Local News
The National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. Leads Communications Strategy Session
More than 200 reparations activists from 26 states, working on local and national reparations initiatives, gathered in Evanston, Illinois, for the 3rd Annual National Symposium for State and Local Reparations (held November 30 to December 2, 2023). The event was convened by First Repair, founded by Robin Rue Simmons. Simmons is the former 5th Ward Alderman for the City of Evanston, Ill., where she led, in collaboration with others, the passage of the nation's first municipally-funded reparations legislation for Black residents.
UrbanGeekz Unveils Inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 to Showcase Gamechangers in Tech, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Award-winning digital media brand UrbanGeekz has published its first-ever 2023 UrbanGeekz 50 List. "It's an honor and privilege to curate this list celebrating Black excellence across the innovation economy," said Kunbi Tinuoye, founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. "Our goal is to profile and celebrate visionaries making an impact, breaking boundaries, and inspiring others to do better."
Luvme Hair's #LUVMEPOPUP NYC Event: A Remarkable Success
Luvme Hair, a leading brand in the hair industry, recently hosted its first-ever event, the Switching It Up Tour #LUVMEPOPUP, held from November 11th-13th in Brooklyn. The event proved to be a resounding success, attracting hair enthusiasts and offering an immersive experience showcasing a wide array of Luvme Hair wigs and premium hair care products.
Cook County Department of Public Health Urges Suburban Cook County to Take COVID Precautions During the Holiday Season
Although COVID-19 hospital admissions in suburban Cook County continue to be low, they have almost doubled since the beginning of November; and emergency room visits associated with COVID have been trending upward since early October.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois' Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee Members
Governor JB Pritzker announced eighteen members of the Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee, chaired by Bela Moté. As part of the Pritzker administration’s plan to create a new, unified state agency to administer early childhood education and care programs, the strategic-planning group will consist of educators, childcare providers, and policy experts.
Holiday Shopping Tips for Tackling Inflation: Giving Thoughtful Gifts While Maintaining Financial Health
In recognition of the financial challenges created by stubborn inflation, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin is rolling out eight tips this holiday season for giving thoughtful gifts while keeping expenses under control.
Need Extra Cash This Holiday Season?
Christmas, Happy Holidays, Santa, Rudolph, and even Scrooge are among the millions of names in Illinois’ missing money database with cash and property waiting to be claimed, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.
Jim Guilinger Award Presented to Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton received the Jim Guilinger Legislative Award from the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE). This award recognizes the Lieutenant Governor’s service and dedication to the expansion of agricultural education across the state.
Rep. Jackson Introduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act
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.
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.
THE JOFFREY BALLET LAUNCHES INCLUSIVE NEW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
he Joffrey Ballet announced the launch of The Joffrey Ballet Fellowship, designed to continue the Joffrey's longstanding commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion, and expand opportunities for candidates pursuing a career in arts management. Beginning in January 2024, the robust program will start identifying a diverse group of candidates from throughout the City of Chicago and beyond to be considered for the inaugural Joffrey Fellowship, with the 2023 Joffrey Fellow expected to be announced in the spring of 2024. During the 9 to 12-month Fellowship, the Joffrey Fellow will gain hands-on experience with various departments across the Joffrey Ballet to learn what it takes to operate a world-renowned ballet company, enabling Fellows to learn and grow in their careers.
PEPSICO CHICAGO EMPLOYEES GIFT OVER $1 MILLION TO NONPROFITS DURING OCTOBER; COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW GRANTS TO SUPPORT CHICAGOANS
Employees in PepsiCo’s downtown Chicago office at the Old Post Office showed that their commitment to giving back goes well beyond the holiday season. During October, they volunteered nearly 1,400 hours alongside neighbors as part of “PepsiCo Gives Back,” the company’s annual global giving and service campaign. Chicago-based employees who are part of local PepsiCo Beverages North America, Quaker Oats, Frito-Lay North America, Gatorade Performance and other teams also donated $1,225,008 toward nonprofits—gifts that were matched by the PepsiCo Foundation 2:1.
South Suburban School Gives Back with Free Holiday Haircuts for Students
During these challenging economic times for some families, Dr. Shernita Mays, principal of the Illinois School in Park Forest, knows that providing haircuts can be an extra expense for families whose budgets are already stretched.
The Chicago Scots Will Transform Elder Care with Huge $14 M Gift
The Chicago Scots, Illinois’ first and oldest non-profit organization, has received a foundational $14 million gift from The Negaunee Foundation to launch a program to meet the future unmet needs of Chicago’s senior population.
