Wednesday, February 28
University Professor Hopeful for Future of Black America
“Fifty years out from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., African- Americans are still dealing with the same issues Dr. King talked about,” said Harris. “We’re still dealing with incarceration. Our poverty rates have not changed much. More African-Americans are getting higher education, but there is still great disparity.
Traditional West African Performance At Garfield Park Conservatory
“The performance is Amazing African and it is based on West African drumming and dancing and acrobatic style dancing. It features one male dancer in several performances in addition to the drumming and music.
The Unethical Treatment of Henrietta Lacks Still Lingers In Healthcare
Dr. Howard Jones discovered a malignant tumor on Henrietta Lacks cervix in 1951 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The events that followed led to the greatest discovery in medical history. Lacks began undergoing radium treatments shortly there after and ultimately died in October of that year, according to John Hopkins Medical.
Communities Invited to Submit Projects for New $225 million IDOT Freight Program
The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking project proposals for a new competitive grant program that aims to improve the mobility of freight at the local level. Applications are due April 6 for up to $225 million in National Highway Freight Program funds to be distributed through 2022.
Alderman Sawyer (6th) Wants More For Minority Businesses
Sawyer focused heavily on the reform of Chicago’s Minority owned Business (MBE) Procurement Program, which provides a greater opportunity for minority-owned businesses to receive city contracts. This program creates new opportunities in middle-class minority communities that have seen record levels of disinvestment over the last several years, according to Sawyer.
It’s Never Too Late For a Career Change
“I never felt like marketing wasn’t right for me. I still enjoy marketing and I find myself using those skills in every position I have obtained. It laid that foundation for my next step. I really wanted to give to the community and help people more, that’s what I was looking to do and that’s my passion,” said Staples.
Six of Eight Candidates for Third District Commissioner Speak At Forum
The big question of the night centered around each candidate explaining their top legislative priorities as a Cook County Commissioner.
MSI Introduces Low-Sensory Mornings
“This program invites guests with sensory needs, including those with autism and who prefer a quieter experience, to explore MSI at their own pace. We’ve been hearing feedback from our guests who are interested in exploring the Museum in this capacity, and we are very excited to be able to offer a new way to discover all the Museum has to offer,” said Katie Schweiger, manager of specialized experiences at MSI.
Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1
Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1 explores the dynamic journey of the Air Jordan 1 from its unlikely beginnings to its role in disrupting long-established rules of the NBA, changing the game of basketball, birthing sneaker culture and influencing a social and cultural revolution.
MGA Entertainment Celebrates Toy of the Year Award with a Slew of New L.O.L. Surprise!™ Dolls, Debuts First L.O.L. Surprise!™ Boys
The company also revealed a line-up of new products from its other popular brands including Little Tikes®, Project Mc²™, Num Noms™, BABY Born®, and Crate Creatures Surprise!™, as well as the launch of Moj Moj™ – a new collectible brand.
Food Desert Study Shows Troubling Conclusion
According to the study, “The Geography of Poverty and Nutrition: Food Deserts and Food Choices Across the United States,” conducted by Jean-Pierre Dubé, a professor with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, New York University’s Hung Allcott and Stanford University’s Rebecca Diamond, exposing low-income households to the same products and prices available to high-income households reduces nutritional inequality by only 9 percent while the remaining 91 percent of the nutrition gap is driven by shoppers’ preference.
Thursday, February 22
Bronzeville Museum Kicks Off Its 20th Year Anniversary
The Bronzeville Children's Museum located at 9301 South Stony Island in Chicago, Illinois will kick-off its 20th Year Anniversary Celebration with year long events.
Wednesday, February 21
“Now is the time to modernize the courses and revitalize our community aesthetically and economically.”
We can honestly say “THEY GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME”! Notably, the ability for 9-hole leagues or clubs to return to the clubhouse after nine; the proposed location of the new clubhouse which merges the interests of golfer and non-golfer to produce a functional space for fellowship; and Chicago Park District’s pledge to keep green fees free for junior golfers and daily rates below $50 for Chicago residents.
Upcoming Women’s History Month Performance Highlights Harriet Tubman
South Suburban College has put together a free Woman’s History Month performance of The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman staring Cynthia Maddox. The performance will take place on March 1st at 11 a.m. in the Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 S. State St., South Holland.
Residents Receive Free Health Screenings at Community Wellness Day
The Village of Dolton recently hosted a Community Wellness Day to provide residents with free health screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, one-on-one pharmacy consultations, and wellness activities.
Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
In honor of Black History Month, The Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) recently hosted its “Tolerance is Greater” tour, an in-school live performance designed to teach students how to spread love, show tolerance and decrease bullying within their schools and communities.
Chicago Advertiser Laid Foundation For Culturally Relevant Television Ads
Chicago native Thomas J. Burrell, the founder of Burrell Communications, is known for his revolutionary contributions to television advertising. His ideas forever changed the way that blacks were represented in marketing campaigns and how they were reached through major advertising campaigns.
