A young activist, Eva Lewis, who grew up on the south side of Chicago recently traveled to Paris to participate in the Human Rights Defenders World Summit 2018. Lewis spoke on
the Americas panel, alongside activists from Latin America, and discussed youth-led movements in the United States as well as the state of black and brown people in the country.
There are more than 15 mayoral candidates running in next year’s election, including Dorothy Brown, who currently serves as clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Recently, she met with millennials who told her what they are looking for in the next mayor. They also shared stories as to why some millennials don’t vote.
Ten South Suburban College students were recently invited to attend the Second Annual Dirty Little Secrets Conference at the Swissotel in Downtown Chicago. The event was
created by Louis Carr, president of media sales for BET Network, as a way to provide men with the tools and strategies they may need to succeed in work and life.
Six students were surprised on the spot with a $2,500 scholarship each. Serena Echols and Benjamin Todd of Morgan Park Academy; Reginelle Sanders of Collins Academy; Amber Anderson of Kenwood Academy; Sheniya Jenkins of Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Lawrence Pope of Hyde Park Academy. “Earning this scholarship starts my financial future on the right path,” says Lawrence Pope who ranks number seven in his senior class. “I come from a low-income family. My mother works at Cook County jail and barely earns a living wage. I try my hardest in school to help my mom. I want her to worry less,” adds the 17-year-old.
A local activist, Demetrius Nash, recently founded the nonprofit organization Replace Guns With Hammers as a way to reduce violence in Chicago’s most underserved communities. The
goal of the organization is to give young men an opportunity to work on a building renovation as an alternative to committing violence.
HUD has awarded $1,259,176 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute funds to local nonprofits whose housing counseling programs help families rent or buy safe, affordable homes
and prevent foreclosures. This year’s network of 33 housing counseling agencies, listed below, serve low- and moderate-income communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and
Missouri.
Thornton Township celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with music, dance, and authentic food. This year’s event was held at Thornton Township Senior/Youth & Family Services Center located at 14323 S. Halsted, Riverdale, Illinois.
The Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Greater Chicago Food Depository recently collaborated to create a Hunger Awareness music video. The music video doubles as a public service announcement and shows Chicago kids sorting food, having fun, dancing, and singing at the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s main donation and sorting facility on Chicago’s Southwest side.
The Albany Park Community Center (APCC) recently announced that it will soon open the new APCC-South service center at 4455 S. King Dr. in the Bronzeville neighborhood. The new location will provide several different services to the community, including counseling services, community access to a newly designed computer lab, and job training programs.
Bobbi Wilsyn, long-time Columbia College Chicago faculty member and coordinator of the Vocal Studies program, received a 2018 Black Excellence Award from the African American
Arts Alliance of Chicago (AAAA) for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Music. Wilsyn was honored at the AAAA’s annual awards event held at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural
Center on Oct. 29.
David Martinez, the pharmacy manager at the Walgreens located on 1554 E. 55th St. in Hyde Park, is deeply committed to his job and to serving the community. Martinez said that
he is happy to be able to answer questions and provide the flu shot for residents at the south side pharmacy which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
On Nov. 14, Glenwood Academy will host it’s 70th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Pl. in Chicago. The Luncheon is a fundraiser for the school and
will include a performance from the student band, parent testimonials, and students dressed in military uniforms mingling with guests.
Bessie Award-winning and Tony-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd returns to Chicago with his company Spectrum Dance Theater, presented by the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago January 31–February 2, 2019 at the Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.
The Chicago Urban League recently received a $1 million grant for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The money will be spread out over a 4-year time frame and used to fund infrastructure improvements at the organization’s headquarters, 4510
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced recently that Cook County has been found in compliance with the Shakman Consent Decree and will be released from federal oversight.
Former Hillcrest High School and South Suburban College (SSC) men’s basketball star player – Jovan Mooring – was drafted in the first round by the Grand Rapids Drive of the National Basketball Association (NBA) G-League during their annual draft recently. Mooring, a 6’2” Guard, was the 13th pick overall.
Singing sensation Melinda Bussie, whose stage name is Sandy Redd, was honored by Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin on Saturday for her recent appearance on the TV show The Voice. “We are excited for Sandy because she is one of our on. She is a hometown girl right here in the village of Matteson,” said Chalmers-Currin. “This is my first time giving a resident a key to the village and I am very proud to do so.”
D.A. Rhodes, author of Why?, recently hosted a book signing event for the release of her newest novel The Day Hate Stood Still. The new book is a sequel to her first novel and
chronicles the difficult life of the Boxx Family.
“Based on the length of time of Kierra Coles disappearance and the fact that she has fallen off the grid, police suspect possible foul play. We continue to get leads and are following up diligently on those leads,” the Chicago Police Department said in an official statement.
“Serena and Common are philanthropists who are passionate about supporting education, providing resources for victims of violence, and they will continue to fight for equality,” said Leslie
Pappas, executive director of the Common Ground Foundation, one of two beneficiaries of this Creative Minds Talk.