Community Focus
Keith Ovid Tate, A Shining Star in the Greater Chatham Community
Luke 12:48 discusses that we have been entrusted with certain God-given treasures, and faithfulness requires that we manage those treasures wisely and unselfishly. If we are blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we use these well to glorify God and to benefit others. To whom much is given, much is required. The life of Keith Ovid Tate embodied this scripture to the fullest. Keith Tate was born the eldest of three children on April 14, 1949 to the union of Elwin Tate and Ola M Dixon.
Comcast honors civil rights activists with new exhibit
Comcast Corporation honored six, local civil rights activists with a new exhibit recently unveiled at the DuSable Museum of African American History on Chicago’s South Side. The exhibit, “Voices of the Civil Rights Movement,” is available online and features interviews from all six honorees discussing how they got involved with the civil rights movement, what contributions they made to help improve equality for blacks and the status of the black community as they see it today.
SOUTH SIDE NATIVE HONORED BY COOK COUNTY BOARD FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore along with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the entire Cook County Board of Commissioners, and community members recently gathered to recognize Maya French for her success as a young entrepreneur and her achievement of being named as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2019.
REDESIGNED WHITNEY M. YOUNG JR. LIBRARY IS OPEN IN CHATHAM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon, and Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer recently gathered with community members to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Whitney M. Young Jr. Branch Library, located on 415 E. 79th Street in Chatham.
Dr. King honored by McDonald’s with free breakfast
A Chatham businesswoman recently sponsored a free breakfast at her South Side restaurant as a way to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
COAL Hosts First Coalition Power Breakfast Of The Year
The Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL) recently hosted their first Coalition Power Breakfast of the new year at BJ’s Market, 8734 S. Stony Island Ave., and invited attorney James D. Montgomery, Sr. to be their honored guest. The monthly Coalition Power Breakfast is an event focused on examining issues and important areas of interest for the African American community.
Retail Thrive Zones exist in eight communities across the city including, South Shore, Chatham, Englewood, and West Pullman and applications are available now
“This is a win-win for the community. It’s a win for the businesses that need additional resources just to get over the hump and to assist them in bringing their dreams to life and then it’s a win for the community at large because now you have positive corridors and positive spaces that are being brought back to life,” said Eighth Ward Alderman, Michelle Harris.
Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL) January Power Breakfast to Feature Iconic Criminal and Civil Attorney James D. Montgomery Sr.
The Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL) kicks off its 2019 Coalition Power Breakfast series by hosting attorney James D. Montgomery, Sr. The monthly breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 5, from 8:30AM until 11:00AM at BJ’s Market, 8734 S. Stony Island and is a platform to examine issues and important areas of focus relevant to business leaders and the African American community.
Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Names New President
Following a nationwide search, Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals have recently named Rashard Johnson, a young African American man originally from South Florida, as their new president. Johnson has a high level of experience in overseeing multi-facility health networks and a strong passion for patient care.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Opening First Neighborhood Center
A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for the new Blue Door Neighborhood Center that will soon be located in the 111th Street Gateway Retail Center, 756 E. 111th Street, in the Pullman neighborhood. The neighborhood center is being made possible by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and will give residents the ability to access in-person health services.
ONE OF CHICAGO’S REMAINING “GODFATHERS OF THE BLACK CHURCH” SUCCUMBS AT 98
Reverend Bass was the Organizer and retired Pastor of Mt. Olive M.B. Church, 5729 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL. “Pastor Bass was a mentor to all of us who dared to be leaders of congregations. He taught us all that our greatest presence is outside the walls of the church.” says Bishop Larry D. Trotter of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago.
SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES ORGANIZATION PREPARES FOR CHRISTMAS TREE GIVEAWAY
Centers for New Horizons Inc. is preparing for their third annual Christmas Tree Giveaway for community residents. On Saturday, Dec. 1, from noon to 2 p.m., the nonprofit organization will be giving away 100 Christmas trees and providing an opportunity for children to meet and take photos with Santa Claus at their offices, 4150 S. King Dr., in Bronzeville.
Chicago Activist Aims To Replace Guns With Hammers To Reduce Gun Violence
A local activist, Demetrius Nash, recently founded the nonprofit organization Replace Guns With Hammers as a way to reduce violence in Chicago’s most underserved communities. The goal of the organization is to give young men an opportunity to work on a building renovation as an alternative to committing violence.
EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING HELD TO SEEK SOLUTIONS TO GUN VIOLENCE
Alderman Michelle Harris (8th Ward) recently participated in an emergency community meeting at Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church where six people were shot leaving a funeral on Oct. 22.
