Business
Speakers Announced for First Annual Vault Conference
Vault, the new learning hub for future leaders, entrepreneurs and corporate visionaries presented by Emmy® Award-winning entertainer, radio personality, speaker, New York Times best-selling author, businessman and philanthropist Steve Harvey.
Governor Pritzker Announces New Funding for Capital and Infrastructure Program to Support Growth of Minority-Owned Businesses
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment is posting two Notification of Funding Opportunities for a total of $15 million to provide minority-owned businesses with resources to help create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally. The announcement marks the first time the program has been funded. “My administration is committed to expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses, especially as an important way to help underserved communities grow,” said Governor Pritzker.
Forbes Names CareerBuilder One of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2019, Recognizing the Company’s Leadership in Diversity & Culture
CareerBuilder, a leader in Talent Acquisition media, technology and services, is being recognized as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes. Every year, Forbes honors 500 employers that deliver excellence in the development of their corporate culture.
PCF Insurance Services Enters Chicago and New York Metro-Area Completing Two Acquisitions
PCF Insurance Services has completed the acquisition of Hipskind Seyfarth Risk Solutions, LLC, located in downtown Chicago, and Broadfield Group, LLC d/b/a Warwick Resource Group, located in the New York metro-area.
OneUnited Bank Announces 9th Annual ‘I Got Bank’ Youth Financial Literacy Contest
Ten Middle School Age Children Are Eligible to Win $1,000! For National Financial Literacy Month, OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest black-owned bank, recently announced its 9th Annual “I Got Bank!” Financial Literacy Contest where ten children will win a $1,000 savings account. The contest represents the best essays and art projects that embody the “I Got Bank!” theme.
Walmart Plans Estimated $87.5 Million in Illinois Store Improvements, Innovations in 2019
Walmart expects to spend an estimated $87.5 million this year in Illinois through the remodeling of 16 stores, as well as the launch and continued expansion of several customer-focused innovations.
Recreational Marijuana Legalization
While Illinois is finally ready to have a serious and overdue conversation about fairer, more reasonable marijuana laws, some special interests are pushing for continued prohibition. In stating they hope to “slow down” the process of legalization, these special interests are perpetuating an unfair, unequal process in which marijuana is effectively legal for recreational use—if you’re white.
ComEd Installs Off-Grid Renewable Lighting at Bronzeville Schools
Powering the lights are 30-foot-tall Remote Power Units (RPUs), miniature power plants that are not connected to the electric grid but draw energy from a wind turbine, solar panels and battery storage. Manufactured by ARIS Renewable Energy, the RPUs were officially activated recently in a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Beethoven Elementary School Principal Mellodie Brown. Speakers included Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell and Illinois State Sen. Mattie Hunter.
Unemployment rate up in most metros
Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in February in ten of Illinois’s metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and was unchanged in two, according to preliminary data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in eight of the metropolitan areas.
Synchrony Car Care Credit Card Expands Acceptance Categories to Cover Even More Auto-Related Needs
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a consumer financial services company, recently announced that Synchrony Car CareTM has increased its acceptance network of merchants more than tenfold to include more auto-related categories and locations. Cardholders will now have the ability to use this all-none solution at more than 500,000 locations across 25 categories including gas, auto parts and service, car washes, parking, ride sharing and more.
GoZone WiFi Strengthens Channel Presence with New VP Hire and Reseller Program Launch
GoZone WiFi (GoZone)recently announced the hire of industry and channel veteran Wayne Newton as the company’s new VP of Channel Partnerships, further solidifying the company’s position as the leading US -based WiFi analytics, marketing and advertising provider.
Duckworth Discusses Public Service and Global Conflict at University of Chicago Institute of Politics Event
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined former Chief Strategist to President Obama David Axelrod at the University of Chicago recently to discuss her commitment to public service, the role of the American military around the world, improving public service opportunities for young adults and the importance of women in the leadership roles throughout our workforce. The event was hosted by the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics (IOP) and the Pearson Institute.
3rd Annual Gala Highlights the Impact of Black Entrepreneurs in Chicago
Three years ago, the WDB LEGACY Awards was created to celebrate Black entrepreneurship, which is often unrecognized and overlooked. After two successful events, where 500-600 businesses were engaged each year, the 3rd Annual WDB L.E.G.A.C.Y Awards is well positioned to reach a larger audience and amplify the message that black business matters and the communities they serve are committed to supporting them.
The HistoryMakers Kicks Off Black History Month on PBS with a One-On-One Interview Program As Part of its Groundbreaking Business Initiative
The HistoryMakers has announced the one-on- one interview program, An Evening With Ken Chenault. The hour-long program provides a rare, inside, look into the life and career of one of America’s most successful CEOs – Ken Chenault. The program is hosted by CBS sportscaster and NFL network host James “J.B.” Brown and serves up a master class on corporate and civic leadership featuring interviews from those who know and have worked with Chenault during his phenomenal career.
