Community Focus
Musician creates opportunities for Black jazz musicians
Ernest Dawkins was always drawn to music. He considers himself a Scientist of Sound. Dawkins can recall a time when 63rd, 47th and 43rd Streets were filled with night clubs. He would go to the Regal and see the Motown Revue. The music was accessible. It was being played in the community and had a communal feel.
REPRESENTATIVE BOB RITA SCORES A MAJOR WIN CREATING LAW THAT WOULD SAVE LIVES ALONG DEADLY STRETCH OF 127TH STREET
Robert “Bob” Rita- Illinois State Representative of the 28th Legislative District- scored a significant victory this week in his fight to combat a dangerous, deadly section of roadway near a popular park in the south suburban community of Blue Island. But under his proposed legislation, other alike communities will become safer as well.
A Local Chicago Couple creates a plant-based detergent
Sylvia Emuwa noticed her daughter was having an allergic reaction to the diaper, so she decided to cloth diaper. To successfully cloth diaper, a specific detergent suitable for the cloth is needed. Emuwa also wanted to be earth-friendly, but she found those products didn’t clean the cloth diapers well enough.
Black men find a safe space with The Healing Organization
Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith created the Healing, a non-profit organization with the mission to normalize wellness and mental health for Black men. It was created as a response to 2020, with the global pandemic, racial injustice and civil unrest.
An Englewood Organization founder wants to keep kids on right track
Latanya Johnson has been a one-woman army for the last nine years. As the founder of Latanya and the Youth of Englewood, Johnson has provided for young people in Englewood by hosting recreational, educational, mentorship and entrepreneurship programs, as well as community and holiday events.
PRINCIPALS REPRESENT BLACK EDUCATORS IN SCHOOL SYSTEM
A group of Chicago Public School principals have come together to provide for their students and each other. Takeshi White James is the principal of the Avalon Park Elementary School, Kelly Thigpen is the principal of the Burnside Scholastic Academy and Michael Hinton is the principal of the Thomas Hoyne Elementary School.
The Chicago Eco House Founder creates agrarian society from vacant lots
Quilen Blackwell’s journey took him from Madison, Wis. to Thailand to Milwaukee and finally to Chicago, where he founded an organization that takes vacant lots and turns them into solar farms that grow flowers. The flowers Chicago Eco House grows provide an economic solution for poverty where the farms are located.
Business leader wants book to inspire people
Steve White credits his success to God. He believes God sets a plan for everyone. He had a strong mother who sacrificed tremendously. He also received a hand up from people in the way of opportunities. It is why he wrote the book, “Uncompromised.” It is a love letter to all the people who gave him a hand up. He wants to share the book with as many people as he can. It is his hope that those people who read the book can lead a life of impact and legacy.
The story of a Black 18th century composer comes to stage
Not too many people are aware of Joseph Bologne, a Black 18th Century Master Composer who was a crusader for the abolition of slavery. But, a theater concert piece titled, “The Chevalier,” is hoping to change that.
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.
