seizure, among others, according to the "Settling for Misconduct" database.
Christmas Gift Guide: The Original Satchel Store adds a mini satchel to its Soft Leather
"Tis the season to be jolly…” and here’s another reason to be full of festive delight with the arrival of the perfect Tan Day Satchel.
Boots Made for Safer Winter Walking
As temperatures begin to cool, Americans put away their flip-flops and look for warmer footgear. But ill-fitting or inappropriate winter boots can cause problems ranging from bunions to broken bones. Pointy toes can cause foot neuromas, and slipper y soles can cause dangerous falls.
Health and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Most people recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle when it comes to physical and emotional well-being, but you may not realize that some health-related activities can pose a safety risk if you don’t take proper precautions. Making safe habits part of your healthy lifestyle can help ensure you’re able to enjoy the results of your efforts.
LOCAL HEAD-START HOSTS FRIENDSHIP CEREMONY FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Altgeld Early Learning Center will host its first annual Friendship Wedding initiative Saturday, December 10th, at its learning center, 941 East 132nd Street. The center will host a mock wedding for 38 preschoolers, ages 2-5, according to Jennifer Sims, site director for the Altgeld Early Learning Center.