Community Focus

Illinois native returns to Chicago stage

Morgan Siobhan Green’s first memory of being on stage was performing “Macbeth” in the fourth grade. She remembers feeling bigger than herself. Being on stage, a person gets to live bigger than one would in their actual life. Now, she is playing Eurydice in “Hadestown.”

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL BLACK BULL RIDER COMPETES AT TOP LEVEL

Ezekiel Mitchell wanted to be a bull rider. He was always fascinated by the rodeo and the sport of bull riding. His father was a ‘Horse Dentist’, and he would go to shows with him. When the opportunity presented itself at the age of 15 for him to compete as a bull rider, he took it.

The Discover Customer Care Center of Chatham progress is on track

Discover made a commitment to hire employees within a five square mile radius of the center. There are currently more than 200 employees. The initial goal was to hire 130 people by the end of 2021. That goal was accelerated.

Applications are being accepted for the next graduating call of the Chicago Scholars

The Chicago Scholars has opened the application process for its 2027 graduating class. Students who are first generation and from under resourced communities and in their junior year of high school are encouraged to apply.

THE MORGAN PARK COMMONS RECEIVES PART OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Far South Community Development Corporation and The Preservation of Affordable Housing are partnering on Morgan Park Commons, a 12-acre redevelopment, located at 115th and Halsted. The Morgan Park Commons is one of 24 developments that will receive part of the Department of Housing’s more than $1 billion investment in affordable housing.

Dozens Of Families In Chicago Heights Are Provided Winter Coats, Food and Health Awareness Education

Highlighting the needs of struggling families, the faith community and government came together on Friday to provide food, winter coats and health awareness education.

The Barbara Bates Breast Imaging Center opened at Mt. Sinai Hospital

“I thank God that I’m still around to see the room. It just made me think, I want to do more. The room is wonderful, I want to make the room epic. What else can I do? I want to keep going,” Bates said.

Woodlawn Central Plan is to create cultural destinations

A master plan has been created for the community of Woodlawn that leverages Apostolic Church of God’s land and creates opportunities for development.

THE DOVETAIL PROJECT’S PROGRAM SETS OUT TO IMPROVE YOUNG FATHERS’ LIVES

Vernon Owens, Director of Programs of The Dovetail Project, with a graduate of the program aimed to make young fathers better men and better members of their communities. Photo provided by Aileen Bedeau.

Matt Forte distributed Thanksgiving meals to families On The Cities Southside

Matt Forte believes that giving back is necessary. God has afforded him a lot in life, and he wanted to be able to do something from his heart. With that in mind, Forte, along with the What’s Your Forte Foundation, partnered with Progressive Baptist Church to provide Thanksgiving meals for families in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Chef Johnson shares recipes from her heart

Chef Rene Johnson created her cookbook, “From My Heart to Your Table,” during the pandemic. It was a way to keep her business Blackberry Soul relevant and to bring Chef Rene and Blackberry Soul into people’s homes. She also wanted to include vegan and vegetarian dishes in the book so her family and clients could have the same Chef Rene Johnson and Blackberry Soul experience.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle recognizes former Hazel Crest Mayor Bill Brown

Bill Brown former Mayor of Hazel Crest receives honor from County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

THE CHAMPS MALE MENTORING PROGRAM MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN BLACK AND BROWN BOYS AND YOUNG MEN

It was a mentor who helped Vondale Singleton get to where he is today. To repay that mentor, he created CHAMPS Male Mentoring Program.

THE CULVER’S RESTAURANT OPENS IN PULLMAN

A Culver’s Restaurant opened at 111th and Doty Ave. on Monday, Nov. 8, with the distinction of being the first new stand-alone sit-down restaurant in the community in more than 30 years. It is just one more part of a renaissance in the 9th ward that began with Walmart opening on 10900 Doty Ave., then Planet Fitness, One Eleven Food Hall, Method and Amazon. The 4,300 square foot restaurant includes 124 indoor seats, patio seating and a drive-thru. The restaurant brings 70 jobs to the community.

Resources Exist For Tenants Facing Eviction

The Illinois eviction moratorium ended on Oct. 4, which means renters are at risk of losing their housing if they do not pay rent. The moratorium was placed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people that were not able to pay rent due to job loss because of shutdowns and quarantines.