Wednesday, May 30

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City of Chicago Announces Music Lineup for 38th Annual Taste of Chicago

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the full music lineup for the 38th Annual Taste of Chicago.

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HYDE PARK BASED ORGANIZATION RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION FROM BENEFIT CHICAGO FUND

NowPow, a Hyde Park-based organization that uses a digital platform and data analytics to connect patients in under-resourced neighborhoods with nearby health and social services, recently received a $1.5 million loan from the Benefit Chicago fund.

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Long Time Woodlawn Activist Supports Obama Presidential Center

With the recent news of the nearly-unanimous Chicago City Council vote to approve the construction of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Jackson Park, Dr. Leon Finney Jr., founder and CEO of Urban Broadcast Media and longtime community activist in Woodlawn, is beaming. At a recent meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission, Finney presented a petition with 5,038 signatures asking that the Plan Commission vote in favor of the OPC.

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Museum of Science and Industry Opens Interactive Pixar Exhibit

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) recently opened a new temporary exhibit, The Science Behind Pixar, which gives guests an in-depth look at the work that goes into making animated Pixar films like Finding Nemo and Toy Story.

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ILLINOIS PASSES BILL THAT ALLOWS COMMUNITIES TO ESTABLISH URBAN AGRICULTURE ZONES

Illinois House Bill 3418, spearheaded by Rep. Sonya Harper (6th), recently passed in both the Illinois house and senate. The purpose of this bill is to make it easier for small farmers and community organizations to create urban agriculture zones (UAZ) where communities can grow food for themselves and combat food deserts.

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NFL Owners Use Strong Man Tactics to Deny Players 1st Amendment Rights and Appease Trump

President Donald Trump is an admirer of “strong men” and dictatorships and has little regard for democracy.

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SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION GIVES TO YOUNG MEN AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE

The Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation (ETSF) recently awarded its first college scholarship of 2018 to Marlon Stokes, senior at Rich South High School in Richton Park. Stokes was awarded the scholarship because of his compelling essay detailing how Chicago’s gun violence has impacted his life.

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South Suburban Job Fair Boasts Variety of Employers

Thornton Township and South Suburban College (SSC) recently held their seventh annual collaborative job fair at the SSC Fitness Center. Seventy-five businesses were present to conduct interviews with nearly 1,000 employment-seekers who attended the job fair.

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STATES ATTORNEY SPEAKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

A recent YMCA Experience (YXP) event held at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, 1030 W. Van Buren St., featured Cook County States Attorney, Kimberly Foxx, as a guest speaker. Foxx utilized YMCA services as a child and continues to support and acknowledge the importance of their programs in the lives of Chicago’s youth.

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New Bike Lanes Under LSD Solely to Discriminate Against Homeless in Uptown, Attorneys Allege

An amended complaint was recently filed alleging discrimination against homeless people in the Uptown neighborhood by the city of Chicago. Lawyers from Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Uptown People’s Law Center, and Butler Rubin filed the complaint on behalf of the homeless residents of Uptown who took shelter under the viaducts before the construction. The encampment was destroyed by police in September to make way for bridge repair.

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Lori Lightfoot Announces Mayoral Candidacy

“My vision of Chicago starts with one in which equity and inclusion are our north stars. Where we get rid of the ‘us vs. them’ style of governance. If we are united in a common purpose to put a progressive course for the city, we are going to be able to accomplish amazing things,” said Lightfoot.

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80 US Communities to Fight Local Hunger with Bees

Bees are essential for the pollination of so much of the food Americans eat. Guillermo Fernandez, Director of The Honeybee Conservancy notes, “One in three bites of food we eat depends entirely on bees—and they are dying out. Bees inhabit the juncture where sustainability, science, and the local food movement intersect.

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Strategic Wealth Partners Celebrates Ten Years of Service

A Monday morning quarterback might say 2008 was not the best year to launch a wealth management firm.

