Wednesday, April 25
NON-PROFIT IN NORTH LAWNDALE WINS NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARD
The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards recently named UCAN, a non-profit headquartered in North Lawndale, as this year’s recipient of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project. UCAN received this award because of the conscious effort that went into developing their new campus at the corner of Central Park Ave. and Fillmore St. in North Lawndale.
BLUE ISLAND RECOVERY HOME CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF OPERATION
Guildhaus, a licensed non-profit men’s recovery home and halfway house in Blue Island, is celebrating it’s 30 year anniversary on April 26 at the Beverly Country Club. The night will begin at 6 p.m. and feature Neil Steinberg, a journalist with the Chicago Sun Times, as the guest speaker along with a silent auction and raffle.
14th Annual Free Citywide Home Expo Hosted in Tuley Park
The Chesterfield Community Council is a community based non-profit organization that was started in 1955. The organization regularly organizes and participates in community activism along with hosting their annual Citywide Home Expo and the annual Silas Purnell College Expo. The free Home Expo was designed to bring Chicagoans together with all the housing-related resources that are available to them.
ComEd Files For $23 Million Rate Decrease
“Our filing includes a rate request for distribution services, or delivery of electricity, in 2019 of $2.7 billion. This represents the decrease of $23 million from the ICC approved rate that took effect in January of this year. It will result in the decrease of about 50 cents on the average monthly residential customer bill.
Chicago’s Leading Cultural Organizations Introduce Innovative Summer Opportunities to Youth and Families Citywide
Launched in the summer of 2013 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CCOL is a year-round initiative that allows young people to discover, engage in and have evidence for out-of-school learning opportunities they pursue beyond school walls.
Funeral Held for Long Time Chatham Restaurant Owner
“Izola was a friend and mentor to me as a newly elected official trying to navigate the rough waters of Chicago. It was always nice to be able to go to Izola’s and have her give me advice. You all know that Izola would give tough advice, but she was always there.” DOROTHY BROWN, CLERK OF THE COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
Louis Vuitton Announces Virgil Abloh as New Menswear Designer
Virgil Abloh, 37, is making history as the first black artistic director for Louis Vuitton. This is a huge accomplishment, considering how underrepresented black names are in the luxury European world of fashion. Here’s what we know about the new designer.
Joshua C. Shelton, Sr., Chicago Police Department’s youngest faith-based liaison brings compassion and grace to tough job through seminary training
Officer Joshua Shelton, 33, remembers the time he saw his first homicide victim. It was a young, black male who had been shot and killed and left dying on his feet in the vestibule of his apartment building, while his family, including a small child, was just upstairs. “[That] was something I couldn’t get out of my head for a long time,” Shelton recalled. “This man had died standing up, and his family was just upstairs. We had the fire department escort them out of the building using a ladder through a window. We couldn’t let them see him like that, or see the blood, or the crime scene. For a long time, I couldn’t get this victim out of my mind. I had to pray about it constantly.”
Black Media Story Summit Supports Peak Black Creativity
Black Public Media (BPM), the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to media content about the black experience, convened the first-ever Black Media Story Summit Friday at Google’s New York City offices. The day-long, invitation-only gathering brought more than 100 black creatives and thought leaders together with media technologists, funders, investors and distributors in a series of conversations designed to get strategic black content into the distribution pipeline.
LOCAL ORGANIZATION THAT FOUGHT FOR TRAUMA CENTER IS PROUD TO SEE IT OPEN
The University of Chicago Medicine will be opening their new state-of-the-art level one adult trauma center at 8 a.m. on May 1. Bringing an adult trauma center to the South Side of Chicago has not been an easy task, but a coalition of local organizations took it upon themselves to champion the trauma center campaign that has been taking place for the last several years.
