The Citizen Newspaper Group

Wednesday, April 26

TOWN HALL HELD TO DISCUSS OPIOID CRISIS

Congressman Danny Davis said he plans for Representative La Shawn Ford to be one of the leaders that will help him deal with the issues and questions of substance abuse and opioid abuse.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Leads Charge to Investigate Federal Advertising

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has heard the call for a new report on federal advertising and they’re listening.

King And Moschino Partner To Launch Sweet Candy Crush Capsule Collection

In partnership with Moschino, King—a leading interactive entertainment company for the mobile world— and the acclaimed creative director Jeremy Scottare coming together to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Candy Crush franchise, one of the world’s most popular mobile games.

13 YEAR OLD CHATHAM TWINS SCORE BIG ON CPS SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT TEST

Alexis and Kayla Cain, 13- year old twin sisters who are residents of Chatham Village scored 898 and 896 out of a possible 900 on the CPS Selective Enrollment test at Kenwood Academy. Straight A students and perennials on the principal’s list, the 8th graders will attend Whitney Young High School in the fall.

MELVIN KING, AN ARTIST ON A MISSION Church inspired scenes become the focus on artists’ work

King, who began his passion as an artist at ten years old, said he didn’t know any Black artists at the time. But King said he began to get heavily attached to artwork by White artists like Clifford Lee, Pablo Picasso, Paul Kee and more.

Grants Available for Neighborhood-Based, Antiviolence Summer Programs in Chicago

The Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities seeks to support programs in 17 targeted communities that are designed to promote peace, build trust and strengthen relationships among neighborhood residents across ages. The Fund’s application process is very simple and grants will be awarded quickly, according to Deborah E. Bennett, the Fund’s advisory committee chairperson and a senior program officer at the Polk Bros. Foundation.

QUEEN SUGAR” SEASON TWO DEBUTS WITH TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE EVENT TUESDAY, JUNE 20 AND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 ON OWN

“Queen Sugar,” the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“13th,” “Selma”), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, returns for its second season with a two-night event on OWN Tuesday, June 20, and Wednesday, June 21 (10 p.m. ET/PT each night).

FREE TOURS CELEBRATE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

Join the party as the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of the iconic architect with free tours and refreshments at the Trust’s popular tour sites in Oak Park and Chicago.

ADVOCATE SUPPORTS CHICAGO UNEMPLOYED WOMEN WITH HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE

JPMorgan Chase and Advocate Health Care leadership, elected officials and community leaders joined together on April 20, 2017 at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, located on 836 W. Wellington Ave., to celebrate more than 90 Healthcare Workforce Collaborative graduates.

Loyola Performs 900th Lung Transplant

Loyola Medicine’s groundbreaking lung transplant program reached a new milestone when it recently performing its 900th transplant. The patient is Chicago police officer Theresa Boss- French, 51, who received a double lung transplant performed by cardiothoracic surgeon Jeffrey Schwartz, MD. “It’s given me a whole new life,” she said. “Since my transplant, I have not coughed once or struggled to breathe.”

MAKING HISTORY FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN LEADS MATTESON

Sheila Chalmers-Currin has been elected as the first female African American Village President in Matteson, Illinois. Chalmers-Currin filed for the position on December 19, 2016 because she felt there were necessary changes needed to be implemented in Matteson, according to patch.com.

Wednesday, April 19

Chicago’s Evolving Neighborhoods

Have you ever wondered about the history of the neighborhood you live in or why it may have changed over the years? Neighborhood experts say reasons behind changes in communities are often related to a loss of industrial jobs, racial changes and issues associated with immigration and gentrification.

THE BLACK PRESS SHOWS RESILIENCE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY

“You can see it in the spirit of the process that we have [developed] in documenting our history—we are marvelously resilient by nature, we are street fighters, guerilla fighters and resilience defines us,” said NNPA Foundation Board Chairman Al McFarland.

AfricanAncestry.com Traces the Roots of Leading Black Fashion Influencers

Ever wonder why you navigate towards certain colors, shapes or textures? Do you have a flair for unique, unexpected fashion pairings? Well, guess what? It might just be in your DNA.

Hair Care Brand Celebrates African American Hair

Pantene has helped to define “Beautiful Hair” for 40 years through powerful images of strong, healthy hair; however, while diversity and inclusion continue to improve in society, there is still a level of inequality in how African American hair is represented in popular culture and in mainstream hair care advertising. Mass brands, like Pantene, have inadvertently been a part of this pervasive hair bias with a history of advertising showcasing a limited representation of African American hair styles and textures and promoting long, shiny, smooth hair as the pinnacle of hair health and beauty. Pantene has set out to change this perception and empower all women to embrace their strong and unique hair, because all strong hair is beautiful hair.