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Stevie Wonder Announces “The Stevie Wonder Song Party: A Celebration of Life, Love & Music” Concert Series

As an activist, Stevie also spearheaded the realization of “Martin Luther King Day” as a national holiday. His participation in the “We Are The World” fundraiser for hunger in Africa was a music industry milestone while his involvement to put an end to apartheid in South Africa is legendary. He is the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and is a Commander of France’s National Order of Arts and Letters.

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Kosås Color Cosmetics Announces Investment to Fuel Growth

Kosås Color Cosmetics was founded in 2015 by Sheena Yaitanes with a purpose to cultivate beauty on every level and offer women barrier-breaking formulations with universal appeal. The company has seen substantial organic growth without prior outside investment and doubled its sales in 2017. It is anticipated to triple sales in 2018 through expanded distribution with Violet Grey, GOOP, REVOLVE, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Credo and The Detox Market, as well as through a holistic, integrated marketing strategy designed to drive brand awareness and engagement to kosas.com.

Wednesday, May 23

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MWRD COMMISSIONER KARI K. STEELE HOST 100 BLACK MEN CHICAGO, INC. MENTEES (AGES 13-18) DURING MWRD OPEN HOUSE AND NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK

Promoting the exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) as future career options for Chicago area youth

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Kari K. Steele and 100 Black Men Chicago, Inc. come together to provide Chicago area youth Mentees of 100 Black Men Chicago, Inc. (ages 13-18) with an extraordinary opportunity to learn how the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) recovers resources and transform water at their fascinating and vital Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs).

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Shabazz Students Celebrates Wakanda Mondays

Released during Black History Month, the Marvel Studios’ blockbuster Black Panther still is setting records nearly three months later with worldwide box office sales at $1.4 billion. Now that it’s available on home video, sales will continue exponentially. Support for the superhero movie and its 31-year-old African American director Ryan Coogler has been nothing short of a cultural movement for Black America.

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THORNTON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR CASSANDRA HOLBERT AWARDED “2018 WOMAN OF THE YEAR”

Ms. Holbert said, “It made me feel special. This award was given to so many other women who have made significant contributions to our communities. I’m honored to receive this award.”

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LUPUS SURVIVORS TO BE GIVEN FREE NIGHT OF COMPLIMENTARY LIMOUSINE SERVICE, FIVE STAR HOTEL, FIVE STAR DINING, HAIR AND SPA SERVICES

“YES, WE HAVE LUPUS, BUT LUPUS DOESN’T HAVE US!!”

Earl Walker- Owner of W&W Towing Company- will provide at no expense to three incredible survivors of Lupus a free limousine for the entire day, overnight stay at an exquisite 5-star hotel and a free full dinner and drinks at a premier Chicago steakhouse. The women will also be treated to an exceptional night out on the town. “These women have shown remarkable strength in their fight against this ugly disease, says Bishop Larry D. Trotter.

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ZONING BOARD RECEIVES COMMENTS ON PROPOSED TAVERN IN PARK MANOR

A recent hearing held by the City of Chicago’s Zoning Board of Appeals sought to determine whether or not to issue a zoning variation to establish a public place of amusement (PPA) and approve a special use application to establish a tavern at 606 E. 75th St. in the Sixth Ward.

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Major Drink Alert — Music Mogul DJ Khaled Partners with Hyde Power Potion Energy Drink by ProSupps

In a series of social media posts recently, music mogul, cultural influencer and icon DJ Khaled announced that he has entered into a business partnership with ProSupps, LLC on the Hyde Power Potion performance energy beverage. “When seeking out a partner that embodies our core values of energy and performance, DJ Khaled was the first to come to mind,” ProSupps founder TJ Humphreys said. “After months of strategic collaborative discussion with DJ Khaled and our friends at RocNation, we couldn’t be happier having him as the voice and mouthpiece for Hyde Power Potion.”

