Walgreens Expressions Challenge Provides Outlet for Teens Dealing with COVID-19 and Other Mental Stresses
More than 10 years ago Walgreens launched its first Expressions Challenge program to encourage teens to use creative arts as an outlet to manage some of life’s stressful circumstances and to guide students to make better life choices. Offered only in Chicago and St. Louis, Walgreens worked with high school districts, teachers and guidance counselors to promote the contest to students grades 9-12. This year, for the first time ever, Expressions is being offered nationally. Submissions are being accepted now through March 31, with 12 winners from three categories to be awarded $2,000 each. Winners will be selected and announced in May 2021.
SENATOR SIMS REFLECTS ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
The Criminal Justice Reform Bill, HB 3653, also known as the Safe-T Act, was signed into law in February. Elgie Sims, Jr. who serves as state senator for the 17th Illinois Senate District, sponsored the bill.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Pandora Rev recently announced that it will celebrate Women’s History Month with a special virtual event, Pandora LIVE Powered By Women, featuring performances by Gwen Stefani and Jazmine Sullivan. Hoda Kotb from SiriusXM’s TODAY Show Radio (ch.108) will host the evening and be joined by the performers as well as special guests Lauren Aliana and Becky G. for a roundtable discussion focused on the themes of the holiday. Pandora LIVE Powered By Women will take place on March 30 at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT, and listeners can RSVP for free at https:// pandoralivepoweredbywomen. splashthat.com/PR
Phone bank with Pappas and Chatman of ABC 7 Chicago returns $12.5 million to property owners
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said today that her office is sending checks totaling $12.5 million to homeowners who called the “Black and Latino Houses Matter” phone bank she hosted with ABC 7 Chicago on March 11-17, 2021.
WOMAN CREATES GROUP TO ENGAGE WOMEN IN NIGERIAN DIASPORA
Lola Omolola decided to create a Facebook group for women in the Nigerian Diaspora after young girls were kidnapped by armed guards in Chibok, Nigeria in 2015.
Chicago Restaurant Week Returns In 2021
Choose Chicago recently announced the return of the highly anticipated, 14th annual Chicago Restaurant Week from Friday, March 19 to Sunday, April 4, 2021
DOLTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE EYEING VICTORY
Tiffany Henyard, trustee at large for the Village of Dolton, has won the Democratic primary for the mayor’s race there. Henyard will face independent candidate Ronnie Burge on Tuesday, April 6.
New Book Examines the Evolving Meaning of Civil Rights in America
A new book by American Bar Foundation (ABF) Research Professor Christopher W. Schmidt examines the history of America’s fight over the meaning of civil rights. Published by Cambridge University Press, Civil Rights in America: A History is the first book to trace the evolution of the term “civil rights” in America from the Civil War through today.
ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR INVESTMENT IN BLACK COMMUNITIES
Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy recognized two local leaders during its annual Connecting Philanthropy and Community program, which took place in February. Corliss Garner and Jonathan Peck were honored for their work, which exemplifies a commitment towards advancing equity for Black communities in the city.
FORMER TARGET SITE TO BECOME DISCOVER CUSTOMER CARE CENTER
Discover will turn the former site of Target, located at 86th and Cottage Grove, into a 100,000 square foot customer care center. It is expected to bring around 1,000 full time jobs to the community by 2024.
Leading CEOs Champion Equity for the Black Community in Accessing COVID-19 Vaccines
Six of the nation’s largest non-governmental, non-profit membership organizations recently announced the launch of a vaccine equity and education initiative. The effort aims to help Black Americans make informed personal decisions about vaccination by providing them with accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines from medical professionals and health officials and combating misinformation about the vaccines
Business owner uses fashion jewelry and brutal honesty to help heal emotional pain
What do earrings, eye lash extensions, and emotional growth all have in common? Emotional Support Advocate, Kia Waters, correlates the latest fashion trends with her weekly Web Series: Healing, Wine, & Storytime, a pillar of her EarringEverything brand.
Karat Launches “Brilliant Black Minds” to Unlock Opportunities for Black Software Engineers
Karat, the world leader in technical interviewing, recently announced Brilliant Black Minds, a program to improve access, fairness, and inclusion across the technology industry. The program, which formalizes Karat’s commitment to providing Black software engineers with $1 million in practice interviews, kicked off last year and is growing to support more computer science students and professional engineers in 2021.
PRESIDENT-ELECT OF LYNWOOD MAKES HISTORY
Jada D. Curry made history on Tuesday, Feb. 23, when she was elected as President- elect of the Village of Lynwood. When Curry is sworn in, she will be the first African American woman to hold that office.
Illinoisans can turn over a new leaf on cannabis past
Systemic racism, as an abstract concept, has been much discussed over the last year. If anyone needs an example of where systemic racism actually lives in practice, look no further than the war on drugs of the last four decades. While people of all races illegally grew, smoked and sold marijuana, it was Black and Brown people who were much more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for it. Communities of color across the board have borne the disproportionate impact of this ill-conceived and ill-enforced policy.
SOUTH SIDE LEADERS HONORED ON MARCH 18
Chicago Foundation for Women is recognizing the leaders of two Englewood-based organizations for its 2021 Impact Awards.
Pappas and ABC 7 Chicago to host “Black and Latino Houses Matter” on March 11, a phone bank to help Cook County homeowners with their property taxes
Treasurer Maria Pappas and ABC 7 Chicago will host “Black and Latino Houses Matter” on March 11, 2021, a phone bank to help Cook County homeowners find refunds, apply for property tax exemptions and avoid the Tax Sale, Pappas said today.
Designing A Better Chicago
If there was ever a time to recognize and support individuals and organizations using design for civic good, it’s now. Designing a Better Chicago, a collaborative initiative organized and supported by NeoCon® and theMART, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Design Museum of Chicago, is now accepting nominations for its second annual Design Impact Grant Program. The 2021 initiative will provide $25,000 in project-specific grants to individuals and organizations using design or design principles to directly address pressing issues in Chicago communities.
