Community Focus
Community comes out to Celebrate Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Chatham’s Jackie D. Lynch Building site of open house
On October 29, more than 100 celebrants, well wishers, organ donor recipients and their families attended the inaugural Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Community Open House at the Jack D. Lynch Building located at 7936 S. Cottage Grove in the historic Chatham neighborhood. The facility’s location has imprinted its history on the south side. The site was once home to Chicago’s historic Independence Bank; the last occupant was Urban Partnership Bank. It was constructed in 1981, and Gift of Hope purchased the 48,000-square-foot building in 2019. The Chatham area is filled with rich African American history and contains two inner districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Doctor’s Transformative Journey Leads to Luxury Lifestyle Brand
Dr. Jeannie Jacobs spent more than two decades as an OB/GYN, delivering babies and supporting women with reproductive care.
Roseland Community Hospital Gives Back To The Community
As Roseland Community Hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary, the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation continues to engage residents through giveaways and fundraisers.
‘The Movement’ Brings Beautiful Art To Grand Crossing
On a sunny afternoon, the sun reflects off the metal sculptures in front of New Life Covenant Church Southeast. Titled “The Movement,” the sculpture depicts different kinds of movement that was recently unveiled in the Grand Crossing neighborhood.
Play Street Museum To Open In South Loop
Crystal Allen’s opening of the Play Street Museum has been a work in progress for three years. Allen, who lives on the South side, was looking for fun and educational activities for her daughter to do and the places were mostly in the suburbs. She didn’t think she should have to drive an hour outside the city for activities.
NAFSI 1916 Uses Food To Revitalize The South Shore Community
Donnell Digby opening NAFSI 1916 inside the South Shore Cultural Center is a full circle moment for the restauranteur. When he was younger, he was a caddie there and at Jackson Park Golf Course. He has always loved the idea of recreating community ecosystems. Born and raised on the South Side, he has been a real estate professional for 20 years.
Refurbished Basketball Courts Create a Safe Space For Community to Play
Rob Castaneda founded Beyond the Ball in 2006. Growing up, sports was always a big part of life. He always loved being at the park and being outside. He wanted to be involved in sports as an adult, so he decided to become a coach. After a couple of incidents where his home was set on fire and wanting to move, girls on the basketball team that Castaneda’s wife coached encouraged them not to leave the community. Naturally, he went back to sports and founded Beyond the Ball as a way to improve the quality of life and make young people safe in the neighborhood.
CHICAGO SCHOLARS CEO NAMED OBAMA FOUNDATION LEADER
Jeffery Beckham, Jr., CEO of Chicago Scholars and Co-CEO of Reach Pathways, has been named an Obama Foundation Leader.
Hammond’s Promise Land Shows The Results Of Hard Work And Dedication
Tina Hammond and her husband bought a vacant lot in West Englewood in 2014 for $1 across the street from their home. They fixed up the lot and created an oasis and safe space. They named the space, which is located at 6832 S. Paulina, ‘Hammond’s Promise Land’ to reflect their intention to make it a place where people can experience beauty.
UNCF CHICAGO RAISES MORE THAN $100,000 AT THE 41ST ANNUAL WALK FOR EDUCATION
More than 1200 supporters attended when UNCF (United Negro College Fund) held its 41st Annual Walk for Education recently along Chicago’s lakefront at South DuSable Lake Shore Drive at 39th Street in Burnham Park. The event raised more than $100,000 and the donation link to the Chicago Walk remains open through Sept. 30.
Black Harvest Film Festival Celebrates 30 Years
The Black Harvest Film Festival is celebrating a milestone and continuing its legacy of showcasing films from the African diaspora that highlight the African American and Black experience.
QUILT Corporation Provides Digital Literacy And Affordable Internet To Communities
Dwayne Douglas founded QUILT Corporation and NODE Networks in 2020 after realizing that there were people that are disconnected from the internet and didn’t understand the value of engaging in the digital economy. Prior to founding QUILT and NODE, Douglas was working in IT and Telecommunications, but wasn’t aware there were communities that were experiencing digital equity issues. He knew what was needed was a nonprofit that would provide digital literacy skills and an ISP that would provide affordable access to the internet.
Austin Harvest Continues Its Mission With Permanent Market
Residents in Austin have a permanent place to buy fresh produce. The Austin Harvest hosted a ribbon cutting for its permanent location at 423 N. Laramie Ave.
Local Students Honored at Cub Scholars Event
Ellis Alexander is a senior at Jones College Preparatory High School. He heard about the Cubs Scholars program through his participation in the Cubs Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and Career As Sports Executives (CASE) programs.
