Honda Battle of the Bands Returns to Celebrate HBCU Culture and Marching Band Tradition
Thousands of fans, students and alumni converged upon Alabama State University (ASU) on Saturday, Feb. 18, to take part in the 18th Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase (HBOB), the nation's premiere showcase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) marching bands and dance teams. Marking its return to a live event format for the first time since 2020, HBOB also was held for the first time on an HBCU campus, featuring spectacular performances from six marching bands representing HBCUs.
Nicor Gas opens applications for second year of environmental stewardship initiative grants
Nicor Gas is announcing $100,000 in funding to support environmental stewardship programs. This commitment expands on the company’s value of protecting the environment and enhancing natural green spaces through investments in nonprofit organizations that contribute to clean air, conservation, preservation and sustainable activities.
Acosta Announces Don Byrd, New EVP of In-Store Services for Walmart Byrd assumes key role in newly formed In-Store Services Team
Acosta announced that Don Byrd is joining the company as Executive Vice President of In-Store Services for Walmart. In this role, Byrd will lead a team dedicated to elevating service and outcomes and enhancing talent acquisition and engagement in support of the company's business with Walmart.
Celebrating Black History Month: Q&A with JPMorgan Chase’s Byna Elliott
In celebration of Black History Month, we sat down with Byna Elliott, global head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase, to discuss what Black History Month means to her, how the firm is advancing racial equity and Elliott’s goals for 2023.
Dove Partners with LinkedIn in support of The CROWN Act to Help End Race-Based Hair Discrimination in the Workplace
As part of Dove's ongoing commitment to help pass The CROWN Act and end race-based hair discrimination nationwide, the brand has partnered with LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, who is committed to creating equal access to economic opportunity and creating more equitable outcomes for all professionals. While progress has been made to end hair discrimination with the passage of The CROWN Act in some states across the US, race-based hair discrimination remains a systemic problem in the workplace – from hiring practices to daily workplace interactions – disproportionately impacting Black women's employment opportunities and professional advancement.
BLOOMINGDALE’S ANNOUNCES THE CAROUSEL @ BLOOMINGDALE’S: FEMALE FOUNDERS CURATED BY TIKA SUMPTER
Bloomingdale’s announced The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s: Female Founders Curated by Tika Sumpter – a celebration of female entrepreneurs in honor of Women’s History Month. Bloomingdale’s is partnering with actress and producer Tika Sumpter to take over the retailer’s Spring Carousel and showcase a curated assortment of must-have home, self-care, fashion, accessories, and kids’ products from 50 female-founded and owned brands including Kaleidadope, Kim Hill, The Spice Suite, Candice Luther, Estelle Glassware, Cult Gaia, and more.
bp invests in future talent with HBCU Fellowship Program
bp announced it is investing $4.05 million in three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) to provide students with scholarship funding, exposure to the energy industry, and career development experience.
Harvey Mayor aims to a build better Harvey
Christopher Clark is a lifelong resident of Harvey. He was elected Mayor of the City of Harvey in 2019. Clark, who is an attorney by trade, also has a degree in Electronic Engineering. “I love my city and I am happy to be serving it at this particular time,” he said.
Recently elected Cook County Commissioner reflects on first months in office
Monica Gordon has been a Cook County Commissioner, representing the 5th District, since November of 2022, when she was elected to office. “It has been a wonderful experience thus far. Getting to know my fellow Commissioners, being able to get out into the community right away to make an impact. I am really excited for what’s to come,” she said. The 5th District of the Cook County Board includes 49% of the Far South side of Chicago and 51% of the South Suburbs.
‘WE WILL CHICAGO’ PLANNING PROCESS CULMINATES WITH ADOPTION BY THE CHICAGO PLAN COMMISSION
A 10-year framework to promote equity and resiliency throughout Chicago was formalized with the Chicago Plan Commission’s unanimous adoption of the first citywide plan in more than 50 years. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot also announced that she will issue an Executive Order to ensure the plan’s implementation at all levels of City government.
COOK COUNTY LAND BANK HOLDS DEED TRANSFER CEREMONY FOR VACANT LOT GIVEAWAY RECIPIENTS IN ENGLEWOOD
The Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) completed the handover of deeds to 12 vacant lots to the nine recipients of last year’s Juneteenth land giveaway. Held in partnership with the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), the giveaway of vacant side lots and today’s deed ceremony will lead to the development of these lots for valuable community uses. CCLBA also donated three lots to local nonprofit Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). The deed event was held at Go Green Community Fresh Market, a grocery store in the neighborhood across the street from lots donated to IMAN.
Event highlights importance of CPR and AED Training
February was American Heart Month. To celebrate, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who represents the 6th District, hosted a CPR/AED Training at the Cook County Building, located at 69 W. Washington. The event on Tuesday, Feb. 21st, was the first in-person CPR/AED Training since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the day, staff at the Cook County Building participated in hands-on CPR training.
CHICAGO’S PROCUREMENT REFORM TASK FORCE CONCLUDES WORK WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its evaluation of the implementation of recommendations of the Chicago Procurement Reform Task Force (PRTF). Established in 2015, PRTF identified opportunities for the City of Chicago and sister agencies to work together to establish and implement best practices for procurement operations. Over the past seven years, Participating Members of the PTRF have made progress in implementing 28 of 31 recommendations. However, the PRTF declared its work complete in November 2022, despite not having implemented three of the most critical recommendations: to create a single website providing contracting information and guidance from all Participating Members (#7); to adopt best practices for routine audits of procurement processes, ideally using shared services to that end (#19); and to implement a universal procurement system—a single point of entry for posting and responding to all Participating Members’ contracting opportunities (#28). As is required by ordinance, OIG publishes today’s evaluation within 90 days of PRTF’s November 2022 report.
City Colleges of Chicago Proudly Announces the Timuel D. Black Jr. Scholarship and Fellowship Program in Honor of the Legendary City Colleges Educator, Civil Rights Activist, Historian and Author
The Timuel D. Black Jr. Scholarship and Fellowship (TBSF) program is inspired by the late City Colleges professor Timuel D. Black Jr’s remarkable career, his lifelong commitment to equity and justice in Chicago, and his belief in the power of community history and activism.
DOLPHLAND POPS UP IN CHICAGO
There’s a new Pop-Up Coming to the space that once housed the Woman-Ish immersive experience. The Dolphland Museum is coming to Chicago Friday through Sunday, March 3rd thru. 5th, at 114 S. State St.
Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Small Black Businesses in Chicago
CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker joined the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) to celebrate Black businesses in Chicago. The Black McDonald’s Operators Association and three local Black-owned businesses were honored during the event, which was designed to celebrate the more than 141,000 Black-owned businesses that call Illinois home.
“Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited”
An overflowing crowd of over 200 filled the Chicago Cultural Center on Feb. 21 for Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy’s (CAAIP) Premier Reception for the exhibition Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited. While the event was a recognition of the Chicago icons, legends and community honorees featured in the highly lauded exhibit, it was also a homecoming filled with inspiring moments.
KEVIN HART ANNOUNCES REALITY CHECK TOUR IS COMING TO HARD ROCK LIVE ON JUNE 10
Kevin Hart is bringing his widely popular Reality Check comedy tour to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Saturday, June 10. Doors open at 7 p.m. General on sale begins this Friday, March 3, at 9 a.m. Central Time at Ticketmaster.com and KEVINHARTNATION.com.
Black History Month event at MWRD focuses on environmental justice and advocating for equity
Raising awareness for environmental justice, equity and the African American experience, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) continued its tradition of Black History Month programming and celebration by hosting a forum that featured a talented lineup of insightful speakers.
