West Side Activist Zerlina Smith-Members Calls on Citizens to Contact their State Officials and Demand they Extend the Invest in Kids Progra
West Side Community Activist Zerlina Smith-Members today called on her state legislator, La Shawn Ford (D-8th District) and Emanuel Chris Welch (D- 7th District), who is also the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, to vote on the extension of the Invest in Kids program, which expires on December 31.
ESSENCE Girls United Enters Into The Era of Disruption for its 2023 Summit
The fourth annual ESSENCE Girls United (GU) Disruptor Summit, returns on Nov. 11 in Atlanta, GA, the premier cultural & creative hub of the South and home to the largest consortium of HBCUs in the country. This year’s summit will be a safe space for young Black women, girls, and gender-expansive youth to come together and fellowship for a day filled with panels, networking, activations and more. “The Era of Disruption” serves as this year’s theme, and an invitation to Zillenials to continue to use their voices to break the mold by utilizing their individual paths, ideas and trends to celebrate all aspects of the Black experience.
PUMA names A$AP Rocky Creative Director for PUMA x F1 partnership
Sports company PUMA and music artist, creative, and designer A$AP Rocky have officially announced a long-term creative partnership. Rooted in the motorsport business, A$AP Rocky will serve as the Creative Director for the category with a focus on the intersection of the sport and streetwear. Rocky will focus his energy and efforts on PUMA's new partnership with F1, developing bespoke capsules designed by him, that will influence the brand's seasonal design directions moving forward.
Atlanta Life Insurance Reemerges with New Leadership and a New Vision
Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the lone remaining Black-founded and owned insurance company, is reemerging under new leadership with a fresh vision that pays homage to the brand's rich history and legacy. For more than 100 years, Atlanta Life has provided insurance to help policyholders build wealth for their families.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Historic Graduation Rates, Early College Credits Earned, More than $2 Billion in Scholarships
U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez Tuesday celebrated the District’s progress in preparing more students for success in college and careers with record-breaking graduation rates, growing participation in Early College and Career Education programming and more than $2 billion in college scholarships awarded last year alone. The celebration at Walter Henri Dyett High School for the Arts emphasized collaboration with private, public, non-profit, and higher education partners across the city that are equipping CPS graduates with the knowledge as well as the skills and experiences to soar in their post-secondary lives.
Illinois Joining Forces Launches Operation Connect-A-Vet to Empower Friends and Families to Link Veterans with Resources
As Veterans Day approaches and the holiday season draws near, Illinois Joining Forces is proud to unveil its latest initiative, Operation Connect-A-Vet as part of Operation Connect Illinois CARES. This initiative is designed to ensure that every Veteran feels connected.
Chicago Housing Authority launches new Down Payment Assistance program to help families achieve their dreams of homeownership Single Mom is first CHA resident to close on home: “I just can’t believe
Samantha Stokes grew up one of four children living under the roof of hard-working parents. Ends didn’t always meet, and she remembers being evicted as a child – something she vowed never to experience as an adult.
Cristina Jones Takes the Helm as New CEO of Black Girls Code
Black Girls Code is thrilled to introduce Cristina Jones as their new CEO. Jones brings decades of executive and leadership experience at the intersection of technology, marketing, and media. She is passionate about creating pathways for women of color to be in the rooms where tech is being innovated, and approaches this work with urgency.
CITY OF CHICAGO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT NEW ARRIVALS AND UNHOUSED CHICAGOANS AHEAD OF THE WINTER SEASON
With winter approaching, there is a need to provide individuals, families, children and infants with winter coats, shoes, and warm clothing along with other essential items. Since August 31, 2022, the City of Chicago has welcomed more than 19,000 asylum-seekers. According to a 2023 study by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, over 68,000 Chicagoans are currently experiencing homelessness.
Upcoming Town Hall Discussion to highlight resources for those interested in adoption and fostering children
Deborah Farmer was prompted to produce a Town Hall Meeting titled, “Empowering the Village: A Discussion on Adoption and Child Advocacy.” She thought about her journey with her son, Joshua; she had quite a few of her peers who wanted to foster or adopt, but they didn’t
How assessments and appeals in your community affected property tax bills Assessor’s Office releases Data Dashboards for Tax Year 2022
The Cook County Assessor’s Office (Assessor's Office) created a data dashboard that allows the public to view assessed values at each stage for tax year 2022. The final values reflect this year’s second installment tax bill.
Pierce Twins Make a Positive Change with Nonprofit
Kyra and Phallon Pierce were in eighth grade when they found a racist book on their school’s reading list. It led them to look at their school’s reading list and the reading lists from schools in their area. They found there was a lack of diversity when it came to the authors and the characters in the books on those lists.
Kelly, Duckworth Highlight Need for More Action to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes at M.O.M.S Tour
U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson on Saturday, Oct. 28, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ M.O.M.S (Maternal Outcomes Matter Showers) Tour, highlighting their work on this important issue and the need to do more to address our country’s ongoing maternal mortality crisis. This national tour aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly among Black women, in communities with high maternal morbidity rates, bringing together mental health professionals, birth workers, medical professionals and community members to engage in meaningful discussions on maternal health disparities and explore ways to provide resources and support for women at risk.
Educator Develops App for School Safety
Shagmond Lowery came up with the idea for the MyPal App four years ago when he was an educator at a South Suburban School District. Incidents at schools in the community prompted him to create the app with the hope it would keep students safe.
TEACHER CREATES FREE SNACK STOP TO PREVENT HUNGER, STIGMA
“I was a free and reduced lunch kid when I was little, we had tickets and you’d walk up to the little table and they had to sort through and get your ticket and they’d punch your ticket. And everybody with money could just go right ahead. It always felt like everybody knew,” Hursh recalled early Wednesday morning before her students arrived. “I’ve been teaching for 20 years and there’s always that handful of kids that never have their snack.”
Loyola University Chicago Celebrates Second Annual Mamie Till-Mobley Scholarship Luncheon
On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Loyola University Chicago Black Alumni Board (BAB) hosted the second annual Mamie Till-Mobley Scholarship luncheon to celebrate LUC alumna and raise funds for the scholarship.
Wellness West is increasing access to food through partnership with Instacart
Wellness West has partnered with Instacart to provide access to healthy food for its members. The “Food Connections” program offers a monthly grocery stipend of $79 to eligible members of Wellness West. Those groceries will be delivered through Instacart.
ILLINOIS HISTORIC SITES COUNCIL APPROVES BLACK PANTHER PARTY LANDMARK NOMINATION
The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council (IHSAC) unanimously approved the nomination to landmark the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party (ILBPP). This vote completes state requirements, and the multiple property document is now headed to the National Park Service (NPS).
