BOXVILLE ANNOUNCES 2025 “STEP UP YOUR START-UP” PITCH COMPETITION TO SUPPORT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS
Boxville®, Chicago’s first shipping container marketplace and small business incubator, is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2025 “Step Up Your Start-Up” Pitch Competition. This initiative is designed to empower local entrepreneurs by providing business development support, operational space and financial assistance to scale their ventures.
South Side Healthy Community Organization’s Health Care Model Aims To Improve Access
An organization dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and access on the South Side of Chicago is continuing the mission it began three years ago.
Rep. Robin Kelly Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Preterm Births
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent preterm births with U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02). The Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act of 2025 will improve pregnancy outcomes and infant health by continuing federal research, education and intervention activities to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality.
Gov. Pritzker, Illinois EPA Announce $58 Million in Grant Funding for Electric Public Transit Buses
Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as officials from Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), to celebrate the award of two grants totaling $58 million (Pace, $27 million; RTA on behalf of CTA, $31 million). The funding will be used to purchase all-electric Class 8 public transit buses – replacing older, higher-emitting buses with 57 new, advanced technology, zero-emission buses (27 Pace buses and 30 CTA buses). The projects are funded through the State’s allocation from the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement.
Activating Civic Changemakers: Prominent Chicago Leaders Chosen for Distinguished Civic Leadership Fellowship
Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) proudly announced today the seventh cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship. This year, 28 accomplished CEOs and senior executives from region’s leading corporate, nonprofit, government, cultural, and educational institutions will participate in this transformative program, designed for executives to urgently impact the region’s workforce and economic progress in their roles as leaders and decision makers.
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives announces new name: Nicor Illinois Community Investment
Northern Illinois Community Initiatives, one of the foundations supported by Nicor Gas, is proud to announce its new name as Nicor Illinois Community Investment (NICI). NICI was formed with contributions from Nicor Gas and its parent Southern Company Gas in 2021 to directly support economic impact in under-resourced communities in Northern Illinois. NICI’s new name signifies the growing impact of the foundation since its inception, retaining the signature logo and shorthand acronym that are familiar to its partners, while more closely collaborating with Nicor Gas in economic and community development across Northern Illinois.
Lincoln Unlocked brings new digital experiences to presidential library
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum launched Lincoln Unlocked, a digital tool that gives visitors exciting new ways to explore Lincoln’s legacy, see rare items from the library’s collection and even connect with family and friends to play games.
GOLDEN APPLE ANNOUNCES STACEY C. BOLTON TO SERVE AS NEW CHAIR FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Golden Apple, a non-profit committed to preparing, supporting and mentoring aspiring teachers, announced the appointment of Stacey C. Bolton, Northern Trust Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Asset Servicing, to the position of Chair of the Board of Directors. Bolton has been an integral part of the Golden Apple community for more than 10 years, offering invaluable insight and unwavering dedication to the organization’s mission of ensuring every student can learn from an exceptional educator.
Clerk Spyropoulos Launches Customer Service Survey
Clerk Spyropoulos launched a new customer service survey today, making it available to anyone online or at the office’s dozen public-facing locations across the county. The move is just one of many steps the new Clerk is taking to make the office more transparent, accountable and accessible since taking the oath of office in December.
Black Box Franchising & Stormi Banks Launch First-Ever Franchisor Grant to Empower Small Businesses
With over 33 million small businesses in the U.S. but fewer than 4,000 franchise brands, Black Box Franchising, the nation’s premier franchise development firm is on a mission to close the gap by making franchise ownership more accessible, and as such, has partnered with renowned entrepreneur and business strategist Stormi Banks to launch the nation’s first-ever Franchisor Grant, an unprecedented initiative designed to help small business owners scale their brands into national franchises. The $5,000 grant is available to small business owners within the United States interested in franchising their businesses and who submit their applications by Friday, Feb. 28. Interested applicants can apply on the Black Box Franchising website: blackboxfranchising.com.
Ballet 5:8 Presents Struggle and Resilience: Amplifying Black and Latina Women in the Arts at the Kehrein Center for the Arts
Ballet 5:8 proudly announces Struggle and Resilience: Celebrating Black and Latina Women in the Arts, a groundbreaking evening of dance, spoken word, and music. Taking the stage at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, this production highlights the artistry, struggles, and triumphs of women who remain underrepresented in the world of classical ballet, particularly in Chicago.
City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Held a Celebration of Black Learner Excellence, Shared Best Practices that Are Increasing Black Student Achievement and Celebrated Three People Who Have Shown Leade
The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Foundation held a Celebration of Black Learner Excellence at Malcolm X College (1900 W. Jackson Street in Chicago)on February 13, 2025 to share how, along with its incredible partners and through its learning agenda, it is successfully supporting students, resulting in improved student outcomes, especially for Black students. In doing this work, City Colleges is putting students on the path to upward mobility and generational wealth.
DEI Expert Talks About Navigating Companies and Employees Through DEI Policy Changes
Natalie E. Norfus is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Expert, founder of The Norfus Firm and host of the What’s the DEIL podcast. Norfus said that the acronym DEI has been villainized and weaponized, but that villainization and weaponization doesn’t dig into what DEI actually is.
Illinois State Legislative Session Kicks Off with Focus on Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support
As the 2025 Illinois state legislative session gets underway, advocates for individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are rallying support for transformative legislation aimed at supporting families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter is leading the charge with an exciting statewide campaign to amplify the voices of those who have been affected by the disease.
The Path Forwarded Framed by Isaiah 40: 28
These days are turbulent and trying. There is a concerted effort to destabilize and stoke fear with uncertainty and chaos. The very foundation of our society is being inspected for dismantling while those in the position to stop this unraveling do nothing or acquiesce to the orders given. This country’s path towards stability, equity, and sustainability will grow narrower and more obscure from here.
Queen’s Initiative Seeks To Improve The Health of Black Women
Evelyn Green knew as a child that a resident’s zip code could determine whether they had access to health care, the quality of care and life expectancy. Growing up on the South side of Chicago she was aware of comorbidities that were related to access to quality health care. Coupled with her concern for social and economic injustices, she decided she wanted to go into public health, with a goal to eliminate health disparities.
“LUNCH WITH A LAWYER” TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Ted and Kelli London Charitable Foundation, in partnership with the Ted London and Associates, is sponsoring “Lunch with a Lawyer” to commemorate Black History Month and encourage students of color to consider a career in the legal profession.
CITY OF HARVEY WEEKLY WRAP-UP: HOMEOWNERS WORKSHOP AND HARVEY LOFTS RIBBON-CUTTING CELEBRATION
his past week, the City of Harvey hosted two pivotal events aimed at revitalizing the community and fostering economic growth. On February 8, the city held a Homeowners Workshop to provide valuable resources to residents, followed by the Harvey Lofts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on February 12, marking a $19 million private investment in housing and urban development.
Equal Hope Holds Successful 3rd Annual “Teal Talk” Health & Resource Fair
Chicagoans attended Equal Hope’s 3rd Annual “Teal Talk” Health & Resource Fair recently at the Humboldt Park Field House, held in honor of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January. Teal is the color representing cervical cancer.
