Chicago Teachers Union pushes bill to redirect district funds

Chicago Teachers Union representatives are asking lawmakers for legislation that would force Chicago Public Schools to direct more of its state funding to services aimed at low-income students, English language learners and students with special needs. This comes amid a strike now stretching into its second week.

UIC earns $3.8M grant to enhance early childhood education

The University of Illinois at Chicago has received a $3.8 million, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to further its work, along with several partners, supporting early childhood education and to prepare early childhood educators.

Black-Owned Security Company Celebrates Grand Opening Of New South Side Headquarters

AGB Investigative Services recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters located on 7545 S. Western Ave. in Chicago’s Auburn-Gresham neighborhood. In addition to a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, AGB Investigative Services also hosted a job and resource fair for community members on-site at the new location.

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT GIVES CRIME UPDATE AND REFLECTS ON SUMMER VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Chicago’s Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson recently visited the City Club of Chicago to share his reflections on crime statistics and violence prevention tactics that he found to work over the summer. Johnson reported that crime was down in Chicago this summer compared to last year and that strong city and community partnerships were partly responsible for that.

UPS’s Guy Albertson serves as chair for the QCUL fundraiser “A Toast to the Future”

Guy Albertson, president of UPS CACH operations is serving as chair of this year’s Quad County Urban League (QCUL) Annual Equality Gala “A Toast to the Future” on Saturday, October 26th at the Chicago Marriott Southwest Hotel. The black-tie fundraiser supports the organization’s core values of racial justice, civil rights, and economic empowerment. Joining the QCUL for this year’s event will be Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL 14 District).

Chicago Quantum Summit to gather international experts

Top experts in quantum technology from around the globe will gather at the University of Chicago on Oct. 25 to discuss the future of quantum information science and strategies to build a quantum workforce.

Gospel Icon Donnie McClurkin’s New Album A Different Song Available For Pre-Order Now

Multiple GRAMMY®, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning Gospel icon Donnie McClurkin has unveiled his forthcoming album, A Different Song (CamDon Music/RCA Inspiration), available for pre-order now. A Different Song marks the eighth solo album released from the legendary singer, songwriter, and producer, and features the poignant singles “Not Yet” and “There Is God.” The album will be released on Friday, November 15th.

Grammy-Nominated Singer Mumu Fresh to Headline Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools 20th Anniversary Fundraising Concert

Multi-talented and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, activist, and acclaimed Hip Hop artist Mumu Fresh (Maimouna Youssef) will headline the Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools (BSICS) 20th anniversary concert at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, on Monday, November 11. A VIP reception with Mumu starts at 6:00 p.m.; doors open at 7:00 p.m.; and the intimate concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Nonprofit Providing Employment Resources Plans To Open New South Side Location

Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills), a nonprofit organization working to connect unemployed and underemployed Chicagoans with sustainable job opportunities, recently announced plans to open a physical location on the south side of Chicago. The new location is set to open next year and the organization hopes that the expansion will remove some of the barriers that individuals face when it comes to accessing the resources that they provide

Parents Support Teachers Fighting for their Children

As the teacher’s strike lingers on this week many parents said they support the effort by Chicago Public Schools teachers and staff to insure their children have the necessary resources needed at their schools.

SOUTH SIDE MUSICIAN RELEASES SINGLE FOR UPCOMING EP SET TO DEBUT LATER THIS YEAR

Since his debut album in 2014, international singer and songwriter Matthew Benson, also known as Matt B, has made waves in Japan as an R&B artist and now he is ready to break into the US market. Benson, who lives in South Shore and who grew up in Chicago, recently hosted an event to release the first single of his upcoming album which is set to debut later this year.

Major Investment Will Help To Develop Resource Hub For Small Businesses And Nonprofits

Benefit Chicago recently announced that it would be making a $5 million investment in the Self-Help Ventures Fund as a way of supporting small businesses and nonprofits on the south and west sides of Chicago. The investment will in part support Seaway Bank as it transforms its headquarters in Chatham into a resource hub for the community.

Jury Awards $5.2 Million Against Walmart in EEOC Disability Discrimination Case

A jury has determined that Walmart violated federal law when it refused to accommodate the disabilities of a longtime employee, and awarded $5.2 million in damages, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced recently.

MBDA Awards NAIC Million Dollar Grant To Raise $1 Billion For Investment In Minority Entrepreneurs

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), the largest network of diverse-owned private equity firms and hedge funds, recently announced that MBDA has awarded NAIC a $1.4 million grant to support a project that will facilitate the aggregation and deployment of approximately $1 billion in growth capital into minority-owned businesses

Trunk Club Launches New Charitable Giving Platform in Partnership with Dress for Success and Career Gear

Trunk Club recently announced its new charitable platform, Trunk Club Cares, focused on improving job training and preparedness in local communities through partnerships with nonprofits Dress for Success and Career Gear.

Avon Transforms Its Beauty Offerings

New Avon, (“New Avon Company”) is putting a fresh face forward under the new ownership of parent company LG Household & Health Care, Ltd. While the iconic brand has a longstanding history of award-winning products, industry-leading innovation, and a network of 250,000 sales Representatives throughout North America, Avon will now have access to LG H&H’s world-class R&D capabilities in cosmetics, personal care, fragrance, hair care and packaging and design, allowing the brand to benefit from the cutting-edge technology and best-in-class quality of Korea’s leading consumer goods company.

SUBURBAN PEACE ALLIANCE HOSTS SUMMIT TO DISCUSS VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTHLAND REGION

The South Suburban Peace Alliance recently hosted the South Suburban Intervention Peace Summit on 1906 W. 174th St. in Hazel Crest. The purpose of the Summit was to inform residents on peace and safety plans for the south suburbs and to engage in open discussions about violence in the community and how it can be addressed by residents and grassroots organizers.

NAACP Mourns The Loss Of Civil Rights Icon, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

The NAACP mourns the passing of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, a resounding civil rights icon that prevailed in the face of adversity against all the odds.

FAMILY OWNED ITALIAN ICE AND GELATO COMPANY TO RELAUNCH IN SOUTH SUBURBS

Over 25 years ago, two south suburban families came together to create Zarlengo, Inc. and to establish Zarlengo’s as a family-owned and operated Italian ice and gelato company in Chicago Heights. Recently, Zarlengo’s announced it would be relaunching its business with a new building that was made possible through a tax incentive program

The William Everett Group Selected as 2020 Census Program Administrator

After a robust Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has selected The William Everett Group, a certified African American-owned and woman-owned business enterprise, to provide program administration services for the County’s 2020 Census Complete Count outreach and communications program. Working closely with the Cook County Complete Count Commission and Bureau of Economic Development, the group will increase awareness, promote self-response, and improve the response rate in hard-to-count communities.