Local News

Merry Christmas! Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas sending out $30.5 million in automatic refunds

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is sending more than $30.5 million in automatic refunds beginning this week to about 9,000 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes last year.

BLACK WOMEN THRIVING EAST OF THE RIVER LAUNCH CELEBRATION CITES ROLE OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

A powerful organization, Black Women Thriving East of the River, celebrated its community launch on December 12. The event emphasized that strategies and interventions to improve cancer survival and opportunities for quality jobs were developed by women with community ties, diverse backgrounds, and lived experiences in healthcare, community service, education, workforce development, and various other specialties.

Remembering Our Past, Redefining Our Present, Reaffirming Our Future: “The Teaching Our Own History”

We have launched a statewide task force in conjunction with the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., Reverend Dr. Carl Johnson, president, to demand that the governor of Florida and the State Department of Education, teach Black history accurately, factually and forthrightly. In the spirit of Dr. King, in the State of Florida, we organized a task force labeled, "Teaching Our Own History."

Noted Black Manufacturer Stephanie Hart to Present at Living Fresh Market in Forest Park on December 16, 2023

Stephanie Hart, the founder and CEO of Brown Sugar Bakery, one of the nation’s few African American-owned manufacturers of baked goods and the nation’s only Black-woman-owned chocolate manufacturer, will be a special guest presenter at Living Fresh Market on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The 71,000-square-foot Living Fresh Market is one of the nation’s few full-scale supermarkets owned by African Americans. The grocery store, located at 7520 W. Roosevelt Road in Forest Park, a suburb located about five miles west of Chicago, hosts events and presentations highlighting foods and products produced by vendors and seeks to become a leader in opening doors for African Americans and other vendors of color.

Sugar Plum Chocolate Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection - 5 Gourmet Snacks

Sugar Plum Chocolate Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection. The Wonderful Winter Chocolate Collection is a delectable assortment that encapsulates the enchantment of the winter season in every bite.

COQUAL RELEASES NEW FINDINGS FROM ITS BLACK EQUITY INDEX

Coqual, a leading global think tank, today released a new white paper with the results of its second annual Black Equity Index (BEI), a benchmarking tool created for companies to drive measurable change, track true progress, and demonstrate their commitment to racial equity in the workplace.

KEVIN HART'S GRAN CORAMINO® TEQUILA WILL SUPPORT 50 BLACK AND LATINX SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE U.S. WITH $10,000 GRANTS

Gran Coramino® Tequila, an ultra-premium tequila founded by entrepreneur Kevin Hart and 11th-generation tequila maker, Juan Domingo Beckmann, has launched applications for The Coramino Fund, the brand's giveback program, with U.S. impact partner Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The Coramino Fund supports Black and Latinx entrepreneurs across the U.S. with $10,000 grants as well as learning opportunities.

ROCK THE BELLS AND FORD 'ROCK THE CAMPUS' AT ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Rock The Bells, the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced 'Rock The Campus' presented by Ford. During the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop celebration at Alabama State University on October 8-9, 'Rock The Campus' honored the culture and connection of Hip-Hop and HBCUs.

Clerk Iris Martinez Highlights Collaboration in Best Serving the Community in State Address

Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Y. Martinez delivered her annual state address, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in effectively serving the community.

Chicago Children’s Theatre extends The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party

Chicago Children’s Theatre is extending The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party due to popular demand.

CHOOSE CHICAGO, DCASE, AND MAYOR’S OFFICE ANNOUNCE SERIES OF NEIGHBORHOOD HOLIDAY ACTIVATIONS

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Choose Chicago, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with local chambers of commerce and community-based organizations, announced today a program to support holiday activations and public events taking place in neighborhoods throughout the city. The initiative will drive foot traffic to commercial corridors and support small businesses in ten neighborhoods through public decorations, holiday events, and holiday-themed storefront activations. The program is part of Choose Chicago’s award-winning Neighborhood Strategy efforts and is funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds earmarked for supporting small businesses’ recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ComEd Celebrates First Graduates of Technical Focused Career Training Program

ComEd joined workforce partners and members of the community in celebrating the first graduating class of the 10-week Power Up Academy, a new career training program launched in partnership with local workforce agency Revolution Workshop to prepare job seekers for entry-level technical related roles to support the clean energy transition in Illinois.

Toy Donations Needed—One of Chicago’s Oldest Charity Toy Drives Still Serves Hundreds of Children

Marillac St. Vincent (MSV) Family Services has been holding its Annual Christmas Store Event in East Garfield Park for more than 60 years—an exciting holiday tradition for many Chicago families in need. Each year, more than 250 parents, grandparents and caregivers who are part of MSV’s programs are offered the opportunity to participate. A host of volunteers staff the merchandise and food areas, assist shoppers, restock tables, wrap gifts and load cars.

CONGRESSMAN DANNY K. DAVIS’ ANNOUNCE “TECHNOLOGY IN THE PARKS” FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Congressman Danny K. Davis, 7th District of Illinois joined by Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent, Chicago Park District convened a press conference to announce "Technology in the Parks Act of 2023” legislation.

Pritzker College Prep Principal Named Charter Principal of the Year

The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) has recently announced the recipients for the organization’s 2023 Charter Excellence Awards, naming Carrie Spitz, Principal of Noble Schools’ Pritzker College Prep campus, as ‘Charter Principal of the Year.’ The $10,000 award recognizes Spitz for outstanding achievement among the Illinois public charter school community.