Suite of Mood-Inspired Home Air Care Products Launched
Earth Friendly Products®, the maker of ECOS™ laundry detergent and over 200 other environmentally friendly products, is launching a new suite of mood-inspired home air care products, including ECOSBreeze™ Fabric & Carpet Odor Eliminator and ECOSBreeze™ Room Spray. Using signature natural fragrances and essential oil blends from the most popular ECOS™ products, the sprays are designed to eliminate odors and help consumers create a unique ambiance in their home that matches their mood, from “Bold” to “Chill.”
Monday, April 23
Local Tow Company Owner and Media Spokesperson Comes To The Aide Of 17 Year Old Student Battling Cancer
Torri Stewart Wish To Attend Her Senior Prom To Be Made Possible By The Help Of Two Local Business Owners
After giving up hope of ever going to Prom, two local businessmen came to the aid of a 17 year old suburban student who is battling stage 4 cancer. The two will totally financing her special day, paying for a Spa Treatment, Prom Dress, All day Limousine services and payment for all other expenses related to the Prom. Torri refuses to give up after a horrible year of battling cancer and losing three important men in her life. She lost her step-father, grandfather and favorite Uncle and still managed to execel against all odds.
HBCU STUDENTS APPLY NOW FOR NNPA'S DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIP
The deadline for HBCU students to submit an application for the 2018 Discover The Unexpected Journalism Fellowship, or DTU, is April 30.
University of Chicago Establishes Grant Program to Catalyze Non-profit Work
The Catalyst Grant is part of the Urban America Forward conference hosted by the University of Chicago. The conference was designed to bring policymakers, practitioners, scholars, academics, and community leaders together to identify the challenges that urban communities currently face and the best practices and solutions to help address those challenges, according to Derek Douglas, vice president for civic engagement and external affairs at the University of Chicago.
Wednesday, April 18
Phase One of 95th Street Red Line Station Terminal Improvement Completed
“The 95th Street CTA station is such an important transportation hub for our community," said Wilbur C. Milhouse, III PE, President/CEO of Milhouse. "Growing up on the south side, it was a daily part of my commute to school. I am very proud to be a part of this momentous renovation, which will have such a significant impact, and improve the lives of so many fellow Chicagoans.”
Emotional Wellness Workshops Held in South Suburbs
The Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network has been holding emotional wellness workshops on Tuesday nights throughout the month of April. The final workshop of this series will provide information on understanding alcohol and substance use and abuse. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on April 24th at the Hudson Academy Foundation in Robbins.
FORMER GOLDEN APPLE WINNER TO LEAD ROOSEVELT SCHOOLS IN DOLTON
A former Golden Apple award winner will join the Dolton West School District 148 administrative team in the coming months. Dr. Kim Brasfield-Carpenter, also known as “Dr. BC,” has been chosen from a field of more than 30 applicants as the new principal of Roosevelt Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High Schools in Dolton, effective July 1, 2018.
$100,500 Worth 0f Unclaimed Property Items Available at Upcoming Auction
Three Lee Godie drawings, a gold national Bicentennial medal and Columbian Half Dollars to commemorate the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 held in Chicago, are among the 921 unclaimed property items which will be auctioned off live at 10 a.m. on May 12 at the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 Union Hall in Chicago.
Upcoming Fundraiser for Homeless in South Suburbs
South Suburban PADS is an interfaith movement that has been operating for 27 years to prevent and end homelessness in the South Suburbs. So far, the organization has provided shelter and meals to enable over 17,000 people to survive homelessness.
All Girls STEM School Hosts Annual Girl Power Luncheon
The YWLCS was founded in 1999 and is the only all-girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) charter school in Chicago. There are nearly 350 young women who attend YWLCS and the school boasts a 100 percent graduation and college acceptance rate, according to a press release from the YWLCS.
Upcoming Health and Medical Career Conference for Young People
On April 21, the I Am Abel Foundation (IAAF) is hosting their second annual Health and Medical Careers Citywide Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also their third annual Preparing Our Successors in Medicine Student Gala at 6:30 p.m. in the Searle Conference Center on the fifth floor of the Rush University Medical Center.
