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.
5 Superb Skincare & Haircare Essentials for a Healthier New Year
Pure Brazilian Hair Care Gifts Formulated and manufactured in Brazil, Pure Brazilian offers the best hair smoothing system on the market. A hallmark of professionalism and exceptional haircare, Pure Brazilian's products feature an easy-to-apply formula, give radiant shine, strengthen the cuticle, eliminate frizz, and improve hair health by protecting the cuticle. These hair essentials have a special formulation of minimal chemicals to give maximum results. Hair color pops, as cuticles are sealed with moisture.
ANNOUNCING THE 2024 YOUNGARTS AWARD WINNERS The Most Accomplished Young Artists from Across the United States Honored for Excellence in Visual, Literary and Performing Arts
YoungArts announces the 2024 YoungArts award winners— nearly 700 of the most accomplished young visual, literary and performing artists from across the country, heralding the next generation of artists to watch. YoungArts award winners are selected through a highly competitive application, which is reviewed by panels of esteemed, discipline-specific artists in a rigorous adjudication process. 2024 YoungArts award winners join a distinguished community of artists who are offered creative and professional development support throughout their careers. A complete list of the 2024 winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, is available online at youngarts.org/winners.
COQUAL RELEASES NEW FINDINGS FROM ITS BLACK EQUITY INDEX
Coqual, a leading global think tank, today released a new white paper with the results of its second annual Black Equity Index (BEI), a benchmarking tool created for companies to drive measurable change, track true progress, and demonstrate their commitment to racial equity in the workplace.
KEVIN HART'S GRAN CORAMINO® TEQUILA WILL SUPPORT 50 BLACK AND LATINX SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE U.S. WITH $10,000 GRANTS
Gran Coramino® Tequila, an ultra-premium tequila founded by entrepreneur Kevin Hart and 11th-generation tequila maker, Juan Domingo Beckmann, has launched applications for The Coramino Fund, the brand's giveback program, with U.S. impact partner Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The Coramino Fund supports Black and Latinx entrepreneurs across the U.S. with $10,000 grants as well as learning opportunities.
Fifth Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy wants to center the community’s voice in legislation
Desmon Yancy gets his service from his parents. During his time in high school at Kenwood Academy, he figured out who he was and how he wanted to serve. Now, he is the 5th Ward Alderman, representing South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, Woodlawn and Hyde Park.
ROCK THE BELLS AND FORD 'ROCK THE CAMPUS' AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Rock The Bells, the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced 'Rock The Campus' presented by Ford. During the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop celebration at Alabama State University on October 8-9, 'Rock The Campus' honored the culture and connection of Hip-Hop and HBCUs.
Hip Hop Nutcracker reimagines the classic with a Hip Hop feel
The Hip Hop Nutcracker infuses the story of the classic Nutcracker, with the timeless music of Tchaikovsky, reimagined to take place in New York City with breakdancers, a deejay and a violinist.
Treasurer Pappas posts property tax bills online and gives taxpayers a preview of amounts due March 1
Cook County property owners have no need to wait for their next property tax bills to arrive in the mail to find out how much they will owe by the March 1 due date, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today.
Clerk Iris Martinez Highlights Collaboration in Best Serving the Community in State Address
Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Y. Martinez delivered her annual state address, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in effectively serving the community.
The Balloon Queens create colorful balloon designs
Saundra Woods and Tiasha Echols launched The Balloon Queens, LLC, in 2019, bringing together their love of creating balloon designs for events.
Chicago Children’s Theatre extends The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
Chicago Children’s Theatre is extending The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party due to popular demand.
