Community Focus

Grammy-Nominated Singer Mumu Fresh to Headline Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools 20th Anniversary Fundraising Concert

Multi-talented and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, activist, and acclaimed Hip Hop artist Mumu Fresh (Maimouna Youssef) will headline the Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools (BSICS) 20th anniversary concert at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, on Monday, November 11. A VIP reception with Mumu starts at 6:00 p.m.; doors open at 7:00 p.m.; and the intimate concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Cook County Land Bank Authority Announces Winner of 3rd Annual Home Giveaway House giveaway promotes Land Bank’s affordable homeownership program

“I never had a holiday or birthday dinner at my home,” Johnson said. “I want this house to be a home where all are welcome. It will mean the world to me to have my family comfortably in my home.”

Recently Renovated Affordable Housing Community Gets Landscape Upgraded

Residents from the Greenwood Park Apartments, 1015 E. 47th St., in Kenwood recently participated in a day of tree planting to upgrade the landscape of their housing community. The tree planting was made possible by Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), which acquired the 122-unit property in 2016, and the Openlands TreePlanters Grant

LEADER IN MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION WILL RESIGN FROM SENATE OFFICE TO OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION

Illinois State Senator Toi Hutchinson recently announced that she will be resigning from her elected office to accept Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s offer to oversee the implementation of the recently passed legislation that legalizes recreational marijuana use in Illinois.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SEEKS PASSIONATE APPLICANTS

ADA 25 Advancing Leadership — the first program in the nation with a vision of people with disabilities leading with power and influence for full participation and equal opportunity in the Chicago region — is now accepting applications for its 2020 Leadership Institute.

Award-Winning Author Ta-Nehisi Coates to Discuss "The Water Dancer" at The DuSable Museum

Award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates will discuss his first novel, "The Water Dancer," at the DuSable Museum of African American History on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 7:00 PM until 8:15 PM

Recent Vandalism Damages Community Book Sharing Box At South Side Park

Brown Memorial Park, 634 E. 86th St., in Chatham was recently vandalized by an unknown party who dispersed trash throughout the park and damaged the recently dedicated free library box at the park where residents can find free books to enjoy.

Hugs No Slugs Is Hosting The Fourth Annual Back To School Drive

TODAY!! BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAYS FOR CHI STUDENTS WITH SURPRISE SPECIAL GUESTS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COLLABORATES TO CREATE MORE PUBLIC MURALS IN THE COMMUNITY

Over the summer, the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce has been partnering with AB Productions to host an ongoing series of artistic community-based events called Xsite. The events acted as a point of engagement for the community and small businesses in the area and also showcased several new public murals.

New Creative Arts School Welcomes First Class Of Students

Art in Motion (AIM), a new creative arts charter school in South Shore, recently welcomed its first class of students. The first class of students at AIM is made up of about 200 seventh-graders and eighth-graders from across the city.

SOUTH SIDE COWORKING SPACE PROVIDES MENTORS AND WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is home to Polsky Exchange, a co-working space on Chicago’s south side. As a Polsky Exchange member, small business owners and entrepreneurs gain access to new resources, mentors, workshops, and events to help them succeed

Local Company Makes Big Move

Collaboraction Theatre Company recently announced that it will hosts several of its 2019-20 season performances in Englewood at Kennedy-King College. The theme of the upcoming performance season is We Are Each Others Business.

CONCERNED SOUTH SUBURBAN LAWMAKERS CALL FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF METROSOUTH CLOSURE

A letter signed by State Representatives Robert Rita, William Davis, Justin Slaughter and State Senator Emil Jones III was recently sent to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to request a public hearing on the proposed closure of MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island.

45th ANNUAL SCDAI 8K WALK/JOG/BIKE-A-THON FUNDRAISER SHINES LIGHT ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS

June 28, 2019 — On July 20, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) (www.sicklecelldisease-illinois.org) invites friends, family and supporters to participate in the 45th Annual 8K Walk/Jog/Bike-A-Thon, a yearly fundraising event that brings awareness to those living with sickle cell disease. The family-friendly race will take place at Chicago’s beautiful Lakefront at 39th Street, rain or shine, and has a fundraising goal of $100,000.

South Side Creative Arts School Set To Open This Fall, Principal Says The Concept Is A Dream

For the last several weeks, there has been a steady buzz on the south side surrounding the new Art in Motion creative arts school that is set to open in South Shore this coming fall. The school, which is a Chicago Public Schools charter school, will be tuition free with no entrance exams or auditions and will not have a mandated attendance boundary thus making it fully accessible to students across the city.