African American Owned Bowa Construction Leading Home Court Project

Nosa Ehimwenman was inspired to do something more as he watched the Presidential Campaign of then Senator Barack Obama. He was working at a construction management firm, and there the fire was lit during the campaign that pushed him to take a leap of faith and incorporate BOWA Construction in 2009. Now, he comes full circle with BOWA Construction being the firm that is doing the construction for Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center.

She Owns It, She Biz Conference Set For May 17th

Public Relations Practitioner Christi Love, head of With an Eye PR, has created a conference for Black women, supported by Black men to empower Black women and uplift them.

Applications Are Open For The University Of Chicago’s Youth Internship Program

High school students who are interested in health sciences, computer sciences and IT services who live on the South Side of Chicago are encouraged to apply for the University of Chicago’s Youth Internship Program.

Second Annual African American Conference: Releasing The Silence and RACEing into Action Against Alzheimer's and Dementia

The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Release The Silence Conference, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024. This event will educate our community, future caregivers, and healthcare professionals about Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementias.

Applications Now Open for Chicago-area Residents to Receive $5,000 to Turn Business Ideas into Reality

Today, Heartland Forward, Builders + Backers and Ford Motor Company Fund announced applications are now open for Chicago residents to apply for up t $5,000 to help them turn ideas into potential businesses or ventures. Anyone with an idea for solving a problem facing their community is encouraged to apply.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON RELEASES CUT THE TAPE REPORT ON STREAMLINING HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESSES

Recently, Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled the Cut the Tape report, the first milestone in the mayor’s three-part process improvement initiative, launched on December 11, 2023. The initiative, sparked by the issuance of Mayor Johnson’s Executive Order 2023-21, sets immediate and near-term actions the City of Chicago will take to lay the groundwork for tangible improvements in administrative processes to build more housing and support commercial development in the coming months and years.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Opens 2024 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging young Illinois photographers to submit photos for the 2024 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest, which provides students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. Students ages 8 to 18 may submit contest entries until the deadline of June 14.

Crate & Barrel Debuts First Kitchen Collaboration with Chef Eric Adjepong

Crate & Barrel announces its collection with chef, host, and cookbook author Eric Adjepong. The collection was inspired by Eric's Ghanaian roots and New York City hometown aesthetic to bring his passion for cooking and entertaining to customers' homes. With over 60 pieces of cookware, glassware, serveware and decor, the collection features traditions common to West African culture and a flare only found in the Big Apple.

CAROL'S DAUGHTER EXPANDS BEST-SELLING GODDESS STRENGTH AND BLACK VANILLA COLLECTIONS WITH NEW STYLING PRODUCTS

Carol's Daughter, a pioneer in the natural hair care space, is expanding two classic collections – Goddess Strength and Black Vanilla – with NEW styling products. The brand's latest innovations are the Goddess Strength Smooth & Shape Balm and the Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly. Both products are designed to nourish the hair while creating a long-lasting hold, AND without breakage or buildup.

Vanguarde Appoints Gabrielle Brown as Managing Partner & Head of Operations

Global leadership advisory and executive search firm Vanguarde announced the appointment of Gabrielle Brown as Managing Partner & Head of Operations. Gabrielle will report to LP Green, II, Chairman & CEO of Vanguarde.

New National Data Shows Strong STEM Aptitude Among Black Students, But Reveals Limited Exposure to In-Demand Careers

YouScience®, the leading technology provider dedicated to solving the skills gap crisis for students and employers, and Black Girls Do STEM, a 501c3 nonprofit organization empowering Black girls to achieve equitable Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) representation, today announced the release of the 2024 Black Students and STEM Report. This new report reveals that Black students across the nation possess the aptitudes for in-demand STEM careers, but lack interest in pursuing them. This indicates that a significant career exposure gap exists, likely due to underrepresentation in STEM careers.

NEW BLACK BUSINESS MOVEMENT, ‘TESC.LOVE,’ SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES IN CHICAGO LED BY ROBERT BLACKWELL, JR.

On a blustery Chicago night, 15 Black men stepped out of the safe confines of their homes, and came together at the downtown offices of Quant16 at the special invitation of business leader Robert Blackwell, Jr.

Chicago Public Schools Seeks Honorary Student Board of Education Member for 2024-25 School Year

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is now accepting applications for the next honorary student member of the Board of Education. Each year, an honorary student board member represents the interests and perspectives of all CPS students on a Board that makes decisions and shapes policies for the nation’s fourth largest school district.

Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health Launch DeMar DeRozan Inspired Coffee and Hoodie

Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers, launched a DeMar DeRozan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie in partnership with the Chicago Bulls. The proceeds of these products will benefit CHHAMH and their weekly men’s group therapy for a year.

OBAMA FOUNDATION RELEASES NEW DETAILS ON THE HOME COURT, AN ATHLETIC AND PROGRAMS CENTER AT THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

The Obama Foundation is releasing new details, including new renderings and a 'fly through’ video, of the Home Court, an athletic, programs and event facility at the Obama Presidential Center. Nestled at the southwest corner of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the Home Court – the largest gathering space on the campus – will serve as a place for health and wellness activities, events, and a wide range of opportunities for community engagement.

CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION TO DEVELOP AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY TO EXPLORE SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT ENERGY OPTIONS AT O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

An ordinance approved by City Council will allow the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to advise the CDA on environmentally sustainable initiatives as the airport authority continues to embark on its O’Hare 21 capital improvement project, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced.

Delight in a Spring Break Staycation at Shedd Aquarium

Few spring break destinations allow families to explore both tropical coral reefs and arctic waters in the same day. At Shedd Aquarium, guests come face-to-face with aquatic life from across the globe to tap into their curiosity and compassion, all from the comforts of Chicago.

Chicago Public Schools Announces New Chief of Schools for Network 6

The Chicago Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Ethan Netterstrom to serve as Chief of Network 6 schools. Network 6 is an elementary school network on the city’s Southwest side that manages 23 schools, serving about 11,500 students.

Jamira Hunter, a Talented Young Black Woman, Finds a Path in Nursing with the Help of a Comprehensive and Unique STEM Education Program

(For 10 years, STEM NOLA has led K-12 students in hands-on activities in STEM fields, inspiring children to learn about STEM jobs, careers, and how they apply to our world today. We have developed and implemented a strategy that brings STEM learning directly into underresourced communities and ensures that low-income and children of color are part of the growing STEM ecosystem that will dominate the future economy. Periodically, during our 10th anniversary year, we will present profiles of our students, children, and young adults flourishing in STEM. Please post, publish, and display these stories so they can inspire more students to learn and experience STEM.)

Former Head of Election Integrity and Product Strategy at Meta To Discuss Protecting Democracy in an Age of Social Media and AI

Diane Chang, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Columbia Journalism School and the former head of Election Integrity and Product Strategy at Meta, will speak about how to protect and secure democracy in an age of threats from social media and AI at a virtual meeting of the League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) on Wednesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. CT, via Zoom.