CANDIACE IS BACK WITH DEEP SPACE DELUXE EDITION OUT NOW

Rising R&B powerhouse CANDIACE presents Deep Space Deluxe Edition, out now. She re-upped, re-energized, and recharged her acclaimed full-length debut album with eight new recordings. This pops off as the most dynamic and definitive vision of Deep Space.

Proposed Bronzeville Trail moves forward

John Adams, Esq., was walking through Bronzeville and saw the abandoned Kenwood “L” Train Embankment and it sparked an idea for the Bronzeville Trail. The Bronzeville Trail is a proposed walking, running and biking trail, which would be located from 40th and Dearborn to 41st and Lake Park Avenue. Adams is the founder and project director of the Bronzeville Trail Task Force.

Keva Latham Named to Color Magazine's Power List 40 Under 40

First Horizon is pleased to announce that Keva Latham, SVP Director of Compensation, has been recognized by Color Magazine in its 2022 Power 40 Under 40 list. The honorees were celebrated and are highlighted in the online publication.

Local Small Business Owners Ecstatic Over Corporate and Institutional Support in 2023

e-Local Marketplace (“ELM”), provides a direct solution to corporate and institutional buyers’ DEI initiatives and other entities committed to supporting local, women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses in the 9,581 square mile Chicagoland area. Formal diversity certification is not required. Through ELM, Buyers generate economic transformation via spend with local small business owners.

BLM Sets Up Student Relief Fund as Loan Forgiveness Stalls

Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation launched their Student Solidarity Fund — an extension of the Black Lives Matter Survival Fund, where we gave $3 million in microgrants to Black individuals, families, small-business owners, and other folks experiencing financial hardship. Both then and now, the government has refused to act immediately on monetary relief critical to the wellbeing of Black people everywhere.

DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE 2023 MLK COHORT OPENS REGISTRATION

Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary (JCSTS) opens registration for its 2023 signature Drum Major for Justice Certificate Program. Applicants may visit the seminary’s website, jcsts.org, for more information and to register to become Learning Partners in the program.

Performer and screenwriter wants to expose young people to the arts

Richard Gallion is an actor, playwright and screenwriter. He knows firsthand what the arts can do for young people. He wants to give young people the opportunity to experience all facets of the entertainment industry.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Announces Honorary Chairs for Living History Campaign

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African History and Culture has selected the honorary chairs of its $350 million Living History Campaign to build the museum’s endowment and support its ongoing programs and digital initiatives. The honorary chairs include President and Mrs. George W. Bush, President and Mrs. Barack Obama, museum council chair Ken Chenault, television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes and multimedia and entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey.

Illinois Updates CPA Exam Eligibility, Reduces Credit-Hour Requirement

Effective Jan. 1, prospective certified public accountants in Illinois will only need to present proof of having 120 eligible semester credit hours, versus 150, and a baccalaureate degree to apply to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, the universal exam all certified public accountant (CPA) candidates must pass to earn the distinguished CPA credential. Individuals passing the exam will still need 150 semester credit hours to become licensed.

Black Entertainment Summit aims to get more Black creatives in the industry

Jaia Thomas is an entertainment lawyer based in Los Angeles, Calif. She has been practicing law for more than 14 years, and served as an adjunct professor teaching entertainment courses. Years ago, she moved to Los Angeles from New York City. She didn’t know one person and was trying to get her foot in the door in the entertainment industry.

Gov. Pritzker Highlights Investments in Early Childhood Initiatives During Visit to Carole Robertson Center for Learning in Chicago

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Governor JB Pritzker visited the Carole Robertson Center for Learning in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago to highlight historic investments in early childhood education under his administration. The Governor was joined by Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Senator Celina Villanueva, and Representative Camille Lilly.

Holy Culture Radio brings progressive music to the airwaves

Holy Culture Radio was founded by Vic Padilla in the late 1990s early 2000’s. Padilla was a lover of Christian Hip Hop. The station got its name from the Cross Movement’s “Holy Culture” album. Padilla’s radio show is now Holy Culture Radio. In April of 2022, it expanded to the Sirius XM platform and includes podcasts, videos, along with Christian Hip Hop music.

2023 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW GALA SET TO RAISE MILLIONS FOR 18 AREA CHARITIES

The Chicago Auto Show's 31st First Look for Charity black-tie gala will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at McCormick Place. The gala, produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the organization that represents local new-car dealers, is expected to bring in at least $2 million for 18 Chicago area charities.

CHICAGO AWARDED $144 MILLION THROUGH THE NEW BRIDGE INVESTMENT PROGRAM TO REHABILITATE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT CALUMET RIVER BRIDGES

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) welcomed Vice President Kamala Harris to Chicago to announce $144 million in federal funding awarded to the City of Chicago to rehabilitate the Illinois International Port Calumet River Bridges. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Bridge Investment Program, which was created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will fund the major rehabilitation of four bascule bridges over the Calumet River that are vital to the local community, region, and nation.

Surgeon wants the healthcare system to change

Dr. Firouz Daneshgari is disrupting the healthcare system with his book, “Health Guardianship: The Remedy to the Sick Care System.” Daneshgari is a Surgeon-Scientist, Educator and Entrepreneur, who has worked at the University of Colorado, Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. He founded Bowtie Medical in 2014. Its goal is to create systemic innovations to bring efficiency and value to the healthcare delivery system.

Oakton Community College becomes Oakton College

Starting Jan. 17, Oakton Community College begins a new chapter in its proud history as it officially becomes Oakton College. Along with the name change, the College will unveil a new visual identity, including a modernization of the College’s iconic leaf logo and new College seal.

CITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL CHICAGO POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, are proud to announce the creation of the Chicago Poet Laureate program. The program comes from the advocacy of the city’s creative and civic communities. It aims to increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists.

Supreme Court to Hear Case on President’s Student Debt Relief Program:

“The Supreme Court’s ruling on the student debt relief case will have deep repercussions for millions, especially students of color, who graduate with a much more severe debt burden than their white counterparts in this debt-for-diploma system.

HHS Issues New Strengthened Conscience and Religious Nondiscrimination Proposed Rule

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), entitled Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statutes, which proposes to restore the longstanding process for the handling of conscience complaints and provide additional safeguards to protect against conscience and religious discrimination.

Peoples Gas files rate request with state regulators Customer bills not expected to increase as part of the filing

Peoples Gas, today, filed a request with state regulators to restructure how costs are recovered from customers for critical infrastructure projects. The filing is not expected to increase the typical customer’s bill. With natural gas prices forecast to decline this year and next year, customer bills are expected to stay largely flat as new rates take effect in 2024.