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ESSENCE CELEBRATES THE POWER OF BLACK LOVE AND BUSINESS
ESSENCE’s January/February 2022 Black History Month issue champions the power of Black love and business by featuring power couple Pinky Cole, CEO and Founder of popular vegan fast food chain Slutty Vegan, and Derrick Hayes, CEO and Owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. In the cover story, Hot in the Kitchen, ESSENCE talks to the business owners about everything from food, community, their love for each other, second chances and how they turned their multimillion-dollar businesses into a family affair.
A Local Author Capitalizes On A Photo Being Worth A Thousand Words
It all started with a photo of Ahmand Smith dressed as a character that would lead to him creating Kodi Blackman and, writing the book, “Kodi Blackman The Eclipse.”
Art exhibit highlights Black joy and the path to it
Artist Adeshola Makinde was watching “Summer of Soul,” a documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and he heard Nina Simone singing, “Young, Gifted and Black.”
Sound Voyage takes music lovers on a journey
Erik L. Jones grew up in a household with a love for music. He became an avid jazz fan. He has a deep love of music that is more global but also knows the importance of highlighting local artists, which he does through his work with Kusanya Café and The Blue Sapphire Experience.
The story of a Black 18th century composer comes to stage
Not too many people are aware of Joseph Bologne, a Black 18th Century Master Composer who was a crusader for the abolition of slavery. But, a theater concert piece titled, “The Chevalier,” is hoping to change that.
Foot Locker, Inc and LISC announce funding for 16 organizations
Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced grant funding for nonprofit community organizations that empower youth in Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
ILLINOIS TOLLWAY AWARDS $7.7 MILLION IN CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION IN JANUARY
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today approved two construction contracts totaling $7.7 million at its January Board meeting for work included in the Tollway’s $1.49 billion capital spending commitment for 2022. “Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our agency is continuing on track in our delivery of the Move Illinois capital program as we begin 2022,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “The Tollway remains in a strong position to continue to deliver critical investments into our regional infrastructure and economy.”
Assessor’s Office Refunds $15 Million To Cook County Neighborhoods
In figures released today, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced the collection of more than $15 million dollars over the past three years from people receiving tax exemptions for which they were not eligible. The office collected the funds from taxpayers who did not meet the state eligibility requirements and from estates of those who were recently deceased. Of the $5.1 million collected in 2021, $3.5 million was refunded back to communities in Cook County to pay for services such as schools, parks, libraries, and first responders.
Tamra Moore Joins King & Spalding’s Healthcare Team as Partner
King & Spalding announced that Tamra Moore has joined the firm as a partner on the Healthcare team in the Washington, D.C., office.
UGG TEAMS UP WITH SESAME WORKSHOP ON A LIMITEDEDITION COLLABORATION
Southern California-based global lifestyle brand UGG® (a division of Deckers Brands [NYSE: DECK]) announces a collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. The UGG x Sesame Street collection features cozy kids’ icons like the UGG® Neumel, Bixbee, and Fluff Yeah, adding fun design updates inspired by beloved characters. Available in sizes for infants, toddlers and kids, this collection will be available exclusively through UGG.com and Kids Foot Locker in North America
LINSEY DAVIS TO RELEASE NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK ‘HOW HIGH IS HEAVEN?’
New York – Emmy award-winning ABC News Correspondent, ABC News Live Prime Anchor, World News Tonight weekend anchor and best-selling author Linsey Davis, is announcing the release of her new children’s book How High is Heaven?, hitting shelves and online retailers on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The new release will be her fourth children’s book, following previous best-selling titles The World Is Awake, One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More Alike than Different, and Stay This Way Forever
Rep. Kelly Announces $1.4 million Housing Grant for City of Kankakee
Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) announced that the City of Kankakee has been awarded a $1,426,306 grant to help improve housing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Healthy Homes Production Grant Program.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCES 7 WINNERS OF CHICAGO WORKS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced more than $10 million in infrastructure improvements selected through the Chicago Works Community Challenge. These projects will reinforce the roles of seven public facilities as neighborhood anchors throughout the city.
USPS Issues New Forever U.S. Flag Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service has released a new set of U.S. Flag Forever stamps. The enduring symbol of freedom and national pride — in stamp form — is available at Post Office locations nationwide today.
