Chicago Nonprofit Secures $1M Donation
Chicago nonprofit Lorenzo’s House, an organization that works to empower families navigating younger-onset Alzheimer’s through innovative, specialized programming for both the person diagnosed, their care-partner-spouse and children, is capping off its eventful first year of operation by announcing a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor.
Dr. Derrick B. Wells releases new book
Dr. Derrick B. Wells releases his newest book Live Happy which takes readers to the core of transformation and to the heights of happiness. Wells shares 365 bite-size ideas, techniques, strategies, philosophies and skills to help readers take the actions needed for an easier path to success. Live Happy lays the blueprint for mental and emotional wholeness using principles that have helped thousands of people overcome pain, fear, procrastination and confusion.
Jermaine Dupri Takes JD’s Vegan Ice Cream Nationwide
GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, producer, and vegan entrepreneur, Jermaine Dupri, along with partner Big Innovations Group Inc., are proud to announce the expansion of JD’s Vegan ice cream. Shortly after the initial launch of JD’s Vegan, the brand announces the release of new flavors including Chocolate My Way, Key Lime Pie, and (404) Cookies & Cream, which will make their way into Walmart freezer aisles alongside already available JD’s Vegan flavors, including Welcome to Atlanta, Peach Cobbler, Apple Butter, and Strawberry Sweetheart.
Biden-Harris Administration Extends Student Loan Pause Through May 1
The U.S. Department of Education announced a 90-day extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through May 1, 2022. The extension will allow the Administration to assess the impacts of the Omicron variant on student borrowers and provide additional time for borrowers to plan for the resumption of payments and reduce the risk of delinquency and defaults after restart. The Department will continue its work to transition borrowers smoothly back into repayment, including by improving student loan servicing.
Oak Street Health Announces Leadership Changes
Oak Street Health, Inc. (NYSE: OSH, or the “Company”), a network of value-based primary care centers for adults on Medicare, announced that Chief Operating Officer (COO) Geoff Price will serve in the newly formed role of Chief Innovation Officer. Oak Street Health’s current President, Brian Clem, will move to the COO role.
Applications are being accepted for the next graduating call of the Chicago Scholars
The Chicago Scholars has opened the application process for its 2027 graduating class. Students who are first generation and from under resourced communities and in their junior year of high school are encouraged to apply.
Social Media Creators Partner With Jenni for Exclusive Macy’s Collection
Social media influencers and viral fashion creators Denise Mercedes and Maria Castellanos launched a limited-edition exclusive capsule collection with Jenni, a Macy’s (NYSE:M) private brand, called Style Not Size.
Nationally known hot sauce uses peppers from local gardens
Dan Fitzgerald and his business partner John Crotty started Small Axe Peppers Hot Sauce because they had acquired land and created a community garden. It was their first foray into the community garden and urban farming scene, something that the Bronx is robust for. The problem they ran into was that while the gardens were doing amazing things on the grassroots level in their communities, they had to depend on city grants and out of pocket expenses to fund what they were doing.
FDA OKs Pfizer Pill as First At-Home COVID Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, Dec. 22, approved the emergency use of Pfizer’s new antiviral pill Paxlovid in people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. It’s the first approved treatment for COVID-19 meant to be taken at home.
Blues Renaissance Man creates camp for children
Fernando Jones describes himself as a Bluesman and a Renaissance man. He started playing the guitar in 1968 and plays other instruments. He knows what it is like to play music with other kids, so he started a program called Blues Camp International in 2010.
30th Anniversary Bounce Trumpet Awards to air Jan. 17 Show
Bounce, the nation’s popular entertainment television network serving African Americans, will present the 30th Anniversary Bounce Trumpet Awards -- a night of inspiration, history and crowd-rousing performances celebrating African American achievements and contributions -- on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. ET.
Four Local Organizations received a share of $175,000 from PepsiCo
PepsiCo distributed $175,000 to four organizations as part of its recently launched Pathways to Readiness and Empowerment Program. Teamwork Englewood and Girls in the Game are two of the organizations that received the money.
The Bronzeville Children’s Museum Hosted its Annual Kwanzaa Celebration Following COVID Mandates
The king entered the room and greeted everyone with “Habari Gani” to which people responded Kujichagulia. Bronzeville Children’s Museum, located at 9301 S. Stony Island Ave., hosted a Kwanzaa celebration on Monday, Dec. 27. The museum was founded by Peggy Montes, who also serves as its president. It has been located on Stony Island since 2008.
Rush Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Allow SNAP to Cover Hot and Prepared Foods
U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), announced their introduction of the bipartisan SNAP PLUS Act of 2021 (H.R. 6338), legislation that would allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used to purchase hot foods and certain prepared foods, which are currently not covered by SNAP. 40.8 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, according to the most recent public data.
Keisha Taylor Starr Appointed New Chief Marketing Officer for Scripps Networks
Keisha Taylor Starr has been hired as chief marketing officer for Scripps Networks, effective Jan. 3, 2022.
Dove and Matthew A. Cherry Team Up to Inspire Hair Love in Kids
Dove and Academy Award-winning filmmaker and CROWN Act advocate Matthew A. Cherry announce an official partnership to ensure the next generation of Black kids develop a positive relationship with beauty. The partnership will kick off with a new collection of hair care products designed for kids with curls, coils, and waves, inspired by Matthew’s Academy Award-winning animated short film, Hair Love.
Author Dr. Cindy Trimm Releases New Book
Internationally acclaimed, bestselling author Dr. Cindy Trimm is set to release a new book, “Unstoppable: Compete With Your Best Self and Win!” Fresh off of her “End Your Year Strong” conference, Dr. Trimm shares tips on shifting your mindset from one of competition with those around you to focusing on the competition with yourself as the key to success.
Year in Review 2021
2021 was a year of uncertainty for the nation, the world shut down due to COVID-19 and American citizens were ordered to shelter in place until vaccines were available. Never in the history of America had such ever concurred, the Insurrection. As time would have it, we would see and experience traumatizing events one-after-another one. From the loss of prominent leaders to business closures, Job lost, school closures, from new discriminatory hairstyle choice legislation becoming law. There were ground breakings on monumental construction sites. Also, we watched with bided breath two guilty verdicts hand down in the George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery cases.
BLACK OWNED TEQUILA BRAND HAS LOCAL ROOTS
Uduimoh Umolu is the Chicagoan behind the tequila brand Jon Basil, which pays homage to his grandfather and the man who was instrumental in making Umolu’s father dream is coming to the United States possible.