COULD NEW YORK WORKER-OWNED GREEN BUSINESS MODEL BE A SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR BLACKS NATIONWIDE?

Top Black Environmentalists “Nikki Silvestri, who is the Executive Director of Green For All, Denzel Thompson, who is the Co-Founder of Philadelphia Urban Creators, Tanya Fields, founder of The BLK Projek, Norris McDonald, founder of the African-American Environmentalist Association, Urban Farmer Karen Washington and Award-winning Environmental Justice Coordinator Karl Fulton. Others include Green Worker Cooperatives Founder Omar Friella, Lisa Jackson, who was the first African American administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), John Francis, who is nicknamed as the “Planet Walker,” New York Times Best- Selling Author Anthony K. Van Jones, Professor Robert Bullard, the “father of the environmental justice movement”, Award Winning Environmentalist Activist Majora Carter, Meteorologist Dr. Warren M. Washington, CEO of Growing Power Inc., Will Allen, Shelton Johnson, a Yosemite National Park ranger and Award Winning Environmentalist, Justice Advocate and Scholar Dr. Beverly Wright,” Source: BET.com.

52 years and still going strong, the Citizen celebrates 52 years of service

The Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group Inc. (CCNG) has been in existence for 52 years and celebrates its anniversary each year on April 19. Under the leadership of the papers’ past chief executive officer, president and publisher William Garth, Sr., the Citizen has flourished and is now the largest black-owned chain of community newspapers in the Midwest. After the death of Garth in 2016, his son, Durrell, became chief executive officer, president and publisher where he and his wife Janice manage the daily operations of the papers.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.: Oakwood University Crowned Champion at 28th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

After twenty rounds of intense competition, Oakwood University was crowned the 28th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament (NCT) champion on Monday, April 10, 2017.

REMEMBER THE CHIBOK GIRLS

Three years ago, Boko Haram terrorists burst into dormitory rooms at the Government Secondary School in the northern Nigerian town of Chibok and kidnapped nearly 300 girls simply because they dared to get an education. In the days leading up to anniversary of their kidnapping, there were plenty of headlines devoted to the “Chibok girls,” as these now young women are famously known. On April 14, 2017, we reached another sad milestone. Some of us paused to remember the anniversary of this horrific, ongoing tragedy. Soon the news reports will fade and the story of the still missing Chibok girls will slip once more to the backburner.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILMS MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOS ANGELES RIOTS

Ferguson. Baltimore. Sanford. The Los Angeles riots may have taken place a quarter century ago but the nation continues to find itself in a cycle of heated discussion over racial oppression, police brutality and socioeconomic inequality.

KEITH SWEAT RETURNS TO LIMITED ENGAGEMENT AT FLAMINGO LAS VEGAS

Keith Sweat announced he will return for an additional run of his limited engagement, “Keith Sweat: Last Forever,” in the Donny & Marie Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas from July 5 through July 22, 2017.

Monday, April 17

VOLUNTEERS BRING EASTER CELEBRATION TO HOMEBOUND ELDERS

What’s better than an Easter basket filled with treats to remind Chicago’s lonely and isolated seniors they are not forgotten?

Wednesday, April 12

David & Tamela Mann Star in Popular Comedy

David Mann, Tamela Mann and company bring a new assortment of hysterical family situations and laughs in the third season of their hit Bounce comedy series Mann & Wife.

New Entrepreneur Seminar for Students at Dyett High School

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), will keynote the Phenomenal Woman Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 6, paying tribute to ten outstanding Chicago area women whose excellence in a variety of fields commands recognition. The event is the kickoff to The Black Women’s Expo (BWE), one of Chicago’s most anticipated annual experiential events, and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr., Crystal Ballroom beginning at 6:00 p.m.

While the Obama Presidential Library promises to benefit the community, groups call for a written agreement

A local community coalition is calling for a community benefits agreement for the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Library Community Benefits Agreement Coalition said they feel a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is necessary due to Black residents being displaced by changes in communities such as the transformation plan of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and the fall out of school closings, according to an Obama Library Community Benefits Agreement Coalition press release.

REAL MEN COOK ON FATHER’S DAY

Real Men Cook -- Chicago’s premiere urban Father’s Day charity event - will build on the success of the 2016 multiple-location format by hosting the event at the same citywide and suburban sites this year and by adding more venues. These individual celebrations are hosted by agencies and entities committed to the Real Men Charities, Inc. mission, to build healthy families and communities. Now in its 28th year, Real Men Cook will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18 from 3PM to 6PM.

HUNDREDS RALLY TO HONOR DR. KING’S LEGACY

Drawing on the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., who was killed 49 years ago, thousands of workers, racial justice activists, elected officials and clergy waged marches, rallies, teach-ins and vigils Tuesday as two of the nation’s most powerful social movements united in a “Fight Racism, Raise Pay” protest that echoed across two-dozen cities.