WE Day Illinois Unites 15,000 Young Change-Makers
The students of the “EmpoWEred” group at Morgan Park High School shine as an example of how making small changes can bring a positive impact
“In every community in our country, young people are working to make the world better. We must encourage and support them to pursue their ideas and to believe in themselves,” said Tom Wilson, WE Day Illinois Co-Chair and Allstate’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mother of Gun Violence Victim Wants to Help Communities Heal
“The organization is a behavioral health services organization established to resolve what we believe to be the core of gun violence which is unresolved trauma in our communities. More specifically, with our youth and we also are developing services to assist women who have experienced the loss of a loved one through gun violence or incarceration.” Lisa Daniels.
KAZOOM FEST TO BRING MULTICULTURAL KAZOOM KIDS’ iSTORYBOOKS TO LIFE ONSTAGE
KaZoom Kids Books (www.kazoomkidsbooks.com), an interactive digital publishing company dedicated to bringing greater diversity to children’s literature, recently announced KaZoom Fest, a collaboration with the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA).
Kellogg’s® Celebrates Mike Schultz with First-Ever U.S. Paralympian Gold Medal Edition Corn Flakes® Box
“It was a true honor to have represented my country at my first Paralympic Winter Games and proud to bring home gold and silver medals for the U.S.,” said Schultz. “I’m so thankful for my family, who have been with me every step of my journey, and the support from Team USA and Team Kellogg’s.”
Chicago Park District and Lincoln Park Zoo Present Family Nature Days Series this Spring
The Chicago Park District and Lincoln Park Zoo announce the creation of Family Nature Days, an interactive, nature-based program for the entire family. Lincoln Park Zoo will host the nature play series at nine Chicago parks across the city, through November 3. Park locations include Bosley Park, Cornell Park, River Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Smith Park, Washington Park, West Pullman Park, Shabbona Park and Calumet Park. All of the pop-up nature play dates are admission free.
Inglot Cosmetics Announces Collaboration with Jennifer Lopez
After decades serving as a muse for the makeup industry and a beauty inspiration for women all over the world, Jennifer Lopez is now stepping behind the scenes and debuting a limited-edition collection in partnership with global beauty brand Inglot Cosmetics. Launching April 26th, the extensive color line will bring Jennifer’s and Inglot’s shared vision of strong femininity to life and offer women diverse ways to express themselves through beauty. Finally, everyone can now achieve their own authentic “J Lo Glow.”
Gregory Jones, Principal at Kenwood Academy High School, Honored with Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award
Golden Apple, a leading Illinois nonprofit committed to developing great teachers, recently surprised Gregory Jones, principal of Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago, with the Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award. The award, presented in memory of Stanley C. Golder, a founding board member of Golden Apple, honors exemplary performance in school leadership by a principal or head of school from the Chicagoland area.
Upcoming Protest Calls for Removal of Confederate Mound in Oak Woods Cemetery
On April 22 the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) will hold their annual memorial service at the Confederate Mound in Oak Woods Cemetery honoring Confederate soldiers. The group will be met by Smash White Supremacy (SWS), an organization that has been mobilizing to call for the removal of the monument that stands at the helm of the confederate mound.
Wednesday, April 11
UPCOMING WOMEN’S GALA FEATURES BERTINA POWER AS MC
A local organization, She ROCKS It, is preparing for their second annual Women Who ROCK Award Gala on May 6 to honor 22 empowering women from the Chicagoland area. The event will be held at the Bolingbrook Golf Course and hosted by Bertina Power, an empowering woman herself and the voice of EmPower Hour, a talk show that she hosts and produces.
Black Women’s Roundtable Releases Its Fifth Annual Report
On Wednesday, March 28th, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) closed out Women’s History Month and Black Women’s Week, by hosting a tele-briefing to release its Fifth Annual Black Women in the U.S. Report, which assesses the challenges, triumphs and overall contemporary condition of Black women in the United States in 2018. This year’s report is entitled “Time for a Power Shift” and takes an in-depth look at the issue of power and exactly where Black women fall socially, politically, economically, spiritually and health-wise.
The Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League Gives Back in a Big Way with their 11th Annual MBoutique Experience
The Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League gears up for its 11th Annual MBoutique, a signature event dedicated to uplifting Chicagoland youth by providing prom essentials to high school students. Every year, MBoutique serves more than 150 high school participants, providing them with the opportunity to receive all of their prom needs in one place for free.
Exhibit Explores the History of Racism in Chicago
Welcome to the Grand Opening of the new Chicago Racism Museum, where community leaders and residents are gathering for a multimedia - and meta-theatrical - exhibit that explores the history of racism in Chicago.
99-Year-Old Friend of Dr. King Shares Memories of Civil Rights in Chicago
Timuel Black recently spoke at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Hyde Park to honor the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Black worked closely with King during the civil rights movement and was instrumental in orchestrating King’s first Chicago appearance in April of 1956 where he gave a moving speech at the same venue.
Fourth Ward Meeting Held To Present New Development Projects To Residents
Alderman of Chicago’s Fourth Ward, Sophia King, recently held a community meeting to give two developers an opportunity to publicly present the construction and renovation plans that they have submitted to the alderman for approval. The goal of this meeting was to receive feedback from residents of the fourth ward so King can make the best decision for her constituents.
CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO APPROVES PLAN TO LOWER TUITION FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
A recent meeting of the City Colleges of Chicago Board of Trustees approved a new tuition equity adjustment plan that will make education more accessible to working students and families across Chicago. The newly approved tuition rates will take effect during this years summer term.
CPL Celebrates Poetry Month With Poetry Fest at Harold Washington Library Center
Chicago Public Library celebrates Poetry Month in April, with events and workshops at branch locations throughout the city and culminating in the free, day-long Poetry Fest Saturday, April 28 at Harold Washington Library Center. Complete Poetry Month details, including recommended reads for kids, teens and adults, can be found at www.chipublib.org/poetry.
PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE JOINS UIC’S TRANSFER ADMISSION GUARANTEE PROGRAM
Prairie State College Joins UIC’s Transfer Admission Guarantee Program
South Shore Teacher Receives Golden Apple Award
Golden Apple recently named 10 outstanding Pre-K to third-grade teachers who would receive Awards for Excellence in Teaching this year. South Shore Fine Arts Academy’s very own Heather Duncan is one of this year’s award recipients for her work as a Pre-K teacher.
NAACP Sues President Trump Over 2020 Census
NAACP, Prince George’s County File Lawsuit over “Underfunded, Understaffed” 2020 Census
The NAACP announced that the group has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Census Bureau and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, “to combat the imminent threat that the 2020 Census will substantially undercount African Americans and other people of color in communities throughout the United States,” a press release about the lawsuit said.
Chicago’s Own Unicorn, Chrishon Lampley Talks About Building Her Wine Business
On April 20, Chrishon Lampley will be hosting a tasting event at the South Loop Mariano’s for Love Cork Screw wine, a private label wine company that she owns. The event will showcase the five varietals of red and white wine that the company produces. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online.
Tuesday, April 10
Disabled Veteran Went From Writing Her Own Obituary To Training For Paralympics
Growing up in the projects of Hyde Park and Chatham, Peyton watched many of her family members enlist in the military. Eventually, she followed their examples and joined the military herself.
Local Dental Hygiene Students Learn To Connect With Community
The American Dental Association recently launched the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) program at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. The program trains dental workers on how to connect with their community through case management and educational services which leads to a better dental experience for children and adults.
Wednesday, April 4
Cook County Board President Requesting Community Input For Third Term Goals
“The goal of the Policy Roadmap is to make sure we have one comprehensive plan. There are at least five bureaus under the president and they all have their own strategic plans of what they want to accomplish and this will include those but also include our broader goals.” LANETTA HAYNES-TURNER
NEW PARTNERSHIP CONNECTS SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOLERS WITH PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS
Chicago’s Urban Alliance and the Obama Foundation have teamed up to create the Obama Youth Jobs Corps (OYJC) program which will provide workforce readiness training and professional paid internships to high school students from the South Side of Chicago.
