Accelerator Program Helps Business Owners Build Bankability

Kyra Hardwick founded the Kyra Company eight years ago because she wanted to help build businesses, build people and help them with their profitability. The Kyra Company has found a way to engage business owners around a holistic approach in building their business.

The National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. Leads Communications Strategy Session

More than 200 reparations activists from 26 states, working on local and national reparations initiatives, gathered in Evanston, Illinois, for the 3rd Annual National Symposium for State and Local Reparations (held November 30 to December 2, 2023). The event was convened by First Repair, founded by Robin Rue Simmons. Simmons is the former 5th Ward Alderman for the City of Evanston, Ill., where she led, in collaboration with others, the passage of the nation's first municipally-funded reparations legislation for Black residents.

Dream Vault Opens at Blue Door

Dion’s Chicago Dream in partnership with the Blue Door Neighborhood Center Morgan Park and T. Castro Produce have developed a way for people to receive fresh produce with the hope it will benefit residents in the Morgan Park community.

Luvme Hair's #LUVMEPOPUP NYC Event: A Remarkable Success

Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the hair industry, recently hosted its first-ever event, the Switching It Up Tour #LUVMEPOPUP, held from November 11th-13th in Brooklyn. The event proved to be a resounding success, attracting hair enthusiasts and offering an immersive experience showcasing a wide array of Luvme Hair wigs and premium hair care products.

UrbanGeekz Unveils Inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 to Showcase Gamechangers in Tech, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Award-winning digital media brand UrbanGeekz has published its first-ever 2023 UrbanGeekz 50 List. "It's an honor and privilege to curate this list celebrating Black excellence across the innovation economy," said Kunbi Tinuoye, founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. "Our goal is to profile and celebrate visionaries making an impact, breaking boundaries, and inspiring others to do better."

Blackroots Alliance Looks At What Public Safety Could Look Like For Communties

Blackroots Alliance recently released a report on public safety, with the goal of improving the Black community in Chicago and surrounding communities.

Azazie and Former Bachelorette, Charity Lawson, Host a Bridal Tea Luncheon

Former Bachelorette, Charity Lawson, hosted an exquisite tea luncheon with made-to-order evening wear brand, Azazie, in celebration of brides-to-be & their beloved bridal party. Charity was joined by Vanderpump Rules star Charli Burnett, actress Danielle Campbell, and top tier influencers for an afternoon of elegance at the Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills. Attendees arrived in dazzling dresses from Azazie, offered in sizes 0-30. Check out their stunning looks below!

Theater47 Brings Broadway-Style Shows to South Suburbs

John Ruffin has been writing plays for 36 years. Ruffin got his start writing and producing inspirational plays. Throughout the years, he moved into more edutainment where he wanted the audience to be entertained but also to learn something. The shows he produces now are more Broadway-style shows.

The Otis Redding Foundation Remembers Legendary Singer 56 Years After His Passing

Nicknamed the "King of Soul," Otis Redding is regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music, rhythm and blues," stated Otis' wife, Zelma Redding.

Cook County Department of Public Health Urges Suburban Cook County to Take COVID Precautions During the Holiday Season

Although COVID-19 hospital admissions in suburban Cook County continue to be low, they have almost doubled since the beginning of November; and emergency room visits associated with COVID have been trending upward since early October.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois' Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee Members

Governor JB Pritzker announced eighteen members of the Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee, chaired by Bela Moté. As part of the Pritzker administration’s plan to create a new, unified state agency to administer early childhood education and care programs, the strategic-planning group will consist of educators, childcare providers, and policy experts.

Holiday Shopping Tips for Tackling Inflation: Giving Thoughtful Gifts While Maintaining Financial Health

In recognition of the financial challenges created by stubborn inflation, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is rolling out eight tips this holiday season for giving thoughtful gifts while keeping expenses under control.

Need Extra Cash This Holiday Season?

Christmas, Happy Holidays, Santa, Rudolph, and even Scrooge are among the millions of names in Illinois’ missing money database with cash and property waiting to be claimed, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.

Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 32 of their colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America's first Black sports star, but someone many have never heard of — in recognition of his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete.

Jim Guilinger Award Presented to Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton received the Jim Guilinger Legislative Award from the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE). This award recognizes the Lieutenant Governor’s service and dedication to the expansion of agricultural education across the state.

Christmas in the Wards celebrates its 27th year of Giving & Service to the Community with Events in the City, Southland, and Proviso!

Christmas in the Wards celebrated its 27th year of Giving & Service to the Community with multiple events this year. Starting off the holiday celebrations was the annual shopping with the Mayor December 11, 2023, at Walmart, 10900 S. Doty Avenue in Chicago. Larry Huggins, Founder of Christmas in the Wards, and Title Sponsors Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (*MPEA), Walmart & Amazon; Presenting Sponsors, Walgreens & Grub Hub along with Platinum, Diamond, Gold Sponsors and Aldermen on the south side to shop for families.

Merry Christmas! Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas sending out $30.5 million in automatic refunds

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is sending more than $30.5 million in automatic refunds beginning this week to about 9,000 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes last year.

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.