Local News
Gov. Pritzker Highlights Childcare Efforts in Villa Park, Champaign
Governor JB Pritzker joined local leaders and early childhood stakeholders at two daycare facilities to highlight recent efforts and funding for the Smart Start Illinois Plan. In Villa Park, the Governor visited Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley to celebrate the $300K investment in Birth to Five Illinois funding, which will support the consolidation of their local early childhood services. In Champaign, the Governor stopped at First United Methodist Child Care Center, where he highlighted the $3M of Smart Start Childcare funding. Both contributions come from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Treasurer Frerichs Returns $17.2 Million In Missing Money in January Check the I-CASH website to see if there’s money waiting for you
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $17.2 million in missing money during January, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced.
Get a solid introduction to AI through Continuing Education courses at City Colleges of Chicago
City Colleges of Chicago will offer classes in Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) this Spring! The classes titled, Prompt Engineering for Everyone – Non-Coding Accelerated and Machine Learning for Leaders - Generative AI, will be offered the first two Saturdays of each month beginning March 2, through May, 2024. The cost for each is $80.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Crossing Guard Appreciation Month Nominate your Favorite Crossing Guard for Annual Award
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will celebrate the more than 700 crossing guards who help CPS students and families safely arrive and depart schools every day during Crossing Guard Appreciation Month which runs from through March 14. CPS Crossing Guards are located at busy intersections across Chicago and help both CPS students and private school students cross streets safely.
Alzheimer’s Association's Illinois Chapter Executive Director, Delia Jervier, “Shines Light on Alzheimer’s and The Impact in Black/African American Community”
Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with Alzheimer's, a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. While older Black Americans are twice as likely as older Whites to have Alzheimer's or another dementia, research hasn't yet identified the cause. Higher rates of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) disease may play a role. Some studies indicate that after correcting for overall health and socioeconomic status, these differences disappear.
Marketplace Becomes Space For Black-Owned Small Businesses
A recently opened marketplace has become a place for Black-owned small business owners to sell their goods. Mahalia’s, located at 735 E. 79th St., is a part of the City of Chicago Small Business Storefront Activation Program and the program is sponsored by the Greater Chatham Initiative.
The Black Mall Helps Black-Owned Businesses Thrive
A directory and marketing agency aims to bring visibility and to promote Black-owned businesses. Cassiopeia Sledge created The Black Mall in 2011 when she was looking for a Black-owned restaurant in her neighborhood to support. Sledge did find a Black-owned restaurant, but when she and her partner returned, the place was closed. It was something she noticed kept happening.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Wants To Bring The Courts To The People
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy V. Cunningham has been on the Illinois Supreme Court since 2022, when she was appointed to fill the seat of a judge who retired. Before that, she was an Appellate Court Judge.
LIVING HISTORY MAKERS TOLD HOW THE PAST INFORMS OUR FUTURE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT HYDE PARK CHURCH
Public historian Michelle Duster shared little known facts and anecdotal stories about the life, times and uncompromising drive of her great-grandmother the revered civil rights activist and antilynching crusader Ida B. Wells during the Black History Month celebration at St. Paul & the Redeemer in Hyde Park.
The 21st Annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference Partnered with the Smithsonian Institute-National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Pew Research Center, MSNBC Host Joy-Ann Reid a
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. (SDPC) hosts its 21st Annual Clergy and Lay Leadership Conference, February 19 - 22, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, at the Palmer House in downtown Chicago. Reverend Dr. Iva Carruthers, General Secretary of SDPC, invites the Chicagoland community to join this continued ‘journey to justice’. According to Dr. Carruthers, “the demands of this season require the best of Black faith leadership to engage beyond civil rights to global human rights”.
Rainbow PUSH Coalition Formally Installed Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III as President and CEO
On the first day of Black History Month, Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III was formally installed as the President and CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. The sold-out installation event featured VIP program participants and attendees from all over the country, including Roland Martin, Rev. Al Sharpton (NAN), Shavonne Arline-Bradley (NCNW), Dr. Michael Sorrell, Dr. Amos Brown, and Dr. Ron Daniels, among others. Tashara Parker, 4X Emmy award-winning journalist, served as the mistress of ceremonies. A livestream is available to watch on YouTube, courtesy of Roland Martin Unfiltered, a Black-owned media network. Both the installation ceremony and the President's Inaugural Social Justice Conference were presented by Sound Design Studios, a Dallas-based Black-owned production company.
Black-Owned Small Businesses Find Success With Support from SCORE
Black-owned businesses generate more than $183 billion in annual revenue, according to U.S. Census data. To contribute to this ongoing success, SCORE – mentors to America's small businesses and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration – encourages Black entrepreneurs to seek out a mentor who can support them on their business journey.
Diabetes Digital Launches Inclusive & Accessible Virtual Nutrition Counseling Service--Insurance Accepted
Diabetes Digital, the latest venture from Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez of Food Heaven, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative virtual nutrition counseling service. Based in San Francisco and extending services across 23 states, Diabetes Digital is set to transform the landscape of diabetes and prediabetes management.
Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail Brings Focus to Black History in the Blue Ridge Mountains
For the first time, Asheville's Black heritage and culture is on permanent display around the city through a new walking trail. Unveiled in December 2023, the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail is the first of its kind in Western North Carolina and one of a few Black heritage trails in the 13-state Appalachian region. It marks a significant milestone in the growing effort to amplify and preserve Affrilachian heritage, granting visitors an opportunity to retrace compelling narratives that make up Asheville's Black history – including stories that have never been shared in a public space.
