CAREER CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS EXPO SET FOR JUNETEENTH
In an effort to be more thoughtful and focus on the employment pillar of its three pillars, Good Green decided to sponsor a career conference and business expo on Juneteenth. The 40 Tons Level Up Career Conference & Business Expo presented by Good Green will take place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 19th, at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Project SERV Grants to HBCUs
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today announced Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grants to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that were disrupted by bomb threats last year: Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas was awarded $191,962; Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware was awarded $217,000; Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina was awarded $440,000 and Howard University in Washington, D.C. was awarded $203,000.
“You Remember Frank London Brown” Exhibition Opening Friday June 9th
Novelist, journalist, educator. Community leader, public housing activist, union organizer. Father, friend, jazz enthusiast. To Gwendolyn Brooks, he was “a tenant of the world.” To Langston Hughes, Brown was “a talented writer with something important to say.” In his brief, shining life, Frank London Brown played many roles within the vibrant cultural and political landscape of Black Chicago, and beyond. Brown’s path breaking 1959 novel Trumbull Park tells the story of his time in the public housing residence of the same name, which was assaulted by a riotous racist mob when the Chicago Housing Authority attempted to desegregate it. As an educator, Brown co-led what we believe to be the first Black history course in the Midwest, hosted through the Union Research Center at the University of Chicago, where he was also enrolled as a PhD candidate in the Committee on Social Thought.
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PROHIBITING SALE OF FLAVORED LIQUID NICOTINE PRODUCTS IN COOK COUNTY PASSED BY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Cook County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance amendment introduced by Commissioner Donna Miller banning the sale of flavored liquid nicotine products in unincorporated Cook County. The legislation, supported by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and the Cook County Department of Public Health prohibits the sale of the types of products that studies find are hooking a new generation on nicotine, putting children at risk and threatening decades of progress in reducing youth tobacco use. Flavored products, especially e-cigarettes, are driving youth use and also increasing instances of severe respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations amongst youth and adults.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE BOASTS BIG NAMES
At a time when librarians are facing threats and books are being challenged, the American Library Association believes now is an important time to gather and try to figure out a path forward.
Dolton 149 School Board Elects New President, VP, Spotlighting Both “Fresh and Experienced Leadership”
South Suburban Dolton School District 149 on May 4th chose a “fresh and experienced leadership” team as the seven-member board unanimously elected a new Board President, Lolita Crisler-Liggons, Board Vice President, Teresa Jemine, and reelected Board Secretary Bertha Jolly.
TRUTH BE TOLD LAUNCHES POP-UP SERIES
Andrea Polk launched Zen Soul Apothecary as a labor of health and wellness. When she started to develop extreme eczema, she looked to books about healing and herbology. She went to a shaman and learned about reiki.
CRUISE INTO WARM WEATHER WITH SUMMER OFFERINGS BY CITY CRUISES CHICAGO
Welcome summer with dining, dancing, and city skyline views. City Cruises, operator of Chicago’s premier water experience, today announced their summer cruises for Father’s Day, Fourth of July, as well as the return of firework dinners and other seasonal favorites such as Seadog thrill rides, river tours and moonlight dance cruises – all available to book now.
REVERSE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PILOT TO TAKE PLACE THIS SUMMER
PepsiCo has developed a reverse mentorship program pilot with the goal to build a more equitable workforce, with Black and Hispanic young people from the South and West sides.
Reps. Davis, Moore, Moore, Feenstra, Bacon, and Kamlager-Dove Honor National Foster Care Month with Bipartisan Legislation to Help Foster Youth Find Permanent Families via Adoption
On Thursday, May 25, 2023, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) joined with Representative Blake Moore (R-UT), Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI), Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), and Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) to introduce the bipartisan H.R. 3662, Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023. The legislation would make the current Adoption Tax Credit fully refundable, removing income as a barrier to adoption.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates the Class of 2023
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high school graduates began moving tassels to the left and tossing mortarboards in the air this past weekend amid the bittersweet sound of Pomp and Circumstance in auditoriums and other local venues across the city. The Class of 2023 - who were all freshmen during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic - have earned nearly $1 billion in college scholarships and garnered thousands of state and national honors and academic distinctions. The ceremonies and celebrations will continue through mid-June for thousands of CPS graduates with a final tally to be available in the fall. Last year, 21,205 students graduated from CPS, with the District graduation rate increasing 2.7 percentage points to 82.9 percent.
Harper Passes Bill to Address SNAP Benefit Theft
A bill by state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, aimed at addressing the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, is headed to the governor’s desk after unanimously passing both houses of the General Assembly.
NONPROFIT FOUNDER’S ONE STOP RESOURCE SHOP HELPS THOSE IN NEED
Nykoa Farmer founded In His Hands Resource Center out of grief. She lost someone she loved right before the pandemic. She turned that grief into a nonprofit organization that provides resources to individuals, entrepreneurs and community organizations.
EARLY WALKER AND “PARENTS FOR CHICAGO” COMMUNICATION LINE TO ANNOUNCE THAT NORTH AVENUE BEACH IS NEXT "TEEN TAKEOVER" SITE FOR TODAY
Early Walker-CEO of I’m Telling, Don’t Shoot- will be joined by Community Leaders, and Clergy leaders to announce the success of the Parent for Chicago communication line that has halted four planned “Teen Takeovers” in Chicago. The group will also detail the information gathered concerning the 2:00 PM planned Teen Takeover scheduled for today. Today is the official last day of school for Chicago Public School students.
Chicago Police Officer’s Facial Hair Helps Raise Money for South Side Children this Father’s Day Weekend
Last year, Chicago police officer Kenneth Griffin was honored as a finalist in the Wahl ‘Benevolent Beards’ Contest for his charitable efforts and impressive beard. Griffin started the charity ‘No Matter What’ to mentor at-risk kids from the same South Side neighborhood he grew up in. He offers them new experiences like summer camps where they can feel safe and have fun. To celebrate Griffin’s ability to combine good grooming with goodwill, and in conjunction with the launch of this year’s contest, Wahl is bringing its mobile barbershop to The Quarry Event Center (2423 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL, 60649) this Father’s Day Weekend on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (CDT), and Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (CDT). The visit is in partnership with Real Men Cook organizers and for every FREE beard trim Wahl will donate $100 to support Griffin’s charity.
WILL COUNTY BLACK DIAMOND CHAPTER OF TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION, INC.
The Will County Black Diamond Chapter (WCBD) of Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD), Inc. will host our 3rd Annual Hope in a Suitcase event which collects new and “gently loved” luggage and overnight bags for children in foster care. In the spring of 2020, the community partnerships committee learned that many children in foster care were transporting their belongings in garbage bags when transitioning to new homes.
THE WOMAN CONSIDERED “THE MOTHER OF ALL MOTHERS” IN THE SOUTHLAND SUCCUMBS AT THE AGE OF 83
Thaddeus Jones-Mayor of Calumet City and Illinois State Representative – is announcing the passing of his beloved mother, Ms. Devola Mae Johnson. Mother Johnson passed away on Saturday, May 27th, 2023, after an extended illness. Devola Mae Johnson affectionally known as “The Mother of Children” was born Devola was born to her parents Andrew Jackson and Thelma Hampton on June 16, 1939, in Chicago Heights, Illinois at St. James Hospital. She is the eldest of eight (8) children.
