Civil Rights Activist Dick Gregory Delivered The Keynote Address During Thornton Township 10th Annual Black History Month Celebration

Dick Gregory walked to the front of the stage, sat down and began speaking to the crowd about the importance of knowing your history.

Black filmmakers press on despite historical exclusion

Movies are often ways to not only entertain but to document, record and inform others about important events in history. Historically the opportunity for black filmmakers and roles for black actors and actresses have been limited. In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite twitter campaign was began as a result of there being no African American actors, actresses or directors nominated for an Oscar. Selma was nominated for Best Film and for Best Original Song, but the film’s director Ava Duvernay and lead actor David Oyelowo weren’t nominated.

PRESIDENT TRUMP NEEDS TO TWEET ABOUT THE SOLAR PANEL INDUSTRY

As a progressive who worked hard to help get Secretary Hillary Clinton elected, it is challenging for me to accept Donald Trump as President. But, he won. At least for now, I have to make the best of a bad situation. Which means progressives like me will have to both resist the Trump administration’s odious policies, and also pressure — and even cooperate with — the administration to implement policies that reflect our worldview.

Toyota Donates Winter Boots, Socks

As temperatures fluctuate this winter across the country, one thing for sure is snowy, icy and even cold rainy days are here through March and warm winter boots and socks are still a “must have” in Baltimore.

Illinois Veterans Receive Child-Care Assistance

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs along with IDVA Director Erica Je£ries and Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti recently announced a new pilot program called, “Tiny Boots Child Care Program.” The announcement was made at Hines VA Hospital located on 5000 S. 5th Ave.

GOLDMAN SACHS’ SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM ALUMNI CREATE JOBS, INCREASE REVENUE

Eight hundred Southern California businesses have joined thousands of entrepreneurs across the country in an initiative to create jobs.

BLACK GIRL MAGIC: “HIDDEN FIGURES” OUTSHINES “LA LA LAND” AT U.S. BOX OFFICE

Looks like the myth that Black films can’t make big money in Hollywood is about to become a thing of the past.

BALDWIN DOCUMENTARY “I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO” RECEIVES OSCAR NOD

On February 1, the first day of Black History Month, the National Museum of African American History and Culture premiered the Oscar-nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro,” which features commentary by James Baldwin. The film is a tribute to the staggering contribution of one of America’s greatest men of letters.

Celebrating Black History ‘Harambee’ style

Northwestern University’s Student Aairs Marketing Organization kicked off Black History Month by celebrating the African tradition called “Harambee”.

Students, community benefit from Fellows program at U of C

In 2013, the University of Chicago created the “Institute of Politics” (IOP) Fellows Program. Since it’s creation, political leaders from around the globe have come together to use political strategies to help serve Chicago in multiple ways.

kEYNOTE HELPS BLACK WOMEN BREAK THE GLASS CEILING

Northwestern University is honoring Black historic leaders during Black History Month with several events that will include award winning multicultural marketer Lizette Williams, who will discuss ‘Cracking the concrete ceiling: Bringing Black Girl Magic to Corporate America,” on Feb. 22, 2017 at the McCormick Foundation Center located on 1870 Campus Drive. “ Williams, a Northwestern University Kellogg alumna, will share real-life lessons of her two-decade-long climb up the corporate ladder as an Afro-Latina woman,” according to a press release.

CCC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY

In celebration of Black History Month, the Chicago Children’s Choir (CCC) will perform February 22nd and 23rd at the Symphony Center, 220 S Michigan Ave., beginning at 10:45 p.m., according to Dave Adams, director of Marketing and Communications for the Chicago Children’s Choir.

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO PAYS TRIBUTE TO GWENDOLYN BROOKS

Our Miss Brooks 100 is an ongoing centennial celebration of the life and legacy of Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks. If Ms. Brooks were alive today she would be celebrating her 100th birthday on June 7, 2017.

Website Helps Visitors Improve Black Economic Conditions

On Thanksgiving Day of 2015, Fred Bethel and Tavares Bethel (brothers) were discussing the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the many shootings of Black men across America as well as the deplorable conditions surrounding Black communities. With approximately 46 million Black Americans in the U.S. that generate roughly 1.2 trillion dollars in the purchase of goods and services yearly within this country, it’s alarming to know that a group of people can generate such wealth and, yet, only possess 13 cents of wealth to every dollar of wealth obtained by White Americans.

Oprah Winfrey Becomes a Special Contributor to 60 Minutes

Oprah Winfrey, the esteemed broadcaster, producer, actress and philanthropist, will become a special contributor to 60 MINUTES, the #1 news broadcast in television, it was announced recently by the news magazine’s executive producer, Je¯ Fager

ART EXAMINES THE STATE OF BLACKNESS

“My main desire is for people to be challenged by my two-dimensional paintings and for the gallery to be a space of healing, exchange, dialogue and an encouragement space where people can see not just a show with pieces on a wall,” she said. “But [my] ideas and concepts [which will] make them think about black history and black people.”

AS COMMUNITY BANKS DISAPPEAR, ISF BANK FILLS THE GAP

Illinois Service Federal Savings Bank (ISF Bank) will celebrate its 83rd anniversary with a customer appreciation event on May 18, 2017 and has plans to serve Chicago’s black community better now and into the future.

AMERICA CHOSE DONALD TRUMP, NOW IT WILL CHOKE ON HIM

Now that we have Donald Trump as our president, most Americans know that we have really screwed up. Since early November, we have heard numerous influential Americans “whistling past the graveyard” by making comments about how Trump might surprise us and turn out to be a good president.

Burlington Stores Team up with Kelly Rowland to Fight Heart Disease

For the sixth consecutive year, Burlington Stores, the national off price retailer, and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, have teamed up to educate women nationwide about the importance of their heart health, as heart disease is the leading cause of death in women.

Marching Beyond the Mountain

Thornton Township presents Marching Beyond the Mountain: A Black History Month event featuring civil rights activists, comedian and writer Dick Gregory. The event, which is co-sponsored by the Human Relations Commission and the Youth and Adult Family Services Department, takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, February, 17 at the Kindig Performing Arts Center at South Suburban College.