Community Focus
NEW CHEF-IN- RESIDENCE AT RETREAT AT THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE CAFÉ
Chef Ariya Taylor uses influences from her great grandmother, who is from Mississippi, and her great grandfather, who was from Louisiana. She also has her great grandmother’s recipe book. She started cooking when she was 8-years-old. Those styles of cooking really played a part in how she cooks.
Poetry Foundation recognizes and honors writers with the 2022 Pegasus Awards
Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti founded Third World Press in 1967 in his basement apartment in Englewood on 62nd and Ada, with $200 and a lithograph machine. The idea was that Black people needed to read books unfiltered and uncensored. His love of books began when he read Richard Wright’s “Black Boy” at the age of 14.
“Equity for All” Job Fair set for Nov. 1st
Ada S. McKinley will host its “Equity For All” Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1st, at 1863 S. Wabash. The employment event is open to people with disabilities, veterans, college students, high school graduates, and those interested in a trade.
Local Woman Looking For A Kidney Donor
Sherie Withers is looking for a living kidney donor. Withers is a 25-year Lupus survivor. She always had kidney issues because of her Lupus Nephritis. She was diagnosed with Lupus in 1998.
THE CHICAGO LIGHTS’ TUTORING PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS
The Chicago Lights’, a one-on-one tutoring program has returned in-person this year for the first time in two years. Chicago Lights’ is the nonprofit organization at Fourth Presbyterian Church, located at 126 E. Chestnut St. The tutoring program began in 1964 as a way to provide support to students who needed help North, West and South sides of the city. Each year, between 300-400 students are serviced. Each student is matched with a mentor.
Chicago Integrated Health takes a holistic approach
Iris Patterson founded Chicago Integrated Health because of the growing epidemic of Heart Disease and Diabetes in the Black community. Personally, Patterson had family members who had been diagnosed with Diabetes, and she wanted to make a difference.
ILLINOIS ACTION FOR CHILDREN IS BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES AND POWERFUL COMMUNITIES
Illinois Action for Children began in 1969 with the mission to create opportunities for young children to reach their full potential, educationally and personally.
ILLINOIS JUSTICE PROJECT WORKS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY
Ahmadou Drame’ is the Project Director at the Illinois Justice Project. Drame’ works to advance policies, programs and initiatives that reduce violence, gun violence and reduce incarceration.
CSU Celebrates History of Illinois Black Legislators with Exhibit Rededication Event
Chicago State University hosted a rededication of its Illinois Black Legislators exhibit with an on-campus event in the Gwendolyn Brooks Library. Attendees included local leaders and special guests who took part in an opening event, panel discussion and ribbon cutting ceremony.
TWO NEW DEVELOPMENTS PENDING APPROVAL ON THE FAR SOUTH SIDE
Two new developments have chosen the Far South Side. A full-service grocery store on 130th and Eberhardt and a 101-room full-service hotel at 111th and Doty. The business owners and 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale are hopeful both developments will approved by the Department of Planning and Development and construction will begin.
Mahalia Jackson Court opens to public
Mahalia Jackson, a native of New Orleans, called Chicago home from 1927 until 1972. During that time, she won Grammy Awards and sang at the March on Washington. She was known as the Queen of Gospel Music and the World’s Greatest Gospel Singer. She was a resident of the Chatham neighborhood.
CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER WANTS TO SUPPORT GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS
Dr. Maurice Swinney was recently named Chief Innovation Officer for Chicago Beyond. Swinney, who was in education for 21 years, was the first Chief Equity Officer for Chicago Public Schools.
New Principal at Epic Academy wants students to be proud
Dr. Kyla Mathews’ grandfather sowed a seed when she was in seventh grade that is now fully blossomed. She told her grandfather that she wanted to be a teacher, a math teacher, and he told her that she would be a principal. Thirty years later, she is the new principal at Epic Academy.
COMMUNITY MICRO EQUITY FUND HELPS SMALL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES
Nine small, Black-owned business have been selected to receive a portion of $160,000 as part of the Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF), which was launched by Greenwood Archer Capital, in partnership with Sunshine Enterprises.
