Education Department Announces Use of Secret Shopping to Protect Students, Crack Down on Institutions that Lure Students with Lies
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that the Enforcement Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will use secret shoppers as an additional tool to monitor postsecondary institutions’ compliance with the laws and regulations governing their participation in the federal student aid programs. In particular, secret shoppers will evaluate recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and other practices of postsecondary institutions to help identify potentially deceptive or predatory practices used to recruit and enroll students.
Entrepreneurs set up shop in L1
Local entrepreneurs have been chosen to have their products sold as part of the 2023 L1 Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship Cohort. L1, located at 319 E. Garfield Blvd., is a creative business accelerator program with the goal to strengthen the capacity of South side cultural and business sectors. It was launched in 2020 and is operated by Arts + Public Life. The fellowship program is in partnership with the Silver Room Foundation and the University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Good Scent Oils expanding its brand
Chicago born entrepreneur named Regina M. Earvin-Underwood is making her own history; as the world celebrates Women’s History Month this March. She was recently approved for the Walmart Marketplace. As the Owner of Good Scents Oils (GSO), she has come a long way. From selling GSO products from home, to vending at events, to hiring individual sales reps, to opening her first store in 2006, to selling her products at a mall kiosk in 2019, to opening her own warehouse distribution center in 2020, to partnering with Walmart marketplace in 2023. This is an opportunity to dream bigger and expand the GSO brand.
Woodlawn Central Selects Transwestern as Real Estate Services Provider
Woodlawn Central (WC), an 8-acre, $895 million mixed-use megadevelopment designed to be a catalyst for urban regeneration in Woodlawn, has hired Transwestern Real Estate Services as its commercial real estate services provider. With a diverse, minority-led team and a mission to spur transformative change in not only this undercapitalized neighborhood but also its contiguous neighborhoods, Woodlawn Central LLC felt Transwestern would be a best-in-class partner due to the organization's broad, integrated capabilities and innovative, collaborative, client-focused business model.
Firstline Brands Launches Satin Sleep Collection in Partnership with Karma's World Entertainment
Firstline Brands, the leading textured hair accessory company in the U.S., furthers its mission to innovate high-quality haircare and fashion items with the launch of its Karma's World© Satin Sleep Collection under its Camryn's BFF® brand for girls and tweens.
National Initiative to Reduce Gun Homicides by 20 Percent Over 5 Years Launches in First 4 Cities
Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Indianapolis, Newark - During Black History Month when the accomplishments, struggles and resilience of the Black Struggle are brought to the forefront of the American public as means to remind our nation that truly without Black History, there is no American history; four national African American led organizations committed to ending gun violence are partnering with mayors across the nation to scale up, unite and bring cohesion to the growing movement of the community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystem.
MICHELLE SNEED LAUNCHES A FEW GOOD WOMEN PRODUCTIONS
Industry veteran and former president of Tyler Perry Studios Michelle Sneed, announces the launch of A Few Good Women Productions. As a full-service content studio combining the attributes of a traditional film studio with that of a production company, A Few Good Women Productions embraces projects driven by complex and dynamic characters who represent diverse people, places, cultures and concepts with the belief "that as long as there's a great story and vision, we can make it come to life." Led by an all-women team, A Few Good Women Productions is a first-of-its kind model with the ability to green light and maintain project autonomy through every phase of acquisition, development, financing, production, licensing and distribution.
CITY OF CHICAGO REACHES $23.8M SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH E-CIGARETTE MAKER JUUL LABS FOR MARKETING AND SELLING PRODUCTS TO UNDERAGED YOUTH
The City of Chicago announced that a $23.8M settlement has been reached with JUUL Labs, a leading e-cigarette maker, over claims that the company was engaged in harmful and deceptive business practices by marketing and selling vaping products to underage users.
Postal Service Celebrates Author Toni Morrison on New Forever Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service today celebrated the life and legacy of author Toni Morrison (1931-2019), whose artfully crafted novels explored the diverse voices of African Americans, in a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Princeton University.
