Dorm Doctors Gives Tips To College Students On How To Navigate Challenges During COVID-19

Dorm Doctors, is a Miami-based collegiate concierge service, whose expert advice might help college students everywhere. Since 2017, the company has been working to make life easier for parents and students by doing laundry, as well as providing cleaning and storage services. But in the wake of COVID-19, the company has become increasingly essential for the families that it serves.

GreenTek Packaging Launches First-Ever Non-Plastic Disposable Utensils Made from Hemp

Made from all natural elements, including U.S.-grown industrial hemp, GreenTek Packaging LLC’s newly launched Hemptensils™ is the first in-kind brand of plant-based disposable utensils that, unlike wasteful plastic end-use products, won’t harm the environment, according to a news release.

Newest trends for Black and Brown travelers presented at 7th Annual “State of Black Tourism” Event

The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) recently presented its 7th Annual “State of Black Tourism” event on September 17, in partnership with the National Press Club.

Bass Reeves: A Legend In His Own Time, A Hero In Ours

One-hundred-ten years after his death, the story of the first black US Marshal arrives at Walmart in a new comic book published by Allegiance Arts & Entertainment. Kevin Grevioux, actor-writer and creator of the Underworld and I, Frankenstein film franchises, weaves hard-hitting Western action and soulful drama in six chapters vividly illustrated by David Williams (Batman, Superman, Wolverine). Released in bi-monthly installments, Bass Reeves provides a long-overdue look at a legend whose story may be more relevant now than ever.

NEWLY FORMED COLLECTIVE SEEKS TO CREATE REAL CHANGE

After the death of George Floyd, a group of individuals and organizations committed to reimagining a more equitable Chicago, formed a group to look at more tangible ways to achieve racial equity.

ALDERMAN WANTS TO ESTABLISH COP HOUSE

Ninth Ward Alderman Anthony Beale believes that establishing a “COP House” in his ward will reduce crime in the neighborhood. Beale introduced an order that would establish the house, which would be privately-funded and police- approved for the Chicago Police Department 5th District. Beale said a private entity is set to fund $200,000 of the project.

BLACK MAYORS GATHER TO HONOR FALLEN POLICE AND FIREMEN

The newly formed Southland regional Black Mayors Caucus recently came together at an event in Calumet Park to honor police and firemen who died or who were injured in the line of duty.

The International Association of Black Professional Firefighters Announces First Female President

Carrie Edwards-Clemons was recently named president of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF), an organization that works to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities. In addition, the IABPFF works to make fire services more relevant to the needs and aspirations of minority citizens and communities across the world.

BMO Unveils New Diversity and Representation Goals for Next Five Years

BMO Financial Group has new, five-year, diversity goals to address gaps affecting Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Latino, and LGBTQ2+ employees, customers, and communities. The Zero Barriers to Inclusion 2025 goals reflect an ambitious expansion of the multi-year diversity strategy last set in 2017.

How the African-American Inventor of Diverse Emoji is Now Using Them to Take on COVID-19

As a kid, Katrina Parrott never dreamt she’d one day be breaking down racial barriers with emoji. In fact, as one of eight African-American siblings raised by a single mom, she wasn’t even expected to go to college.

State of Illinois: We Demand A Seat At the Table!

The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce is fighting mad. Despite there being 144,000 Black-owned businesses in Illinois that represent extremely diverse industries and generate millions in taxable revenue for the state, Black businesses continue to be overlooked and undervalued by the State of Illinois. The Central Management Services, which oversees the State’s more than 80 agencies, has an annual operating budget of $84.5 billion and is tasked with hiring the contractors and vendors that enable the state to take care of state business – delivering efficient, reliable services to the people of Illinois.

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.