New Report on Youth Joblessness Highlights Statewide Crisis for Employers

With a well-documented story of critical labor shortages across the country and especially in the Midwest, a new report focuses on the tens of thousands of young people in Illinois, not just young Black and Hispanic males in the state’s inner cities metropolitan areas, but also white youths in the state’s rural western and southern areas, who are out of school and out of work, and who, with an adequate investment of public funds, have the potential to fill those vacant positions.

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Hush Puppies Releases Spring/Summer 2018 Footwear Collection

Embracing its carefree spirit 60 years since it launched, Hush Puppies presents its Spring/Summer 2018 collection offering pops of color, eye-catching prints, and on-trend textures.

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REP. ROBIN KELLY HOSTS ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS FINANCIAL STRAINS IN SOUTH SUBURBS

Congresswoman Robin Kelly from Illinois second district recently hosted a panel discussion with Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) to discuss the communities in Chicago’s South Suburbs, and across the country, who are facing significant financial stress and who are looking for help from the federal government.

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PULLMAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT DEVELOPERS TO BE CAREFUL WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION

A recent meeting was held by the City of Chicago’s Department of Fleet and Facilities Management(2FM) at The Pullman National Monument Visitors Center. The meeting was called to formally present 2FM’s findings that a proposed construction project would have no adverse effects on the historic community. Several community members attended the meeting to protest 2FM’s findings.

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City of Chicago Announces Music Lineup for 38th Annual Taste of Chicago

“Taste of Chicago is a summertime staple, and this year’s music lineup will be even more vibrant and diverse than ever before,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This level of high-caliber local, national and international musical talent will put Chicago’s global reputation as a culinary and cultural capital on full display all weekend.”

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Icebox Derby Applications Being Accepted Now

Applications are now being accepted for ComEd’s fifth annual Icebox Derby, a competition that takes place over the summer and allows Illinois girls, ages 13-18, to convert an old refrigerator into derby cars and race them through Daley Plaza in Downtown Chicago.

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Pop-up Shop Highlights Black Entrepreneurs and Products

The Unapologetically Black Pop-up Shop happened over the weekend at Some Like It Black Creative Arts Bar, 4258 S. Cottage Grove Ave., in Chicago. The pop-up shop ran from 8 to 11 p.m and featured various handmade products from black entrepreneurs and artists.

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Classic Hip Hop Lives Bring Golden Era Artists To Chicago

For the last year, Knowledge Beckom, founder of Classic Hip Hop Lives, has been producing hip-hop shows in Chicago that feature performances from golden era hip-hop artists. Most recently, Beckom brought Raekwon, rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan, to the Promontory in Hyde Park to perform his classic music with a live band.

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NEW FAMILY-OWNED GROCERY STORE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN ON THE WESTSIDE

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Forest Park Plaza for the recently opened Living Fresh Market at 7520 Roosevelt Rd. The new grocery store is a collaborative effort between Chicago-area businessmen and third-generation grocers, Daniel and Kenneth Casaccio, and the father-daughter team, Melody and Dr. Bill Winston, who own and operate Forest Park Plaza.

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South Suburban College Receives Award for 90-Year Anniversary Display

South Suburban College (SSC) recently received a Certificate of Excellence award from the Illinois State Historical Society for their 90-Year Anniversary Historic Wall Display that preserves and showcases the history of SSC.

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BTC CEO, Co-founder discusses helping black teachers and students

If you speak to Hiewet Senghor, co-founder and chief executive officer of Black Teacher Collaborative (BTC), her passion for educating black children rings clear like a morning school bell.

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Police Remove More than 100 McDonald’s Workers from Illinois Statehouse During Poor People’s Campaign Protest Challenging Systemic Racism

Days Ahead of McDonald’s Shareholder Meeting, Cooks, Cashiers Blast Burger Giant for Locking Workers of Color in Poverty

Carrying signs reading “Black Workers Matter, McDonald’s” and chanting “We Believe That We Will Win,” workers in McDonald’s uniforms were carried away along with activists, clergy and community leaders following a two-hour sit-in at the governor’s office and the legislative chambers. The nonviolent direct action was part of a wave of Poor People’s Campaign protests against systemic racism that hit 35 state capitals and Washington, D.C., Monday.

