Local Opera Singer Performs In “The Listeners” Production
Nicole Heaston grew up singing. The Chicago native was in the Chicago Children’s Choir and attended Kenwood Academy for high school, where Dr. Lena McLin was her choral teacher. When McLin heard Heaston sing, she told her that she was really a soprano and an opera singer. She then showed Heaston photos of Black opera singers and told her that she was one of them.
Brown Sugar Bakery Brings the Love
Stephanie Hart, owner of the Brown Sugar Bakery, bakes cakes that reminds people of their loved ones. Her Caramel, Red Velvet, German Dark Chocolate and Pineapple Coconut Cakes reference a nostalgia for people who come into her Chatham store, and those who order her cakes to have them shipped across the country.
Commissioner Samantha Steele Strengthens Fairness and Accessibility for All Who Pay Property Taxes to Cook County
Cook County’s 2nd District residents continue to benefit from the leadership of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, who has served on the Board since 2022. With 20 years of experience in property valuations and a deep commitment to public service, Steele continually works to ensure that taxpayers have a fair, transparent, and accessible property tax appeals process.
Mother-Daughter Prom in Honor of Fallen Officer Areanah M. Preston
The Peace for Preston Foundation is proud to announce a special Mother-Daughter Prom in honor of fallen officer Areanah M. Preston. This heartwarming event will take place on April 1, 2025, from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Martinique Banquet Hall, located at 8200 S Cicero Ave, Burbank, IL 60459.
“In Defense of Mac Properties”
In the Biblical spirit of speaking out for truth and justice, I come to the reputational defense of Mac Properties, which was accused in a recently filed lawsuit of systemic discrimination against prospective renters holding Housing Choice Vouchers – formerly known as Section 8 vouchers.
Chicago Sinfonietta one of 15 arts and culture and arts-centered organizations to receive a MacArthur Foundation 2025 Culture, Equity, and the Arts Grant
Chicago Sinfonietta is honored to receive a significant grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation over the next three years as one of 15 organizations “that help enrich communities in Chicago”.
SPLC President Condemns Trump Executive Orders Aimed at Whitewashing U.S. History and Restoring Confederate Monuments
Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) President and CEO Margaret Huang denounced the executive orders from the Trump administration aimed at rewriting U.S. history and restoring Confederate monuments around the country:
Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout
In a first-of-its-kind analysis, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office found much higher property tax referendum turnout in wealthier, predominantly white communities where nearly all people own their homes than in areas with mostly minority populations, lower incomes and lesser rates of home ownership.
A New Era of Style and Vision: Ray-Ban Names A$AP Rocky as First-Ever Creative Director
Reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneering spirit and courage, global multi-hyphenate artist A$AP Rocky is now the first-ever Creative Director for Ray-Ban Studios, bringing his distinctive vision and trendsetting influence to guide creative projects that will shape the future of the brand.
CIARA, CO-FOUNDER OF TEN TO ONE RUM, TAKES CENTER STAGE AT TRINIDAD CARNIVAL IN CULTURAL IMMERSION POWERED BY PRONGHORN
Grammy-winning superstar Ciara joined the world's most electrifying celebration, immersing herself in the heart of Trinidad Carnival in a cultural experience powered by Pronghorn and Ten To One Rum. Her presence at the historic festival — a centuries-old beacon of Caribbean culture and global creativity — not only highlighted her love for the region but elevated Carnival to a global stage, blending music, heritage, and diverse entrepreneurship into a singular moment of cultural pride.
The Chicago Department Of Public Health Provides Updates To Residents
The Chicago Department of Public Health works with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient and healthy Chicago. Dr. Olusimbo Ige is the Commissioner of Chicago Department of Public Health. She provided updates that she thinks are beneficial to residents.
Clinician Wants People To Educate Themselves About STI’s And HIV
Tammy Rutledge always loved serving people. Growing up, serving people was part of her ministry at church and in her community. In College, Rutledge became a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and continued serving people by doing community service as part of the organization, serving the elderly and visiting children’s hospitals, as well as raising and distributing funds to stop domestic violence.
Violence, Theatre, and the Luigi Effect
Many people take the stand that violence should never be used to combat violence, believing it only breeds more violence, and as some believe, corrupts the moral center of a liberation movement. However, history has endlessly chronicled that the ruling class only wakes up to how they exploit the working class when the threat of violence is on the table. Those who find this idea abhorrent, feel free to sit this one out. For those still with me, as the young folks say—L.F.G!
PRIMO Partners CEO Antonio McBroom Announces Book Launch to Further Mission of Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
From being a scooper at his local Ben & Jerry's to a visionary CEO, Antonio McBroom embarks on his next venture with the launch of his first publicly released book: The Self•ish Servant: Inspirational Lessons from a Visionary CEO to Create Extra-Ordinary Life. Offering an innovative framework for leadership that combines self-development with servant leadership principles, The Self•ish Servant is available today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major online booksellers.
Janeen Uzzell Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
The National Society of Black Engineers® (NSBE®) one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the U.S., proudly announces that NSBE CEO Janeen Uzzell has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional honors in the engineering field. Uzzell joins an esteemed class of 128 U.S.-based members and 22 international members newly elected to the NAE Class of 2025.
DCFS AWARDS MASSIVE FOSTER CARE ADOPTION CONTRACT TO LET IT BE US
Let It Be Us, the largest nonprofit 501(c) 3 in Illinois providing collaborative, innovative solutions for effective recruitment and placement of children in Illinois foster and adoptive care, has been awarded a $750,000 three- year contract by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Illinois ranks one of the lowest in adoption placement rates in the US for children awaiting adoption. This contract will significantly improve these children’s trajectories for finding forever families. Founded by Dr. Susan McConnell, Executive Director, herself an adoptive parent, this milestone solidifies Let It Be Us as the go-to resource for linking waiting children with loving, permanent families across the state.
Gov. Pritzker Breaks Ground on Wieland North America’s Modernized East Alton Facility
Governor JB Pritzker, Wieland Rolled Products North America, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined local leaders and partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of Wieland’s modernized East Alton facility. Wieland’s $500 million investment in this modernization project will retain 800 jobs throughout Illinois, enabling the company to increase production of critical copper and copper alloy components that are used in electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy production while supporting the state's clean energy economy.
Taste of Iceland Festival Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Chicago, April 3-5
Taste of Iceland 2025, organized by Inspired by Iceland, returns to Chicago, III., Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5. The cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with events across the city showcasing the best of Icelandic culture, including food, music, nature, literature, art and design, wellness, and more.
Breaking Barriers: Transforming Women’s Health Luncheon to Support Women-Led Cancer Research
The American Cancer Society invites you to the Breaking Barriers: Transforming Women’s Health Luncheon on Wednesday, April 30, a premier event dedicated to advancing women’s health and supporting the ACS ResearcHERS movement. This initiative funds women-led cancer research and addresses the underrepresentation of women in leadership within the field.
