By: Lee Edwards - May 14, 2014 4:14 p.m.
The Black Economic Legal Team (BELT) is in conversations with the University of Chicago (U of C), 5801 S. Ellis Ave., about a perceived lack of African Americans laborers working on the school's construction projects. BELT is also encouraging residents in communities near the University to petitions for the hiring of more African Americans on construction projects there.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 14, 2014 4:10 p.m.
There’s no doubt that African Americans are capable of sustaining economically viable communities; case in point, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood district, also known as Black Wall Street. At one point, the wealthiest black community in the U.S., mainly because of employment opportunities provided by the oil fields there, a town that consisted of a black-owned newspaper and other thriving black-owned businesses and excellent schools. Unfortunately, those institutions were burned to the ground by racist whites, June 1, 1921.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 14, 2014 4:07 p.m.
A wealth of information was dispersed at Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Patrice Daniels, Contract Compliance Administrator for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, served as guest speaker and shared information on how to become a registered vendor with the Forest Preserve District and its affiliates.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 14, 2014 4:03 p.m.
Imagine being surrounded by gangs, gun violence, death, drugs, poverty, and abductions ...with no way to escape. Sadly, that’s the everyday reality for many African-American youth. This situation, experts say, left unchecked, perpetuates the above mentioned community ills.
Early one Sunday this month, 56 people boarded a bus in a suburb of Washington, D.C., to make the trip to Broadway to see a play.
The all-day trip was part of a fundraiser organized by members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the oldest African-American female sorority of college-educated women. People on the bus ranged from a child under 6 to grandmothers. There were veteran Broadway goers and theater newbies.
For the first time, the dress Marian Anderson wore to sing at the Lincoln Memorial 75 years ago after being denied access to a Washington concert hall because she was black, is going on display at the Smithsonian.
Black colleges historically have provided educational opportunities for the majority of African Americans seeking a higher education, but many of these schools now struggle to remain open. St. Paul's College is one.
For Anthony Mackie, landing the role of the Falcon in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” meant more than inking his dream deal with Marvel.
By: Lee Edwards - May 7, 2014 4:10 p.m.
As part of his agenda to improve animal welfare in Illinois and protect pets and their owners, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn officially lent his support last week to House Bill 4056 (HB 4056) which would end “puppy mill” sales at pet stores in Illinois.
“This proposal will help end inhumane puppy mills, protect pet owners and help shelter animals find loving homes,” Quinn said. “Cook County will soon offer this humane protection and together we can build on that momentum for families across Illinois.”
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 7, 2014 4:07 p.m.
Amara Enyia, 31, gives new meaning to the term, “Black Girls Rock” as she boldly steps into Chicago’s political arena with a fixed eye on a mayoral prize.
Though Enyia, an East Garfield resident and community activist with a law degree and doctorate in educational policy, faces an uphill battle in her quest to unseat chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the 2015 Mayoral election, her courage and wherewithal in doing so, sets an inspirational and empowering tone that sends a message to black girls and black people everywhere that getting involved and taking part in the process is how you bring about change she says.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 7, 2014 4 p.m.
A Thornton High School mathematics teacher who was shot over the weekend, remained hospitalized as of Monday, recovering from a gunshot wound to the back, according to a spokesperson for Thornton High School District 205.
Mathematics teacher, Michael Brown, of Flossmoor, Ill., reportedly was driving his car through Harvey when he crashed into a parked vehicle near 154th Street and Ashland Ave. on Saturday.
Harvey police discovered Brown after approaching his vehicle, but reportedly did not know where the shot was fired from or whether Brown was the intended target, according to a Northwest Indiana Times news report.
By: Lee Edwards - May 7, 2014 3:52 p.m.
In an effort to help combat Chicago's violence, The 4th Annual Chicago United Hoops Classic (CUHC) High School Seniors All-Star Game was held this past Saturday at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 1250 W. 119th St. The game allows for the best high school basketball players from the South and West sides to compete against one another which potentially fosters respect amongst the players and therefore potentially curtails violence.
The CUHC's motto, “the full court press to silence the violence” was a sentiment shared by the organizers of the game.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 7, 2014 3:32 p.m.
Imagine 10,000 or so community organizations and groups getting together on the same day with the same goal, in their perspective locations for dinner and "On the Table" conversations all centered around planning and strategizing solutions to make their neighborhoods better places to live, work and play. Well that’s exactly what The Chicago Community Trust (CCT) has planned as part of its 99th anniversary celebration. The Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.).
R.A.G.E. is a well-known Englewood community organization whose mission is to mobilize people and resources to bring change promoting positivity through solution-based approaches.
By: Deborah Bayliss - May 7, 2014 3:22 p.m.
A Millenium Park celebration by Jazz Unites Inc. is planned in honor of the 115th birthday anniversary of the late, great, jazz musician, Kennedy “Duke” Ellington and the 40th anniversary of the first Duke Ellington tribute in Grant Park. The event will also honor Jazz "piano powerhouse" Willie Pickens.
By: Lee Edwards - May 7, 2014 3:14 p.m.
The United States Department of Education recently released a list of 55 public and private universities and colleges across the country that are under federal investigation for the manner in which they handle student sexual assault allegations. The University of Chicago (UC) is on that list.
