40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act Celebrated
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), in partnership with the Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC), recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).
State Selects Project Manager to Proceed with Sale of the Thompson Center
Governor JB Pritzker recently announced that the State of Illinois has taken an important step forward in selling the James R. Thompson Center. After a competitive RFP process to select a project manager, the State will enter into exclusive negotiations with Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC (EY) to provide an array of project management and technical expertise to generate the best value from the sale for taxpayers.
CRIME APP DEVELOPED TO PROTECT AND SERVE CHATHAM COMMUNITY
A South Side pastor and retired Chicago police officer has developed a free crime app to protect and serve his fellow Chatham residents.
The Illinois Tax Man cometh; how should we greet him?
A number of readers (actually two) have requested a column about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s tax initiatives. I have rattled on about this in the past, yet the topic is important to the future of Illinois, so here goes again, at least for the benefit of the two readers with interest.
Stedman Graham to Receive 2020 Horatio Alger Award
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofi t educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, recently announced that, Stedman Graham, Chairman and CEO, S. Graham & Associates (SGA), has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization.
IN MEMORIAM: Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch: Remembering Carroll Spinney
Growing up, Sesame Street was a way of life. Modeled after a brownstone neighborhood in Harlem, it was familiar yet far with a cast of characters who looked and sounded like the melting pot of people growing up in America’s cities at that time. There was an effortless blend of humans and puppets, some of whom walked and talked and moved about the street where the air is sweet.
The National Museum of African American Music Seeks Submissions of Creative Artwork from Visual Artists
When the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) opens its doors to the public in the summer of 2020, the first-of-its-kind institution located in the heart of downtown Nashville will be home to more than 1,500 historical artifacts that reflects the development, influence, and impact of African Americans on more than 50 genres and sub-genres including country, jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and hip hop.
Fragrance Creators Association Launches Digital Fragrance Resource for the Public
Fragrance Creators Association recently launched FragranceConservatory.com, a digital space designed to help people learn about fragrance and make informed and confident choices about the scented products they use every day.
Chicago Bar Association Announces Partnership With “Lawyers In The Classroom” Program
The Chicago Bar Association has partnered with a longstanding civic education program that brings lawyers directly into the classrooms of Chicago‐area elementary schools to teach the U.S. Constitution and promote the principles of democracy.
SUBURBAN BLUES GROUP TO REPRESENT CHICAGO YOUTH AT INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Three south suburban youth, who call themselves MudCity Blue, will attend the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis next month as the only Chicago-area youth blues group. The trio, Kendall Carter, Stacy Norris and Peyton McDowell, met while students at Homewood-Flossmoor High School (HF) where their passion for blues music enriched. Carter is the group’s guitarist and vocalist; McDowell is on bass and Norris is on drums.
Board Approves McDonald’s Settlements
AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS OF PROCEEDINGS, THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND MCDONALD’S USA, LLC PRESENTED A SERIES OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS RESOLVING ALL THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES.
The ultimate gift — 5 things to know about being a living kidney donor
It’s not often that people are given the chance to give someone the gift of life, but that is exactly what being a living kidney donor offers. More than 6,400 people chose to be a living kidney donor in the U.S. in 2018, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
FILM REVIEW: In Fabric
She thought she was simply buying a sexy red dress, off the rack. But when that frock came home with her, so did the supernatural. Writer/director Peter Strickland had a wicked vision in mind when he created this campy horror film, which has a style that is reminiscent of the 1977 cult classic Suspiria, by famed 1970s/80s Italian horror director Dario Argento. Argento gained notoriety for his arty mixture of thriller, mystery, psychological and erotic elements versus unbridled gore.
BIG CHANGES UNDERWAY FOR BJ’S MARKET & BAKERY
BJ’s Market & Bakery is making changes to its business strategy that includes relocating to a South Side shopping center, opening more locations and focusing more on carry out orders. According to Hank Meyer, who co-owns BJ’s Market & Bakery at 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. with his brother John Meyer, the longtime black-owned restaurant is moving to the Stony Island Plaza, 9501 S. Stony Island Ave., this month.
BLACK NEWS CHANNEL IN ‘THE RED ZONE’ READY FOR LAUNCH
As the historic launch on January 6, 2020, of the Black News Channel (BNC) approaches, officials can count members of Congress among those eagerly anticipating the new platform. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, the chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, joined a gathering of BNC officials, anchors, and other guests at a reception on December 3 in Washington, D.C., to toast the launch of the network.
Mayor Lays Out Vision for Boosting Economic Growth in Minority Neighborhoods
During her first media roundtable discussion with the Black Press at City Hall, Mayor Lori Lightfoot adamantly spoke about her plan for boosting economic development in minority neighborhoods, particularly on the South and West Sides.
Sonia Manzano Best Known as “Maria” on “Sesame Street Gives MLK Commemorative Address
Tickets are now available to hear Sonia Manzano deliver the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. at Elon University in North Carolina. The event will take place at McCrary Theatre and Manzano’s talk is titled, “Multi-Racial Latinos & the Civil Rights Movement.”
Powerful Book For Young Black Boys Celebrates 25 Years With a Pledge to Get 1 Million New Readers
Jerald LeVon Hoover became the published author of a Young Adult (YA) title, one of a few books targeted toward young Black and Brown boys ages 12 and up, My Friend, My Hero. This novella has become a staple, as recommended reading in elementary through high schools across the country and around the world. That is a distinct honor Hoover shares with a short list of African-American male YA authors including: Walter Dean Myers, Kevin Powell, Kwame Alexander, and Ralph Burgess.
Global fashion platform, SSENSE, expands its offering with the launch of dogwear
Global fashion platform, SSENSE, recently announced the debut of dogwear on ssense.com. Applying its industry-leading buying direction to curate an assortment of established luxury labels, emerging designers, and streetwear brands—specially designed for dogs—this marks a first for SSENSE as it expands into petwear.