Thursday, May 17

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Township Spokesperson Says: “Thornton Township Government Is Needed”

Mr. Lamothe said, “Township government is very critical to local communities. Things may fall through the cracks in local government.”

Wednesday, May 16

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CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY NAMES Z SCOTT AS PRESIDENT

Scott Brings Vast Legal, Business and Higher Education Experience to Chicago’s Oldest Public University

“Z brings an infectious energy, confident leadership, a distinguished academic record and a lifetime immersed in leading initiatives that strengthen Chicago communities,” said Reverend Marshall Hatch, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Chicago State University and Pastor of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. “This is a pivotal moment for Chicago State University and I look forward to working closely with Z to lead transformative changes and meet our important mission.”

ComEd is Prepared to Provide Reliable Service to Customers Through Hotter Summer Months

As the warmer weather of summer arrives, ComEd customers will use more energy to keep their homes and businesses cool. Fortunately, the energy company has taken steps to make sure customers continue to receive reliable electric service through the warm season, ComEd leaders reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) recently.

F.H. Paschen and American Airlines Unveil the Largest Airport Expansion at O'Hare in 25 Years

“This project is a true testament of the successful collaboration between client, designer and contractor. The progressive spirit of the team made the project successful in so many ways,” said Frank Mullaghy, Vice President of Paschen’s Aviation Group. “Key performance indicators with respect to the budget, schedule, safety and quality were achieved through the commitment and experience of our managers and workforce coupled with the mutual respect of each team member, open communication and transparency across the project.”

Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities Announces 2018 Grantees $850,000 in grants to 132 organizations for Summer and Fall programs

The community grants, which are technically awarded by The Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities, is one component of a comprehensive strategy that also includes direct interventions with young people at risk, police reforms that are helping rebuild trust with the community and strengthen law enforcement, and gun policy reform.

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Mayoral Candidate Reiterates Common Claims Against Current Mayor

“They closed down 48 schools in minority communities and that’s a slap in the face to our kids and our families and we need to get some schools back into the community, number one. Another reason I’m running is that property taxes are so high.” said Wilson. “We’ve got red light cameras and boots on cars, the only way he knows how to try and balance the budget is to raise taxes on people and run people out of the City of Chicago and that is unacceptable,” said Wilson.

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GRADUATION STORIES SHOWING GRIT AND DETERMINATION

“I grew up on the south side of Chicago,” said Joya. “Chicago State has always been a place known for its nurturing faculty and I wanted to attend a university where I knew I would be known by name and not by number. I encouraged my daughter to apply to Chicago State as well. I was confident that CSU would give her the positive experience she needed.”

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Ford Model from Lawndale Launches Series of Confidence Chats with Chicago’s Youth

Robin Harris, a fashion model represented by Ford Models, with an MBA in International Business has launched a series of confidence chats. Harris has been in the fashion industry for over 10 years, working as a professional model, designer, merchandiser, and creative director. She created MODEL ATELIER to fill the void and frustration that tall women have when it comes to finding stylish clothes that’s the perfect fit and length.

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Hamilton: The Exhibition Premieres in Chicago this Fall Prior to Tour of U.S. Cities

HAMILTON: THE EXHIBITION – on display in a specially-constructed free-standing, all-weather structure the size of a football field -- opens November 17, 2018 for a limited engagement on Northerly Island in Chicago, where HAMILTON has played a sold-out run since 2016.

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200 Cities and Counties Now “Open for Solar Business”

The 200 SolSmart designees are in 35 states and the District of Columbia and represent over 59 million Americans.

