ConTextos, Chicago Public Library and Walmart Connect Incarcerated Parents and Their Children Through Bedtime Stories
An innovative reading program that uses technology to connect children with incarcerated parents was created by the non-profit organization ConTextos, on behalf of the Chicago Public Library. The new initiative is called “Bedtime Stories.”
Jesse White Expanding Driver’s License and ID Card Appointment Program to Additional Chicagoland Facilities
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that beginning the first week of September, customers will be required to make an appointment for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards at three Chicago facilities. The facilities are Chicago North, 5401 N. Elston Ave. beginning Sept. 1; Chicago West, 5301 W. Lexington St. beginning Sept. 2; and Chicago South, 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive beginning Sept. 3. Vehicle services, such as renewing a license plate sticker or applying for a vehicle title, do not require an appointment.
McDonald’s and Saweetie Unveil New Merch Collection
Coast to coast, fans are savoring The Saweetie Meal and remixing the hip-hop artist’s favorite menu items in creative ways. And fans can now also enjoy her go-to order in style with the new Saweetie x McDonald’s merch collection, now available for purchase.
Chicago Children’s Choir Announces 2021/22 Season
Chicago Children’s Choir (CCC) is thrilled to announce its 2021/22 season, which celebrates the nonprofit’s 65-year history of uniting youth from diverse backgrounds and inspiring them to become global ambassadors through music.
ROBBINS FORMER RESIDENT PERCY SCOTT CHANGES THE FACE OF THE CONCERT INDUSTRY DURING COVID-19
Percy Scott is a product of Robbins Illinois. He was raised by his mother and his community. His mother encouraged him to trust his community to help him to achieve the things he wanted.
NORTH LAWNDALE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK SITE IS OPEN
North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) opened its location at 1111 S. Homan on Thursday, Aug. 26.
The Chicago Department of Public Health Administers COVID-19 Vaccines
On Thursday, August 19, The Chicago Department of Public Health partnered with Mount Sinai Hospital and Yolanda Travis, Owner/Operator of the McDonald’s located on 47th and Cottage Grove, to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at the South Side restaurant. With less than half (45.4%) of its residents 18 and older having received a first dose, Bronzeville is among those South and West Side communities that have lower vaccination rates compared to the citywide 70.7 percent of adults with at least one dose.
Apple selects 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses
Apple today unveiled its first class of 15 Black and Brown-owned businesses on the cutting edge of green technology and clean energy, who will join the company’s Impact Accelerator to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector. Part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, this program will help to combat systemic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change.
WOMAN ATHLETE CREATES PODCAST FOR STUDENT ATHLETES
Michelle Dunham, who also is known as MissFitt, is doing her part to raise the profile of young women student athletes with her podcast, “Ladies Ball Too.”
Alo Yoga Partners With IMG To Bring Wellness And Mindfulness
Alo Yoga (Alo), a leading activewear and lifestyle brand, today announces its commitment to bringing yoga and mindful movement as the first official wellness partner for New York Fashion Week: The Shows (NYFW: The Shows).
Fanbase Appoints Sheraun Britton-Parris As New Advisor
Fanbase, the subscription-based social platform today announced the appointment of Sheraun Britton- Parris as an Advisor to its team. Founded by Isaac Hayes III, Fanbase’s core mission is to upend the deeply rooted issues Black creators face in the creator economy while providing streamlined monetization capabilities for all users of the platform. Sheraun is a global executive with more than 20 years of corporate marketing experience within the aviation, beauty, consumer packaged goods, financial services, and travel loyalty industries - conceiving, creating, and launching growth strategies and building high-performing teams.
Kandi Burruss Covers HelloBeautiful’s Digital Cover
HelloBeautiful’s “The Fall Preview” digital cover spotlights Kandi Burruss -- singer, songwriter and reality TV star. Kandi gets candid about her supportive husband, non-stop grind, making the foray into acting, becoming a Broadway producer and building her own brands in our “Welcome to Kandi Land” cover story. In this issue, Hello-Beautiful features comprehensive guides to prepare our readers for the fashion month of the year. From NYFW to the MET gala and back to school, September is our favorite time of year.
XS TENNIS’S CEO KAMAU MURRAY HOST CHICAGO TENNIS FESTIVAL
The Chicago Tennis Festival is in full swing with events that range from a college tennis recruiting combine to the Women’s Tennis Association tournaments.
GRAND OPENING OF THE PULLMAN NATIONAL MONUMENT IS SET FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Visitors who have been interested in seeing all the renovations at the Pullman National Monument will get their chance at the grand opening, which is set for the Labor Day Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 4-5
Mental Health Co-Responder Program Expands to South Suburb
The Oak Lawn Police Department is the first law enforcement agency to partner with a Cook County Sheriff’s Office program that enables officers to virtually connect individuals in crisis to a mental health professional, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
Extended Closed School Discharge Will Provide 115K Borrowers from ITT Technical Institute More Than $1.1B in Loan Forgiveness
Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will make $1.1 billion in closed school discharges available to an additional 115,000 borrowers who attended the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute (ITT). This decision is based on a new review of the problems leading up to ITT’s closure. These borrowers did not complete their degree or credential and left ITT on or after March 31, 2008. The Department estimates that 43 percent of these borrowers are currently in default. Today’s action brings the total amount of loan discharges approved by the Department since January 2021 to $9.5 billion, affecting over 563,000 borrowers.
Chicago Heights Hosts Candle Light Vigil to Mark Overdose Awareness Day
Chicago Heights’s City Hall will be a host site for an International Overdose Awareness Day event on August 28 that will include, among other activities, a candle light vigil to recognize those around the globe and at home who have fallen victim to a drug overdose death in 2020.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CHANGES ITS NAME, COMMUNITY COMMITMENT CONTINUES
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group has changed its name to Greenwood Archer Capital. With the name change comes more commitment from the Community Development Financial Institution to invest in the Black community.
MX Announces 5-Time Olympian and Gold Medalist Allyson Felix to Keynote Money Experience Summit 2021
MX, the financial data platform and leader in modern connectivity, today announced that 5-time Olympian and Gold Medalist Allyson Felix will keynote Money Experience Summit 2021, September 28-30 at the Snowbird Mountain Resort in Utah. The most decorated U.S. Track & Field Olympian in history, Felix will share her experience at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and how leaders in the financial industry can push to new heights, challenge the status quo, and use their voice to create change — in their life, community, and organization.
