Chicago Advertising Federation Honors Renetta McCann with Silver Medal Award

Renetta McCann, chief inclusion experience officer, Publicis Groupe, was recently named the recipient of the Chicago Advertising Federation’s 2019 Silver Medal Award.

Design Center opens in Chatham, hosts ribbon cutting ceremony

Frantzie Bourdeau-Griffin wanted a space that could accommodate her interior design showroom, as well as her husband, Gerald Griffin’s art gallery, so they found a 46,000 square foot location close to Chatham Market and Simeon High School to house Bourdeau-Griffin Interiors and Architectural Designs, Inc.

Initiative to host kick-off events for community engagement

INVEST South/West will host kick-off events in South Shore and Roseland this month. In October, Mayor Lori Lightfoot launched the INVEST South/West initiative as a way to revitalize 10 neighborhoods on the South and West sides by providing resources.

‘Text Therapy’ Provides Access To Mental Health Support

CuraLinc Healthcare, a global behavioral health and well being provider, recently announced the launch of Emotional Fitness Coaching, a message-based therapy application that is embedded within an organization’s employee assistance (EAP) and student assistance program models – and also available as a stand-alone point solution.

Health advocates, lawmakers want stronger regulations of vaping

Some Illinois lawmakers say a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy responding to a growing trend of youth e-cigarette use does not go far enough. The federal public health watchdog announced in a memo recently that it would crack down on the “manufacture, distribution, and sale” of fruit- and mint-flavored electronic smoking cartridges for cigars, hookahs and cigarettes, among others.

STONY ISLAND ARTS BANK OPENS THE JOHNSON ARCHIVES TO THE PUBLIC

Rebuild Foundation has partnered with Illinois Humanities for a project that will allow the public to view its extensive Johnson Publishing Archives. The launch for the Reading the Black Library project will take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, at Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Ave.

Mother Daughter Duo Launch New Hair Tool: THEBRAIDREALEASER

Angela Green created THEBRAIDRELEASER in 1992 as a pain free way to unbraid her daughter’s tresses, while never making the ergonomic tool public.

CCICS & BUFI present Black History Month lecture featuring Dr. Greg Kimathi Carr

As a kick-off to Black History Month—celebrated during the entire month of February—the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner Studies (CCICS) and the Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI) will co-sponsor the lecture, A Tribute to Dr. Carter G. Woodson & the Continuing Challenges of MisEducation, featuring Dr. Greg Kimathi Carr on Friday, January 31, 2020 in the Donn F. Bailey Legacy Hall on the campus of CCICS, 700 E. Oakwood Boulevard, at 7pm.

IS ENGLEWOOD REPRESENTED BY TOO MANY ALDERMEN?

There are 77 communities in Chicago including Englewood on the South Side where five aldermen represent it at City Hall. The predominately black populated community is represented by Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), Ald. David Moore (17th), and Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th).

LOCAL ACTOR SHOWCASES HIS TALENT ON NBC’S ‘CHICAGO FIRE’

Daniel Kyri began acting in local community theater productions and is now a cast member on “Chicago Fire.” He says his transition from theater to television hasn’t been too much of a transition at all.

BISHOP LARRY TROTTER AND SECRETARY JESSE WHITE GATHERED OVER 100 MINISTERS IN A THUNDEROUS SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR JUSTICE NATHANIEL HOWSE JR

The massive group of ministers that were present jointly articulated their excitement and support of Justice Howse. They vowed to advocate aggressively to their respective congregations concerning Justice Howse’s campaign.

AKArama Foundation of AKA’s Theta Omega Chapter to Donate Articles of Clothing to Homeless Veteran’s Shelter

The AKArama Foundation – the charitable arm of Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority – is donating hundreds of articles of clothing to Feather Fist, a homeless shelter for veterans located at 9020 S. Langley in Chicago.

SOUTH SIDE ALDERMAN HAS NO PLANS TO REJOIN CITY COUNCIL’S BLACK CAUCUS GROUP

A relatively new member of the City Council’s Black Caucus resigned after a December 18 City Council meeting and said he has no plans to rejoin the group of black aldermen until he sees unity among them.

PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING TRHT Greater Chicago to host racial healing circles across the city

TRHT Greater Chicago will host 3-days of city wide racial healing circles at community centers, government agencies, nonprofits, schools, corporations, and more. Racial healing circles are designed to raise awareness, consciousness and empathy among those who participate.

South Chicago organization finalist for $10 million prize

Claretian Associates was awarded $100,000 as part of the Chicago Prize to work on nine projects in the South Chicago community

Majority Whip Clyburn Hails Passage of H.R. 3 Landmark Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn hailed House passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. This landmark legislation gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies and extends those lower prices to Americans with private insurance too.

IDOR Reminds Illinois Businesses of Minimum Wage Tax Credit Available This Year

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding small businesses they can now utilize the Minimum Wage Credit, which became effective on January 1, 2020.

CAMELOT ILLINOIS AWARDS GRANTS TO CHICAGO LATINO CAUCUS FOUNDATION AND LOST BOYZ INC.

Camelot Illinois announced the first recipients of the Camelot Illinois Grant Program to help fund non-profit initiatives that benefit communities across the State. “As an Illinois company, we place great emphasis on social responsibility and are dedicated to providing much-needed support to organizations that are making a difference in our communities,” said Keith Horton, Acting General Manager Camelot Illinois. “Through our new grant program, we are able to partner with impactful organizations like Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation and Lost Boyz to do good for the people of Illinois.”

U .S. POSTAL SERVICE ISSUING GWEN IFILL BLACK HERITAGE FOREVER STAMP JAN. 30

The 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Gwen Ifill, one of the nation’s most esteemed journalists. The stamp art features a photo of Ifill taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Federal Appeals Court Reinstates NAACP Census Suit

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Prince George’s County, Maryland, and other plaintiffs won an important appeals court ruling recently, which reinstates their federal suit challenging the federal government’s inadequate plans for conducting the 2020 Census after the district court erroneously dismissed it.