Ladies of Virtue Launches "This Black Girl" Campaign
In celebration of Women's History Month, Ladies of Virtue (LOV) is proud to announce its "This Black Girl" campaign in recognition of the impressive achievements of Black girls nationwide who have triumphed over obstacles to become successful, confident, and purpose-driven leaders. "This Black Girl" will highlight inspiring stories throughout the month of March, focused on high school seniors and alumni who have emerged as community role models and serve as an inspiration for younger generations.
Aldermanic Candidate wants to bring beauty and function to 21st Ward
Cornell Dantzler has been a resident of West Pullman/Morgan Park for more than 55 years. When he was a teenager, a mentor helped him turn his life around. Now, he does the same for young people with his STEPS Mentoring Program.
Laguna Candles Celebrates 20 Years As Global Luxury Supplier
Twenty years ago, Laguna Candles opened for business, fueled by a love for the calming effects of beautiful home fragrance and a desire to be on the cutting edge of a growing consumer appetite for cleaner burning candles. Founded by Sharie Hendricks, the company had humble beginnings in her family's kitchen and garage, a hub for experimenting with various fragrances, wax blends, packaging and more. Before long, Laguna Candles emerged as a premiere Black and woman-owned business, now enjoyed globally at the finest luxury hotels, spas and specialty stores with thousands of hand-poured, bespoke candles sold around the country and beyond.
MIELLE ORGANICS JOINS P&G BEAUTY IN A MAJOR MOVE FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS SERVING BLACK WOMEN
P&G Beauty and Mielle Organics®, a popular textured hair care brand rooted in natural ingredients, announced recently that it will join P&G Beauty, pending regulatory approval, further expanding access to healthy hair products and services for Black women around the world.
Chicago Public Schools Seeks Honorary Student Board of Education Member for 2023-24 School Year
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is now accepting applications for the next honorary student member of the Board of Education. Each year, an honorary student board member represents the interests and perspectives of all CPS students on a Board that makes decisions and shapes policies for the nation’s fourth largest school district.
My Community Plan Foundation hosts Mayoral Forum at DuSable Museum
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center was the site of a forum with Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas on Thursday, March 9th.
St. John Announces Shonda Rhimes in #OwnYourPower for Spring 2023 Campaign
After six decades of dressing the world's most esteemed women, St. John proudly introduces the #OwnYourPower campaign featuring Shonda Rhimes to celebrate a unique sisterhood of incredible women doing extraordinary things. The partnership coincides with St. John's Spring 2023 Collection, a new season of great American design from the iconic knitwear fashion house.
DONNA MILLER ANNOUNCES 2023 UNSUNG HEROINES AWARD WINNER FOR THE 6TH DISTRICT
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller announced Pastor Brenda K. Mitchell as the recipient of the 2023 Unsung Heroines Award for the 6th District. The Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroines Award is an annual award given out during Women’s History Month to one woman from each of the seventeen County districts and one woman countywide whose contributions are vital to the community, but often overlooked. Individuals across the 6th District recognized numerous qualified individuals in their nominations, and Commissioner Miller selected Brenda for her dedication to and unwavering advocacy for victims of gun violence.
CITY OF CHICAGO AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM BREAK GROUND ON INVEST SOUTH/WEST DEVELOPMENT IN BACK OF THE YARDS
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Ald. Jeanette Taylor joined New City stakeholders to start construction on United Yards, a $58M mixed-use project that will revitalize the heart of the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Being developed by Celadon Blackwood Limited Partnership through the Mayor’s INVEST South/West initiative, the project includes multiple new and rehabilitated commercial and residential buildings near the 47th and Ashland intersection.
Community organizer serving on new Police District Councils
Joseph Williams, Executive Director and Founder of Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club, was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. He is a husband, and father to six children. He was recently elected to the 7th District for the Police District Councils. Williams was also a member of the Local School Council, starting when he was 21-years old. He is transitioning into different roles to continue his engagement in the community.
