Local News
Joint Center Report Outlines How State and Community Leaders Can Close Federal AI Policy Gaps for Black Entrepreneurs
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies recently released a new policy brief highlighting both the opportunities and risks that the emerging AI economy presents for Black entrepreneurs. The brief, How State Policymakers and Community Leaders Can Help Close the Federal AI Policy Gap for Black Entrepreneurs, outlines how state and local governments, philanthropic organizations, and private-sector leaders can act to ensure Black business owners are able to compete and lead in the AI era.
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation Launches "Flourish Together" Campaign for Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation (TPAF), a Naperville, Illinois–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with autism, is recognizing National Autism Awareness Month and National Autism Acceptance Month this April with the launch of its three-month "Flourish Together: Community. Support. Impact." campaign. The initiative features a series of community partnerships and local business activations designed to educate the public and support TPAF's programming.
NAREB ANNOUNCES 8-CITY AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP BUS TOUR TO HELP CLOSE THE GAP IN BLACK HOMEOWNERSHIP, INSPIRE MORE HOMEBUYERS
he National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) today announced the launch of its Affordable Homeownership Bus Tour, a major national initiative bringing housing affordability solutions directly to communities. Under the leadership of NAREB President Ashley Thomas III, the tour unites housing experts, local leaders, lenders, and real estate professionals to help individuals and families achieve and sustain homeownership.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON BREAKS GROUND ON CHICAGO SOUTH SIDE BIRTHING CENTER
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined City officials and community leaders to break ground on the Chicago South Side Birth Center (CSSBC), the South Side’s first ever dedicated birth center and the first nonprofit birth center in Illinois. The City-backed project is utilizing funds made available through Mayor Johnson’s $1.25B Housing and Economic Development (HED) Bond to convert the former Morning Star Bible Baptist Church building at 8301 S. Shore Dr. in South Chicago into a community focused reproductive health clinic with three birthing suites and on-site midwifery care.
Praize Productions Inc., Celebrates 15 Years of Impact with “Begin Again” Gala and Legacy Awards
n a powerful alignment with Women’s History Month, Praize Productions, Inc. (PPI) proudly announces its 15th-anniversary celebration, The Begin Again Gala, taking place Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the historic House of Hope, 752 E 114th St, Chicago, IL 60628.
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY ANNOUNCE MUTUAL AID MICROGRANT PROGRAM, EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) at Malcolm X College to celebrate the 67 community-based organizations being awarded City grants through a mutual aid initiative designed to expand food access and supportive services while counteracting the effects of the Trump administration’s devastating cuts to food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 13TH CLASS OF IMPACT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Chicago Urban League (CUL) announced that applications for the 13th class of its competitive IMPACT Leadership Development Program are open through May 1. Now in its 13th year, the nine-month program pairs mid-to-senior-level professionals in Chicago with executive mentors and a curriculum built around contemporary civic issues, equipping fellows with the leadership skills required to advance their careers while driving impact across the city.
Illinoisans invited to join statewide storytelling initiative ‘Illinois Voices 250’ with Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios
The Illinois America 250 Commission invites people from across Illinois to participate in Illinois Voices 250, a statewide effort to record conversations with residents as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Recorded conversations will be preserved at the U.S. Library of Congress.
THE JAZZ INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO LAUNCHES THE CHICAGO JAZZ CLUB EXPERIENCE
In celebration of International Jazz Day (IJD), the Jazz Institute of Chicago invites audiences to explore the city’s vibrant jazz scene in a new and immersive way with the Chicago Jazz Club Experience (CJCE), a one-night, citywide event connecting live music, neighborhood jazz clubs, and community.
BIPOC Campers Driving Growth in Camping Community, Says Data from The Dyrt
The Dyrt, the app to get the best campsites, built by the largest RVing and camping community in the U.S., has found that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals are discovering camping more rapidly than the overall population, and were 53% more likely to have camped for the first time in 2025.
Howard University Marks 30th Women Ambassadors Conference with Global Dialogue on Afrofuturism and Ancestral Memory
The Howard University College of Arts and Sciences hosted programming as part of the 30th Annual Women Ambassadors Conference, featuring the university as the second stop of its three-city event series.
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Reimagines a Classic for International Jazz Day
On April 27, audiences will gather at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts for Sketches of Spain: Revisited, an orchestral tribute that reimagines the groundbreaking 1960 collaboration between Miles Davis and Gil Evans. But this is not a recreation—it’s a transformation.
Black Family’s Story Part Of Historic Record Of Illinois
Teri Penelton has been doing research on her family for some time. Retired, Penelton has made researching her family a pastime. She started about 15 or 20 years ago, because she wanted to know more about her family and where they came from.
Village of Dolton Moving Forward and Touting Its Accomplishments
The Village of Dolton’s Mayor Jason House was elected on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, after receiving 95% of the vote against the incumbent. Prior to his election as Mayor, House served as a Village of Dolton Trustee for eight years. Since House has been sworn in as Mayor, the Village has been able to make strides to establish and re-establish itself.
