PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP MEETS WITH BLACK CELEBRITIES
In an effort to show that he plans to be the “president for all Americans” and to bolster support in the Black community, President-elect Donald Trump recently met with a number of Black celebrities and businessmen including rapper Kanye West, billionaire Robert Johnson and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Ray Lewis. Unlike so many other visitors to Trump Tower, Trump greeted West in the lobby; members of the media snapped pictures and yelled questions. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” Trump told reporters at the end of the meeting. “We discussed life.”
DEVRY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM $100 MILLION FTC SETTLEMENT
For the third time in two years, a large for-profit college has faced charges of defrauding its students. This time the charges stem from promises of jobs and incomes that never materialized. On December 15, the suburban Chicago-based DeVry University agreed to a $100 million settlement to end a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Filed in January, the FTC charged that from 2008 to 2015 the for-profit institution engaged in deceptive marketing and advertising.
Celebrity Survey Says Obama Family Voted Most Desirable Neighbors for 2017
SEATTLE-- Americans would most like to be neighbors with the Obamas in 2017, according to the 10th annual Zillow® Celebrity Neighbor Survey Popstar Justin Bieber was selected as the least desirable neighbor, earning the most “worst neighbor” votes in survey history, breaking his own record from 2014.
NINTH WARD RECEIVES GRANTS FOR MURAL PAINTINGS
Four professional Chicago artists will be awarded $20,000 each to paint viaducts in the Pullman community through Alderman Anthony Beale’s Artist’s Mural Program, and the City of Chicago’s 2017 Individual Artist Program (IAP), according to Beale. “This is something (mural painting) that the community has been requesting for a long time, but we did not have the funds to do it. Mayor Rahm Emanuel assisted us with matching funds that came from federal funding to help with the project,” the 9th Ward Alderman said.
CSU STEM STUDENTS WIN INTERNATIONAL POSTER COMPETITIONS
Two Chicago State University students were scientific poster presentation winners at international conferences where they displayed and explained their undergraduate research projects.
Loola Cosmetics Launches Hybrid Beauty Line
Loola Cosmetics has launched its Hybrid beauty products line starting with its Hybrid Lip Sculptor.
JOHN W. ROGERS JR. GIVES $10.5 MILLION TO FUND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, CAREER PATHS
A $10.5 million gift from University Trustee John W. Rogers Jr., LAB’76, will support a scholarship fund for Laboratory Schools students at the University of Chicago. The gift will also establish a professional development program for under resourced college students to pursue careers in finance. This raises Rogers’ total giving to the University of Chicago and its affiliated Laboratory Schools to $15 million.
FORD HEIGHTS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB GETS HELP WITH NEW EQUIPMENT
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe) and Preferred Communication Systems are gave back to the community during holiday season with the gift of ten computers, a printer and two backup systems to the Ford Heights Boys and Girls Club.
ASPIRE TO PREMIER BAMA STATE STYLE
–ASPiRE (@tvASPiRE), the network that presents authentic portrayals of Black and urban culture, announced recently that they are the new television home of Bama State Style.
COMMUNITY LEADERS DISCUSS VIOLENCE PREVENTION
To get a handle on the increasing acts of violence that’s taking place in Chicago neighborhoods, Congressman Danny Davis recently spearheaded a Violence Prevention Summit at the Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 N. Waller. “There will be a continuation of effort (to end gun violence). Many people are already connected here; so what we want to do is to coordinate the activities in which different people are engaged, so that we will become more of a collective as opposed to the individual activities in which we are involved,” Congressman Davis said.
A New Year’s Resolution to Drive Sober, Buckle Up
As 2016 comes to an end, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are making a final push to keep traffic fatalities down during the New Year’s holiday weekend. This collaborative effort will include statewide roadside safety checks, seat belt enforcement zones and other patrols focused on the late-night hours.
NBC’s ‘The Voice’ 2016 Finalist SA’RAYAH Talks about her future and more
Los Angeles, CA -- Sa’Rayah, NBC’s The Voice 2016 Finalist, sees a big future in the stars for herself. Megastars Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus both lead the blooming artist throughout the six-time Emmy award winning reality show. Cyrus paired Sa’rayah with fellow voice contestant Aaron Gibson; the pairing proved to be a success.
Snapshots of 2016
The year started out with an unforgettable photo spread featuring America’s First Lady Michelle Obama who rocked on the Citizen’s fashion pages. The First Lady has graced the covers of other publications including appearances in Vogue and Better Homes and Gardens. Turning to local events, the Citizen brought readers news about the Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM’s PTO which hosted a fundraiser, “Steppin’ For Success,” in Chicago Heights while the Black Ensemble Theater in 2016 presented “Don’t Make Me Over,” a play about Dionne’s Warwick’s success.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM
CELEBRATE KWANZAA AT THE DUSABLE MUSEUM Chicago, IL.- The DuSable Museum of African American History in collaboration with Bolozi Wazee / Shule Ya Watoto will present the 2016 Kwanzaa Celebration, on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 12:00 Noon until 2:30 PM. The event will take place at the Museum, located at 740 East 56th Place (57th Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue) in Chicago.
The 2016 Presidential Election and Mental Health
The end of the 2016 presidential election marked the conclusion of a period unlike any other in recent years. The contentious, bitter, and often hate filled rhetoric has created a level of anxiety, stress and even depression among many Americans that will likely have long-term consequences. The practice of civil discourse seemed all but lost in the theatrics. The emotional toll that this election has had on the human psyche cannot be underestimated.
AARP Foundation Draws Attention to Social Isolation with the Launch of Connect2Affect
WASHINGTON, DC - AARP Foundation recently announced the launch of Connect2Affect, a response to the growing epidemic of isolation affecting more than 8 million older adults. The goal of Connect2Affect is to create a network that not only builds awareness about social isolation and its impact, but also identifies solutions.
NNPA News Service and Trice Edney News Wire Establish Partnership to Empower the Black Press
WASHINGTON, DC) - Approaching the 190th anniversary of the 1827 founding of the Black Press, the News Wire Service of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a national trade association of more than 211 Black owned newspapers, has become the chief subscriber of the 6-year-old Trice Edney News Wire in a partnership that aims to strengthen and empower Black newspapers across the country.
Teen Moms, Now Millionaire M.O.M.s, Celebrate the Launch of Their New Book
HOMEWOOD, IL - Twelve women came together recently to celebrate the launch of their new book Millionaire M.O.M.. In this book, all of the women share their how they overcame their teen motherhood experiences to become successful businesswomen, entrepreneurs, and community activists.
