DuSABLE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE DuSUMMER TO FEATURE JAZZ, HOUSE MUSIC AND MORE FROM JUNE THROUGH SEPTEMBER

To celebrate the reopening to the public of the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Museum has announced “DuSummer” a robust schedule of outdoor entertainment programs from June 2, 2021 through September 31, 2021 …and there’s something for everyone included in the lineup.

Why clinical trial diversity is key to increasing access to routine care and innovative treatment options

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on longstanding health care disparities and amplified the importance of clinical trial diversity, especially participation of those patients and communities disproportionately impacted by the disease being studied. Since clinical trials function as the gatekeeper to bringing new medicines safely to patients and communities, it has become increasingly important that diverse communities be represented in our research efforts.

FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT HEADED TO MIT

Marcus Russell, who will graduate from Jones College Prep High School, will head to Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall.

DuSABLE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES JUNETEENTH REOPENING

After having been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DuSable Museum of African American History is scheduled to reopen to the public on “Juneteenth” (Saturday, June 19, 2021), at 11:00 AM with a “Welcome Back” Ceremony celebrating the return to business for the nation’s first independent Black History Museum.

Black Women Talk Tech Presents Their Fifth Annual Roadmap to Billions Conference

Black Women Talk Tech has officially announced its Fifth Annual Roadmap to Billions Conference. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be virtual via a customized experience on Hop.in on Aug. 12-13.

RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS BEAUTIFY COMMUNITY

Greater Englewood Unity Day was the brainchild of Jane Carter-Hill, co-founder of Imagine Englewood If… Hill was devoted to having people connect, communicate and collaborate.

STATE FARM ROLLS OUT GRANT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Individuals and organizations are once again able to win $25,000 in grant money for neighborhood improvement projects with State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist program. Last year, there were four Illinois organizations that won.

IL Department on Aging Celebrates Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month in Illinois and the state’s Department on Aging (IDoA) is encouraging all Illinoisans to build strength in the lives of our older adults. “Communities of Strength” is the theme of this year’s recognition, which highlights the differences everyone can make in the lives of the state’s more than 2.8 million older adults and in support of our more than 600,000 caregivers.

READI CHICAGO RECEIVES $2 MILLION INVESTMENT

READI Chicago has received a $2 million investment from JP Morgan Chase. The investment will allow the organization to continue to be able to provide resources to men at risk of gun violence involvement.

Chicago Loop Alliance announces Sundays on State, invites community to get involved

Chicago Loop Alliance is launching an ambitious open streets project called Sundays on State that would see parts of State Street in the Loop closed to vehicle traffic for up to 12 Sundays this summer. The organization is inviting members of the community to get involved and share their ideas.

Study Reveals Moms Consider Face Coverings to Be an Ongoing Family Essential

At the outset of the pandemic, Yaron Shemesh, CEO of Creative Home Ideas, immediately marshalled his company’s extensive resources to help provide masks for first responders and healthcare workers.

FOUNDATION SEEKS TO CLOSE THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC WEALTH GAP

Chicago Community Trust is more than 100 years old, but its mission of bringing greater equity and economic development to the Chicagoland region remains the same. Dr. Helene Gayle is the president and CEO of Chicago Community Trust. She said the community foundation is able to connect philanthropy to impact because there is a broad base of donors who want to invest in the community. “We work with donors who want to invest in the Chicago region and help to connect them to opportunities that can allow them to use their dollars in ways that make the biggest difference,” Gayle said.

McDonald’s partners with the Biden Administration to provide trusted, independent information on COVID-19 vaccines

As part of our ongoing efforts to support communities and local neighborhoods during the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald’s is partnering with the Biden Administration to make access to information on vaccines even easier for the millions of customers who enjoy McDonald’s each day in the U.S.

Pritzker now says budget can include added $350 million for K-12 schools

Citing an “improved” economic outlook, Gov. JB Pritzker recently announced his support to increase evidence-based education funding in the state by $350 million in fiscal year 2022 which begins July 1. In his February budget proposal, Pritzker originally proposed flat spending for education, citing “financial uncertainty” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fleeting, a Black-Owned Company Receives $500,000 Investment from NBA Star Kyrie Irving and New Fund Lockstep Ventures

Fleeting, a Black-owned commercial trucking and fleet management services company, recently announced that it received a seed round investment of $500,000 from Kyrie Irving, NBA superstar and founder of new consulting firm, KAI 11 Consulting, and Lockstep Ventures, the new venture fund founded by Michael Loeb, Bonin Bough, and Marcus Glover.

Young, Gifted and Black Author Releases His 3rd Urban Fantasy Novel

In his new book, Hood Fuller brings a unique perspective to the fantasy genre where African-American authors and characters are far underrepresented. “Particularly in the comic book industry at least among the titans of Marvel and DC, there is definitely a lopsided playing field when it comes to black representation and white representation. I personally want to see more black people suiting up,” Hood says.

Illinois Humanities to distribute over $1M to Illinois cultural institutions affected by the pandemic

Illinois Humanities announced that it will begin accepting applications today for 2021 COVID-19 Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants. More than $1M in funding for these grants has been made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Former Evanston Alderwoman Receives Urban One Honors Award

Robin Rue Simmons, Reparations advocate and former Evanston alderwoman, is an award recipient of the annual Urban One Honors which highlighs the exemplary accomplishments of African American women around the country. Rue Simmons is the architect of the nation’s first funded municipal Reparations legislation, sparking local legislative efforts nationwide and raising awareness around the HR40 bill seeking to progress federal Reparations. This year’s Urban One Honors theme is “Women Leading the Change,” where Rue Simmons and her many contributions to the Reparations movement, including her “solutions only” leadership style, will be acknowledged for her meaningful impact within the Black community and beyond.

Community Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Friday, May 21st At Village Leadership Academy In the South Loop

] It Takes A Village Family of Schools, in partnership with The Rana-Reagan Pharmacy, UI Health, Miles Square Health Center, and IMPACT, is hosting a community covid-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, May 21st from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The event will be held at Village Leadership Academy, located in the South Loop at 800 S Wells St.

HOUSING GAINS COULD GROW BLACK WEALTH MORE THAN $500 BILLION IN A DECADE

Incremental increases in homeownership rates and home values among Black households would help shrink the current $3 trillion racial wealth gap by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, according to a new Zillow analysis.