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HOPE CHICAGO RELEASES REPORT DEMONSTRATING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL BENEFITS TO SCHOLARS AND CITY, STATE ECONOMIES

Hope Chicago, the two-generation scholarship program providing debt-free college and vocational support to students and their parents at five Chicago Public Schools high schools, today released an impact report demonstrating the projected economic and social benefits of its innovative model.

Last Call for Chicago’s Small Business Owners to Enroll in City Treasurer’s and Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” Program

City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin reminded entrepreneurs that June 6th is the last day to apply for enrollment in the fall session of the Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” financial education program. The program is geared to small businesses that are looking to gain access to affordable capital and learn practical skills that will help them to grow their business. This innovative, structured, and intuitive, 13-week program, of which the Chicago Treasurer’s Office (CTO) is a partner, will begin in September and end in December, meeting weekly and in-person at Harold Washington College.

Walk the Walk With Sisters in Cinema to Celebrate Juneteenth

Working towards a socially just world can begin in one neighborhood and that’s exactly what Sisters in Cinema, a Chicago-based 501(c)3 is setting to accomplish in their Sister Outsider program, beginning on Saturday, June 17.

Treasurer Frerichs Makes Record $100.7 Million Investment Earnings for State Portfolio During April

The State Treasurer’s Office made a record $100.7 million in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio in April, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced.

Nicor Gas invests $377M with diverse companies

Nicor Gas spent $377 million with minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in 2022, according to the company’s Supplier Diversity Report. More than 44% of the company’s total expenditures in 2022 were with diverse businesses and over half of that spend was with Illinois-based companies.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS WEIGH IN ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

May was Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Wilnise Jasmin, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Department of Public Health, and Dr. Marilyn Griffin, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Aetna Better Health of Illinois, shared insights on mental health and resources available to people.

KEMETIC YOGA TO HOST SOUL YOGA FEST

FEST Yirser Ra Hotep has been practicing Kemetic Yoga since the 1970s. He is an instructor of Kemetic Yoga and creator of the YogaSkills Method. Throughout the years, he has certified and trained more than 5,000 Kemetic Yoga instructors. He also has developed a YogaSkills for Kids program.

PULLMAN PORTER MURAL UNVEILED

Just steps away from the Pullman National Historical Park is a mural highlighting the contributions of the Pullman porters. The mural was created by Joe Nelson. It shows a Pullman porter, with a Pullman sleeper car and the Pullman Clock Tower in the background, along with a group of porters.

INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS INITIATIVE BACK FOR THIRD ROUND

An initiative to help Black small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success and gain support has opened its application process.

ENTREPRENEUR OPENS KHOI STUDIO

KHOI Studio recently opened in the Bucktown neighborhood. This inviting space, with its whites and creams and golds, is the brainchild of Hayet Rida. While meant to showcase the jewelry collections designed by Hayet, it looks more like an art gallery.

Diabetics, Obese Gain Way to Pay for Egregiously Expensive GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications

With the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic and other esteemed medical research institutions validating the significant efficacy of GLP-1 medications for inducing weight loss among type 2 diabetics and clinically obese persons who are appropriately prescribed such medications by their doctor, the high costs of GLP-1 treatment options—coupled with severely limited or non-coverage by insurance providers—is tempering the excitement that surrounds this wellness advancement.

Stroke Survivor to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch at Cubs Game Tuesday, May 30

May is stroke awareness month, and Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Cubs will honor a special stroke survivor on Tuesday, May 30 when the Cubs take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:05 p.m. Ashley Lunardini, a Chicago native, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, receive a customized jersey, watch batting practice and meet players before the game. And she hopes sharing her story will inspire others with similar symptoms to get checked.

ASSESSOR KAEGI RECEIVES OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and team received the Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Community Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Preservation Compact during their annual Neighborhood Forum event hosted on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. This award is a special acknowledgment to honor the work done by the Cook County Assessor's office and the partners that helped implement the Affordable Housing legislation (HB2621).

PASTOR JOHN HANNAH TO BRING TOGETHER THOUSANDS ON THE SOUTHSIDE TO MARCH FOR PEACE IN CHICAGO DURING ITS ANNUAL “PRAYER ON THE 9” DEMONSTRATION

Pastor John F. Hannah, Senior Pastor of New Life Covenant SE Church congregation will host its annual “Prayer on the 9” initiative where thousands of people stand together in solidarity during a city-wide march. “Prayer on the 9” with its theme “Our Youth Matter” is a community outreach program that serves as a catalyst for social change in Chicago communities where violence is most prevalent, “Prayer On The 9” will be held on Saturday, May 27th beginning at 12 noon. Pastor Hannah will present his community address at the beginning of the rally at 79th Street and Greenwood.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

This May, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation to remind all motorists that Motorcyclist Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.