Local News
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot Announces $11M in DCASE Grants for Chicago Nonprofit Arts Organizations—Including New “Chicago Arts Recovery Program”
“Nonprofit arts organizations are essential to the fabric of our city," said Mayor Lightfoot. "The 2023 Cultural Grants program will support the nonprofits that empower artists and creative workers and ensure their continued recovery from the pandemic. This latest program builds upon our ongoing commitment to revitalize and strengthen our city's diverse arts community.”
Illinois Humanities Grants to Provide Critical Support for 14 Organizations Around the State
Illinois Humanities announces that 14 Illinois organizations will receive General Operating Grants, the organization’s newest funding opportunity for humanities work statewide. Illinois Humanities’ General Operating Grants provide unrestricted funding, meaning organizations can allocate support wherever they need it most rather than being limited to utilizing the funds for a specific project or program. For organizations of varying development, size, and staffing, flexibility is critical – and far more impactful.
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW NAMED THE BENJAMIN L. CRUMP COLLEGE OF LAW
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the College of Law at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, was named the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. This will be the first law school in the country named after a practicing Black attorney. The only other law school in the country named for a Black person is named after Attorney Crump's personal hero, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Chicago Public Schools and Children First Fund Partner with Cabrera Capital Markets to Strengthen the Financial Literacy of Students and Families
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Children First Fund (CFF), CPS’ Foundation, today announced a new partnership between Lee Elementary and Cabrera Capital Markets to strengthen the financial literacy and planning skills of Lee students and their families. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez joined Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs and Cabrera Capital Markets Founder and CEO – and CPS alumnus – Martin Cabrera, Jr. and the firm’s president, and fellow CPS alumnus, Robert Aguilar, to observe a classroom budgeting lesson for Lee Elementary sixth graders as they celebrated the collaborative effort.
School District Superintendent wants support for educators and students
Thomas, who grew up on the West side of Chicago, worked for the Department of Children and Family Services for 4 years. He also worked at Hartgrove Hospital and at the Chicago Public Schools. He has been a school administrator for about 15 years. The last 11 have been as a school superintendent.
Podcast connects and highlights thriving Black businesses
Larvetta Loftin always enjoyed sharing and telling stories. With her Black Businesses Matter Podcast, she shares the stories of Black entrepreneurs whose businesses are thriving. On Thursday, Feb. 16th , Loftin will host a live event for the Black Businesses Matter Podcast. It will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Polsky Center, located at 1452 E. 53rd St. on the 2nd Floor. Guests include Kimberly Lewis, CEO and Co-Founder of CurlMix; Robert Johnson, Chief Equity Officer at Bozos Academy; Irfan Jafrey, CEO of Roosterly; and Jacqueline Campbell, Founder and CEO of Alexander Legacy Private Wealth Management.
Cleopatra Draper wants to bring Roses to Roseland
Cleopatra Draper is running for 9th Ward Alderperson. This is her second time running for the office. She ran the first time in 2019. Draper worked at Chicago Public Schools for seven years. Cleopatra Draper is the organizer of the Roseland Peace Parade. She also is a radio host on WVON.
Black History in the Making: Kevin Brown
Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Kevin Brown was a curious child, especially when it came to why and how. When he was young, he would stay late at the library, roaming around and flipping through books, discovering new things about new topics he didn’t know anything about. At home, he would take apart appliances to see how they worked.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates Crossing Guard Appreciation Month
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is commemorating Crossing Guard Appreciation Month by recognizing more than 600 crossing guards from February 14 to March 14, 2023. Crossing guards play a vital role in ensuring students traverse busy intersections safely and help with the security of students as they arrive and leave school premises.
New Report: 92% of Jobs Require Digital Skills, One-Third of Workers Have Low or No Digital Skills Due to Historic Underinvestment, Structural Inequities
Today, National Skills Coalition (NSC) in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta released Closing the Digital Skill Divide, a real-time snapshot of demand for digital skills in the US labor market. The analysis finds that 92% of jobs analyzed require digital skills.
Treasurer Maria Pappas Launches Newsletter 1st Issue Shows Low Property Tax Collection Rates Harm Minority
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas on Wednesday released the first issue of a new periodic newsletter highlighting property tax issues unearthed by her Research Team.
Illinois State University to Open New College of Engineering with an Equity Focus
First the promising news. A career in engineering can be like a golden ticket for a lifetime of good pay, job satisfaction, employability and making a positive difference in the world. There are few careers that rank as high as engineering on all the quality-of-life measures.
Toyota Kicks Off Chicago Auto Show by Donating Winter Boots and Socks to Chicagoland Families
While preparing to showcase an array of new vehicles at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Toyota first showcased its continued commitment to support local Chicago families facing homelessness by donating winter boots and socks through its “Walk In My Boots” community outreach project. To help shield families from the cold, on Saturday, February 4, 2023, more than 150 family members residing in The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge, a family homeless shelter in Chicago, received Bogs winter boots guaranteed to weather harsh conditions and Smartwool hiking socks that keep feet warm and dry.
Whalar Names Ashley Rudder First-Ever Chief Creator Officer
Leading global creator commerce company Whalar, announced the appointment of Ashley Rudder as the industry's first-ever Global Chief Creator Officer, a historic move that sets a new business standard for the $105B Creator Economy.
