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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Hosts Capital Plan Community Meetings
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) invites school communities to shape capital investments through a series of virtual and onsite meetings. These gatherings enable the District to guide its investments in maintaining school buildings while addressing various community needs. The District prioritizes critical capital needs, including repairs to roofs, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and plumbing, as well as renovations that support programmatic enhancements such as Pre-K initiatives and Fine & Performing Arts. The District encourages participation from the larger school communities, both in person and virtually, to foster meaningful dialogue.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON LAUNCHES REPAIR CHICAGO ENGAGEMENT SERIES AND SURVEY TO INFORM CITY’S REPARATIONS STUDY
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the launch of Repair Chicago, a citywide community engagement effort designed to explore the impacts of systemic harm faced by Black Chicagoans and devise reparatory pathways. Through bus tours, panel discussions, town halls, and hearings, Repair Chicago will collect the experiences and input of Chicagoans to help inform the Johnson administration’s Reparations Study.
Gov. Pritzker and Mars Snacking Announce 600 New Jobs, Expansion of Global Headquarters in Chicago
Governor JB Pritzker and Mars Snacking announced that the company is creating 600 new jobs to expand its global headquarters in Chicago. This includes adding Mars Snacking’s North America Region, Accelerator Division, and Global Functions to its global headquarters operation in Chicago. This investment signals the company’s long-term commitment to Chicago, creating new jobs and adding to Illinois’ reputation as a global leader in the snacking industry. Chicago will continue to serve as a central hub to connect Mars Snacking teams, accelerate innovation and support long-term business growth.
NEW REPORT DETAILS HOW LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT CAN DRIVE WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY
Four Illinois based organizations, Current, Elevate, HIRE360, and Metropolitan Planning Council, released a new report calling for intensified training and funding to meet the labor demands of replacing lead service lines across Illinois. The report, titled Leveraging Lead Service Line Replacement for Workforce Inclusion and Growth, identifies strategies to help ensure the public health imperative of replacing an estimated 820,000 lead ser vice lines statewide and also delivers broad-based economic benefits, particularly for communities most affected by lead exposure.
From Pseudoscience to Homecoming: IAAM Announces the Return of “The 1850 Daguerreotypes” to South Carolina
More than 175 years after they were created in South Carolina, The 1850 Daguerreotypes, believed to be the earliest known photographs of enslaved people in the United States, have returned to the state where the individuals depicted were enslaved and forcibly photographed.
New ADUs delivered for Altadena Families Displaced by Eaton Fire
Shared Harvest Foundation today joined with three nonprofit partners and local residents in Altadena to install two new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This marks an important milestone for families whose homes were destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
Omidyar Network Appoints Michele L. Jawando as Chief Executive Officer
Omidyar Network announced that Michele L. Jawando has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Mike Kubzansky, who has served in the role for more than eight years. The planned transition comes at a defining moment in the evolution of AI – as markets, policymakers, and communities grapple with its accelerating impact – and reflects the organization’s growing role at the intersection of AI, technology, and the public good.
Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) and Stackwell Expand the Student Investment Program (SIP) to 15 HBCUs with $150,000 Grant from the Institute of Consumer Money Management
Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a national nonprofit dedicated to helping students build generational wealth, today announced the expansion of its Student Investment Program (SIP) in partnership with Stackwell, an innovative fintech platform creating accessible pathways to investing for emerging wealth builders. This program is supported by a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Consumer Money Management (ICMM) and other philanthropic sponsors.
BEVEL TEAMS UP WITH LARENZ TATE TO RAISE THE STANDARD FOR MEN'S BODY CARE WITH NEW BREAKTHROUGH BODY CREAM
BEVEL has expanded its grooming lineup with its first-ever body cream, created to deliver lasting hydration and skin comfort for men. The BEVEL Body Cream is formulated to keep skin healthy and smooth year-round, addressing a long-standing gap in men's body care. As part of the launch, BEVEL partnered with Actor, Producer and Director Larenz Tate as brand ambassador for the new Body Cream, aligning with his timeless style and commitment to self-care.
Queen Latifah Stuns in LAGOS Jewelry at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
LAGOS, the fine jewelry brand known for its signature Caviar designs, dressed some of today's most captivating talent at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Queen Latifah and Barry Keoghan commanded the carpet with luxurious LAGOS looks, including striking statement earrings, glamorous gemstone rings and diamond bracelets.
RUN THE MILE YOU'RE IN
New York City entrepreneur and debut author Kettia Etienne Ming is set to release her memoir, RUN THE MILE YOU'RE IN: One Founder's Journey Through Success, Loss, and Reinvention (Evergreen House Press; 979-8-9946392-1-4), a gripping account of what it actually costs to build something extraordinary, lose it all, and come out whole. Kettia's debut book is set to release on May 5, 2026.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture® Presented by Coca-Cola® Names Teyana Taylor as Chief Curator for 2026 to Shape the Elevation of Excellence Across its Programming
ESSENCE Festival of Culture® presented by Coca-Cola® today announced that Teyana Taylor and her creative team, The Aunties, have been named Chief Curator for the 2026 festival, set for July 3–5 in New Orleans. In this newly created role, Taylor will bring her signature lens rooted in Black culture, feminine power, and intentional creative storytelling to shape the programming experience across the festival’s most celebrated stages and spaces.
In Times Like These
Let me speak plain for a moment. A lot of retirement advice sounds good on paper, but it does not always fit real life. Many folks in our Black communities did not retire with big stock portfolios or investment accounts. Instead, they are living on a pension, Social Security, and maybe a little savings tucked away for emergencies.
By The Hand Club Celebrates 25th Year Anniversary
The By The Hand Club For Kids began with 16 school-aged children who resided in the Cabrini Green Housing Projects. While parts of the community have been gentrified, By The Hand Club for Kids continues to provide support to the children in that community, and has even expanded to include locations in Austin, North Austin, Englewood and Altgeld.
