Documentary Series Spotlights Englewood High School Principal

When President Barack Obama spoke out last week against the crime, violence and poverty that ensnares young men of color in epidemic numbers, he might have been voicing a promo for "Chicagoland," the docuseries that debut Thursday on CNN.

South African Art Curator Campaigns to Bring Post-Apartheid Art and Artists to U.S.

On March 14, South African artist, Jabu, who now resides in Los Angeles, will be in Chicago for an exhibit at the Africa International House, 6200 S. Drexel Ave. The exhibit will include a panel discussion with Jabu and art curator, Soraya Sheppard about their experiences under the apartheid regime.

Voters Turn Out for Candidates for Judge Town Hall Meeting

With the March 18 Gubernatorial Primary Election just days away, voters turned out last Saturday morning for the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s, Candidates for Judge - Town Hall Meeting held at the newspaper’s Chatham headquarters, 806 E. 78th St.

Senior Volunteer Program Receives Funding

A Triton College-sponsored program that actively engages individuals 55 years of age and over in volunteer opportunities, was awarded a $49,416 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to help the program continue its volunteer efforts.

CPS' First Ever Student Advisory Council

Last week, Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Board of Education presented its first ever student advisory council (SAC) at its monthly board meeting at 125 S. Clark St. The 19 member council is the realization of an initiative proposed by Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett who called for the creation of the council in early November.

U.S. Atty. Gen. Calls Rise in Heroin Overdoses ‘Urgent Public Health Crisis’ Vows Mix of Enforcement, Treatment

Calling the rise in overdose deaths from heroin and other prescription pain-killers an “urgent public health crisis,” Attorney General Eric Holder vowed Monday that the Justice Department would combat the epidemic through a mix of enforcement and treatment efforts. As an added step, the Attorney General is also encouraging law enforcement agencies to train and equip their personnel with the life-saving, overdose-reversal drug known as naloxone.

Ingalls Memorial Hospital Recognized as One of Healthgrades America’s 50 Best in 2014

Ingalls Memorial Hospital has been named among the nation’s 50 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. The distinction ranks Ingalls in the top one percent of hospitals nationwide, out of more than 4,500 hospitals evaluated.

Illinois Legislative Intern Program Taking Applications

African Americans are not participating in the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) at the same high rate that Caucasians are participating, according to Barbara Van Dyke-Brown, Director Legislative Internships and Advocacy Programs the University of Illinois at Springfield.

President Obama’s "My Brother's Keeper" Remarks

Introduced by Christian Champagne, 18, a senior at Hyde Park Career Academy, Chicago, President Barack Obama, last week delivered a speech unveiling his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative at the White House, surrounded by African American and Latino young men, some of which are participants in the University of Chicago Crime Lab initiative called “Becoming a Man” (BAM), a program for at-risk youth, that served as the inspiration for Obama’s newly introduced program.

Wendell Phillips Academy High School Presented Black History Month Anthology

Wendell Phillips Academy High School, 244 E. Pershing Rd., wrapped up Black History Month last week with its “A Black History Month Anthology” program.

Fight the Flu with Healthy Habits

With cold and flu season upon us, it may be tempting to hibernate until the danger of red, puffy eyes and a stuffy nose disappears. Waiting for a cold or flu to run its course can truly feel like an eternity, especially when the symptoms have you looking as bad as you feel.

South Shore Chamber Presents ComEd's "Smart Ideas for Your Business" Program

The South Shore Chamber, Inc. presented ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business program during its monthly meeting last month, to inform area business owners about reducing their energy consumption through the use of modern technology.

Donda’s House Reaches Youth with Lyrics

Chicagoland youth who are interested in a career as a recording artist should contact Donda’s House, Inc. which is accepting applications for its spring class sessions.

Actress Audra McDonald to Play Billie Holiday in Broadway Musical

Five-time, Tony award-winner, Audra McDonald, known for her roles in both television dramas such as Private Practice and Broadway musicals “Ragtime,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” and “Porgy and Bess,” returns to Broadway to play legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday in the Broadway premiere of Lanie Robertson's "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill."

Filmmaker George Lucas and Wife Mellody Hobson Donate $25 Million to U of C

The legacy of photographer, film director, musician, and social justice advocate, Gordon Parks, was honored with a $25 million donation from filmmaker George Lucas and his new wife, Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments, to support construction of a new arts hall at the University of Chicago (U of C) Laboratory Schools that will be named after Parks.

Prairie State College’s 26th Annual Jazz Fest

On Friday, Prairie State College (PSC), 202 S. Halsted St., held its 26th Annual Jazz Fest with evening performances that took place at the Conference Center Auditorium on the main campus. The culminating event of the two-day Jazz Fest, featured performances from local jazz artists and local schools. The festival lasted Thursday, February 20 to Friday, February 21.

Brother Jacob & His Blues Crew Opens UIC’s 24th Annual Blues Cabaret

Brother Jacob & His Blues Crew, a blues band featuring a young African American blues singer, who has emerged on the scene with 10 years of performing already under his belt, will serve as the opening act for the University of Chicago’s (UIC) 24th Annual Blues Cabaret on Feb. 28 as part of the school’s Black History month celebration.

CSU Student Receives Future Teachers Scholarship Award

Angela Moore, 39, a disabled, single mother of two children, one of which is a special needs child, refused to allow the challenges of her personal life, to stand in the way of a new career path as she pursues a teaching degree at Chicago State University. Moore is now the recipient of The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) 2013 Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers award.

Rainbow PUSH Hosts Summit to Discuss Future of HBCUs

Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Chicago office, 930 E. 50th St., hosted a Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Summit to identify the most prominent issues facing African American institutions of higher education and to develop viable action plans to address them.

U of C Crime Lab Awarded $1 Million MacArthur Foundation Grant

The University of Chicago made national headlines last week as the recipient of a $1 million John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant that was awarded to its Crime Lab; one of seven nonprofit organizations around the world to receive the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.