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COMED HOSTS SPARK TANK EVENT FOR BRONZEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

“Our premise was simple, we wanted to include high school student in our Community of the Future and our Smart Cities initiative to make them aware of the emerging technology and potential opportunities as they think about the next level of their education. The Ideathon was born out of this notion that we would work with the nine high schools that are part of the Bronzeville community, and some of the technology that we are using, and challenge these young students to come up with ideas to make their block, their community, and their school safer and more respondent to the needs of the residents of Bronzeville.” MARLOW COLVIN,VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR COMED

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THIS YEAR’S PRAYER ON THE 9 WILL FOCUS ON YOUNG VOICES

Pastor John Hannah and the New Life Covenant Southend Church are preparing for this year’s annual Prayer on the 9 initiative. This year Hannah is calling for the congregation and the entire Chicago community to March and Pray For Our Lives starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the corner of 79th St. and Greenwood Ave.

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Kellar Middle School Students Complete Mural

“We were trying to think of a way to incorporate and engage youth and as we were progressing and reaching out to the community, Ricardo Gonzalez, who is a Blue Island residents and an artist, reached out to us and said that he really wanted to do something. He really just wanted to figure out a way to be engaged,” said Kentric Benson, Blue Island-Robbins Neighborhood Network project coordinator.

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ST. AGATHA’S CHURCH OPERATES COMMUNITY TECH CENTER OUT OF CLOSED SCHOOL BUILDING

“We saw that the school was going to eventually close and so it was a matter of deciding what our mission would be from that point forward?” said Father Larry Dowling, pastor of St. Agatha’s. “In a lot of ways I think it was a natural transition for us because of the violence in the community, it seemed like a natural flow for us to outreach into the community to impact families. We work with families in our own parish, but also local families in the community. We serve about 700 families in the community through various programs throughout the year.” Several outreach programs have found their home in the Technology Center.

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Black Women’s Expo Chicago Attracts Record Crowds, Readies for Atlanta and Dallas Event

More than 20 corporate sponsors and 300 small business exhibitors participated in the annual Black Women’s Expo (BWe), which kicked off its three-city tour in Chicago, this past April. This year’s Expo, themed #SheMatters, marked 24 years of the event produced by and for Black women and saw record attendance with over 30,000 flowing through the exhibits and seminars at McCormick Place Convention Center over the three days.

Tuesday, May 15

THORNTON TOWNSHIP JOB FAIR COORDINATOR AIMS FOR SUCCESS: OUTREACH FOR REGIONAL JOB FAIR PROJECT

Ms. Diamond Wright, Thornton Township, South Suburban College Job Fair Coordinator prepares for regional job fair to be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at South Suburban College Fitness Center, 15800 State Street, South Holland, Illinois.

Thursday, May 10

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HOMELESS AS A CHILD, DR. VENUS GIVES A LESSON IN HEALING AND SUCCESS

Author of The Black Woman Millionaire, Dr. Venus Opal Reese recently made a stop near Chicago to hold a one-day training seminar where she shared her compelling story and taught the women of Chicago how to overcome the obstacles that hold them back from financial freedom and success.

Wednesday, May 9

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South Shore Non-Profit Benefits From Walgreens Fundraiser

On May 24th, Walgreens will close out their fourth annual Red Nose Day fundraiser and award the proceeds to its 14 global charity partners who will then distribute the money to more local charitable organizations, some of which operate on the South Side of Chicago.

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Cunningham Passes Measure to Designed to Curb Carjackers

In the wake of a steep hike in the number of carjacking incidents in Chicago, the Illinois Senate took action recently to close a loophole carjackers have used to avoid prosecution and to ensure young offenders are sent to juvenile detention when arrested for carjacking incidents.

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BlackHer Releases The Black Woman’s Guide to the 2018 Midterms

Building on the power Black women brought to the Alabama special election that defeated Roy Moore, BlackHer, a new online community for and about Black women, released The Black Woman’s Guide to the 2018 Midterms, a primer that demystifies the electoral process to ensure Black women have the information and resources they need to make informed choices in the voting booth.

