Lightford, Ammons and higher education leaders call for passage of equitable funding model
Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and State Representative Carol Ammons are fighting to transform how Illinois funds its higher education system through legislation that would take a student-centered approach.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Over $1 Billion in Medical Debt Relief for Illinoisans
Governor Pritzker announced that the State of Illinois has erased over $1.1 billion in medical debt for more than half a million Illinoisans through the Illinois Medical Debt Relief Program. The announcement comes ahead of Governor Pritzker’s State of the State and proposed budget address tomorrow, previewing a focus on improving affordability.
Kaleidoscope Hair Products Launches Curl Math™ Collection
Kaleidoscope Hair Products, the award-winning, culture-shaping brand celebrated for its bold storytelling and community-first innovation, enters the curl conversation with intention, impact, and celebration with the launch of Curl Math™, its first major launch in 3 years. Launching on the birthday of Founder and CEO Jesseca "Judy" Harris-Dupart, the new Curl Math™ introduces a collection of moisture-rich formulas infused with pomegranate and shea butter designed to take the guesswork out of caring for curls.
Creme of Nature Introduces Scalp Relief Wipes in Partnership with Chief Brand Officer Keke Palmer
Creme of Nature®, a trusted leader in textured hair care, announced the launch of its latest innovation, Scalp Relief Wipes. Now available to shop at major retailers, the dermatologist-tested cleansing wipes are formulated with 100% organic argan oil, aloe vera and witch hazel, and were designed with sensitive skin in mind to offer a convenient, mess-free solution for scalp care and comfort on the go.
BronzeLens 2026 Superstars Weekend Pays homage to CBS' "Beyond the Gates"
BronzeLens 2026 Superstars Weekend honors CBS' groundbreaking daytime soap opera "Beyond the Gates" for excellence behind and in front of the lens, March 6-8 in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is the first daytime soap opera with a majority-Black ensemble cast, produced by CBS Studios. "This year, we want to give special attention to "Beyond the Gates" because of its historic imprint on our community and beyond," said Kathleen Bertrand, BronzeLens Executive Producer.
Economic Development Without Equity Is a Fumble
For decades, Black business leaders in Chicago have fought to ensure that large-scale economic development produces real opportunity for minority- and women-owned firms. DBE, MBE, and WBE programs did not emerge from charity; they emerged from exclusion—and from hard lessons showing that, without intentional policy, major projects routinely bypass entire communities.
Rainbow PUSH’s Saturday Morning Forum to Honor the Life of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Rainbow PUSH will host its weekly Saturday Morning Forum on Saturday, February 21, honoring the prophetic leadership and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. under the theme Keep Hope Alive.
Legislation targets vertically integrated vision benefit managers and moves to close regulatory loopholes
Senator Cristina Castro (D-22) introduced SB 3707, legislation to strengthen oversight and accountability for vision benefit managers (VBMs), the middlemen that administer vision plans for patients across Illinois. The legislation builds on the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act by closing loopholes, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring the law works as intended for patients and providers.
Vintrendi Wine Company Owner Shares His Favorite Black Owned Businesses
Rick Nesbitt and his wife Carin Nesbitt established Vintrendi Wine Company in 2017. The Nesbitts were inspired to open the wine company and become a brand manufacturer as a way to have more creative control over the products they produce and more stability. The Nesbitts have used their years of experience in the wine and spirits industry to create a brand of small batch, handcrafted wines that range from sweet to dry, sparkling and crème, as well as specialty wines.
Soul & Smoke Owner Values Working With Other Black Owned Businesses
D’Andre Carter and his wife Heather Bublick opened Soul & Smoke in Evanston in 2020. It originally started in 2015 as a catering business. Carter was a chef in fine dining and wanted to venture off and start his own business. With Soul & Smoke, Carter serves the food that he grew up with, barbecue ribs, baked chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese and cornbread.
NSBE Chicago Hosts Engineers Expo
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Chicago will host its 14th Annual Engineers Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28th, at the Lindblom Math & Science Academy, located at 6130 S. Wolcott Ave. The event is free and open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Local Financial Literacy Columnist Encourages The Community To “Get Your House In Order”
Bren Sherrif has been a financial services professional for more than 50 years. She has been a certified financial planner and has moved on to become a certified senior advisor (CSA). Through her new podcast show, her goal is to assist people with getting their financial affairs to a place where they are comfortable, so that they will not outlive their money.
Documentary Highlights The Influence Of West Africa Throughout The Diaspora
Toyin Ibrahim Adeyeke was inspired to create the documentary “Bigger Than Africa” about how enslaved West Africans brought their culture to the places where they were taken and how that culture is still present today while he was in film school.
SOULSVILLE FOUNDATION AND STAX MUSIC ACADEMY PRESENT 'SOUL OF AMERICA
Stax Music Academy announced the release of SOUL OF AMERICA, a companion study guide and video experience created for educators and students nationwide. Developed by Stax Music Academy students, Soul of America provides educators with a collection of engaging, curriculum-aligned activities that place American music history within a rich sociocultural context.
HOW SWEET THE SOUND™ to Air Nationwide in February 2026 Through Broadcast Television Syndication
How Sweet The Sound™ will air nationwide in February 2026 through broadcast television syndication, reaching audiences across the United States during Black History Month. The one-hour special will be available on major broadcast television networks and affiliates, offering viewers a powerful celebration of gospel music, faith, and cultural legacy.
SNIPES X SAUCONY® LAUNCH "CITY LIGHTS" COLLECTION: EXCLUSIVE FOOTWEAR COLORWAYS FUSING RUNNING HERITAGE WITH NEON-SOAKED STREET CULTURE
NIPES US, the leading global streetwear and sneaker retailer, and Saucony, a global performance running and lifestyle brand, unveiled the "City Lights" collection, blending Saucony's storied running heritage with modern street culture through a dynamic, neon-soaked parkour narrative. The campaign's message is clear: don't just walk through the city – run it, own it, and shine in it.
Popilush Announces Second Limited-Edition Collaboration with Angela Simmons
Popilush, the trailblazing, award-winning shapewear fashion brand, is thrilled to announce its second collaboration with entrepreneur and TV personality Angela Simmons. The new Popilush x Angela collection includes two fashion-forward styles, the Zip-Front Waist Shaping Swimsuit and Sculpting Curve Mesh Skirt One-Piece Swimsuit.
Genius Factor Academy and National Black MBA Association Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch AI-Driven Career Intelligence Platform
Genius Factor Academy and the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) today announced a strategic partnership aimed at empowering professionals to align their talent, passion, career and income in the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence.
