Gov. Pritzker Announces Mental Health Center Renamed for Elizabeth Packard
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced a new name for the McFarland Mental Health Center. By executive proclamation, it is now officially the Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard Mental Health Center. On signage and in common use, it will become known simply as the Packard Mental Health Center. Located on the south side of Springfield, the psychiatric hospital employs more than 250 staff and supports over 120 patients with serious mental illness on a 24/7 basis.
AON Apprenticeship Program prepares participants for long term careers
Terionna Wilson went to work right after high school. Although she wanted to go to college after high school, she didn’t have the funds to do so. She knew she had to find a way to afford college. Her older sister was part of the AON Apprenticeship Program and she watched her go through the program. Wilson saw the outcome of her sister going through the program and wanted to participate in it, too.
Jackson State University's 2023 Day of Giving raises over $650,000 for student scholarships
Jackson State University's 9th Day of Giving raised more than $689,000, surpassing its $650,000 fundraising goal for the event, which kicked off on Friday, July 14. The event featured a virtual video presentation themed "B.E.T. on JSU," aka "Black Excellence at Thee."
Retreat focuses on the health and wellbeing of the Black woman
Aishia Phillpotts-Manley and Shoa Phillpots founded It Takes A Village Collaborative in 2019 as a wellness hub for the Black community. It provides holistic experiences, resources and networks as a way for Black women and the Black community to maintain their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Advancing Black Wealth Tour Coming to Chicago in Aug. 26
JPMorgan Chase is excited to announce the return of its Advancing Black Wealth Tour. The multi-city event series, now in its second year, delivers financial health education, home-buying and real estate workshops, wealth building seminars and other vital financial insights to Black communities nationwide.
The Good Common Sense to Believe What My “Uncle M. L.” Taught Me
This month marks the August 28, 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where over a quarter million people gathered and heard my Uncle Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - fondly remembered as “Uncle M. L. - deliver his famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” “
GLCU Continues Technology Investments with Rollout of AI Bot “Olive”
Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) has partnered with Silicon Valley-based interface.ai to introduce “Olive,” a call center bot that leverages conversational AI to route calls, conduct phone banking transactions, and decrease member wait times.
Blue Island Park District Commissioner Tonya Howard reflects on first summer serving on Park District Board
Commissioner Tonya Howard says the first three months of serving on the Blue Island Park District Board have been everything she anticipated it to be and more.
Federal judge issues preliminary injunction removing fiduciaries of Chicago-area employee benefit plan alleged to have misappropriated more than $2.8M
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the fiduciaries of a Chicago-based multiple employer welfare arrangement to protect the fund’s remaining assets after a Department of Labor investigation alleged its fiduciaries and counsel misused more than $2.8 million in fund assets, and that they continue to mismanage the fund.
BILLIONAIRE BUSINESS MOGUL AND PHILANTHROPIST DR. TRISHA BAILEY ANNOUNCES MULTI-CITY BOOK TOUR THIS FALL FOR HER MOTIVATIONAL MEMOIR “UNBROKEN: THE TRIUMPHANT STORY OF A WOMAN’S JOURNEY”
The Former Stockbroker Turned Self Made Business Mogul Shares Tips and Tools for Entrepreneurship and How She Transformed the Trauma from Abuse into a Billion Dollar Empire (Orlando, Fl. September 15, 2023) Billionaire business mogul and philanthropist Dr. Trisha Bailey, the ultimate overcomer, will embark on a multi-city book tour this fall for her motivational memoir “Unbroken: The Triumphant Story of a Woman’s Journey,” with visits to cities including New York, Atlanta, and LA. Bailey’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs and survivors of abuse is “Let your healing fuel your success.”
Stackwell and Fintech in Action Announce Financial Wellness Pilot Program with Spelman College Students
Stackwell, the digital investment platform designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap, and Fintech in Action, a social impact initiative that accelerates progress, innovation, and opportunity for Black talent in finance and fintech, announced the launch of a new financial wellness program supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) students. The pilot program will provide a cohort of Spelman College students with a finance and investing course plus a seeded Stackwell account to begin building wealth during their college careers.
