Local News
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $93 Million in Grants to Support Research and Development at HBCUs, TCCUs and MSIs, and Postsecondary Completion for Underserved Students
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced today $93 million in grant awards to 20 colleges and universities to support research and development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and to improve completion rates for underserved students.
New state funding is now available to help build out Illinois’ food infrastructure, with the hope of getting more local food out in more markets.
Nearly $2 million in state funds will be handed out next spring under the Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, under a new program being administered this year by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
IT’S “A MIRACLE ON 31stSTREET”
It’s a true “Miracle on 31st Street” on Tuesday, December 12 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, when Home Run Inn (HRI), the pizza company that has captured the heart of Chicago since opening its first tavern on the South Side in 1947, and the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) join hands to distribute 3,000 pizzas to twenty-four Chicago Homeless Shelters at the Original Home Run Inn at 4254 W. 31st Street.
𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐯𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞
West Garfield Park was recently dubbed the 'most violent neighborhood in Chicago' by the Chicago Sun-Times. This historic neighborhood has witnessed nearly 1,000 shootings in the last five years – approximately one shooting every other day. West Garfield Park, however, is fighting back. A resilient and progressive hope has birthed: The Sankofa School of the Arts. Sankofa is a new, dynamic and collaborative arts showcase supported by leading West Side institutions: New Mount Pilgrim Church-Chicago, the innovative men's group – the MAAFA Redemption Project, and the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.
Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act
Today, U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 32 of their colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America's first Black sports star, but someone many have never heard of — in recognition of his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete.
JOINT CONGRESSIONAL RACIAL EQUITY BRIEFING EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR POLICY CHANGES AND UNITY IN SEEKING TO ENACT IMPACTFUL SYSTEMIC REFORMS
The National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) called the Joint Congressional Racial Equity Briefing “a significant event,” bringing together leaders, experts, and activists to discuss pressing issues regarding racial equity in the United States.
Great Lakes Credit Union Collects 815 Winter Apparel Items for Children and Families in Need
Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is proud to announce the impact of their annual coat and winter gear drive, which collected 815 winter items to support Cradles to Crayons Chicago.
Biden-Harris Administration Prepares for Third Student Debt Relief Negotiation Session
The Biden-Harris Administration today took another step in its continued efforts to provide financial relief to significant numbers of student loan borrowers with the release of an updated copy of proposed regulatory text. The proposals build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions to date to provide student loan borrowers with much-needed breathing room. Already the Administration has approved a total of $127 billion in student debt relief for 3.6 million borrowers through a variety of actions.
Dr. Shernita Mays Honored for Leading Illinois School of Park Forest to Earn ISBE ’s Highest Designation
Words that began with the letter, E, rang out in Southland College Prep’s Fieldhouse during a rousing recent celebration to honor Dr. Shernita Mays, principal of Matteson District 162’s Illinois School.
Hyundai Motor North America's Olabisi Boyle Named a 2023 Automotive News All-Star
Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning and mobility strategy for Hyundai Motor North America, was named a 2023 Automotive News All-Star in the operations executive category. The esteemed awards program includes an annual selection of thirty-eight outstanding individuals who are leaders in the highly competitive automotive industry. In addition to Boyle's recognition, Euisun Chung, executive chair of the Hyundai Motor Group received the Industry Leader honor.
ASME Foundation Honors STEM NOLA Founder and CEO Calvin Mackie, Ph.D., at New Orleans Event
The engineering community recently honored Dr. Calvin Mackie, engineer, advocate, entrepreneur and founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, for his leadership of the organization in reaching more than 125,000 children in more than 5,100 schools across the U.S. and five other countries with STEM programming. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recognized Mackie’s vision and dedication with the donation of a 2024 scholarship for a STEM NOLA Fellow, the ASME Foundation announced at a gala event held Nov. 2 in New Orleans.
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation to host Policy Summit & Brunch
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is preparing for its second policy summit and brunch conference, which will take place Dec. 8th and 9th, at the Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Drive.
Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Completion of I-57 Improvements in Chicago, South Suburbs
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined today by local officials and community leaders to celebrate the completion of a series of multiyear improvements worth $82.1 million along Interstate 57, part of several investments in the state’s longest interstate highway made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Nearly 20 miles of I-57 were patched and resurfaced, while two bridges were repaired along a vital commercial and residential corridor connecting multiple communities from Chicago’s South Side through the south suburbs.
Overcoming the Oil and Gas Industry’s Influence at COP28
Frederick Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Those of us with history in the civil rights movement know that taking on entrenched power and changing the status quo requires dogged tenacity and seizing key moments to break down barriers.
