Blackroots Alliance Looks At What Public Safety Could Look Like For Communties

Blackroots Alliance recently released a report on public safety, with the goal of improving the Black community in Chicago and surrounding communities.

Azazie and Former Bachelorette, Charity Lawson, Host a Bridal Tea Luncheon

Former Bachelorette, Charity Lawson, hosted an exquisite tea luncheon with made-to-order evening wear brand, Azazie, in celebration of brides-to-be & their beloved bridal party. Charity was joined by Vanderpump Rules star Charli Burnett, actress Danielle Campbell, and top tier influencers for an afternoon of elegance at the Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills. Attendees arrived in dazzling dresses from Azazie, offered in sizes 0-30. Check out their stunning looks below!

Theater47 Brings Broadway-Style Shows to South Suburbs

John Ruffin has been writing plays for 36 years. Ruffin got his start writing and producing inspirational plays. Throughout the years, he moved into more edutainment where he wanted the audience to be entertained but also to learn something. The shows he produces now are more Broadway-style shows.

The Otis Redding Foundation Remembers Legendary Singer 56 Years After His Passing

Nicknamed the "King of Soul," Otis Redding is regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music, rhythm and blues," stated Otis' wife, Zelma Redding.

Cook County Department of Public Health Urges Suburban Cook County to Take COVID Precautions During the Holiday Season

Although COVID-19 hospital admissions in suburban Cook County continue to be low, they have almost doubled since the beginning of November; and emergency room visits associated with COVID have been trending upward since early October.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois' Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee Members

Governor JB Pritzker announced eighteen members of the Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee, chaired by Bela Moté. As part of the Pritzker administration’s plan to create a new, unified state agency to administer early childhood education and care programs, the strategic-planning group will consist of educators, childcare providers, and policy experts.

Holiday Shopping Tips for Tackling Inflation: Giving Thoughtful Gifts While Maintaining Financial Health

In recognition of the financial challenges created by stubborn inflation, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is rolling out eight tips this holiday season for giving thoughtful gifts while keeping expenses under control.

Need Extra Cash This Holiday Season?

Christmas, Happy Holidays, Santa, Rudolph, and even Scrooge are among the millions of names in Illinois’ missing money database with cash and property waiting to be claimed, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.

Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 32 of their colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America's first Black sports star, but someone many have never heard of — in recognition of his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete.

Jim Guilinger Award Presented to Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton received the Jim Guilinger Legislative Award from the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE). This award recognizes the Lieutenant Governor’s service and dedication to the expansion of agricultural education across the state.

Christmas in the Wards celebrates its 27th year of Giving & Service to the Community with Events in the City, Southland, and Proviso!

Christmas in the Wards celebrated its 27th year of Giving & Service to the Community with multiple events this year. Starting off the holiday celebrations was the annual shopping with the Mayor December 11, 2023, at Walmart, 10900 S. Doty Avenue in Chicago. Larry Huggins, Founder of Christmas in the Wards, and Title Sponsors Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (*MPEA), Walmart & Amazon; Presenting Sponsors, Walgreens & Grub Hub along with Platinum, Diamond, Gold Sponsors and Aldermen on the south side to shop for families.

Merry Christmas! Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas sending out $30.5 million in automatic refunds

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is sending more than $30.5 million in automatic refunds beginning this week to about 9,000 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes last year.

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐯𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞

West Garfield Park was recently dubbed the 'most violent neighborhood in Chicago' by the Chicago Sun-Times. This historic neighborhood has witnessed nearly 1,000 shootings in the last five years – approximately one shooting every other day. West Garfield Park, however, is fighting back. A resilient and progressive hope has birthed: The Sankofa School of the Arts. Sankofa is a new, dynamic and collaborative arts showcase supported by leading West Side institutions: New Mount Pilgrim Church-Chicago, the innovative men's group – the MAAFA Redemption Project, and the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.

THE JOFFREY BALLET LAUNCHES INCLUSIVE NEW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

he Joffrey Ballet announced the launch of The Joffrey Ballet Fellowship, designed to continue the Joffrey's longstanding commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion, and expand opportunities for candidates pursuing a career in arts management. Beginning in January 2024, the robust program will start identifying a diverse group of candidates from throughout the City of Chicago and beyond to be considered for the inaugural Joffrey Fellowship, with the 2023 Joffrey Fellow expected to be announced in the spring of 2024. During the 9 to 12-month Fellowship, the Joffrey Fellow will gain hands-on experience with various departments across the Joffrey Ballet to learn what it takes to operate a world-renowned ballet company, enabling Fellows to learn and grow in their careers.

PEPSICO CHICAGO EMPLOYEES GIFT OVER $1 MILLION TO NONPROFITS DURING OCTOBER; COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW GRANTS TO SUPPORT CHICAGOANS

Employees in PepsiCo’s downtown Chicago office at the Old Post Office showed that their commitment to giving back goes well beyond the holiday season. During October, they volunteered nearly 1,400 hours alongside neighbors as part of “PepsiCo Gives Back,” the company’s annual global giving and service campaign. Chicago-based employees who are part of local PepsiCo Beverages North America, Quaker Oats, Frito-Lay North America, Gatorade Performance and other teams also donated $1,225,008 toward nonprofits—gifts that were matched by the PepsiCo Foundation 2:1.

South Suburban School Gives Back with Free Holiday Haircuts for Students

During these challenging economic times for some families, Dr. Shernita Mays, principal of the Illinois School in Park Forest, knows that providing haircuts can be an extra expense for families whose budgets are already stretched.

BLACK WOMEN THRIVING EAST OF THE RIVER LAUNCH CELEBRATION CITES ROLE OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

A powerful organization, Black Women Thriving East of the River, celebrated its community launch on December 12. The event emphasized that strategies and interventions to improve cancer survival and opportunities for quality jobs were developed by women with community ties, diverse backgrounds, and lived experiences in healthcare, community service, education, workforce development, and various other specialties.

Remembering Our Past, Redefining Our Present, Reaffirming Our Future: “The Teaching Our Own History”

We have launched a statewide task force in conjunction with the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., Reverend Dr. Carl Johnson, president, to demand that the governor of Florida and the State Department of Education, teach Black history accurately, factually and forthrightly. In the spirit of Dr. King, in the State of Florida, we organized a task force labeled, "Teaching Our Own History."

Noted Black Manufacturer Stephanie Hart to Present at Living Fresh Market in Forest Park on December 16, 2023

Stephanie Hart, the founder and CEO of Brown Sugar Bakery, one of the nation’s few African American-owned manufacturers of baked goods and the nation’s only Black-woman-owned chocolate manufacturer, will be a special guest presenter at Living Fresh Market on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The 71,000-square-foot Living Fresh Market is one of the nation’s few full-scale supermarkets owned by African Americans. The grocery store, located at 7520 W. Roosevelt Road in Forest Park, a suburb located about five miles west of Chicago, hosts events and presentations highlighting foods and products produced by vendors and seeks to become a leader in opening doors for African Americans and other vendors of color.

Sugar Plum Chocolate Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection - 5 Gourmet Snacks

Sugar Plum Chocolate Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection. The Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection is a delectable assortment that encapsulates the enchantment of the winter season in every bite.