homepage

‘Olivia Takes a Mental Health Day’ aims to help children

A new book aims to help children identify and verbalize their feelings and have more of a mind-body connection. The book, “Olivia Takes a Mental Health Day,” follows Olivia, a young girl who gets a medical diagnosis while having to deal with other stressful situations.

BIPOC-led organizations call for equity in funding

The Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations on the South and West sides are calling for equitable funding when it comes to funding community organizations in the grant process.

Propel Center Announces $1,000,000 in Student Scholarships

The Propel Center, the global HBCU technology and learning hub intended to level the playing field and open greater doors of opportunity for HBCU students, today announced the launch of its Propel Student Impact Scholarships, with support from Apple and Southern Company. The new scholarship program, directed at HBCU students who are interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, arts & entertainment, agri-tech, social justice and health, is open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students alike.

Bill seeks pay raise for tipped workers

A bill in the Illinois House would do away with the sub-minimum wage paid to waitresses, bartenders and other tipped service workers. Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 5139 last month. If the bill becomes law, workers who supplement their wages with tips will receive the state’s minimum wage starting on Jan. 1, 2025, in addition to their tips.

Federal Affordable Connectivity Program Provides Eligible Low-Income Households $30/month Towards the Cost of Internet Service

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible low-income households a credit up to $30 a month toward the cost of Internet service ($75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands). Participants in the program can apply the ACP credit toward the cost of participating plans from a variety of Internet Service Providers, including Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and all the company’s Xfinity Internet plans, as well as mobile services. Households that choose plans totaling $30 or less will essentially receive their service for free.

School Districts receive donation from Amazon

Amazon has donated $1 million to two school districts in the South Suburbs to foster STEM careers. Matteson Elementary School District 159 and Rich Township High School District 227 received the donation on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd.

Commemorative Coin Debuts to Celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day

Juneteenth Unlimited, LLC is excited to introduce the release of a commemorative coin to celebrate a new Federal holiday - Juneteenth - inspired by the African Diaspora, Black American history and the fight for freedom. Made of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, this inspirational coin is for anyone who wants a valuable keepsake to memorialize this significant new holiday.

Clothing Brand, Elle Olivia, Launches to Empower Young Female Voices of Color

Marty McDonald, founder of Boss Women Media, launched her newest venture with children’s clothing brand, Elle Olivia. The brand, named in honor of McDonald’s young daughter, will launch with a selection of clothing for babies and toddlers, as well as items for mothers. In addition, Elle Olivia will feature a book written by McDonald, Mama We Made It.

Education Department Announces $35 Million Competition to Improve Teacher Quality

Program Aims to Recruit, Prepare, Retain and Support Teachers with a Focus on Equity, Diversity, and Increasing the Educator Pipeline

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. release video for “Silly Love Songs”

“Silly Love Songs,” the Paul & Linda McCartney classic, has been released by 7-time Grammy Award Winners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. in a new music video tribute from the couple's bestselling EE1 BMG album, “blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons,” a "Civil Rights are Human Rights" recording project, honoring Black History Month.

Author’s book uses Enneagram Test to help with relationships

Dr. D. Darrell Griffin has been doing work around the Enneagram Test since 2007. Griffin believes the more people know about themselves, the better they can be in relationships with other people. That is the premise of his book, “Building a Better You: Using the Enneagram to find Purpose, Healing, and Success in Relationships,” which is out now.

MUSEUM’S HISTORIC BLACK CREATIVITY PROGRAM RETURN

Black Creativity and its signature Juried Art Exhibition is open now through April 17 at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI). MSI has hosted the annual celebration for more than 50 years. This exhibition is included with Museum entry.

Profiting From Your Passions to Create Unlimited Income While You Sleep

If you’re looking at turning your passions into dollars, dropshipping is one of the best ways to sell products online without having any inventory to create passive income, according to Asia Abston at Absolutely Abston

Robbins Mayor lays out plans for Village

A water crisis. Little economic development. A food desert. No workforce development. These are some of the challenges facing the Village of Robbins. But, Robbins Mayor Darren E. Bryant is committed to facing those challenges head on and improving the prospects of the Village.

Illinois lawmakers must create legal balance between owners, renters of storage units

During and since my time as an active-duty officer in the Army, I have devoted much time and energy to protecting military service members from financial predators. Last year I focused on the passage of the Predatory Lending Prevention Act (PLPA), and the nationwide repeal of a Comptroller of the Currency rule that protected payday lenders using evasive schemes to get around state-imposed usury rate caps. While those efforts were successful, there is more to do.