Local News
Free From Market Raises $2.1M Seed Round for its Food is Medicine Platform to Treat Chronic Health Conditions
Free From Market (FFM), the first patient-driven digital platform that empowers lower income Americans living with chronic health conditions to order the diet-specific foods and support they need, announces today that it has closed a $2.1 million seed investment. The funding allows the company to enhance its proprietary technology platform and expand its service delivery model to provide affordable, inclusive access to the personalized foods, telenutrition and data necessary to improve health outcomes.
The Home Depot Quadruples Commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities through Campus Enhancements and Innovative Career-Development Programs
The Home Depot® will increase its investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to $4 million in 2023 by launching an expanded range of community projects and career resources for students in its Retool Your School program.
New Financial Health Data Shows Vast Disparities Across Race and Ethnicity in Chicago
The Financial Health Network, the nation’s authority on financial health, in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, released the Financial Health Pulse® 2022 Chicago Report. The report shows that nearly four in 10 (39%) Black Cook County residents and three in 10 (30%) Latinx Cook County residents are considered Financially Vulnerable compared to less than one in 10 (9%) white residents. These disparities are significantly larger than nationwide data, which show that 20% of Black Americans, 21% of Latinx Americans, and 12% of white Americans are considered Financially Vulnerable.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital unveils 45,000-square-foot Family Commons
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and AbbVie, a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, unveiled the multimillion-dollar Family Commons, the first-ever treatment-and-clinical-staff-free floor at the hospital and research institution offering patients and families a home-like space to find comfort and respite, exercise their minds and fuel their imaginations in between clinic appointments.
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, CITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS CUT RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY UNVEIL THE PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined Chicago Police Department Superintendent David O. Brown, Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt, Alderman Emma Mitts (37th Ward), Dr. Elizabeth Lockhart, and community partners to cut the ribbon on the recently completed Public Safety Training Center (PSTC). This cutting-edge training center will provide the cities’ first responders with the most modern facilities to hone their skills for emergency response situations, investigations, and tactical operations.
Hyde Park Hospitality Partners With Englewood Barbie To Feed Home Insecure, aka “The Friends”
In a move that furthers its commitment to providing hospitality solutions tailored to a diverse array of partners, Marc Brooks, President and CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality (HPH), announced a partnership with Aleta Clark, aka Englewood Barbie, and her non-profit — Hugs No Slugs. The goal of the partnership is to help feed those living under the viaducts in Chicago with a $27,745 donation that will provide meals for 30 “Friends” per night for 210 nights from October to April.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Has Paid Off Remaining Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Debt
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the state has officially repaid the remaining $1.36 billion unemployment insurance (UI) Trust Fund debt. The payment was made possible after an historic agreement was reached between the state, and representatives from business, labor, and bipartisan members of the General Assembly. It was then signed into law by the Governor.
LSTC Celebrates Black History Month with the theme, “Reparations: Educate, Liberate and Celebrate!”
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago’s (LSTC) announces the theme for its Black History Month 2023; Reparations: Educate, Liberate and Celebrate! It is no secret that Black communities continue to suffer under oppressive regimes, both in the US and globally. This year’s theme was adopted to address the question, “How can the breach caused by decades of harm and oppression be repaired?” Hence, the goal is that through education, and liberation Reparations can be achieved for the millions of African American and BIPOC people who continue to bear the weight of white privilege and supremacy.
Chicago Public Schools Celebrates National School Counseling Week
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is celebrating the start of National School Counseling Week by recognizing the contributions of school counselors to the success of CPS students. Like school districts across the country, CPS is taking this week to reflect on and honor the many contributions of school counselors, especially as students and staff emerge from nearly three years with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project H.O.O.D. receives an $8 million matching gift from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation has made an $8 million matching gift donation to Project H.O.O.D. for its center. It will be named the Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center.
Ida’s Artisan Ice Cream and Treats Featured at the Museum of Ice Cream during Black History Month
Ida Nelson launched Ida’s Artisan Ice Cream and Treats in 2020 during the pandemic. The local ice cream and treats maker, who lives in North Lawndale, has collaborated with the Museum of Ice Cream to have two of her flavors featured during February.
Business Expo in Southland set for Feb. 18th
Dr. James Dentley’s entire life has been about helping people grow and scale their businesses. He has been speaking, training and coaching those in business and those who are interested in starting a business for more than 25 years.
Takeaways from a Conversation about Equitable Development
Morgan Malone is a social impact designer, a real estate advisor and has been an economic development practitioner for about 10 years. Most recently she has been managing the Michael Reese Redevelopment in Bronzeville.
21st Ward Candidate envisions a new ward, wants community input
Ayanna Clark always said she would never run for office. But two things happened in 2022 that made her decide to run for the 21st Ward Alderperson. The first thing that led her to run was a series of shootings that took place close to her oldest son’s school.
