The Embrace Girls Foundation presents Africa Umoja from February 25 – March 8, 2020
As the Lion King and yes, Black Panther continue to break box office records, another story that celebrates the African continent and its unbreakable spirit is set to arrive in South Florida. AFRICA UMOJA, The Spirit of Togetherness, sponsored by Aetna and benefiting The Embrace Girls Foundation, Inc., will premiere for a two-week celebration during Black History Month. Opening Tuesday, February 25, 2020, the production will run at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center until March 8, 2020.
SEVERAL SOUTH SUBURBAN FIRE DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE FEDERAL GRANTS TO SUPPORT HIRING
Congresswoman Robin Kelly recently announced that several south suburban fire departments would be receiving major federal grants through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Included in the recently announced grant recipients are the Homewood, Calumet City, and South Chicago Heights Fire Departments.
South Suburban Village Celebrates Opening Of New Municipal Center
The Village of Hazel Crest recently hosted a grand opening ceremony for its new Vernard L. Alsberry Jr. Municipal Center located on 3601 183rd St. The new municipal center, which is named after the current Village President, provides office space for village services, meeting rooms and event space for the community to utilize, and is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RETURNS TO CHICAGO FOR OBAMA FOUNDATION SUMMIT
The Obama Foundation recently hosted its third Summit in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Bronzeville. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were both in attendance and spoke to attendees about their vision for the Obama Presidential Center and how it will impact Chicago.
Treasurer Frerichs Announces Third Gold Rating for Bright Start College Savings Plan
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently announced that Illinois’ 529 College Savings Plans, Bright Start and Bright Directions, again have earned top rankings from Morningstar, placing both plans among the best in the nation.
SOUTH SIDE ORGANIZATION TO CREATE PHOTO MURAL PROJECT CELEBRATING COMMUNITY HISTORY
In anticipation of a major construction project coming to the neighborhood, South Shore Works recently began collecting photos from community members which will be turned into a mural that tells the larger story of the history of South Shore, Jackson Park, and the south side of Chicago.
Pigment International closes out inaugural Black Fine Art Month with discussion about the future of Black fine art
Pigment International, the Black Art Collective closed out the inaugural Black Fine Art Month with a discussion of the “Future of Black Fine Art,” at the DuSable Museum of African American History on this past Wednesday. The panel discussion featured Faheem Majeed, artist, builder and co-founder of the Floating Museum; Ciera Mckissick, founder of AMFM, a creative arts brand and Dr. Yaounde' Olu, a leading proponent of Afro-futurism, award winning editorial cartoonist, illustrator, educator, and indie comic and graphic novel publisher. The panel was introduced by Pigment artist Blake “BLen” Lenoir and moderated by Angel Idowu of WTTW.
Alderman Gives Update on Major Development Project Planned For Former Hospital Site
After hearing from the community that they were against the idea of a casino being developed on the site of the former Michael Reese Hospital, 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King and the project development team re-envisioned the plan. King recently held a meeting at the Carruthers Center, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd., to give community residents an update on what will be going into the project as of now.
Gentle exercise program improves outcomes among older home care clients
A study published in Innovation in Aging, a journal of the Gerontological Society of America, shows that a gentle exercise program delivered by home care aides improved client health, especially among participants whose caregivers are not family members.
Meeting Held To Share Details of 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently held a public open house at Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ, 1459 W. 74th St., to give community members an update on the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project and to allow them to view exhibits and speak with the project team to learn about the status, design, and construction timelines for the project.
The Toy Insider Experts Reveal Top Holiday Toy Trends of 2019
The Toy Insider recently revealed the top eight trending toy themes of 2019, giving consumers an inside look at the hottest categories and hand-picked favorites that are sure to be bestsellers this holiday season, according to a press release.
Open House And Reel Black Filmmakers Networking Session
Attend the Open House And Reel Black Filmmakers Networking Session if you are creative and can see yourself in visual media. Perhaps your talent is in camera operation, editing, writing stories, sound design, lighting or directing? Find your film making network on the South Side at Community Film Workshop. For 48 years, Community Film Workshop has been educating, providing internships and mentoring people of color, women and other groups disenfranchised in film production.
SSC Bulldog’s Baseball Program to hold a holiday Youth Catching Camp December 26th and 27th
South Suburban College Head Baseball Coach Steve Ruzich will direct a two-day Catching Camp on Thursday, December 26th and Friday, December 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Coach Ruzich has directed youth camps for the past 34 years and has taught baseball skills at many other baseball camps throughout the state.
CITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES $9.3 MILLION INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH
The Chicago Department of Public Health and the Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, recently unveiled the Framework for Mental Health Equity plan which was created to improve access to mental healthcare in Chicago. The plan includes $9.3 million in new funding that will expand mental health services at 20 healthcare centers, including the Englewood Mental Health Center located on 641 W. 63rd St.
IDOT receives federal funds to improve alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure on I-80
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced that Illinois is receiving federal funds to boost infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles on Interstate 80. The grant, which will target electric vehicles and vehicles that run on natural gas, is part of a larger effort to build a mid-America alternative fuel corridor spanning six states.
Nursing Home Violations for Third Quarter 2019 Include South Suburban Facilities And Others
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced that the 2019 Third Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators is now posted on IDPH’s website. The report contains additional information about the violations.
26-YEAR-OLD VOTING ADVOCATE TAKES ON NEW COUNTY-WIDE LEADERSHIP ROLE
As the new chairwoman of the Cook County Young Democrats and president of the Chicago Votes Action Fund Board of Directors, Chakena Sims has a vision for expanding access to voting rights in Chicago and engaging a new generation of political activists across Cook County. With a strong handshake and 26-years of life under her belt, Sims is ready to be an advocate and a leader as the 2020 election approaches
INDOCHINO Launches Custom Collection with New York Knicks Rookie Star RJ Barrett
INDOCHINO, recently launched a limited edition collection with its Signature Athlete, New York Knicks top draft pick RJ Barrett. Th e basketball player personally selected each of the six fabrics and two personalized linings, which went on sale online and in all INDOCHINO locations on October 24th.
MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW PLAN TO INVEST IN SOUTH AND WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS
During a recent press conference, Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, announced a new neighborhood investment initiative called INVEST South/West. The initiative is designed to support revitalization in 10 underinvested neighborhoods on the south and west sides. The City will combine resources with community and corporate partners to activate millions of dollars worth of investments in the targeted neighborhoods
