Caribbean roots of black church explored

Dr. Noel Leo Erskine investigates the history of the black church in his latest book, “Plantation Church: How African American Religion Was Born in Caribbean Slavery.”

CBA Monthly Meeting: Small Business Procurement Opportunities, Tips for Starting a Small Business

Mike Riordan, associate vice president of Strategic Sourcing for the Art Institute of Chicago, was one of two guest speakers at the Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) monthly membership meeting on Tuesday where he discussed small business procurement opportunities with the museum and the museum's school.

Source says Rice video sent to NFL

A law enforcement official says he sent a video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee to an NFL executive five months ago, while league executives have insisted they didn't see the violent images until this week.

Paul Laurence Dunbar Statue Unveiled at Dunbar Park

The creation of the statue was commissioned by the Chicago Park District and The Friends of Dunbar Park (TFDP).

South Side YMCA Two-Year Renovation Unveiled

The YMCA of Metro Chicago unveiled $3.6 million in renovation s to its South Side YMCA (Y) facility located at 6330 S. Stony Island Ave., last Thursday. In celebration of the overhaul, the Y offered visitors tours of the facility, sample "work-out" classes and conducted a drawing for a one-year free membership.

Mayor Emanuel Signs Executive Order to Raise Minimum Wage for Contractors

Last week at a press conference, held at 33 W. Monroe St., Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel signed an Executive Order requiring City contractors and subcontractors to pay employees a $13 per hour minimum wage of for contracts advertised after October 1, 2014.

First lady helps reopen White House Visitor Center

WASHINGTON (AP) — The desk where President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his "fireside chats." An eagle ornamental feature from the top of the flagpole on the White House roof. A desk with an intercom system that allowed the chief White House usher to contact staff in other parts of the building.

Obama lays out immigration goals, not timing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaving his timing uncertain, President Barack Obama laid out ambitious objectives Friday for immigration steps he intends to take on his own and said he had already received some recommendations from the Homeland Security and Justice departments for executive action he could implement without Congress.

Jackie Robinson West All-Stars’ Manager Darold Butler:

Jackie Robinson West All-Stars Little League (JRW) Manager, Darold Butler, a volunteer little league baseball coach, returned home to a hero’s welcome after guiding his team on a historic and magical run to become the first all African American Little League Baseball team to become U.S Champions.

Mo’ne Davis Takes the Mound and Center Stage

The undisputed feel good story that came out of the 2014 Little League World Series (LLWS) was none other than 13-year-old African-American female pitcher, Mo’ne Davis, of the Taney Dragons Little League Baseball Team from Philadelphia, Pa.

Jackie Robinson West Little League Baseball Team 2014 World Series U.S. Champions

Upon returning home to Chicago as Little League Baseball’s 2014 World Series, U.S. Champions, the Jackie Robinson West (JRW) All Stars Little League team were greeted with nothing but joy and excitement from their hometown fans. The team's accomplishments were so impressive and so mesmerizing, that a prideful, Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn, proclaimed Wednesday, Aug. 27, as “Jackie Robinson West Championship Day” in honor of the team’s U.S. championship win and as runner up in the Little League World Series.

Obama sets no timeline for action on immigration

WASHINGTON (AP) — With a self-imposed deadline looming, President Barack Obama said Thursday he still intends to act on his own to change immigration policies but stopped short of reiterating his past vows to act by end of summer.

Chicago State University Welcomes New Athletic Director

Officials at Chicago State University (CSU), 9501 S. King Dr., announced during a press conference last week, the hiring of the school's new athletic director, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, formerly of Kentucky State University, where she served in the same capacity.

SOURCE: BET SUSPENDS PRODUCER AFTER BLUE IVY JOKE

NEW YORK (AP) — BET has suspended a producer after a joke about Beyonce and Jay Z's daughter that aired Monday on the network's music video countdown show, "106 & Park."

The Black Harvest Film Festival

“I gathered together a group of people from the community and invited them to join me in discussions about what kind of festival that showcased films that deal with issues and the life of the black diaspora and of African Americans and what a festival like that would be like,” said Barbara Scharres, Director of Programming and founder of The Black Harvest Film Festival. “Each year it’s grown and we feel like we’re always learning something and doing new things to develop it further and develop an audience because the whole point is to bring the audience and the films together.”

Singer Ray J Denies Crimes at Beverly Hills Hotel

Singer Ray J has pleaded not guilty to groping a woman at a Beverly Hills hotel bar and resisting arrest afterward.

Congresswoman Kelly Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer, U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-2nd) recently organized a bus tour for youth that made stops at several historical African American sites across the Chicagoland area.

Seaway Bank and Trust Co. Welcomes New President and CEO

Seaway Bank and Trust Company, Chicago’s largest black-owned bank, welcomed its new president and CEO last Friday at a meet and greet reception held in his honor. Darrell B. Jackson (right), 56, former president of Northern Trust’s wealth management department in suburban Illinois, started in his new position this month replacing Walter Grady who led Seaway for more than 30 years before retiring July 31.

Jackie Robinson West All Stars Returns Home U.S. Little League World Series Champions

Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West (JRW) All Stars, returned home as heroes on Monday after winning the U.S. title in the Little League 2014 World Series game on Saturday against the Mountain Ridge Little League team from Las Vegas, Nevada, who defeated JRW early on in the series, but this time, was no match for the Chicago team who played with finesse, skill and sheer sportsmanship for a 7-5 victory to claim the title.

US Court: Virginia marriage is for all lovers

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia's same-sex marriage ban was ruled unconstitutional on Monday in the first such decision by a federal appellate court in the South.