Can Bronzeville’s Rich Black History Be Preserved In New Developments?
For nearly a century Bronzeville has been regarded as the Black Metropolis of Chicago. The neighborhood was home to roughly 300,000 black people from 1920 to 1950 and was the epicenter of African American culture and business in Chicago during that time, according to WTTW Chicago Public Media series DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis.
Plans Revealed To Preserve And Renovate Former Church In Kenwood
Fourth Ward Alderman, Sophia King, recently hosted a community meeting to discuss the plans and concerns for the conversion of the former Shiloh Baptist Church building, located at 4840 S. Dorchester in Kenwood, to be converted into hi-end housing units.
Chicago Black Women in Tech host Workplace Workshop
“Often times, as professional women we deal with each other in a not so nice way,” Kupe-Arion said. “So, sometimes there are challenges between a female supervisor and a subordinate or individuals of the same seniority level.”
WILEY COLLEGE RECOGNIZES TWO-TIME OSCAR WINNER DENZEL WASHINGTON
Washington was recognized during the awards ceremony for the nation’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities Speech and Debate Championship Tournament, which was held at Wiley this past January.
Creme of Nature Marks Black History Month By Celebrating the Beauty of Natural Hair
Leading hair care brand Creme of Nature joins Americans across the country celebrating the accomplishments of Black people in beauty and the arts, sciences, business, law, technology, medicine, sports and beyond. In recognition of Black History Month and as an extension of the brand’s “I Am Super Natural” campaign, Creme of Nature is releasing a new video paying homage to natural hair.
CTA Hosts 250 Small and Minority-Owned Businesses at Red Purple Modernization Project Outreach Event
The meet-and-greet style event was held Jan. 25, 2018 at CTA headquarters in Chicago and hosted more than 300 individuals, including more than 250 business owners and representatives. Participants received an opportunity to meet with and learn more about prospective partnership opportunities with RPM’s potential prime contractors.
Minority Contractor will Contribute to Red Line Extension
Black History Focus
“It was 43 years ago that the CTA unveiled the newest line the (Dan Ryan),” said Terry Peterson, CTA chairman. “A lot has happened in Chicago since then and the South Red Line has become one of the busiest (L) systems carrying more than 80,000 people on a weekday.”
Congressman Rush Calls for Heart Disease Awareness
In honor of Black Women’s Heart Health Awareness Week, Congressman Bobby Rush recently held a conference entitled, “A Heart to Heart Conversation: African-American Women & Heart Health,” led by Pam Morris-Walton, WVON Radio Host and heart disease survivor at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Fast Food Workers Fight for $15
“Our mission is to follow the tradition of the sanitation workers and move history forward to demand $15 an hour and union rights,” said Tyree Johnson, a McDonald’s fast food worker. “In 1968, things were much different because of the color of our skin, and our background. But we should be a lot further ahead with economic and racial justice than we are.”
Wednesday, February 14
Nicholas Smith Sworn in as New State Representative
“I can’t think of a better person to take this position than Smith because he is a public servant and you want people who represent you to be servants with servant hearts,” Judge Lyle said. “Plus, Smith lives in the community so if you see him walking down the street, feel free to check him to keep him focused and well-grounded.”
40 Years Laters, Former CPS Teacher Follows Marva Collins’ Footsteps
“I was inspired by Marva Collins. I didn’t realize until I started doing interviews to promote my school, that she was the first African American to not only found a school, but to own and operate her own school independent from Chicago Public Schools. I also didn’t realize that I would be the second African American woman to do that,” said James.
Black Panthers Connected Nutrition To Education Long Before Serving Breakfast in Schools Became Popular
The Black Panther Party of Chicago emerged on the city’s West Side in 1968, according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago. Billy “Che” Brooks, deputy minister of education for the Black Panther Party of Chicago, remembers opening Chicago’s first free breakfast program for children in April of 1969 at the Better Boys Foundation, 1512 S. Pulaski Rd.
New Housing Development Designed For Artists
Torrey Barrett, founder of KLEO Community Center, worked with developers to design the new Art Residences after working with the community and realizing that there were several artists coming to the neighborhood, to work and socialize, who didn’t live in the community.
GAGDC Honors Local Senior Citizens with Breakfast
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) is planning to host a Breakfast and Blues event for seniors on Feb. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Namoi & Sylvester Smith Senior Living, 8031 S. Halsted.
Thornton Township Holds Coat Give Away
Thornton Township Community relations manager, Lamothe plans to make the coat give away an annual event and purposefully chose to hold the event in February because he knew that there would be people who were forgotten during the more common coat giveaways that happen during the Christmas season.
Prairie State College Developing Mobile Training Centers
The grant will go towards building two 53 foot semi-trailers which will be outfitted with hands-on and virtual training equipment. One trailer will be outfitted with welding equipment and the other trailer will be CNC and robotics equipment, according to Craig Schmidt, vice president of community and economic development at Prairie State College.