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White Castle® Launches Festivities for 27th Annual National Hamburger Month

White Castle, America’s first fast food hamburger chain and home of Time Magazine’s Most Influential Burger, will pay its respects to the very slider that made it one of the most Crave-able restaurant chains in the country.

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BET Networks Launches Exclusive Beauty-Focused Tutorials in Partnership with Beautycon

BET Networks reimagines the make-up tutorial format with stunning visual and shareable videos dedicated to the African American beauty enthusiast. Recently, BET Digital joined forces with Beautycon to launch original short-form beauty-focused content.

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“Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” Documentary Series This July

“Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” will be based on the book “Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin,” by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.

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Southside Non-Profit Provides A Complete Life Cycle of Service

Centers For New Horizons, Inc. (Centers) will be hosting their annual Friendraiser, Comedy for a Cause, on May 24th at the Promontory in Hyde Park. The event will feature three comedic acts, including Leon Rogers, and the proceeds from the event will be used to support the family services that CNH provides.

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Former Robert Taylor Homes Resident Releases Book About Experiences

Over the weekend, Crystal Lampkins-Banks released a new book, Hi’Yella: Life in the Projects, that details her experiences growing up in the Robert Taylor Homes, a low-income high-rise housing development in Bronzeville that has since been demolished.

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Boxville Community Market Wants to Expand its Footprint

Last summer Boxville, a neighborhood market located at 51st Street and Calumet Avenue, set up several shipping containers on the land just outside of the 51st Street green line stop to house emerging local businesses and provide the Bronzeville community with their spin on a community market. This year, Boxville is back from round two with the hope of expanding.

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PULLMAN COMMUNITY CENTER STILL NEEDS $3 MILLION TO BE DEBT FREE

Community members and investors in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood recently gathered at a press conference to celebrate the construction of the Pullman Community Center at 104th St. and Woodlawn Ave. Once completed, the community center will offer 135,000 square feet of climate controlled, indoor sports playing fields and courts. Nearly 1,100 people are expected to come through the Pullman Community Center on a weekly basis.

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SSC’s 10th Anniversary Women’s Conference a Huge Success

Women’s History Month may have come and gone, the event chairpersons (Alexandra Glumac and Rebecca Garcia-Westburg) of South Suburban College’s 10th Anniversary Women’s Conference now know what others have suspected all along—this year’s Women’s Conference was a huge success!

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National Firefighter Combat Challenge stops in South Suburbs

The Tinley Park Fire Department recently hosted their First Responders Fest at the 80th Avenue Metra Station in Tinley Park. The two-day event featured the Firefighter Combat Challenge presented by Scott Safety. Hundreds of firefighters traveled to Chicago’s South Suburbs to participate in the event and bring awareness to the physical strains of the profession.

Tuesday, May 8

Graduates, Don’t Let Your Mylar Balloons Ruin the Party

As graduation season nears, don’t let a Mylar balloon stop your celebration. Loose metallic balloons, also known as Mylar balloons, can lead to power outages when they come into contact with outdoor power lines.

Monday, May 7

MOVING IDEAS INTO ACTION WITH THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST’S ACTING UP AWARDS

Over the past two years, Acting Up awards totaling nearly $200,000 have been given to 135 diverse projects discussed during On the Table. This year, the Trust will be giving away more than $150,000 – in $1,500, $2,500 and $5,000 increments – to help encourage people to work together and take action for the public good.

Thursday, May 3

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ComEd, Chicago Park District Ready to “Switch on Summer” with Annual Event at Buckingham Fountain Celebration

Summer in Chicago makes the other nine months of the year worth the wait. ComEd and the Chicago Park District will mark Chicago’s official season-changing signal – turning on Buckingham Fountain – this Sunday, May 6.

