Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces $1M in DCASE Grants Supporting Chicago Community-Based Programming
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced 27 “Neighborhood Access Program” grantees, providing $1 million in funding to 27 organizations and artists (89% on the South and West sides) to support community-based programming in their neighborhoods. The goal of this program is to support the cultural vitality of every neighborhood via grant programs and partnerships designed to be responsive to the complex needs of individual communities. To learn about the grantees and descriptions of their projects, please visit here. For more information about DCASE's cultural grants program, visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Senator Durbin Lead Congressional Support for ATF Proposed Rule to Expand Background Checks
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led letters signed by over 160 Members of Congress in support of a proposed rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) titled "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms." This proposal utilizes provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), passed in 2022 and signed into law by President Biden, to expand background check requirements for gun sellers not previously classified as a Federal firearm licensee (FFL).
Why Does Most of America Ignore Violence Prevention?
For 12 years during months of October, Black Women for Positive Change has sponsored annual days, weeks and months of Non-Violence, Families, Voters Rights and Opportunities. It is our belief that with the epidemic of violence gripping the nation, America should be anxious for new approaches that can promote violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution and de-escalation of violence.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $93 Million in Grants to Support Research and Development at HBCUs, TCCUs and MSIs, and Postsecondary Completion for Underserved Students
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced today $93 million in grant awards to 20 colleges and universities to support research and development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and to improve completion rates for underserved students.
New state funding is now available to help build out Illinois’ food infrastructure, with the hope of getting more local food out in more markets.
Nearly $2 million in state funds will be handed out next spring under the Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, under a new program being administered this year by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit 2023 scores high marks for the automotive industry
In Detroit in 1998, Rainbow PUSH launched its Automotive Project. The purpose today remains the same as over two decades ago: to work with automotive manufacturing companies to ensure African Americans and other people of color have access to opportunities at every level of the industry.
IT’S “A MIRACLE ON 31stSTREET”
It’s a true “Miracle on 31st Street” on Tuesday, December 12 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, when Home Run Inn (HRI), the pizza company that has captured the heart of Chicago since opening its first tavern on the South Side in 1947, and the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) join hands to distribute 3,000 pizzas to twenty-four Chicago Homeless Shelters at the Original Home Run Inn at 4254 W. 31st Street.
Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act
Today, 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.
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.
JOINT CONGRESSIONAL RACIAL EQUITY BRIEFING EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR POLICY CHANGES AND UNITY IN SEEKING TO ENACT IMPACTFUL SYSTEMIC REFORMS
The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) called the Joint Congressional Racial Equity Briefing “a significant event,” bringing together leaders, experts, and activists to discuss pressing issues regarding racial equity in the United States.
Great Lakes Credit Union Collects 815 Winter Apparel Items for Children and Families in Need
Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is proud to announce the impact of their annual coat and winter gear drive, which collected 815 winter items to support Cradles to Crayons Chicago.
Biden-Harris Administration Prepares for Third Student Debt Relief Negotiation Session
The Biden-Harris Administration today took another step in its continued efforts to provide financial relief to significant numbers of student loan borrowers with the release of an updated copy of proposed regulatory text. The proposals build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions to date to provide student loan borrowers with much-needed breathing room. Already the Administration has approved a total of $127 billion in student debt relief for 3.6 million borrowers through a variety of actions.
Dr. Shernita Mays Honored for Leading Illinois School of Park Forest to Earn ISBE ’s Highest Designation
Words that began with the letter, E, rang out in Southland College Prep’s Fieldhouse during a rousing recent celebration to honor Dr. Shernita Mays, principal of Matteson District 162’s Illinois School.
AWARD-WINNING CHAMBER ENSEMBLE IMANI WINDS PERFORMS FEB. 24 AT NICHOLS CONCERT HALL
The Music Institute of Chicago presents Grammy-nominated quintet Imani Winds performing “Black and Brown, a celebration of composers of color” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.
ASME Foundation Honors STEM NOLA Founder and CEO Calvin Mackie, Ph.D., at New Orleans Event
The engineering community recently honored Dr. Calvin Mackie, engineer, advocate, entrepreneur and founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, for his leadership of the organization in reaching more than 125,000 children in more than 5,100 schools across the U.S. and five other countries with STEM programming. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recognized Mackie’s vision and dedication with the donation of a 2024 scholarship for a STEM NOLA Fellow, the ASME Foundation announced at a gala event held Nov. 2 in New Orleans.
Treasurer Pappas urges owners to pay late property taxes to avoid upcoming tax sale as 22,884 owe less than $1,000
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urges property owners who have not paid property taxes that were due in 2022 to act quickly to avoid the Annual Tax Sale.
Kwanzaa and Holiday Specials Highlight December Programming at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) celebrates Kwanzaa throughout December. From Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, 2024, NMAAHC will feature its first- Kwanzaa display in Heritage Hall, including a kinara, mkeka mat, and a Kwanzaa playlist.