ORS™ Olive Oil Delivers the Power of More!
Namaste Laboratories, makers of ORS™ hair care, has a new look for its iconic ORS™Olive Oil! The brand, which creates hair care and styling products for all hair types and textures, introduces a “Fresh New Look” to its packaging and a formula update to some of its most popular Known for its wide range of healthy hair styling and maintenance solutions, ORS™ Olive Oil products feature Nourishing Olive Oil and are now infused with a range of nutrient-rich, Power-Packed Oils such as Sweet Almond Oil for strengthening and Coconut Oil for restorative shine.
Young authors find inspiration from leaders in African American history
During an African American Literary Festival, in partnership with the Soulful Chicago Book Fair, author Patience Kirkland, said she loves Angelou’s poetry and the way she worded her poems.
The ARK Cultivating Youth through Journalism, Mentoring Programs
“These students are our future and there aren’t too many opportunities for them. It’s about being a helping hand to our community. The whole point of these programs is to create leaders and make sure whatever profession they choose, they come back and do the same for kids after them.
Wednesday, February 7
Applications Now Open for Chicago High School Teens Seeking Apprenticeship and Internship Programs with After School Matters®
More than 7,000 program opportunities available to Chicago teens this spring
AnitaB.Chicago Hosts ‘Power of Intention’ Workshop
AnitaB.org’s mission is to connect, inspire and guide under-represented groups in computing. AnitaB.Chicago, one of 20 chapters, launched in 2015, and currently conducts monthly meetings and programming tutorials on a variety of topics.
(BPRW) Macy’s Celebrates Innovators and Visionaries During Black History Month
As part of Macy’s Black History Month celebrations, actress, writer and producer Issa Rae will appear at Macy’s Baldwin Hills in Los Angeles. Macy’s will also welcome Emmy® -nominated actress and equal rights advocate, Laverne Cox, at Herald Square in New York City. Both will participate in moderated conversations about Black history, their inspirations and innovation in showbiz. “These upcoming Black History events serve as wonderful opportunities for Macy’s to bring bold, ground-breaking Black innovators into our stores and to our communities,” said Kristyn Doar-Page, Macy’s vice president of Diversity & Inclusion Strategies. “As a retailer committed to celebrating trailblazers, Macy’s is thrilled to open a space where our community can engage with these artists as they share their life stories and inspirations.”
State Officials continue Hospital Assessment Negotiations
“Our overall goal for the program going forward should be to ensure that payments to hospitals follow services for Medicaid beneficiaries,” Hoffman said. “Dollars should be invested in a way that makes sure quality care is provided to those with limited resources, regardless of where they live.”
Fundraising Event For Ray Elementary Held In Hyde Park
William H. Ray elementary school recently held their third annual Raise a Glass for Ray School fundraiser at The Promontory in Hyde Park. The fundraiser was put on by Friends of Ray School Parent Teacher Organization, a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating to support the students, teachers, and staff of Ray Elementary.
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Hosts Pathways to Success
President Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential.
The Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour’ adds over 100 new dates
Kevin Hart Irresponsible Tour is coming to Chicago
CHA’s outstanding work in Section 3 program prompts HUD to waive final year of compliance agreement
The HUD Section 3 program is aimed at helping resident-owned businesses gain access to contracting opportunities and to support Section 3 residents and businesses in the areas of training and resources, business development and compliance. HUD Secretary Ben Carson met with CHA officials Jan. 8 at the Section 3 office and later toured a CHA property where Section 3 contractors are doing work to rehabilitate the building.
Young Introduces Training Wheels Film
“It took me time to understand my [father’s] struggles and understand that he couldn’t be what I wanted him to be,” Young said. “So, I had to change my attitude about my father and when I came into the knowledge of his struggles, I was able to be that [loving] person for him.”
Martin’s International Announces Chicago Music Awards Nominees
Each year, the Chicago Music Awards pays tribute to leaders representing Chicago’s diverse music industry. The event also celebrates the city’s musical heritage.
The Black Creativity Program Returns to MSI
The Black Creativity program has returned to the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). This program runs annually for black history month and includes several different exhibits and activities to encourage people to visit the museum and explore the creative achievements of African Americans.
South Suburban Village Adjusts To Changing Economy
“This is a great opportunity to share what we have in our focus for the Village and the Southland region. I’ve lived here for 35 years and I’ve seen the village grow from 10,000 to over 20,000. We’ve had some positive events and we have had some challenges,” said Chalmers-Currin.
Upcoming Mardi Gras Party In Lansing
“We are trying to give back to Lansing and give people a place to go and see each other and have a good time, that’s our main goal with Fat Friday,” said Patricia Leck, event organizer for LACE.
Ex-Offender Finds Redemption via Restaurant Grand Opening
“I’ve always dreamt about this day, but I never imagined it would come,” she said. “I know the food business and it’s something I love to do and look forward to doing every day, but what the experience of opening this new restaurant taught me was the importance of having a good support network.”