AHC HOSTS ‘FACES OF HOPE’ GALA

High school isn’t the same journey for everyone and not everyone reaches graduation the same way. Association House High School, located at 1116 N. Kedzie Ave., works with Chicago youth who have been left behind by traditional public schools and develops them around themes of power and social justice.

ORGANIZATION’S PLAN TO BUILD YOUTH CENTER OFFERS HOPE TO MILLENNIALS

Urban L.O.V.E. Community Development Corp. is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering underserved youth through love and the gift of giving.

ComEd doubles jobs, boosts economy and improves customer satisfaction with Smart Grid

In 2011, ComEd proposed legislation that allowed the company to spend money to modernize its Smart Grid, which currently uses technology to help create more efficiency in the way ComEd operates and manages their distribution system.

ETSF Awards Scholarships to Young Black Males

Chicago native and former Quentis Bernard Garth (QBG) Foundation Scholarship recipient, Tenisha Taylor Bell is keeping her promise to send more black males to college and fewer to the coroner.

Local Designer Presents “Brave is Beautiful” fashion to support Domestic Violence Families

When the models of the “Br ave is Beautiful” fashion show walk the runway at Wine Women & Shoes on May 6 at Ravinia Festival, they will not only be wearing the unique silk, denim, and lace creations of Lake Forest fashion designer, Ave Sanjuan, they will be helping to raise funds to support domestic violence victims and their children.

Wednesday, April 5

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND AWARD-WINNING ACTOR HILL HARPER TO DELIVER KEYNOTE AT 49TH ANNUAL CHICAGO BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FAIR

Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, minority business enterprises, and Chicago-area resource organizations will converge for two days of events, networking and contract discussions on April 21-22, 2016 at the 49th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair(CBOF49) presented by Allstate.

CHICAGO BRIDGE GETS A MAKEOVER

“The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that $4.2 million dollars will be released for a City of Chicago project to repair two key [impaired] bridges that carry Lake Shore Drive over Lawrence Avenue and Wilson Avenue. The project’s total cost will estimate to $8.4 million combined, which will be split between state and federal funding,”according to an IDOT press release.

IT’S TIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT ROBOTS!

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), located on 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, is celebrating the exciting field of robotics during [the eighth annual] National Robotics Week Apr. 8-9 and 14-15, 2017. Guests can interact with a number of robots including PARO®, the furry baby seal therapy robot, and Sphero, the speedy robotic ball, which guests can control with an app. Robots designed by Chicago-area students and amateur teams will be on display and guests can watch a live robotics competition as well. Other activities will include make-your-own robot antenna, discover your robot name, and more, according to msichicago.org.

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PRESIDENT ENCOURAGES YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR IN THE AGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP

Carlos Clanton, National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) president provides words of encouragement for young professionals who may be living with intense uncertainty in the current political climate. In a recent blog post, he answered the question “what now?” Clanton draws upon the strength of leaders from previous eras and provides insights for action steps Millennials and Generation Z can take now to move forward.

PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA SPARKS CONVERSATION ABOUT AFFECTS OF LEGALIZING THE DRUG

Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis, according to an Associated Press release.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters to keynote 2017 Phenomenal Woman Awards, kicko to Black Women’s Expo

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), will keynote the Phenomenal Woman Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 6, paying tribute to ten outstanding Chicago area women whose excellence in a variety of fields commands recognition. The event is the kicko¨ to The Black Women’s Expo (BWE), one of Chicago’s most anticipated annual experiential events, and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr., Crystal Ballroom beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Jermaine Dupri Presents SoSoSUMMER 17 Tour

Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, recording artist,and reality tv star Jermaine Dupri in association with Scream Nation and Live Nation, will see 20 cities in North America this summer with Jermaine Dupri Presents: SoSoSUMMER 17 Tour. The tour begins on May 25 in Louisville at the Louisville Palace, with stops in Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, Memphis, and many more. Complete itinerary and more information on tickets can be found at www.livenation.com.

“Black Heritage Auction” to Feature Songs, Notes and Jewelry of Tupac Shakur

On April 7 th, rap legend Tupac Shakur will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Brooklyn, New York. On the same day and only a few blocks away, a large selection of Tupac’s lyrics, song lists, clothing, and jewelry will be offered in the first “Black History Auction” held specifically to honor the achievements and contributions of African-Americans.

Special Angel Pendant Just in Time for Easter

Anyone who loves high-quality Religious Jewelry will be happy to learn that Lifetime Jewelry has just announced a special deal on their 24K Gold Filled Guardian Angel with Halo Pendant and Chain. This small pendant has been designed to especially to appeal to women of all ages. With Easter not far away, this pendant and necklace is anticipated to be a popular gift item.