Comcast Joins with Local Community-based Organizations to Launch WiFi-Connected “Lift Zones” in Chicago Neighborhoods
Comcast announced today plans to establish WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” at the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC), Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO), Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development (BUILD), Chatham Business Association and Bright Star Community Outreach, and other sites in Chicago to come. As part of its commitment, Comcast will provide robust WiFi connectivity at Lift Zone sites to create safe spaces where students and families can get online for school, to learn new skills or to search for employment. Lift Zones partners will also include community organizations that support small businesses.
Camelot North America Announces New Board Chair, Ertharin Cousin
Camelot North America is pleased to announce it has appointed Ertharin Cousin as its new non-executive board chair. Camelot North America is the private manager of the Illinois Lottery, under its subsidiary Camelot Illinois, and a commercial partner for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, with operations in Chicago and Little Rock.
4th Annual Chicago South Side Film Festival To Celebrate South South on Films September 25th to October 4th
Chicago South Side Film Festival (CSSFF) holds its first virtual celebration of the South Side of Chicago on films. The diverse films will virtually bring together film-goers and film-makers September 27th to October 4th
ILLINOIS PRESS ASSOCIATION HONORS TOP NEWSPAPERS, EDITOR, REPORTER
Illinois’ top newspapers were honored today at the Illinois Press Association’s virtual convention. More than 120 daily and nondaily newspapers competed in 40 editorial categories.
AKArama Foundation to Host Free Webinar on Wills/Estate Planning on September 29 Community Invited to Master Wealth Building Strategies by Noted Trust Attorney
Alarming revelations regarding Blacks’ dismal record at creating a will and developing an estate plan prompted AKArama Foundation President Veletta L. Bell to act. Bell, who presides over the Foundation – the charitable arm of Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority -- said this record of neglect impacts wealth building and is a trend that must be reversed.
Peoples Gas Congratulates High School STEM Student Scholars on Summer of Virtual Learning, Designing and Adventure
Robot dance parties and hydraulic claws. Computer spy games. Designs for remote controls you can’t lose and tables that swing into place from the back of your couch. These are some of the projects that high school students made as part of Peoples Gas After School Matters summer apprenticeships, developed with Project SYNCERE. This year’s summer projects had an unexpected, high-tech twist: they were all created by teams of students working virtually to keep themselves and their educators safe from COVID-19.
FATHER AND SON CREATE COFFEE TABLE BOOK
The artistic expression that was born out of the racial and civil unrest as a result of the death of George Floyd is the focus of the coffee table book, “Board Up Chicago: Storefront Images Days After the George Floyd Riots.”
Contract supports Chicago’s commitment to ensure all city-owned buildings and operations are powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS), recently announced a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure a renewable energy supply contract for city-owned buildings.
PROPERTY TAX REFORMS LEAD TO PROPERTY REASSESSMENT
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi is taking on property tax reform in Illinois. Kaegi said the way property has been assessed in previous administrations has led to inequities in the process and it’s put a burden on people who have less money.
Notable African-Americans and Social Justice Activists Rally Behind the Launch of ABIS
Founder, Gary Charles, has fostered a partnership with high profile individuals to launch Advancement of Blacks in Sports, Inc. (ABIS), a newly established non-profit organization with a mission to connect and inspire people to boldly advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for Blacks in sports. ABIS works to foster a culture of equity and inclusion in all aspects of sports that lead to racial, economic and social justice.
Byron Allen Promotes The Weather Channel’s Melody Smalls To Executive Vice President Of Global Human Resources For Allen Media Group
Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group recently announced the elevation of Melody Smalls to the new position of Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources. Smalls previously held the position of Chief Human Resources and Compliance Officer & Vice President/Head of Human Resources at The Weather Channel/Weather Group since 2016.
MURAL WELCOMES VISITORS TO STATE REP’S OFFICE
Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans’ office, located at 8500 S. Stony Island, is now a place where visitors and passersby can enjoy public art. Artist Quentin Crockett created a mural in the entry area of the office.
Home Sweet Classroom: RE/MAX Shares How to Update a Home to Accommodate Schooling
Since Spring 2020, homes have been working overtime. Kitchen tables turned conference rooms, garages turned gyms and bathrooms turned spas. As many parents and caregivers prepare to welcome the upcoming school year, they’re also looking to update their homes to become places for young minds to grow. What may have felt temporary earlier this year, has become to feel a bit more permanent; that makeshift desk on a card table or kids taking Zoom calls from the couch, may not cut it when you are staring down another virtual school year.
Ice Cube Collaborates With Iconic Artist And Activist, Shepard Fairey, To Create Logo For ‘A Contract with Black America’
In the wake of outcries against racial injustice, inequality and civil unrest in the United States, Ice Cube and American artist, Shepard Fairey, have revealed the ‘A Contract with Black America’ logo.
Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards $11.2 Million To Pediatric Cancer Research And Celebrates September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Hyundai Hope On Wheels grants are awarded through a competitive peer-reviewed process. Th e Scholar Hope Grant and Th e Young Investigator grants are awarded during the month of September, exclusively to COG member institutions. Th is year, the organization awarded COVID-19 drive-thru testing grants to 23 sites throughout the nation. More than one-million COVID-19 tests have been completed at sites supported by the Hyundai grant. To learn more about Hyundai Hope on Wheels at: http://www.HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.
A.P. Randolph Pullman Porter Museum Receives COVID-19 Relief From Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Great Lakes Region recently launched a COVID-19 relief effort on August 25 to aid the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter (NAPRPP) Museum. The Chicago institution is the only museum in the nation that honors Sigma Frat Brother A. Philip Randolph.
Children’s Online Learning Program ABCmouse to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Charges of Illegal Marketing and Billing Practices
Online children’s education company Age of Learning, Inc., which operates ABCmouse, will pay $10 million and change its negative option marketing and billing practices to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it made misrepresentations about cancellations and failed to disclose important information to consumers, leading tens of thousands of people to be renewed and charged for memberships without proper consent.
BLACK MAYORS IN SOUTHLAND CREATE CAUCUS
Black Mayors from 16 municipalities in the South Suburbs have come together to form the Southland Regional Mayoral Black Caucus of Cook County.
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST SEES THE VALUE OF RELATIONSHIPS IN COMBATTING VIOLENCE
Bamani Obadele has been involved with community organizing, public policy and advocacy for more than 20 years. Now, he is bringing his experience to Acclivus, Inc. as a community engagement director.
