Community Focus

CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER WANTS TO SUPPORT GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS

Dr. Maurice Swinney was recently named Chief Innovation Officer for Chicago Beyond. Swinney, who was in education for 21 years, was the first Chief Equity Officer for Chicago Public Schools.

New Principal at Epic Academy wants students to be proud

Dr. Kyla Mathews’ grandfather sowed a seed when she was in seventh grade that is now fully blossomed. She told her grandfather that she wanted to be a teacher, a math teacher, and he told her that she would be a principal. Thirty years later, she is the new principal at Epic Academy.

COMMUNITY MICRO EQUITY FUND HELPS SMALL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES

Nine small, Black-owned business have been selected to receive a portion of $160,000 as part of the Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF), which was launched by Greenwood Archer Capital, in partnership with Sunshine Enterprises.

CITY CALUMET ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

The City of Calumet City is inviting sealed Bid Proposals from interested and qualified union-only parties for the City of Calumet City, Lead Water Service Replacements.

JACKSON PARK TERRACE ACQUIRED BY JONATHAN ROSE COMPANIES AND POAH

The Preservation of Affordable Housing and Jonathan Rose Companies have partnered to acquire the Jackson Terrace Apartments, located at 6040 S. Harper Ave. The acquisition of this building is one of many for POAH in its mission to stem gentrification in Woodlawn.

Chicago State University names new Athletic Director

Dr. Monique Carroll has been named the new Athletic Director for Chicago State University. Carroll begins on Thursday, Sept. 1st. When Carroll found out about the open position and learned about the University’s trajectory, she decided to apply for the job. Throughout the interview process, everything Chicago State University had to offer was positive, including the commitment of President Zaldwaynaka Scott to the University.

Discover Shines Bright with opening

The Discover Customer Care Center opened the Shine Bright Community Center on Monday, Aug. 1st. During the event, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Congressman Bobby Rush and 6th Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer talked about the commitment Discover made by opening a call center in the Chatham community and hiring employees who lived in communities surrounding the center.

The Bronzeville Community Gets An EV Charging Station

The State of Illinois is making monumental strides in efforts to go green. One of the ways that the state has been making efforts to go green is by pushing for the use of Electrical Vehicles(EVs). Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is one of the major players in the movement. ComEd is one of the country’s largest utility holders, providing electrical services across northern Illinois for over 100 years.

The Soul Children of Chicago Celebrates 40 Years

The Soul Children of Chicago began as a school choir in 1981. Founder Walt Whitman was the Minister of Music at St. John De La Salle Church, located at 102nd and King Drive. The church needed a music teacher for St. John De La Salle School. The students in the choir performed at Mass every third Sunday.

FRIEND HEALTH OPENS IN WOODLAWN

The $43 million project includes a two-phase medical campus. The Friend Health facility was part one of the plan. The project was developed by DL3 Realty, designed by Moody Nolan and constructed by Power and Sons.

Pullman Culver’s receives award

Baron Waller is the owner/operator of three Chicago Culver’s restaurants, one in Bronzeville, one in Ravenswood and one in Pullman. He believes everyone in the city should have access to good food and great service. He also wants to make an impact and make a difference in the city by providing jobs.

‘THE TAM & KEVIN SHOW’ REFLECTS LIFE, WITH LAUGHTER

Tamberla Perry and Kevin Douglas have been married for 11 years. Their house is full of laughter. Their whole life is like one big improvisational conversation. They decided to make a show about situations they found themselves in, and they created “The Tam & Kevin Show.”

CHA dedicates South Side senior building to current longest-serving Commissioner

The Chicago Housing Authority yesterday dedicated a recently refurbished South Side senior building, located at 6360 S. Minerva, to its current longest-serving Commissioner, Dr. Mildred C. Harris.

Cannabis company wants to give back to communities

The Green Thumb Industries is passionate about giving back to the community. Through Good Green, the company wanted to create ways to reinvest cannabis funds back into communities that had been impacted by the war on drugs. What was created was the Good Green Grant Program.

Poetry Foundation welcomes people back to their building

The Poetry Foundation, located at 61 W. Superior, opened it doors to the public for the first time since the pandemic on Tuesday, June 14th. It was an opportunity for people to meet Adrian Matejka, the new editor of Poetry Magazine.