Business
ComEd Expands Job Training Program to Increase Minority Employment Opportunities
ComEd has brought together 38 construction industry companies, two local utilities, and eight social service agencies for the sixth year of CONSTRUCT, a jobs training program that increases employment opportunities for minorities in Chicago and northern Illinois neighborhoods. A record 108 students will go through the nine-week program and receive training and information needed to compete for entry-level jobs in construction-related fields.
Park Whiz Appoints Yona Shtern as New CEO
Shtern is an entrepreneur with an expertise in building and managing successful global brands in e-commerce, telecommunications and fashion retail. He was co-founder and CEO of Beyond the Rack, a well-known e-commerce marketplace which connected 15 million consumers with over 5,000 fashion and lifestyle brands. Shtern has served as the ParkWhiz Chairman for the past year.
ComEd Approved To Build Bronzeville Microgrid
The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved ComEd’s plan to create a microgrid in the Bronzeville neighborhood. The initiative will serve as an opportunity to study how microgrids can integrate renewable energy sources into the main electrical grid and provide flowing electricity to the area if the main electrical grid were ever damaged.
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Announces Upcoming Competition
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, an initiative of the Obama Foundation, recently announced it will issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to community-based organizations located in the nearly 250 communities that accepted President Obama’s 2014 My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge. The RFP highlights MBK Alliance’s commitment to investing in communities and organizations making steady progress that also have the potential to be proof points for what it takes to substantially improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color, particularly as it relates to reducing youth violence and growing the pipeline of mentors working in impactful programs. The RFP will be released in March.
Chicago Author’s Book Selected As Clever Creativity Item For Gift Bag On Hollywood’s Biggest Night
Writing a creativity book is one of Chicagoan Randi Brill’s big milestones and she just reached another. Her new book, 99 Creative WOWs— Words of Wisdom for Business, was selected to be part of the “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags honoring the best and brightest Oscar® nominees in the top five major acting and directing categories (Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director).
Communities Invited to Submit Projects for New $225 million IDOT Freight Program
The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking project proposals for a new competitive grant program that aims to improve the mobility of freight at the local level. Applications are due April 6 for up to $225 million in National Highway Freight Program funds to be distributed through 2022.
CTA Hosts 250 Small and Minority-Owned Businesses at Red Purple Modernization Project Outreach Event
The meet-and-greet style event was held Jan. 25, 2018 at CTA headquarters in Chicago and hosted more than 300 individuals, including more than 250 business owners and representatives. Participants received an opportunity to meet with and learn more about prospective partnership opportunities with RPM’s potential prime contractors.
My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Hosts Pathways to Success
President Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential.
Management Consultant Spills briefly Her Secrets in a new Book
“I decided to write this book after spending countless hours mentoring early career consultants,” says Lindor. “As a first-generation Haitian-American and college graduate, I entered the consulting world without many of the tools and resources my peers had--and quickly realized being smart and ambitious wasn’t enough to climb the ladder.
Power Profiler on LaToya Cantrell
Claiming 60 percent of the vote, she is also the first outsider elected to the office since 1961.Prior to being elected mayor, Cantrell served as president of the Broadmoor Improvement Association, where she led efforts that expedited the neighborhood’s recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
AmeriFirst Home Mortgage Named One of Nation’s “Best & Brightest”
“This is certainly an honor,” AmeriFirst CEO and Cofounder Mark Jones said. “In 2017 our team grew to include over 600 talented individuals who share our value system and our goal of helping our neighbors achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Obama Foundation Announces Lakeside Alliance as Construction Manager for Obama Presidential Center
“The Obama Foundation believes in creating opportunities for diverse and local businesses and building pathways to meaningful jobs for minorities and other underrepresented populations,” said David Simas, CEO of the Obama Foundation
Lincoln Financial Group's Kirkland Receives Honors
Hicks oversees all activities for the legal, compliance, government relations and corporate secretary functions of the company. As a member of the company’s senior management committee, he also provides strategic counsel to the CEO, senior management team and board of directors.
Michelle Flowers Welch Honored with 2017 Distinguished Senior Leader Award
Founder and CEO of Flowers Communications Group, Michelle Flowers Welch, was recently honored with the 2017 Distinguished Senior Leader Award by the Public Relations Society of America Chicago Chapter.