Wednesday, May 2

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EIGHTH WARD RESIDENTS PROTEST ALDERMAN BACKED HOUSING PROJECT

Residents of Chicago’s Eighth Ward recently gathered outside the office of their alderman, Michelle Harris, to protest a new senior housing development, the Montclare Senior Residences of Calumet Heights, that she is pushing for at the corner of 94th St. and Stony Island Avenue.

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SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE OFFERS FREE ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES

The Adult Education program is in full swing at South Suburban College and has already graduated 60 students with their high school equivalencies this school year. The program offers a variety of courses for adults seeking a high school diploma or GED, adults with skill levels below ninth-grade, and English as a Second Language classes.

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Everyday He’s Hustling…Introducing, the RICH by Rick Ross Collection

Well-known for his hustle, Grammy-nominated Rick Ross has spent a decade+ at the top of the rap game.

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GOD FIRST MINISTRIES HOLDS ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

Dr. Mildred C. Harris, founder and CEO of God First Ministries, recently held her annual Prayer Breakfast at the Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan Ave., where she presented several Distinguished Leader Awards and four financial scholarships. Harris has been hosting the Prayer Breakfast for over 30 years to pray for the cities leaders and feed those who are disadvantaged.

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Cook County Judge Directs Oratory Competition in Kenwood

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Stanley L. Hill frequently steps away from his bench to direct the Oratorical program for PUSH Excel, the educational arm of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition founded by Rev. Jessie Jackson Sr. The Oratorical Society recently held their Spring Oratorical Competition at 930 E. 50th St., the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s national headquarters.

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NEW LIFE COVENANT CHURCH SE WILL TAKE TO STREETS OF SOUTH SIDE CHICAGO WITH “PRAYER ON THE 9” DEMONSTRATION

Pastor John F. Hannah inspired by the youth will support the national call for action from “March for Our lives” Movement Calling for Gun Control

Pastor Hannah was inspired by the survivors of the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who organized the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence and rallied the nation in Washington, DC. Thousands are expected to join the city-wide march in a show of solidarity- A Call for all Youth!

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Help with substance abuse, mental health services and education serve as key factors in reducing recidivism rates

According to the Bureau of Prisons, there are 207,847 people incarcerated in federal prisons. Roughly half (48.6 percent) are in for drug offenses. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are 1,358,875 people in state prisons. Of them, 16 percent have a drug crime as their most serious offense. Moreover, data from a national study in five major American cities indicated that at the time of arrest, 63% to 83% of people had drugs in their system.

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NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The deadline to apply for the Southeast Chicago Commission's (SECC) Neighborhood Enhancement Grant Program is quickly approaching. Community groups and organizations from Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn are encouraged to submit their proposals for funding to support their various projects by May 14.

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Museum of Science and Industry Celebrates DNA Days

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) recently celebrated DNA Days with a week of special activities and experiences that exposed visitors to genetic science. This year’s series of events was extra special because it also celebrated the 15 year anniversary of the successful completion of the Human Genome Project.

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Obama Foundation Announces New Program to Train Emerging Leaders Across Africa

The Obama Foundation today announced a new addition to its international programs: the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa. This one-year leadership development and civic engagement program will train and support 200 promising young leaders across Africa working in government, civil society, and the private sector. The Foundation received nearly 10,000 applications for 200 slots.

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SBA CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS WEEK IN PULLMAN

Crain’s Chicago Business is wrapping up their celebration of Small Business Week which began April 30 and will conclude on May 5. A variety of events and workshops relating to owning and operating a small business have been taking place across the city.

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Advocate Trinity Hospital Honors 55 Volunteers for Valuable Contributions

Advocate Trinity Hospital celebrated National Volunteer Week on April 18 by honoring the hospital’s 55 volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Over 60 guests attended, including Advocate Trinity’s longest serving volunteer Martha Wilson, 88, who has shared her time and talents with the hospital for 27 years. Also among the honorees were Florence Burns, 86, a 20-year volunteer and Dale Benniefield, 73, who joined the hospital’s volunteer force four months ago.