59FIFTY Day Celebrates Global Influence of New Era's Iconic Cap
It's the official cap of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and National Basketball Association. It's a cultural icon that has been celebrated in music, featured on screen and stage, and graced runways and red carpets.
ART ON THE MART’S SUMMER SEASON FEATURES NEW COMMISSIONS BY DESIGN FIRM GENSLER AND THE CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT
ART on THE MART, an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, will introduce two new commissions this summer. Building Light, a new projection by Gensler, the largest global design and architecture firm, will kick off the summer season on June 8, followed by a projection featuring new choreography from the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, an organization celebrating and archiving Black Dance, on July 6. Timed to Chicago Pride Fest (June 17 to 18) and the Chicago Pride Parade (June 25), ART on THE MART’s seasonal Pride celebration will return from June 1 to 28, followed by its annual Independence Day projection, which illuminates the building in red, white, and blue, from June 29 to July 5. Projections during the summer season will be on view nightly from 9 to 10 p.m. CT.
Bally's Names Marcus Glover Executive Vice President And Chief Financial Officer And Appoints Jaymin B. Patel As Vice Chairman
Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) announced that Marcus Glover has been appointed as Bally's Executive Vice President ("EVP") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). Bobby Lavan, Bally's current CFO, will be leaving the Company to pursue another opportunity. He will be available to management, as needed, to ensure a seamless transition. Mr. Glover's appointment is subject to receipt of customary regulatory approvals.
New Jewelry Brand, ZAM Jewelry, Telling People To "Shut Up"
Launched in March 2023, ZAM Jewelry is a black-owned, women-owned business creating bold jewelry in eye-catching designs inspired by a passion for expression and women empowerment. The Los Angeles-based brand prioritizes affordability, craftsmanship, and environmental business practices.
Chicago Universities to Advance Broadband Equity Through $3.25 Million Grant
Chicago State University (CSU), Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Northern Illinois University (NIU), and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) recently received $3.25 million in funding under the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
BMO Commits $5 Million to Advance Homeownership and Grow Small Businesses
BMO continues to deliver on BMO EMpower 2.0, the bank's more than $40 billion community benefits plan, by announcing a $5 million investment in strategic partnerships to help community organizations throughout its U.S. footprint. To help support local communities, these grants will be directed towards housing counseling agencies, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), and other non-profits that support and preserve affordable homeownership and provide support for small businesses. Approximately $2 million will be targeted for the State of California.
The Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Announces New Initiative to Support Boys and Young Men of Color Across the Country
The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation, announced four MBK Model Communities, a new initiative that seeks to expand the implementation of evidence-based practices and impact for communities across the country. These MBK Model Communities were selected from a network of hundreds that have an evidence-based track record of success in positively shifting outcomes for boys and young men of color. The four are: Newark, New Jersey; Omaha, Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Yonkers, New York, each representing a tangible example of the systems-level impact that communities can have when working to achieve the MBK Milestones. The MBK Milestones are six key life milestones that research shows are especially predictive of later success, and where interventions can have the greatest impact.
PROGRAM HELP STUDENTS PREPARE FOR COLLEGE
The University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement has several programs that help students who attend Chicago Public School high schools prepare for college. Two of those programs are Upward Bound and the Collegiate Scholars Program. The Collegiate Scholars Program was established in 2003. It is a free, three-year college preparation program. It focuses on helping high school students prepare for admission to top colleges and universities throughout the country.
COOK COUNTY PRESIDENT TOUTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING TERMS
Toni Preckwinkle was elected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2010. During her time as Cook County President, Cook County has sought to provide good health care, improve the criminal justice system and use federal funds to reduce medical debt and provide a guaranteed income.
DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES ANNOUNCE $15.9M INVESTMENT FOR COMMUNITY SAFE SPACES AND RESOURCES FOR YOUTH
A part of the My CHI. My Future. initiative expansion, the City will support community organizations connecting Chicago’s youth in 15 communities across the South and West sides through youth employment, engaging events, and community convenings for strategic planning
ASPIRE CENTER TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR AUSTIN COMMUNITY
A new center in the Austin community is aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents. The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation is part of the Aspire Initiative, which was part of the Austin Forward Together Quality of Life Plan.
Veteran Legislator and Social Justice Advocate Confirmed as Illinois Human Rights Commissioner
With that quote in mind and a dedication to public service at heart, Jacqueline Collins continues her commitment to public service as a member of the Human Rights Commission after being confirmed on Tuesday, May 16 by the Illinois Senate. “It is an honor to take on this role,” said Jacqueline Collins. “When we embrace our differences and fight for human rights for all, we strengthen ourselves.”
Gov. Pritzker Signs Act-of-Duty Bill
Governor JB Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, Illinois State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza, elected officials, and first responders to sign the Act-of-Duty Bill into law. HB 3162 retroactively provides Chicago police officers and firefighters disability benefits for the time they were unable to serve due to contracting COVID-19 between March 9, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
PERFORMER BRING POSITIVE MESSAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Elizabeth Elie, who goes by the stage name Lizzie G, spreads a message of positivity, anti-bullying and unity. Lizzie G was always musically inclined. She taught herself how to play the drums and plays the piano. In her teenage years, she started to have a love of music producing. She would put her poetry with the beats she created and turned it into rap. She debuted Lizzie G during her senior year at Marie Curie High School.
Obama Foundation Taps Diverse Leaders to Design & Build its Programs & Athletic Center
The Obama Foundation announced the hiring of two extraordinary Black-owned firms with Chicago roots to design and build the Programs & Athletic Center at the Obama Presidential Center. The announcement comes during the final days of the Lightfoot Administration, with which the Foundation has worked for several years to create a diverse workforce to build the Center.
BUSINESS PROVIDES CPR, AED AND FIRST AID TRAINING
Christina Bolton Taylor started Cardiac Jump Starters because of her father. He was a nurse and Bolton Taylor followed in his footsteps. She started Cardiac Jump Starters in March 2021, with her father in mind. He passed away in 2018 after a choking incident led to cardiac arrest. Bolton Taylor believes his life could’ve been spared if her mother had received training in proper resuscitation procedures.
Calumet City native serves aboard forward-deployed Navy warship in Japan
Petty Officer 3rd Class Keenan Taylor, a native of Calumet City, Illinois, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. Taylor joined the Navy 2019 years ago. Today, Taylor serves as an operations specialist aboard USS Dewey. “I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Taylor. "It's something I have been interested in since a field trip to the USS Midway."
Raven Theatre Opens ‘THE OCTOBER STORM’
Raven Theatre, Chicago’s newest Equity-affiliated theatre, is pleased to conclude its 40th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of The October Storm, by Joshua Allen, a follow up to Allen’s smash-hit The Last Pair of Earlies. Directed by Malkia Stampley, this riveting and edgy new drama set in the 1960s on the South Side of Chicago plays through June 25 in Raven’s newly-dedicated, 85-seat Johnson Stage, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago. Single tickets are now on sale at raventheatre.com or by calling (773) 338-2177. The press opening is Monday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.
