MLK: MILITANT OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words and actions seem relevant again because they’ve always presented a challenge to the status quo and always surged individuals to live up to humanity’s best possibilities.

Trailblazing Astronaut Physician To Keynote MLK Observance

Dr. Mae Jemison, astronaut, physician and science and technology advocate, will be the keynote speaker at Northwestern University’s 2017 commemoration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Jemison will speak on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses.

Initiated by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Enterprise, a National Day of Racial Healing on January 17 Will Help Americans Heal

Just five days before inauguration of Donald Trump as the country's 45th President, millions of Americans on January 15 will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For many, memories of the civil rights icon revolve around his momentous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, calling for an end to racism and to the expansion of economic opportunities.

Governor Rauner Proclaims January ‘Radon Action Month’

Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed January ‘Radon Action Month’ in Illinois to encourage residents to test their homes for radon, a radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. To kick off the month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) today announced a statewide initiative to help Illinois school districts screen school buildings for radon.

Thornton Township to host annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

“Dr. King said ‘We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. We all want to have peace in this world,’” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor and South Suburban College board chairman.

WOMEN’S MARCH SET FOR THIS MONTH

Women's March -Part of a nationwide groundswell that originated the day after the presidential elections, women and men from across the state of Illinois are preparing to join the national Women’s March on Washington Sat., Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington, D.C. the day after the inauguration of the next president of the United States.

The Experts At George Street Photo & Video Identify Top Wedding Trends For 2017

As a premier, award-winning wedding photography company that spans more than 40 cities, George Street Photo & Video is uniquely qualified to predict the hottest trends that are sure to be part of many nuptials throughout 2017.

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.