Community Focus
Design Center opens in Chatham, hosts ribbon cutting ceremony
Frantzie Bourdeau-Griffin wanted a space that could accommodate her interior design showroom, as well as her husband, Gerald Griffin’s art gallery, so they found a 46,000 square foot location close to Chatham Market and Simeon High School to house Bourdeau-Griffin Interiors and Architectural Designs, Inc.
Speaker reaches young Black men through books and mentoring
Jermaine L. Anderson wants to lead by example. As founder and executive director of I Am A Gentleman, Inc., Alexander empowers young men to be successful. And, as the author of the “Carson Cares” book series, Alexander inspires young men to be respectful, responsible and generous.
SOUTH SIDE ALDERMAN HAS NO PLANS TO REJOIN CITY COUNCIL’S BLACK CAUCUS GROUP
A relatively new member of the City Council’s Black Caucus resigned after a December 18 City Council meeting and said he has no plans to rejoin the group of black aldermen until he sees unity among them.
HEALTHY EATING DISCUSSED BY TOP COOK COUNTY DOCTOR AT PARK MANOR CHURCH
A top, Cook County health official recently led a two-hour discussion at a Park Manor church about the importance of healthy eating and explained why he no longer eats meat of any kind as a vegan. Dr. Terry Mason, chief operating officer for the Cook County Department of Public Health, recalled how he would routinely eat a steak almost every day.
BIG CHANGES UNDERWAY FOR BJ’S MARKET & BAKERY
BJ’s Market & Bakery is making changes to its business strategy that includes relocating to a South Side shopping center, opening more locations and focusing more on carry out orders. According to Hank Meyer, who co-owns BJ’s Market & Bakery at 8734 S. Stony Island Ave. with his brother John Meyer, the longtime black-owned restaurant is moving to the Stony Island Plaza, 9501 S. Stony Island Ave., this month.
HYDE PARK SHOE STORE SNAGS TOP RANKING
A black-owned shoe store in Hyde Park recently won top honors as the number one independent retail shoe store in Illinois and ranked 13 nationally.
Future of Chatham Food Market Still Uncertain
After temporarily closing its doors earlier this year for remodeling, the future of the Chatham Food Market appears bleak even though outside signage says it would reopen soon as a meat and produce store.
Budget Proposal Would Open All Public Libraries on Sundays
If Mayor Lori Lightfoot has her way, the City Council will approve her proposed $11.65 billion budget for 2020 that includes funding to open all libraries on Sundays.
CTA Partnership with Cleanslate Aimed at Reducing Poverty
A community effort by the Chicago Transit Authority and the nonprofit Cleanslate is taking aim at reducing poverty by providing job-training skills that hopefully lead to employment opportunities.
ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT APPOINTEE HOPES TO KEEP HIS SEAT IN UPCOMING ELECTION
Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. currently serves as an Illinois Supreme Court Judge in the 1st District along with two other judges. The 1st District encompasses all of Cook County. Justice Neville was appointed to take the seat of Justice Charles Freeman upon his retirement in 2018 and is currently running for election to maintain his seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Meeting Held To Share Details of 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently held a public open house at Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ, 1459 W. 74th St., to give community members an update on the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project and to allow them to view exhibits and speak with the project team to learn about the status, design, and construction timelines for the project.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RETURNS TO CHICAGO FOR OBAMA FOUNDATION SUMMIT
The Obama Foundation recently hosted its third Summit in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Bronzeville. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were both in attendance and spoke to attendees about their vision for the Obama Presidential Center and how it will impact Chicago.
New president has big plans for Olive-Harvey College
For more than a year, Kimberly Hollingsworth, an amateur weightlifter, has been at the helm leading Olive-Harvey College into a new era of leadership. After first being installed interim president in July 2018 and being named permanent president a year later, the Hyde Park resident is aiming high with five-year goals, such as boosting enrollment at the school, establishing greater relationships with the community and improving the student life cycle.
Local Clergyman Asks City of Chicago To Invest In Violence Prevention Programs
During a recent press conference, Bishop Larry D. Trotter, senior pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church, expressed his support for the Fund Peace violence prevention campaign and called on the Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, to commit to providing city funding for violence prevention programs.