DJ Jazzy Jeff Headlines 5th Annual Hyde Park Brew Fest
Hyde Park Brew Fest marks its fifth year with an outstanding weekend of festivities that will combine Chicago’s best brewers and music producers. The Hyde Park Brew Fest runs from June 2 through June 3rd, 12p-9p on Saturday and Sunday and is FREE to attend. Attendees will enjoy excellent food, music, vendors, and of course, can purchase a sampler’s ticket for access to over 50 different beers and ciders to try. The Hyde Park Brew Fest takes place in downtown Hyde Park at 53rd and Harper Avenue (Harper Court).
Weekly Fulton Market Expo Launches In Historic District
On Saturday, April 7, 2018, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially mark the launch of Fulton Market Expo (FMX) at 1:30 pm at the corner of Fulton Market and Green Street. Every Saturday between the months of May through October, FMX will be held on Fulton Market between Peoria and Green Streets from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Black Film Festival Hosts Free Screenings At Garfield Park Conservatory
The Best of Black Harvest Film Festival West has returned to the Garfield Park Conservatory this year with a screening of Blueprint for Bronzeville, a film that chronicles the efforts of Housing Bronzeville as they attempted to bring affordable single-family homes to the neighborhood in 2009.
I AM 2018 Movement Launched in Memphis
Common, Danny Glover, Andrew Young, Dr. Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, Civil Rights, Labor and Faith Leaders Launch “I AM 2018” Movement in Memphis
Eighth Ward Alderman Pushes For New Senior Residences
For two years, Harris has been working on securing funding for this project that will provide 101 one-bedroom and 34 two-bedroom units to people who are at least 62-years-old, according to a press release from the office of Alderman Harris.
Snoop Dogg’s Highly Anticipated Gospel Album, Bible Of Love, Available Everywhere
Iconic artist and entertainer, Snoop Dogg, recently released his first gospel album, the much anticipated, Bible of Love (All The Time Entertainment / RCA Inspiration). The project, which was a labor of love for Snoop, is his 16th album and marks the first release from his new imprint, All The Time Entertainment.
GoLookUp Will Now Allow Users to Search for Unclaimed Money
The term Abandoned Money was coined in relation to money that people essentially left behind and forgot about. As of today, there are nearly $60 billion of unclaimed and abandoned money that people all across the U.S. can claim back at any time.
Men’s Lifestyle Brand dotGREY Makes Bold Entry Into Men’s Skincare Industry
Life can be complicated. Scratch that. Life IS complicated. But .GREY (pronounced “dotGREY”) is changing the game in skincare for today’s man.
Chicago Public Library To Commemorate The Life Of Mayor Harold Washington
Chicago Public Library will host a program to discuss the new documentary film titled Punch 9--Harold Washington for Chicago at Harold Washington Library.
USA Football Hits the Turf in Richton Park
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, will conduct 24 U.S. National Team Regionals in 2018, one of which will be April 28 – 29th at Rich South High School, Richton Park, Ill.
Google Hosts Technology Workshops For College Students
The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) recently hosted two days of Google Workshops for students. The workshops were led by the school’s alumni who now hold positions at Google.
UPCOMING HOUSING RESOURCE FAIR ON THE SOUTH SIDE
U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (pictured) is hosting a Housing Resource Fair on April 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 1250 W. 119th St. The free event will kick off with thirty minutes of presentations from two guest speakers and then transition into an opportunity for one-on-one attention from the 18 vendors that will have tables at the event.
WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEUR AND BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN SOUTH SUBURBS The Women’s Entrepreneur and Business
The Women’s Entrepreneur and Business Resource Forum was recently hosted by the Village of Dolton. The forum called on local entrepreneurs and business professions from all around Chicago to gather, network, and share tips and tricks of the trade.