Applications Open for Chicago Public Schools Seniors to Join Innovative Teaching Prep Program
Applications are open for Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Teach Chicago Tomorrow program, a structured pathway for CPS graduates who want to return to the District as educators. CPS hires approximately 140 CPS graduates as teachers each year, and through Teach Chicago Tomorrow the District has set a long-term goal to triple the number of CPS grads hired annually to more than 500.
Black-owned, Black-led Franchisee Group Gets the “Big O” from Ben & Jerry’s
The three Black leaders of Primo Partners want to use their business to dismantle white supremacy.
‘Olivia Takes a Mental Health Day’ aims to help children
A new book aims to help children identify and verbalize their feelings and have more of a mind-body connection. The book, “Olivia Takes a Mental Health Day,” follows Olivia, a young girl who gets a medical diagnosis while having to deal with other stressful situations.
Rep. Davis, Sen. Durbin, and Rep. Schneider Champion Bill to Help Illinois Recover from the Pandemic by Waiving Interest on Federal Unemployment Loans
Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) joined with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) to champion the Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act. This legislation would extend the waiver of interest payments on federal unemployment loans during the pandemic to help Illinois and other states financially as they support their constituents and respond to the dual economic and health crises.
BIPOC-led organizations call for equity in funding
The Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations on the South and West sides are calling for equitable funding when it comes to funding community organizations in the grant process.
Revelations Entertainment Named as Executive Producers for ‘2 Richards! The African Company’
Revelations Entertainment’s Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary announced that they will be executive producers on director Kamilla Blanche’s upcoming documentary “2 Richards! The African Company.”
New Honda Docuseries Celebrates the Legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), the nation’s premier showcase for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands and dance teams, announced its new four-part docuseries, Driving the Legacy of HBCUs, premiered on Saturday, Feb. 26. The docuseries will explore various aspects of the HBCU experience, using performances, interviews and notable alumni to tell the HBCU story. The series also will highlight Honda’s longstanding relationship with and support of the HBCU community.
A Local Chicago Couple creates a plant-based detergent
Sylvia Emuwa noticed her daughter was having an allergic reaction to the diaper, so she decided to cloth diaper. To successfully cloth diaper, a specific detergent suitable for the cloth is needed. Emuwa also wanted to be earth-friendly, but she found those products didn’t clean the cloth diapers well enough.
Chicago Urban League Names Jessica R. Harris Chief Development Officer and Promotes Calmetta Coleman to Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Development Officer, Harris will be responsible for developing strategies to accelerate philanthropy, grow and diversify the League’s funding base, and secure major and planned gifts for the organization. She will report directly to President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson. Harris joins the Chicago Urban League from Cara Collective, where she was most recently Director of Advancement and responsible for a personal portfolio of $1 million of institutional funders and individual donors, as well as supervising and coaching team members who secure roughly $1 million of additional institutional support and $1 million of major and annual fund gifts.
CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO WAS SELECTED BY AMAZON AS AN EDUCATION PARTNER FOR CAREER CHOICE PROGRAM
City colleges of Chicago will provide Amazon hourly employees access to credit and certification education pathways at all seven colleges. Amazon’s Career Choice program provides full tuition to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere
Propel Center Announces $1,000,000 in Student Scholarships
The Propel Center, the global HBCU technology and learning hub intended to level the playing field and open greater doors of opportunity for HBCU students, today announced the launch of its Propel Student Impact Scholarships, with support from Apple and Southern Company. The new scholarship program, directed at HBCU students who are interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, arts & entertainment, agri-tech, social justice and health, is open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students alike.
Organization wants to bolster the community
The Greater Chatham Initiative was founded five and a half years ago to bolster workforce and economic development in the community. The organization was founded to address the number of Black residents from the community who were leaving, because jobs were not available, and it caused destabilization.
Bill seeks pay raise for tipped workers
A bill in the Illinois House would do away with the sub-minimum wage paid to waitresses, bartenders and other tipped service workers. Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 5139 last month. If the bill becomes law, workers who supplement their wages with tips will receive the state’s minimum wage starting on Jan. 1, 2025, in addition to their tips.
Federal Affordable Connectivity Program Provides Eligible Low-Income Households $30/month Towards the Cost of Internet Service
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet service ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Participants in the program can apply the ACP credit toward the cost of participating plans from a variety of Internet Service Providers, including Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and all the company’s Xfinity Internet plans, as well as mobile services. Households that choose plans totaling $30 or less will essentially receive their service for free.
School Districts receive donation from Amazon
Amazon has donated $1 million to two school districts in the South Suburbs to foster STEM careers. Matteson Elementary School District 159 and Rich Township High School District 227 received the donation on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd.
Commemorative Coin Debuts to Celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day
Juneteenth Unlimited, LLC is excited to introduce the release of a commemorative coin to celebrate a new Federal holiday - Juneteenth - inspired by the African Diaspora, Black American history and the fight for freedom. Made of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, this inspirational coin is for anyone who wants a valuable keepsake to memorialize this significant new holiday.
Clothing Brand, Elle Olivia, Launches to Empower Young Female Voices of Color
Marty McDonald, founder of Boss Women Media, launched her newest venture with children’s clothing brand, Elle Olivia. The brand, named in honor of McDonald’s young daughter, will launch with a selection of clothing for babies and toddlers, as well as items for mothers. In addition, Elle Olivia will feature a book written by McDonald, Mama We Made It.
Education Department Announces $35 Million Competition to Improve Teacher Quality
Program Aims to Recruit, Prepare, Retain and Support Teachers with a Focus on Equity, Diversity, and Increasing the Educator Pipeline
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. release video for “Silly Love Songs”
“Silly Love Songs,” the Paul & Linda McCartney classic, has been released by 7-time Grammy Award Winners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. in a new music video tribute from the couple's bestselling EE1 BMG album, “blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons,” a "Civil Rights are Human Rights" recording project, honoring Black History Month.
