Community Focus
Obama Foundation Announces Establishment of Inclusion Council
Chicago, IL – The Obama Foundation recently announced the creation of the Obama Foundation Inclusion Council. The mission of the new Council is to ensure that the ongoing work of the Foundation is informed by a diverse set of views and opinions and in line with the values of diversity and inclusion.
CONCERT AIMS TO END GUN VIOLENCE
An alliance of gun violence prevention activists held its first annual Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, recently at the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago.
SKILLS ACKNOWLEDGED AS FINALIST IN COMPETITION
Skills for Chicagoland Future, a local non-profit, public-private organization, recently announced since its inception in 2012, it has placed more than 3,000 Cook County job seekers, considered unemployed and underemployed.
WALKING FOR A CAUSE IN GLENWOOD
While the end-of-summer weather issued mild temperatures across Chicagoland on Saturday, September 17th, walkers and joggers alike took advantage of pleasant conditions to participate in Glenwood Academy’s 2nd Annual 5K Walk, held in Glenwood, Illinois. “It was a perfect day with beautiful weather. It was a great turnout, and everyone had a good time.
Black Women for change Organization hosts Non-Violent Conference
With the spread of gun violence across America, Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC), a national civic organization of African-American women in Washington, D.C., have joined with political leaders in America and overseas to host their 4th Annual 2016 Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities, October 15-23rd, according to a BW4PC press release.
I’LL-EQUIPPED TO IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH CALLS
According to an Associated Press report, a growing number of shooting deaths by police, involving the mentally ill has prompted lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate excessive force by police officers in cities like Baltimore, Seattle and Portland. In Chicago, Jennifer McGowan, associate director of National Alliance for the Mentally Illinois (NAMI) said NAMI offers Crisis Intervention Training or CIT so that Chicago police are better equipped to deal with the mentally ill.
DAUGHTER LAUNCHES SCHOLARSHIP TO RESCUE BLACK MALES
“He was a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and his life was tragically snatched from all of us. August was recorded as Chicago’s deadliest month in 20 years. The same gun violence that plagued Chicago in 1982, is the same gun violence that terrorizes the streets today,” adds the 38-year-old. Taylor was robbed and killed for his car, his body found at a nearby motel. His killers were only 15, 19, and 21-years-old.
A.C.T.I.O.N. Coalition hosts local town hall meeting
In an effort to unify community members, state officials and interested local parties, Assesseing Conditions Taking Initiatives Overcoming Now (A.C.T.I.O.N.) recently hosted its first town hall meeting, August 27th, at the Sip and Savor Café in Bronzeville.
Chicago Association of REALTORS® Honors Marion Maner
Marion Maner, the first-ever African-American president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), was recently honored for his distinct service to the Chicago real estate community during the unveiling of a bench in his honor. The bench is located in Avalon Park, a Chicago Park District property.
CAU Preps for Win in the Classroom and on the Field
Dr. Ronald A. Johnson, President of Clark Atlanta University has issued a ‘call to higher education’. He has also beefed up CAU’s athletics programs with former pro athletes coming aboard as coaches. Johnson and his staff have predicted a win at the upcoming Chicago Football Classic, September 10th at Soldier’s Field against Central State University. “We made a friendly wager, a bushel of (Georgia) peaches if we lose, but they (Central) haven’t responded,” said Johnson.
Focus Black Women at Congressional Symposium
Sometimes referred to as the ‘burden bearers’ of the black community, Black Womens’ needs or issues are often not given serious consideration especially when it comes to public policy.
FIRST ANNUAL INNER CITY CHESS TOURNAMENT
QBG Foundation and it’s parent company The Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group have partnered with the ABT organization to announce their 1st Annual Chicago Inner City Team Chess Tournament to be held at the Headquarters of the QBG Foundation. This event will serve as an introductory to encourage the game of chess as a positive outlook for inner city youth. Research shows that the continued participation in the game of chess can improve learning, thinking, analytical power and decision making.
Capital Funding Campaign Underway
The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation is working in partnership with the South Side Community Federal Credit Union on a community development capital plan called the 50/50 Campaign.
Common Cause Illinois Works to Make Voter Registration Automatic
All across the country Republican state representatives and governors are waging war on African American and Latino voters. According to a unanimous panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals summary North Carolina voter I.D. laws targeted black voters with “almost surgical precision.” The state waited 17 days after that ruling then asked the Supreme Court to reinstate its voter-ID law, cuts to early voting, and ban on preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds.
