President Obama Invites Chicagoans to Apply for 150 New Full-Time Career Opportunities at the Presidential Center
As the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open its doors in 2026, President Obama personally invited Chicago residents to apply for 150 new full-time career opportunities at the center. See his video here.
DCASE, MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION IN GRANT AWARDS TO SUPPORT THE ARTS, UPLIFT CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the 49 arts, culture, and humanities organizations receiving support through the Johnson administration’s Arts Relief Fund Program, through which the City is stepping in to help sustain arts and culture organizations navigating the loss of critical federal funding, in addition to the 39 organizations benefitting from over $1.4 million in new Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) grants.
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Launches “Mastering the State Contracting Game” Webinar Series to Demystify the State Procurement Process for Vendors
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) Office of Supplier Diversity, in collaboration with the IT Procurement Office (ITPO), announces the launch of a new webinar series titled “Mastering the State Contracting Game” as part of the “Leveraging Diversity in Technology Procurement” educational series.
National Medical Association and Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health Celebrate Graduation of Climate and Health Equity Fellowship Class of 2025
The National Medical Association (NMA), in partnership with the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (MSCCH), proudly celebrated the graduation of 14 physician fellows from the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship (CHEF) Class of 2025 this weekend, marking both the completion of the program’s intensive 10-month fellowship and the fifth anniversary of CHEF.
Spelman’s Title IX Office Receives $21,000 from Bison Impact Group in Support of Domestic Violence Efforts
Spelman College’s Office of Title IX and Compliance recently received $21,000 in support of their mission to end campus domestic violence from the Bison Impact Group (BIG), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) introducing Black people to golf for relational wellness and fundraising to stop violence against women and children.
Operation HOPE Announces Historic Partnership with the Country’s Top Nonprofits to Launch HOPE AI™ – a National Strategy for Inclusive Financial and AI Literacy
Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low- and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy, today announced a historic partnership with a coalition of the nation’s most trusted and influential nonprofit organizations to launch HOPE AI™, a groundbreaking national strategy to bring both financial literacy and artificial intelligence literacy to every community in America. The announcement was marked by a powerful moment on the main stage at this year’s Annual Meeting of the Hope Global Forums in Atlanta, where the leaders of these organizations stood together with Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant for a historic signing ceremony affirming their shared commitment to this national effort.
Cocolife.black Launches Pennsylvania-Based Multi-City Maternal Wellness Tour to Expand Equitable Care--Bump and Beyond
At a time when maternal health outcomes continue to expose deep and persistent inequities across communities, Cocolife.black is working to change what has long been a historic and systemic failure. Founded in 2019 by Alexia Doumbouya, the Philadelphia-based nonprofit supports women from pregnancy through postpartum, with a focused commitment to improving Black maternal health and reducing racial disparities in care.
Southern Black Girls Invests Over $1.2 Million in 2025, Reaches Historic Black Girl Joy Challenge Milestone
As funding for racial and gender equity initiatives faces nationwide rollbacks, Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium responded by expanding its reach and deepening its impact. In 2025, the organization invested more than $1.2 million through its Black Girls Dream Fund, Innovation Fund, and Black Girls Defense Fund, supporting over 60 organizations and more than 25 small businesses across 13 Southern states.
NATURAL DIAMOND JEWELRY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 31ST ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
At the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, natural diamonds took center stage with a refined confidence. From sun-warmed Desert diamonds to sculptural statement rings and heritage diamond timepieces, the red carpet reflected enduring elegance. Below are highlighted the key natural diamond jewelry trends that defined the night.
High School Students Receive Training To Operate Early Voting Sites
The Cook County Clerk’s Office recently hosted an event to train high school students on how to administer an official election. On Tuesday, Jan. 6th, the Cook County Clerk’s Office launched the “Defenders of “DA’mocracy” program. The initiative will train students from 24 Cook County high schools so that they can operate on-campus early voting sites at their schools. The Gubernatorial primary election takes place on March 17th, and early voting begins on March 2nd.
Hyde Park Native Hopes Play Brings About Dialogue
Gabrielle Lott-Rogers was introduced to the arts when she was very young. Her mother would take her to New York City to see plays on Broadway. When she was eight years old, she saw “The Wiz,” and was absolutely mesmerized. Ever since then, Lott-Rogers has had an artistic stirring inside of her.
Actress’s Production Company Creates Opportunities For Emerging Creatives
Cynthia Kaye McWilliams has always been interested in the arts, theatre and storytelling. She went to school to train in theatre, receiving her degree from the Theatre School of DePaul University. She thought she would do theatre and that would be her life. Then, her focus became more film and television because those were the opportunities that she had access to. The more opportunities she had in film and television, the more she fell in love with it.
City of Chicago-Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force Aims to Address Domestic Violence
A task force aimed at creating safeguards for women who are the victims and survivors of domestic violence was launched on Wednesday, Jan. 7th. The City of Chicago-Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force seeks to address the rise in violence against women and their children across Cook County and the city of Chicago.
Defending Dr. King’s America: Raja Krishnamoorthi is Fighting for DEI and Democracy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for America was never ambiguous. It was grounded in fairness, dignity, and full participation in democracy for every person — regardless of race, background, or circumstance. That vision is now under direct threat as Donald Trump and his allies move aggressively to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives while rolling back voting rights and civil rights protections that generations of Americans fought to secure.
Juliana Stratton Fails to Gain Steam While Kelly Rises With Black Voters
The Illinois Democratic primary to replace retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is well underway, with under a month to go until voters begin to cast their ballots. Senator Durbin has served our state in the U.S. Senate for nearly thirty years, underscoring the once-in-a-generation nature of this contested primary.
DEMOCRAT NATALIE HOWSE PRIMED, PREPARED, AND READY TO SERVE AS CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE OF THE 1ST SUB CIRCUIT
Democrat Natalie Howse, a respected attorney, community advocate, and lifelong South Side Chicagoan, is now primed, energized and ready for the stretch run for Circuit Court Judge of the 1st Sub Circuit. With decades of legal experience spanning prosecution, child welfare, regulatory oversight, and equity-driven public service, Howse enters the race with a deep understanding of the law and an unwavering commitment to fairness, accountability, and justice for all.
Commissioner Donna Miller Convenes First Meeting of Chicago–Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller helped convene the first meeting of the Chicago–Cook County Task Force to Reduce Violence Against Women, marking a critical step forward in strengthening protections and advancing coordinated solutions for survivors of domestic violence.
Cook County Clerk and Chicago Bears Launch Historic High School Early Voting Program
In partnership with the Chicago Bears organization, the Cook County Clerk’s Office is launching a first-of-its-kind High School Early Voting program, bringing official Early Voting sites to more than 20 suburban high schools across the county at the start of Early Voting for the March 17 Gubernatorial Primary Election.
