U.S. Department of Education Takes Action Against 5 Schools for Disbursing Federal Student Aid to Students Enrolled in Unaccredited Programs

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced settlement agreements with five law schools after a Federal Student Aid (FSA) investigation revealed that the schools improperly disbursed Title IV funds to students enrolled in unaccredited Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs.

Artist wants people to LOVEMORE

Jeremy Hodges has built an anti-hate campaign that celebrates the beauty of humanity through love. LOVEMORE was born out of what Hodges saw during 2020 as the pandemic and social injustice put a spotlight on how divided people were becoming.

The Great Exhale™ Unveils a New Logo and Brand Identity

The Great Exhale™, a private membership community created exclusively for Black women, today reveals their new logo and brand identity. The visual identity system represents the core qualities of the company, and evolves the brand in a way that sets it up for longevity.

HCSC Awards $9M+ to Support Healthier Communities

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) is providing more than $9M to community organizations in the states through its 2023 Major Grant Program. HCSC is the largest customer owned health insurer and operates health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Chicago Family Health Center Joins Health Collaborative

Chicago Family Health Center has been around for more than 45 years and always had a mission to make an impact on the community, especially when it comes to health disparities. Chicago Family Health Center is one of three Chicago community-based health organizations that are part of the Collaboration for Equitable Health, which is a joint initiative between the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association powered by Bank of America. Sinai Chicago and Lawndale Christian Health Center are the other two Chicago community-based organizations in the collaboration.

Danille Taylor, Professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University, Named New Director of University's Historical Art Museum

Clark Atlanta University recently named Danille Taylor, Ph.D., as the Director of its art museum (CAUAM). Taylor is a professor of African American Studies at the University and has served as interim museum director since August 2022. Under her leadership, the museum reopened in October 2022 with three new exhibitions, including "Our Friend Jean, the Early Works of Jean Michele Basquiat," which drew more than 1300 attendees during its week-long run.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Opening of South Central Illinois Training & Innovation Center

Governor JB Pritzker joined local and state leaders to announce the grand opening of the South Central Illinois (SCI) Training & Innovation Center – bolstered by $8.6 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The regional training center will provide career and technical training for school districts in Montgomery and Macoupin counties.

Charlique C. Rolle Named New President of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago

Charlique C. Rolle has been named President of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. She takes over from Jackie Taylor, who was the founding president of the organization.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Takes The Fight For Black Maternal Health To The Nation's Capitol This September

On Sept. 20, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will host its annual Zeta Day on the Hill social action programmatic initiative where members of the organization convene together for education and to advocate for policy changes that directly impact communities of color across the United States. This year's event will make history for the organization and will be the first time it has brought together a delegation of over 1,100 members. Together, members will advocate for the passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

DR. BILL WINSTON and BILL WINSTON MINISTRIES ANNOUNCE OPERATION TEN CITY: GREATNESS UNLOCKED IN CHICAGO

Empowering Communities to Transform Cities More Than $1 Million Will be Invested in the Chicagoland Area to Close the Wealth Gap and Bring Change OPERATION TEN CITY Chicago will Promote Entrepreneurship, Economic Empowerment, and Wealth Creation; Bringing Business Opportunities, Jobs, Education and Training, Money, Food, Clothing, Gas Cards, and More to Black and Brown Communities in the City.

Poetry Foundation Announces the 2023 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellows

The Poetry Foundation announces the 2023 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellows: Bhion Achimba, Roda Avelar, Ariana Benson, Chrysanthemum, and Willie Lee Kinard III.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs: If We Have Unclaimed Property for You, We’ll Just Send You the Check Up to $5,000

More than 66,000 people are in line to receive up to $5,000 from the state’s Unclaimed Property program and all they have to do is open their mailbox, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.

Empowering Illinois Communities: Solstice and The Housing Authority of Cook County Collaborate to Expand Renewable Energy Access

Solstice, a leading provider of accessible community solar, is proud to announce that they are enrolling residents through the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC). This collaboration will bring affordable solar energy options to low- to moderate-income households across the 108 communities within the Housing Authority's jurisdiction. With over 2,100 income-based housing units and rental assistance services for 13,000 families, the Housing Authority of Cook County is the second largest public housing authority in Illinois. Solstice will provide bilingual community solar education and enrollment events to residents, enabling them to access clean, renewable energy at reduced costs.

Chicago Scholars 16th Annual Onsite College and Leadership Forum Set For October 24

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, hundreds of accomplished first-generation and underserved Chicago high school students will meet at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall to participate in a unique mass college interview day- Chicago Scholars’ 2023 Onsite College and Leadership Forum. Around 120 colleges from across the nation will be represented at Onsite. Throughout the day, Scholars will partake in admission interviews with some of the most esteemed colleges planning to offer acceptance letters and financial packages on the day of. Participating seniors will be among the first in the nation to receive admissions offers for 2024.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL LEADS COALITION SUPPORTING FAIR WAGES FOR FEDERAL CONTRACT WORKERS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the federal government’s actions to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for certain federal contractors. The policy was first enacted by presidential executive order in April 2021, and then implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor in November 2021 in the final rule, “Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contract Workers.”

South Suburban College and Pace Bus Partner to Offer Fourth Pre-hiring Event on September 19

South Suburban College (SSC) and Pace Bus are pleased to announce a fourth pre-hiring event to provide a free Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) permit course for the next generation of professional bus operators in the Chicago Southland region. The college and transportation agency will offer a customized two-week course to assist qualified applicants in obtaining their CDL permit.

SBA Corrects Hours for Cook County Business Recovery Center in Illinois

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is correcting the hours for its Cook County Business Recovery Center in Chicago, Il. It will operate at the SBA District Office, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and is closed Saturday and Sunday. A press release on Aug. 16 listed the hours incorrectly.

MAVERICK ENTERTAINMENT UNVEILS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FILM "THE COMEBACK" STARRING TAYE DIGGS AND APRYL JONES

Maverick Entertainment, a prominent independent studio specializing in the distribution of Black Cinema, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their latest film, "The Comeback," set to hit streaming on NBCUniversal's Peacock August 25th. Starring the immensely talented Taye Diggs and the charismatic Apryl Jones, this uproarious comedy follows the journey of Jeff Murray and his wife, Tisa Murray, as they move back to their beloved hometown of Atlanta.

ZUMBA® AND CRAYOLA PARTNER TO LAUNCH "COLORS OF KINDNESS" APPAREL COLLECTION

Zumba and Crayola are excited to announce a new partnership and the launch of their "Colors of Kindness" apparel collection. Inspired by Crayola's iconic crayon colors, the collection features vibrant, fun designs that embody the spirit of kindness and inclusivity.

Progressive Insurance® Awards $250,000 to Black Entrepreneurs Through Driving Small Business Forward Grant Program

Progressive Insurance®, the leading commercial auto insurer in the United States, has announced the 10 recipients of its 2023 Driving Small Business Forward grant with Hello Alice in support of Black entrepreneurs. Each small business owner has been awarded a $25,000 grant for use toward the purchase of a commercial vehicle for their business.