Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic Set For This Spring
Earnest Horton started playing little league baseball at Tuley Park. While he was always good at football and basketball, he gravitated more toward baseball. He likes to say that baseball naturally landed in his hand. He played baseball at Hyde Park Career Academy High School and even got a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where he played for four years.
10 Million Views in 30 Days: Dr. Chi's Viral Series Shines Light on Infertility and Dismissed Symptoms black women face
In December, Dr. Chinyere "Dr. Chi" Johnson took a bold leap and released a video series detailing her infertility journey. Within the journal, she shared her process in becoming pregnant, including loss and experiencing medical dismissal. What was intended to be a vulnerable private video journal became, instead, a story she shared online with her followers. To her surprise, within the first 30 days of the series' release, it garnered 10 million plus views across social media. What began as an online video journal became a broader conversation about how Black women are treated in healthcare.
Giannoulias Announces More than $680,000 in Investments to Strengthen and Support Public Libraries Across Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced more than $680,000 in grants awarded to public libraries across Illinois and opened the application period for additional funding to support library safety and security, advancing a comprehensive effort to strengthen libraries and the services they provide to communities statewide.
More Than 500 Students From Five Districts Unite for 2026 Black History Showcase
More than 500 students from five south suburban school districts took the stage Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Governors State University Center for the Performing Arts for the 2026 Black History Showcase, a regional celebration of African American history, culture and achievement.
Google Launches New AI Certificate and Free Training for Every Small Business in the U.S.
Google launched the Google AI Professional Certificate to equip people with the AI skills that are most in-demand by today’s employers. The program is based on labor market research from Burning Glass Institute and is validated by the Skills-First Workforce Initiative, a coalition of major U.S. employers including Walmart. To bridge the AI skills gap, Google is providing every U.S. small business with free access to the program, along with three months of Google AI Pro at no cost. This effort is supported by ADP, PayPal, and Verizon, who will distribute this training to millions of small businesses within their respective networks. Walmart will provide the training at no cost to Walmart and Sam’s Club associates. Employers including Colgate-Palmolive and Deloitte will also provide the training to their workforce at no cost.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CORP. ANNOUNCES 2025 IMPACT, INCLUDING $50+ MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS PRESERVING AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING
Community Investment Corporation (CIC), a Chicago nonprofit lender that finances the acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental housing, today released its FY 2025 Performance and Credit Review (PCR) Report, detailing a year of strong financial performance and meaningful progress toward its lending and community development goals, despite challenging economic conditions and ongoing federal uncertainty.
Public Investments in Community Violence Intervention Contributed to Public Safety Gains, New Report Finds
Communities receiving higher levels of public investment in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) experienced increased services, stronger program participation and the largest public safety gains, according to a new 2025 impact report released today by the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC). The analysis, prepared by Northwestern University’s Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research and Science (CORNERS), highlights the positive association between coordinated public investment and improved community outcomes in Chicago.
Peoples Gas Pipe Retirement Program construction gets underway
Work crews began active construction to retire old energy pipes from Chicago’s heating system. The iron pipes in the current system are approaching the end of their useful lives. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) directed Peoples Gas to do the work to ensure ongoing safety and reliability in the city’s heating system.
COOK COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES HIGHEST REVENUE YEAR SINCE 2018, GENERATING $9.6 MILLION IN 2025 AND A CUMULATIVE $291 MILLION IN COMMUNITY WEALTH
The Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) on Thursday, Feb. 19, hosted its annual Developer Awards and Recognition Luncheon, celebrating the accomplishments of small developers and other partners, who helped generate $291 million in community wealth and more than $9.6 million in revenue, marking CCLBA’s highest revenue year since 2018.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON WELCOMES CPS STUDENTS TO CITY HALL FOR INAUGURAL YOUTH MEDIA DAY
Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students from five high schools to City Hall for the inaugural Youth Media Day, a hands-on civic learning experience grounded in the City’s 2025 Youth Impact Report. During the event, 60 students worked alongside professional photographers and communications specialists to develop strategic presentations focused on critical city issues, including youth safety and employment opportunities, before having an opportunity to ask a question of Mayor Johnson.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON RELEASES 2025 YOUTH IMPACT REPORT, HIGHLIGHTING TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS IN YOUNG CHICAGOANS
With 60 aspiring youth media members in attendance, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the release of the City’s 2025 Youth Impact Report, an expansive review that showcases a year of robust investment, partnership, and empowerment for Chicago’s young people. The report, outlines efforts by the Mayor’s Office, Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), City Departments and Sister Agencies, and community partners while providing updates and reflections on the focus areas of youth safety, employment, enrichment, and empowerment over the past year.
Gov. Pritzker Joins Educators to Support Distraction-Free Learning in Illinois Classrooms
Governor JB Pritzker joined students, educators, and state leaders at Oak Park and River Forest High School to advocate for a cell phone ban in Illinois classrooms, a critical measure that would support Illinois teachers and help students across the state reach their full potential. Governor Pritzker championed the initiative during his annual State of the State budget address.
Dress for Success® Worldwide Launches Global Brand Refresh and Campaign to Transform Women's Futures
Dress for Success Worldwide announced recently the launch of Success Starts Now, a new global brand campaign marking the organization’s next chapter and evolution of its identity, purpose, and support programs to better align with the evolving needs and gaps facing women across the world’s workforce. Dress for Success is the non-profit leader in advancing women in the workplace globally, supporting careers and livelihoods far beyond clothing.
Black Women’s Roundtable Announces 15th Annual Women of Power National Summit
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and the Black Women’s Roundtable will convene hundreds of Black women from across the country and around the world for the 15th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) Women of Power National Summit, March 11–15, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., during Women’s History Month.
Simone I. Smith Jewelry and Sergio Hudson to Unveil New Collaboration at New York Fashion Week
Simone I. Smith Jewelry, the fine jewelry brand recognized for bold, expressive design, announces a new collaboration with globally acclaimed fashion designer Sergio Hudson. The Simone I. Smith Jewelry x Sergio Hudson collection will feature 28 distinctive pieces, each reflecting the shared creative vision and design sensibility of both brands.
Republic Bank Announces New Inclusion and Diversity Lead in Human Resources
Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic” or the “Bank”) is proud to announce the promotion of Kenya Lacy to Associate Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity Manager.
Congressional Black Caucus Condemns Pritzker For Heavy-Handing In Senate Race
Congressional Black Caucus Condemns Pritzker For Heavy-Handing In Senate Race. According to new reporting, the Congressional Black Caucus is warning Governor JB Pritzker to stop heavy-handing in the Illinois U.S. Senate race. The Congressional Black Caucus was founded in 1971 and strives to use the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Officiants, Speakers, and Performers are Announced for Reverend Jesse L. Jackson’s Peoples Celebration of Life and Homegoing Services
Faith leaders, Dr. Charles Jenkins and Rev. James T. Meeks, will co-officiate the Celebration of Life and Homegoing Services on March 6 and 7 for Civil Rights, Global leader and minister, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Illinois EPA Announces $1.5 Million in Funding Available for Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Public Water Supply Facilities
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Illinois EPA) Office of Energy is offering up to $1,500,000 in grant funding available to support energy efficiency projects at publicly owned public water supply (PWS) facilities, commonly referred to as drinking water treatment plants (DWTP). Awarded projects will range from $50,000 to $500,000 with match a requirement of 10-20% based on geographic location. Application materials are available at the Illinois EPA Office of Energy PWS Energy Efficiency Grant Program webpage. The application period closes at 5:00 pm on May 4, 2026.
