Community Focus
Town Hall Meeting at Avalon Park
Eighth Ward Alderman Michelle Harris will host an upcoming fall 8th Ward “Committed to the Community,” Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Avalon Park Field House, 1215 East 83rd Street.
AFTER DECADES OF WRITING AND RECITING POETRY, BABA GRIOT RECEIVES LIVING LEGEND AWARD
Leonard Lucas, better known by his stage name Baba Griot, was recently honored at the second annual National Spoken Word Awards with the 2018 Living Legend Award. Baba Griot was honored for his five decades of writing and reciting poetry along with mentoring young poets. The National Spoke Word Awards (NSWA) was founded in 2017 by De’Andre Hawthorne, also known as award-winning spoken word poet Blaq Ice. The awards were created to honor American Spoken Word Artists and those international Spoken Word artists who have made an impact in the United States. Prior to this years NSWA, Hawthorne reached out to Baba Griot to tell him that he was creating the Living Legend Award specifically to honor him
PRIDE, ATHLETIC PROWESS AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUEL THE HBCU CLASSICS HERE AND NATIONWIDE
When the Miles College Golden Bears and Morehouse College’s Maroon Tigers take to the field for their momentous match-up on Saturday September 22 at Soldier Field as part of the Chicago Football Classic, they will join a long tradition of HBCU football match-ups that date back to the late 60s. The first HBCU Classic was held in 1968 between Morgan State and Grambling State in New York City. That inaugural event drew more than 60,000 frenzied fans to Yankee Stadium.
Alderman Michelle A. Harris Prepares The Ward For Up Coming Parade & Jamboree
''One Community-One Family" Back-to-School Parade & Jamboree on Sept. 8, 2018. Summer is quickly drawing to a close, and the start of the new school year is here!
14TH ANNUAL SILAS PURNELL COLLEGE EXPO WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER
The Chesterfield Community Council will host their 14th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo at the Tuley Park Field House, near the corner of E. 90th St. and King Dr., on Sept. 8. The free event was created to expose students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) nationwide as well as universities throughout Illinois.
Chicago State University Reinvents Athletic Program With New Hires
Chicago State University recently held a press conference to announce two new head coaches for the school’s basketball teams. The school has hired Misty Opat to lead the women’s basketball program and Lance Irvin for the men’s basketball program. Both teams will kick off their 2018-19 seasons in November.
Local Chef Launches Grab-And-Go Vegan Burrito In 187 Jewel-Osco Stores
The Fiesta Wrap from Moon Meals, Inc. is a vegan burrito that recently became available in the grab-and-go section of 187 Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. Moon Meals was founded by LaForce Baker who created the Fiesta Wrap to be a fast, affordable, and healthy food option for people. Over the last four years, Moon Meals has perfected their production of plant-based meals and their ingredients. Most of their recipes use vegan meats, cheeses, and sauces and along with local and organic products.
A CUSTOM FRAME IS WHAT GREAT ARTWORK DEMANDS, ACCORDING TO THE WOODSHOP
“I was just filling a void when I first opened up. There was very little African or African American art available to the community, the community meaning Chicago and the United States. When I first started selling art every major city in the country didn’t have a serious brick and mortar art gallery displaying and selling African and African American Art,” said Lawrence D’Antignac, owner of The Woodshop.
Reception Held For Rebranding of ISF Bank
The African American owned Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan Association (ISF Bank) is a long time stakeholder in Chicago’s south side community and a recent reception in their main office, 4619 S. King Dr., celebrated the official rebranding of the financial institution as GN Bank.
JOS LUC WEEMS COMPETES IN JUNIOR GOLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 Year Old Bowling Sensation!
Jos Weems is eight years old competing in the 12 and Under Boys (U12B) Junior Gold Championships bowling division. The Junior Gold Championships is an annual national tournament for the top male and female youth bowlers in the United States.
South Side Church Hosts Worlds Largest Baby Shower
New Beginnings Church of Chicago and Project H.O.O.D. are hosting the Worlds Largest Baby Shower on Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on King Drive From 65th to 67th Streets. At the event, expectant and single parents will have the opportunity to receive much-needed baby items for their family. All are welcome to attend the event and engage in community fellowship whether they are in need or not.
BETTER MAN THAN ME FOUNDATION PREPARES FOR ROOFTOP AWARDS CEREMONY
The Better Man Than Me Foundation is preparing to award their seventh academic scholarship at the Better Man Than Me Rooftop Party on Aug. 17 at the Cliff Dwellers Club. Aside from preparing for the upcoming event, the organization is developing a new 12-week training program for young men and continues to impact the community by providing young men with the tools and information they need to succeed.
DINING ON THE FIVE EXTENDED TO LABOR DAY
Several businesses along 75th Street in Chatham are participating in the second annual Dining on the 5 event hosted by the Greater Chatham Initiative. Several participating restaurants are offering a $5 to $10 special for the duration of the event which has already been extended twice and will now last through Labor Day weekend.
COMMUNITY LEADERS EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT NEW BUSINESS
Members of several community organizations in Chatham and the surrounding areas along with the 6th Ward Alderman, Roderick Sawyer, recently held a meeting to discuss the many concerns surrounding King Food and Deli which recently opened on the corner of 87th St. and King Dr. in Chatham.
