Black-Woman Owned Tech Company, Sparkee, Introduces the World's First Two Part Charging System Portable Device

"Our world is becoming more reliant on our tech devices and it's time to start innovating the charging experience," said founder and creator Kyla Wilkinson. "I searched unsuccessfully for an aesthetically pleasing product that would charge my mobile devices without taking up too much space, so I decided to create one myself - because consumers shouldn't have to choose between a creative design and better battery life."

OUTFRONT Media Celebrates Black History Month with Campaigns to Honor Black Creators and African American Artists

OUTFRONT Media (NYSE: OUT) launched several OOH campaigns to celebrate and honor the lives, legacies, and artistry of Black Americans throughout Black History Month this February. The campaigns include a partnership with AdAge spotlighting Black creators on billboards throughout the United States and two series celebrating African American artists and artists of color via separate partnerships with MoMA and Artsy.

Chicago Public Schools Partners with NASCAR and the Chicago Street Race to Engage Students Through STEM/STEAM

As excitement builds for 2023 Chicago Street Race Weekend, NASCAR and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) today announced a collaborative initiative that will engage and inspire more than 22,000 students with racing-themed STEM and STEAM learning experiences and curriculum. The partnership was announced by CPS and Chicago Street Race officials today at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago with the help of 2023 DAYTONA 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., fresh off the driver’s victory at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Local Black Photographer talks about his career

Jerome Simmons has had a storied career as a photographer. He started his career as a photographer at Johnson Publishing Company. He also had the pleasure of working with Don Cornelius of Soul Train, taking photographs.

KISS Colors & Care Announces Rap Sensation JT from CITY GIRLS as their NEW BRAND PARTNER and the introduction of its latest styling collection.

KISS Colors & Care, an award-winning textured hair brand, is thrilled to announce its newest brand partner, international rapper, songwriter, and model, JT.

McDonald's USA ® Joins Forces with Keke Palmer to Shine a Light on Ten Black Visionaries Through the 2023 Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders Program

McDonald's USA has a long history of investing in Black leaders who are taking steps now to create a brighter tomorrow. And, the Golden Arches and its Owner/Operators unveil the 2023 Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders – a collective of 10 young, Black movers-and-shakers who inspire and enact remarkable change in their communities and beyond. Each Change Leader will receive $20,000, totaling $200,000 collectively, and will have access to elevated platforms to amplify their community missions, ranging from financial literacy to equality across the education system to mental health advocacy.

The Southland School Districts partner with UNCF for fundraising event

The Superintendent’s Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity will host the “Investing in Our Future” Gala at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 1st, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, located at 18451 Convention Center Drive.

Reminder: First Installment Cook County property taxes are due April 3

The due date for Tax Year 2022 First Installment property taxes this year is April 3. Nearly 1.8 million tax bills will arrive in mailboxes by early March. They are currently available online at cookcountytreasurer.com.

BEYONCÉ HIRES POWERHOUSE TO RUN PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT

Parkwood Entertainment announced today that Beyoncé has tapped Justina Omokhua, as Senior Vice President of Parkwood Entertainment, running day to day operations.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CAUTIONS DONORS TO BE WARY OF SCAMS TIED TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged Illinois residents who plan to donate to support Turkey and Syria earthquake relief efforts to be on the lookout for fundraising scams. Raoul warned donors who want to give to the earthquake relief efforts to be wary of requests for clothing, food or other in-kind donations, which may not be appropriate.

Course teaches young people entrepreneurship through hands-on experience

Chris Brown watched his parents working to better communities. His grandfather owned a business on the West side and he himself started some businesses. One of the businesses was a fitness boot camp. He was creating t-shirts for the boot camp business and created a t-shirt company.

SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BUSINESS PORTFOLIO WITH REBRANDING OF COMBS ENTERPRISES TO 'COMBS GLOBAL'

After three decades of entrepreneurial success across his renowned brands and a historic last year including a landmark acquisition of becoming the largest minority-owned, vertically integrated multi-state operator in the Cannabis industry, Sean "Diddy" Combs announces the rebranding of his parent company from Combs Enterprises to Combs Global.

THE DUSABLE WELCOMES PNC BANK’S PATRICK MCGEE AS NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center announced the appointment of Patrick McGee as the museum’s new chairman of the board of trustees. McGee succeeds Patricia Knazze who served as chairwoman for five years and nearly twenty years as a dedicated board member.

21st Ward Candidate Responds To Allegations Ahead Of Election Day Tuesday, February 28th

Our interview with Ronnie Mosley, candidate for 21st Ward Alderman, was done before we learned about the allegations surrounding whether or not he graduated from Morehouse College. After we learned about the allegations, we reached out to his campaign and asked him to address the allegations.

Progress continues in critical upgrade of Chicago’s natural gas delivery system

The Peoples Gas program to modernize Chicago’s antiquated natural gas delivery system continued its steady progress in the fourth quarter of 2022. Data from the quarter, and for all of 2022, has been reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission as part of the commission’s extensive oversight of the Safety Modernization Program.

Achieving the Dream selects 5 City Colleges of Chicago and 5 other colleges in 4 states (CA, IL, NM, NY) to launch new three-year economic and social mobility initiative

Achieving the Dream, a reform network of 300 community colleges across the nation, announced today that it has selected 10 colleges from four states to participate in the new three-year Accelerating Equitable Outcomes cohort. The aim is to implement comprehensive strategies to help more students, especially Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and students of color and from high-poverty backgrounds, earn postsecondary credentials, including occupational certificates and degrees and create pathways to jobs with living-sustaining wages, benefits, and potential for upward mobility.

Darrious Hilmon is on a mission with his work at CAN-TV

Darrious Hilmon has been the Executive Director of CAN-TV since April 2022. During that time, he has been motivating the staff there to bring their best selves to their work, and has been asking, “Are you finding joy in this work?” “I’m swinging for the fences … I’m telling my staff, fail bigly,” Hilmon said.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES 12 RECIPIENTS OF $27 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced today that 12 neighborhood businesses and nonprofit organizations are set to receive more than $27 million in Community Development Grants. Ranging from approximately $54,000 to $5 million, the grants will support neighborhood investments for local cooperative grocery stores, health centers, music education centers, and locally owned restaurants. Grants will be used to fund interior renovations, new construction, and other eligible costs.

Mentoring Youth Through Technology Announces New Board Leadership and upcoming 10-Year Anniversary Gala

“I am excited about the new leadership team,” said MYTT Nominations Chair Bruce Cook.” Each of them bring to MYTT a wealth of professional, business and management experiences gained through service in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Equally important, each shares a passion for MYTT and its mission to make opportunities in technology accessible to youth in underserved and under resourced communities through exposure, instruction and mentoring. MYTT welcomes its new leadership team and embraces the possibilities they represent for the organization and its stakeholders.”

Illinois Office of Tourism is Making Learning About Black History Easier and More Accessible

The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) is helping make learning about Black history more accessible in Illinois as it recognizes the importance of celebrating the expansive African American communities that are part of our state.