The Dunk Collective and Sparkit Media Announce $1M Creator Partnership Leveraging Fan-Directed Non-Branded Video Collabs
The Dunk Collective, a multi-year initiative focused on bringing exposure to professional dunking and forging connections between basketball and its fanbase, and Sparkit Media Inc., a fan-directed media and digital Ad platform designed to reimagine monetization and sponsorship of UGC, today announced a partnership valued at $1m focused on increasing exposure, growing membership and expanding sponsorship for the worldwide dunking community.
Treasurer Frerichs Expands Outreach Efforts For IL ABLE Savings Program
As students head back to school, parents of children with Individualized Education Plans will receive information about a State Treasurer’s Office program that helps families save money for disability-related expenses.
Anne Klein Debuts New Fashion Campaign Featuring Supermodel Jasmine Tookes
Iconic American fashion brand ANNE KLEIN marks impactful year with the debut of its new Fall/Winter 2023 fashion campaign featuring supermodel, entrepreneur and new mom, Jasmine Tookes and New York Fashion Week (NYFW) event in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Versailles, which brought American sportswear to the forefront of global fashion.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Federal Grant Supporting Tradeswomen in Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker joined Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, representatives from the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), and Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) to announce a $1.35 million federal grant to the Illinois Department of Labor. This funding will go towards supporting tradeswomen-led efforts to train and support the entry of more women into infrastructure and construction careers.
Diverse suppliers are good for business and the community
Diverse businesses are the backbone of many of communities. That’s why JPMorgan Chase is committed to helping these businesses develop and thrive. Ted Archer, Global Head of Business Partner Diversity for JPMorgan Chase, recently spoke about why diverse suppliers are good for business and the community.
Ida Byrd-Hill, CEO Automation Workz, Selected as Finalist for National Black Chamber of Commerce Famous Amos Pitch Competition
Automation Workz has spent the past 3 years leapfrogging Black residents into middle-skilled tech jobs as these careers pay a median annual salary of $70,000 - $110,000, enough to move a Black family out of poverty. While the US Census Bureau shows the US poverty rate is 11.6%, the poverty rate is 37.4% for single Black woman with children.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly Celebrates Department of Justice Proposal to Close Unlicensed Gun Seller Loophole
Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) celebrated Attorney General Merrick Garland's decision to sign a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulations to conform with The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act’s licensing requirements for gun sellers. Congresswoman Kelly lead two Congressional letters, in December of 2022 and May of 2023, urging for expedient and clear rule making for the “engaged in the business” definition provision of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Chicago Public Schools Welcomes U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, along with District and school leaders, hosted U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten Thursday at two South side schools that have implemented comprehensive supports to drive post-pandemic academic recovery with the help of federal dollars and initiatives as well as public-private partnerships. Deputy Education Secretary Marten has served in a variety of education roles for more than 30 years before taking on her leadership position in 2021 at the U.S. Dept. of Education.
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs Makes Initial Investment from Breakthrough FIRST Fund
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs launched the breakthrough FIRST Fund investment portfolio to jump-start local construction projects, foster economic development, and create good‑paying jobs while generating investment returns for state taxpayers.
MIXED-USE, MIXED INCOME DEVELOPMENT SET FOR WOODLAWN
A new mixed-use, mixed-income development is slated for completion in Woodlawn. Park Station Lofts is a 58- unit development located at 6300 S. Maryland Ave. The development is part of the redevelopment and revitalization strategy for Woodlawn. The project is jointly developed by DL3 Realty and Michaels, one of the leading affordable housing developers in the country.
LINK Unlimited Scholars Expands Program to Include 7th and 8th Graders
LINK Unlimited Scholars has been in existence for 60 years with the goal of supporting students through high school. Now, it has expanded its program to include 7th and 8th graders with its Jr LINK Program. The goal of the two-year middle school program is to help middle school students with placement to high school and college prep.
THE CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN TO HOST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
The Chicago Foundation for Women (CFW) announced that the 38th Annual Gathering will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Sheraton Grand Riverwalk Chicago. The Annual Gathering raises critical funds to support CFW's mission of investing in women and girls as catalysts for strong communities.
CTA Scholarship helps students in the engineering and construction field
Austin Washington always used CTA to get around town. It enabled him to explore where he grew up. When he heard about the CTA Elevating Futures Scholarship Fund, he decided to apply. He hoped it would help him pay for college.
The Auditorium Theatre Proudly Presents Tank and The Bangas with Chicago Philharmonic
The Auditorium Theatre (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E Ida B. Wells Drive) is proud to present genre-defying hit band Tank and The Bangas performing with Chicago’s own Chicago Philharmonic one night only at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30.
State Rep. Evans stays connected to the community
Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans has been representing the 33rd District since 2012 and was recently elected Vice President of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ISSUES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR GOOD FOOD FUND AND EARLY-STAGE FOOD BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROGRAMS
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) have issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Good Food Fund and the Early-Stage Food Incubator Programs. The purpose of these two programs is to provide support for food entrepreneurs in communities with inequitable food access, where the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated existing disparities within the food industry. The Good Food Fund and the Early-Stage Food Incubator programs were designed after intensive community engagement with the Food Equity Council and seek to help expand, enhance, and restore the food industry using an equity and community-based approach.
Cat’s Cradle adapted for the Lifeline stage, with a diverse cast
“Cat’s Cradle” by Kurt Vonnegut was published in 1963 and is a satirical novel about religion, science, the arms race and technology, set in a postmodern world. While it was written 60 years ago, the themes of the novel are relevant to today’s audiences.
Biden-Harris Administration Celebrates Completion of Nationwide Unlocking Pathways Summit Serie
The Biden-Harris Administration completed its nationwide Unlocking Pathways Summit series today in Biloxi, Mississippi. The four-part series was part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success initiative, aimed at helping young Americans access good-paying jobs created by President Biden’s Bidenomics agenda. The series was supported by the Departments of Transportation, Energy, Commerce, and Labor to increase and expand access to high-quality career pathways helping young Americans prepare for careers of the future in in-demand fields.
Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils Partners with BIPOC Designers for First NYFW Debut
Leading textured haircare brand Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils is set to make its monumental debut at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) through exciting partnerships with designers Bach Mai and Sami Miró. This unprecedented collaboration not only marks the brand's first-ever appearance at NYFW but also celebrates the power of inclusivity, diversity, and supporting Black-owned & AAPI businesses, models, hairstylists, and more.
