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The Morton Arboretum Launches 2025 Weekly Fall Color Report to Guide Visitors Through Leaf-Peeping Season

The Morton Arboretum has launched its weekly Fall Color Report for 2025 to help visitors track the changing colors throughout the season and make the most of their fall visits. Updated every Wednesday through the season on the Arboretum's website, the report provides real-time information about which species are changing, where to find the best colors and what to expect in the coming weeks.

Gov. Pritzker Welcomes 533 New Homeowners Through Groundbreaking SmartBuy Program

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the success of the most recent round of SmartBuy, a first-of-its-kind initiative that helped 533 Illinoisans eliminate $16 million in student loan debt while achieving the dream of homeownership in only 12 weeks. Through SmartBuy, homeowners were able to purchase a home eight years earlier than traditional IHDA borrowers.

Cadence Bank Strengthens Commitment to Recruiting Top Talent Through Sponsorship of SIAC Conference

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) has announced its sponsorship of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), underscoring its commitment to building strong relationships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and creating meaningful connections within the communities it serves. Cadence was named the official banking partner of the SIAC with the execution of the conference's newest partnership agreement. The sponsorship began in July 2025 and will continue through June 2029.

Transformational Leader Joy D. Calloway Named President & CEO of the Black Women's Health Imperative

The Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) is proud to announce Joy D. Calloway, MHSA, MBA, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 6, 2025. A seasoned nonprofit executive and values-based strategist, Calloway brings nearly three decades of leadership in advancing equity-focused organizations and driving meaningful change across health systems and communities.

EASTSIDE GOLF AND NIKE RELEASE "TAKE FLIGHT" FOOTWEAR COLLABORATION

Eastside Golf, the lifestyle brand redefining the intersection of golf, culture, and fashion, today revealed its second highly anticipated shoe collection in collaboration with NIKE, Inc.

LITERARY FORCE AND DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR DR. DANIEL BLACK NAMED PVAMU 2025-2026 TONI MORRISON WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE

Prairie View A&M University is proud to announce that Dr. Daniel Black, distinguished author, professor, mentor, and leader in African American Studies, has been appointed as the 2025-2026 Toni Morrison Writer-in-Residence. This position, one of PVAMU's signature academic and creative appointments, underscores the institution's deep commitment to literary excellence, social conscience, and community engagement.

Actress and Television Host Sherri Shepherd Announces First Children’s Book

On the heels of the Season 4 premiere of her hit nationally syndicated daytime talk show, SHERRI, award-winning actress, television host, comedian, podcaster, and New York Times Bestselling author Sherri Shepherd has announced her latest venture, authoring her first children’s book The Sunshine Queens (ISBN: 9781400252732), which was released October 7. Shepherd first announced the book live on Sherri.

One Size Does Not Fit All in Medicare

If you are reading this article, you probably live in Illinois. If so, I hope that the following information will help those enrolling or re-enrolling in Medicare to make an informed decision on the plan that best fits their healthcare needs.

Girls Like Me Celebrates Chicago Day of the Girl

As the founder of an organization centered around girls, LaKeisha Gray Sewell is always looking for ways to uplift girls and bring awareness to issues that affect them. When she heard about the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl Child, she saw an opportunity to bring awareness to the issues that girls in Chicago face and decided to host Chicago Day of the Girl each year around October 11th.

Matteson Mayor Begins Term As President Of The Illinois Municipal League

The Village of Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin was passed the gavel as the President of the Illinois Municipal League. She was unanimously voted to serve as President.

Pigment International Showcases The Work Of Black Artists At Art Faire

D. Lamar Preston began as a child sculpting using play doh. As he grew older, his path veered into graphic design, but he ultimately returned to sculpting, this time using metal. A chance meeting with sculptor Richard Hunt and opportunities to be in community with other artists led him to create work that can be seen in front of Hyde Park Career Academy High School.

Photographer Sheds Light On Underrepresented Communities

Malik Zambezi has made a name for himself on social media. Going by the handle MalikShotYou, he takes photos of people and places in Chicago, with the goal of showing the parts of Chicago that aren’t often represented.

Awards Event Recognizes People Who Give Back To The Community

The Village Legal and Community Project recently hosted its annual fundraising gala. During the event, three local individuals were recognized for the positive impact they’ve made on the community. Chrishon Lampley, Founder and CEO of Love Cork Screw, was honored with the B.O.S.S. Award; Jasir Bailey, Owner of Stock Boy Chicago, was honored with the Baby B.O.S.S. Award; and Channyn Lynn Parker, CEO of Brave Space Alliance, was honored with the Village Award.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN RAJA KRISHNAMMOORTHI RECEIVES HUGE ENDORSEMENT FROM PASTOR JOHN HARRELL

John Harrell- CEO of Black Men United – was joined by westside community civic and clergy leaders in a unified embrace and engagement of U.S Congressman Raja Krishnammoorthi. Pastor Harrell, who is also a candidate for Illinois State Representative of the 8th District, openly endorsed Congressman Raja. In return, Congressman Raja endorsed Harrell’s campaign. The event took place on Monday, October 6, 2025 at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church located at 116 S. Central in Chicago

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER BILL LOWRY HOSTS CHICAGO’S LARGEST MEN’S & FAMILIES’ HEALTH FAIR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH “COOK COUNTY HEALTH”

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATES HELP RESPOND TO ALARMING PROSTATE CANCER, HYPERTENSION, AND WELLNESS ISSUES IMPACTING BLACK MEN’S HEALTH Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, 3rd District and Chairman of the Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee, proudly partnered with Cook County Health to host one of Chicago’s largest Men’s and Families’ Health Fairs, drawing hundreds of participants for an afternoon dedicated to wellness, education, and prevention. The impactful event was held at New Life Covenant Southeast Church on Thursday, September 25th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The notable fair featured an array of free health screenings, educational resources, and interactive activities tailored to address the most pressing health disparities impacting Black men and their families.