Community Focus
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.
Bank president aims to revitalize the South Side
The new president of Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union, said he is on a mission to help revitalize the South Side through partnerships with nonprofits, elected officials, community stakeholders, and local businesses
Contexture Media Network Announces Launch of Script to Silverscreen Initiative For Chicagoland Screenwriters
Contexture Media Network is excited to announce the launch of Movie Maker Mondays, as part of The Script to Silverscreen Initiative at Movie Studio Grill - Chatham 210 West 87th Street Chicago, IL 60620, from 7pm - 9pm from Monday, November 5, 2018 through December 17, 2018.
South Side Filmmaker Premiers New Movie Titled Law of Moises
Two recent events were held in Chicago to celebrate the premiere of Law of Moises, a new film that was written, produced and directed by Crystal Barnes. Barnes, who lives in Greater Grand Crossing and grew up on the south side of Chicago, is a 20- year veteran in the film industry.
KANYE WEST VISITS CHICAGO TO EXPLORE REOPENING THE AVALON REGAL THEATER
Alderman of Chicago’s 8th Ward, Michelle Harris, recently met with Kanye West and Jerald Gary, owner of the Avalon Regal Theater, to discuss how the three of them can work together to achieve their common goal of reopening Chicago’s Landmark Avalon Regal Theater and kick-start the revitalization of 79th Street and the surrounding communities.
