Local business executive Walter Hughes named to NSBA Leadership Council

Walter Hughes, Quant16 managing principal, was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. The NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis. Hughes, a recognized leader in the small business community, joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

GROUP BLACK LAUNCHES AUDIENCE INSIGHTS PLATFORM TO HELP BRANDS WITH REACH, RELEVANCE AND RESONANCE

Group Black, a trailblazing Black-owned media company dedicated to connecting brands with diverse audiences, proudly unveils a few groundbreaking initiatives for 2024. At the top of the year, the company will introduce the first-of-its-kind Group Black Audience and Insight Platform, a category-leading solution. Group Black also announces an innovative partnership with Zeta Global (NYSE: ZETA), the AI-Powered Marketing Cloud. These initiatives mark a significant leap for Group Black, offering exclusive avenues for brand growth focusing on relevance, resonance, and reach, particularly within the Black and Hispanic sectors.

Gov. Pritzker Announces $10M Capital Investment for the Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute

Governor JB Pritzker visited the Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) Cancer Institute to announce a $10M grant to Southern Illinois Healthcare for their recent expansion of the SIH Cancer Institute in Carterville. The grant is made possible through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois plan to improve infrastructure statewide.

5 Tips to Help Improve your Credit Score in 2024

Establishing credit is one of the most important keys to achieving financial health and creating generational wealth. A good credit score shows you have a track record of borrowing money responsibly and is important to landlords, mortgage lenders, financial institutions and more. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rates will be on credit cards and loans, helping you save money over time.

Giannoulias to Illinois Drivers: Ditch the DMV Modernization, new efficiencies eliminate most in-person DMV visits

That’s because Illinoisans can now obtain more DMV services and complete more transactions online. In addition, Giannoulias unveiled a series of new measures aimed at reducing wait times if a DMV visit is required.

Auburn University commemorates 60 years of integration

The Samford Hall bell tolled precisely 10 times at 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 4. The moment may have confused those not aware of the significance, but it made sense for a small group gathered in the circular brick courtyard near the desegregation marker.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL URGES DEA TO MOVE FORWARD WITH FEDERAL RESCHEDULING OF CANNABIS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 12 state attorneys general, urged the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act in the interest of public health and safety.

Giannoulias Awards Inaugural Illinois John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary Alexi Giannoulias presented the first-ever Illinois John Lewis Youth Leadership Award to 23-year-old Dasha Pates in a ceremony earlier this month.

THE BOSS NETWORK ANNOUNCES THE THIRD YEAR OF ITS “BOSS IMPACT FUND” AND THE LAUNCH OF “PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS” ITS EXCITING NEW PARTNERSHIP

The BOSS Network, an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through digital content, programs and event-based networking, is excited to announce two exciting initiatives that will take place during its yearlong celebration highlighting its 15th anniversary milestone year. The BOSS Network and Sage (via the Sage Foundation)—the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs),—announce the return of the BOSS Impact Fund and its three-year, $1.5 million commitment to support the Fund with the “Invest in Progress” grant investing in Black women led businesses. In addition, The BOSS Network will partner with both Sage and Swoop, a global fintech company specializing in funding solutions for businesses, on the launch of “Pathways to Success”–a new training and mentorship program designed to support Black women entrepreneurs in Atlanta.

ENDORSEMENTS POUR IN FOR COOK COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW COMMISSIONER LARRY ROGERS JR IN BID FOR RE-ELECTION

Larry Rogers Jr- Cook County Board of Review Commissioner (3rd District) – is expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the scores of endorsements that he has recently received in his bid to be re-elected to a sixth term as the Cook County Board of Review Commissioner representing the 3rd District.

Two Southside Agencies Provide Lifesaving Services for Vulnerable Homeless Population Throughout Chicago’s Bitter Cold Weather Emergency.

Matthew House Chicago and Featherfist, two prominent Southside agencies are among the city of Chicago's oldest Black-owned organizations serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness, announce extended operation hours in response to severe weather conditions. Each agency has been providing additional emergency services since January 12, and both agencies are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness during these challenging periods.

Candidate for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk, Mariyana Spyropoulos, Gets Big Endorsement

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner, Mariyana Spyropoulos, received the coveted endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor for her campaign to be the next circuit court clerk. Spyropoulos is challenging incumbent Iris Martinez, who won the seat after long time clerk Dorothy Brown decided not to seek reelection.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON AND DCASE ANNOUNCE CITY OF CHICAGO 2024 SUMMER FESTIVAL AND EVENTS DATES

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the 2024 dates for some of the City of Chicago’s favorite summertime traditions.

Meet Charis Jones, the fashion CEO changing lives in Africa and beyond

Charis Jones, CEO and Creative Director of Sassy Jones, is the first black female entrepreneur to build two girls dormitories at a Kenyan education center in Africa. Her initiatives have allowed prepubescent young girls to live separately from the boys, while maturing into confident young women. A percentage of every purchase with the brand goes toward the supplies to aid in the epidemic of menstrual poverty and the success of school in Kenya. In commemoration of the brand's philanthropic efforts, Sassy Jones designed a collection inspired by precious moments with the tribes and children.

Resolving the Crisis in Haiti

On January 6, Rainbow/PUSH was pleased to commemorate Haitian Independence Day at its National Headquarters in recognition of the birth of the first Black Republic in the western hemisphere. January 1, 1804. Haiti was born after enslaved Africans defeated the vaunted army of Napoleon Bonaparte. Haitian Independence Day at Rainbow/PUSH was organized in conjunction with Emancipation Day which commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. The Proclamation freed most of the enslaved Africans in the U.S.

School District Engage Students And Creates Career Pathways

The Rich Township High School District 227 has been focused on getting a handle on the climate and culture of the district in the last two years. Located in the South Suburbs, Rich Township High School District 227 serves eight communities there, with a 92% African American student population. Students have been involved in activities that have enabled them to be fully engaged in the community.

TIMELINE THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST FOR CHICAGO PREMIERE OF ANNA DEAVERE SMITH’S NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Mildred Marie Langford, Adhana Reid and Shariba Rivers will give voice to 18 real-life people caught in America’s school-to-prison pipeline in TimeLine Theatre’s Chicago premiere of Notes from the Field by Anna Deavere Smith. This trio of top Chicago actors is primed to shine a bright light on their stories in this first-person documentary piece by one of our most accomplished contemporary theater artists.

The Black Foodies Showcase “Signature Chicago”

The Black Foodies, Dino and Coretta Dean, have been Black Food Vloggers for seven years. In that time, they have created a following on YouTube and social media, showing people some of the best Black food establishments in Chicago and beyond. Now, they are visiting diverse restaurants in the city of Chicago and talking to restaurant owners about their signature dishes in a TV show called “Signature Chicago.” The show will air at 6 a.m. on Saturdays on WGN-TV.

Governor Pritzker Celebrates Economic Development Milestones and Positive Momentum in 2024

Governor Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Salesforce, Intersect Illinois, Metro Edge, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and BMO at the brand-new Salesforce Tower in downtown Chicago to celebrate major economic development milestones and highlight positive momentum as Illinois advances into 2024.

Male Mentoring Program Prepares Young Men For Careers And Higher Education

Jermaine L. Anderson founded I Am A Gentleman in March 2016. Anderson spent a number of years as a public speaker, making appearances at elementary schools, high schools and even some college graduations. He noticed that while there were young African American men who made it to these milestones, they didn’t have the tools and resources to make it beyond that milestone.