BOSS AND NFL EXPAND ONGOING COLLABORATION TO FEATURE MORE TEAMS
Further solidifying its place in global sports culture, BOSS has once again joined forces with the National Football League (NFL) to expand the BOSS x NFL merchandise collection. Launched earlier this year, the latest evolution of the collaboration includes a thrilling new assortment of exclusive lifestyle products for football and fashion fans alike. Arriving just in time for the start of the season, the distinctive attire from the latest BOSS x NFL expansion offers sports afficionados and true BOSSes the chance to show their team spirit in style. The bold, new selection includes iconic sweatshirts, vests, jackets, joggers, and more – all of which showcase the colors and graphic logos of both American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) teams.
Property Values for Stickney Township Released
Cook County – Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi released the initial assessments of residential and commercial properties in Stickney Township. “I strongly encourage property owners to review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home,” said Assessor Fritz Kaegi. “It is important to understand that assessments in Cook County reflect market value over the last three years. My office will be partnering with Amy Dimas March, Stickney Township Assessor to assist property owners and explain reassessments in their community.”
RED CLAY DANCE COMPANY CELEBRATED ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH AN OUTDOOR COMMUNITY EVENT IN WOODLAWN
Named in 2021 as one of “Chicago’s Cultural Treasures,” Red Clay Dance Company launched its 15th Anniversary Season themed “15FORWARD.” Located in the Woodlawn community, Red Clay Dance Company is Chicago’s premier professional Afro-contemporary dance company which tours nationally and internationally sharing their stories and “Artivism” (art + activism). In its 15 year history, Red Clay Dance has created and produced award-winning original works that have appeared around the World and has become the home for professional and pre-professional dancers, dance-lovers and other artists to convene, create, and collaborate together.
Black United Fund of Illinois to hold “Casino Night & Concert”
The Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc. (BUFI) is hosting a “Casino Night & Concert” 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL.
Chicago Department of Public Health hosts Healthy Chicago 2025 Symposium and Healthy Chicago Equity Zones Showcase
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and numerous community partners have been working in lockstep for more than a decade to advance the Healthy Chicago movement - a coalition of community champions, organizations, and partners taking important steps toward a healthier, more just, equitable city. CDPH is mid-way through the five-year implementation period of Healthy Chicago 2025, and to celebrate the efforts around the movement and learn how the community co-design partnerships are leading hyper-local and system level changes, CDPH hosted the Healthy Chicago 2025 Symposium and Healthy Chicago Equity Zones (HCEZ) Showcase event on Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center.
THE 34TH ANNUAL AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS CELEBRATES ‘THE DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN [ANCESTRY]’ & the 50th ANNIVERSARY OF HIPHOP OPENING DAY IS FREE!
Africa International House USA, Inc. (AIH) presents performing artists from all points of the African Diaspora to celebrate the United Nation’s proclaimed “International Decade for People of African [Ancestry]” during the 34th Annual African Festival of the Arts in Washington Park Labor Day Weekend, September 1-4, 2023. In a renewed collaboration with WVON, opening day Friday, Sept 1 is FREE for all attendees with a ticket. Tickets are required for each day of the Festival and are available at www.aihusa.org..
Northwestern Professor Mary Pattillo Speaks to the Future of Chicago's Black Middle Class at Ida’s Legacy Summer Mixer
Just as soon as white people get a group of Black folks segregated, they use it as a point of attack and discrimination. Our counter attack should be therefore against this discrimination, but never in the world should our fight be against association with ourselves, because by that very token we give up the whole argument that we are worth associating with.
Black Executives Support Small Businesses Through SCORE
Black business owners are more likely to seek – but less likely to receive – outside funding than white business owners, according to a survey by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses. To help improve this disparity in resources, Black executives can bring their valuable insights and perspectives to the table as business mentors. This National Black Business Month, SCORE encourages Black executives to consider volunteering their time and expertise to support entrepreneurs and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
