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NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Remains Below Average But Stable
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.1 points in April to 95.9, below its 52-year average of 98.0 for the second consecutive month. The Uncertainty Index fell 4 points from March to 88, remaining well above its historical average of 68.
2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Reveals Night-by-Night Lineup Featuring Babyface, Leon Thomas, Public Enemy and George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic with Friends
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® returns to New Orleans July 3–5, 2026, unveiling its night-by-night Evening Concert Series lineup with newly announced performances from Babyface and Leon Thomas, joining a cross-generational mix of artists across hip-hop, R&B, soul, and funk at the Caesars Superdome. The announcement builds on previously revealed performers including Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, Patti LaBelle, Brandy and Monica, Public Enemy, and George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, who will celebrate 50 years of the Mothership landing in New Orleans with a collaborative performance featuring Big Boi, Scarface, Big Freedia, Nona Hendryx, and Durand Bernarr, with additional special moments to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago goes Jurassic with Dinos! summer experience
Dinosaurs are taking over Brookfield Zoo Chicago this summer with Dinos!, a summer adventure featuring more than 20 animatronic dinosaurs, hands-on activities, photo opportunities, themed food and merchandise and live programs for guests of all ages.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all persons in the City of Calumet City, Cook County, Illinois that a public hearing will be held by the CALUMET CITY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS on Wednesday June 24, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., in the Calumet City Hall Council Chambers, 204 Pulaski Road, Calumet City, IL 60409 relative to the following:
RAINBOW PUSH COALITION ANNUAL CONVENTION ANNOUNCES LINE-UP OF GREAT SPEAKERS, PANELISTS, AND HONOREES
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition will convene its annual conference June 10–13, 2026, at its Chicago headquarters located at 952 E. 50th St., Chicago, Illinois, drawing leaders, advocates, policymakers, and community members from across the nation for four days of dialogue, reflection, and action. This year, the convention requires no registration fee and is open to the public.
Rainbow PUSH Mourns the Passing of Spencer Leak, Jr.
The Rainbow PUSH family mourns the passing of one of its own, Spencer Leak, Jr., a distinguished civic leader, businessman, philanthropist, and pillar of both Chicago's business community and the broader African American business community, whose impact will be felt for generations to come.
County, State and Local Officials Express Condolences To Fallen Long-Time Business Owner
Spencer Leak Jr devoted his life to lifting people in poverty, the marginalized, and those pushed to emotional distraught. However, his contributions could never be merely limited to his role of a funeral director. Through the family business, he pushed barriers and opened doors so people of excluded communities could step into opportunity and dignity. Spencer cast a bold vision of an inclusive society—uniting people across race, class, and faith to build power together and expand the table of economic opportunity.
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Proviso Dems to Host 4th Annual Juneteenth Festival
On Friday, June 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s Juneteenth Festival is the place to be with a day of family and community fun, featuring performances, guest appearances, and local vendors selling food, art, and more. New this year, the event will provide free shuttle service from Proviso West High School [4701 Harrison St, Hillside, IL].
St. Bernard Hospital to Host Free Community FitFest on June 6
St. Bernard Hospital invites Chicagoans to its third annual Community FitFest on Saturday, June 6, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at its Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), 6307 S. Stewart Ave. This year’s event will celebrate the ACC’s 10th anniversary. Built in 2016, the ACC was created to bring accessible, high-quality, and community-centered specialty and primary care closer to home for residents who once traveled miles for basic services. Over the past decade, it has reduced those barriers and expanded access to preventive care—helping patients seek treatment earlier and avoid unnecessary ER visits.
CITY, COUNTY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO WITNESS UNVEILING AND LAUNCH OF THE FIRST MENTAL HEALTH MOBILE UNIT IN ILLINOIS
Dr. Twin Green- CEO of The Link & Option Center- will be joined on Wedenesday, June 3rd @ 10:00 a.m. by several Cook County Commissioners, State and local elected officials, mental health advocates, mental health providers, and residents in the unveiling and launch of the first Mental Health Mobile unit in Illinois.
TIFFANY HIGHTOWER LEADS ILBCF INTO A NEW ERA OF COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT, POLICY INNOVATION, AND GENERATIONAL IMPACT
As the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) continues expanding its statewide impact, Executive Director and CEO Tiffany Hightower is leading the organization into a new era centered on equity, civic engagement, economic empowerment, and transformative policy initiatives designed to uplift Black communities across Illinois.
FAITH LEADERS TO RECEIVE THE REV. JESSE L. JACKSON SR. FREEDOM & JUSTICE AWARD AT ANNUAL RAINBOW PUSH CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO
Today, Rainbow PUSH announced it would honor three faith leaders during its annual national convention taking place June 10–13, 2026, at its headquarters in Chicago.
Jay Davis Presents: Creative Hustle Season 2 Red Carpet Screening Set for Hollywood Blvd Cinema
Created by Jay Davis, Creative Hustle comedy series has quickly built a reputation for spotlighting Chicago’s vibrant creative community through a unique blend of sketch comedy, stand-up performances, music, and authentic storytelling. What started as a platform to showcase local talent has evolved into a growing entertainment brand drawing attention from audiences and creatives alike.
Prattling of An Old Woman
For generations, we Black Americans have survived obstacles that were never accidental. Political exclusion, economic inequality, health disparities, struggling schools, unstable housing, and social fragmentation have been with us for centuries. What we are experiencing now did not emerge overnight. Our ancestors encountered and endured these same conditions for generations. However, the policies, practices, and systems that we as a people developed over the generations to survive—and often thrive—now seem forgotten.
