Local News
Nicor Gas invests $377M with diverse companies
Nicor Gas spent $377 million with minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in 2022, according to the company’s Supplier Diversity Report. More than 44% of the company’s total expenditures in 2022 were with diverse businesses and over half of that spend was with Illinois-based companies.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS WEIGH IN ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
May was Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Wilnise Jasmin, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at the Chicago Department of Public Health, and Dr. Marilyn Griffin, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Aetna Better Health of Illinois, shared insights on mental health and resources available to people.
KEMETIC YOGA TO HOST SOUL YOGA FEST
FEST Yirser Ra Hotep has been practicing Kemetic Yoga since the 1970s. He is an instructor of Kemetic Yoga and creator of the YogaSkills Method. Throughout the years, he has certified and trained more than 5,000 Kemetic Yoga instructors. He also has developed a YogaSkills for Kids program.
INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS INITIATIVE BACK FOR THIRD ROUND
An initiative to help Black small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success and gain support has opened its application process.
ENTREPRENEUR OPENS KHOI STUDIO
KHOI Studio recently opened in the Bucktown neighborhood. This inviting space, with its whites and creams and golds, is the brainchild of Hayet Rida. While meant to showcase the jewelry collections designed by Hayet, it looks more like an art gallery.
Diabetics, Obese Gain Way to Pay for Egregiously Expensive GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications
With the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic and other esteemed medical research institutions validating the significant efficacy of GLP-1 medications for inducing weight loss among type 2 diabetics and clinically obese persons who are appropriately prescribed such medications by their doctor, the high costs of GLP-1 treatment options—coupled with severely limited or non-coverage by insurance providers—is tempering the excitement that surrounds this wellness advancement.
Stroke Survivor to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch at Cubs Game Tuesday, May 30
May is stroke awareness month, and Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Cubs will honor a special stroke survivor on Tuesday, May 30 when the Cubs take on the Tampa Bay Rays at 7:05 p.m. Ashley Lunardini, a Chicago native, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, receive a customized jersey, watch batting practice and meet players before the game. And she hopes sharing her story will inspire others with similar symptoms to get checked.
ASSESSOR KAEGI RECEIVES OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and team received the Outstanding Community Partner Award from the Community Investment Corporation (CIC) and the Preservation Compact during their annual Neighborhood Forum event hosted on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. This award is a special acknowledgment to honor the work done by the Cook County Assessor's office and the partners that helped implement the Affordable Housing legislation (HB2621).
PASTOR JOHN HANNAH TO BRING TOGETHER THOUSANDS ON THE SOUTHSIDE TO MARCH FOR PEACE IN CHICAGO DURING ITS ANNUAL “PRAYER ON THE 9” DEMONSTRATION
Pastor John F. Hannah, Senior Pastor of New Life Covenant SE Church congregation will host its annual “Prayer on the 9” initiative where thousands of people stand together in solidarity during a city-wide march. “Prayer on the 9” with its theme “Our Youth Matter” is a community outreach program that serves as a catalyst for social change in Chicago communities where violence is most prevalent, “Prayer On The 9” will be held on Saturday, May 27th beginning at 12 noon. Pastor Hannah will present his community address at the beginning of the rally at 79th Street and Greenwood.
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month
This May, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Ride for CHANGE Ride for HOPE Foundation to remind all motorists that Motorcyclist Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.
Small Business Owners – Catalysts for Economic Growth
Almost half of all U.S. employees work for small businesses, defined as companies with fewer than 500 employees, and a staggering 99 percent of all U.S. companies fall under the “small business” designation, according to the Small Business Association.
MGM+ Announces a Greenlight for the Docuseries ‘Hollywood Black’
MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, announced a greenlight for the docuseries Hollywood Black, from Justin Simien’s Culture Machine, Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi’s Significant Productions, and the Academy Award-winning creative production company RadicalMedia. Based on the book by historian Donald Bogle, this four-part docuseries—directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People), whose upcoming Disney film Haunted Mansion will be released this summer—tells the epic story of the actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera, on the screen, and in the credits. It is a definitive chronicle of a century of the Black experience in Hollywood, and a powerful reexamination of a quintessentially American story—in brilliant color.
Bally's Names Marcus Glover Executive Vice President And Chief Financial Officer And Appoints Jaymin B. Patel As Vice Chairman
Bally's Corporation (NYSE: BALY) announced that Marcus Glover has been appointed as Bally's Executive Vice President ("EVP") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). Bobby Lavan, Bally's current CFO, will be leaving the Company to pursue another opportunity. He will be available to management, as needed, to ensure a seamless transition. Mr. Glover's appointment is subject to receipt of customary regulatory approvals.
Pearl Milling Company Continues to Invest in Community Impact with P.E.A.R.L. Pledge
Pearl Milling Company, the pancake mix and syrup brand that has been creating memorable breakfast moments for over 130 years, continues its mission to uplift Black women and girls across the U.S. with P.E.A.R.L. Pledge, a multi-year community funding initiative that launched in 2021. Starting today through June 14, eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for a chance to receive a grant of up to $100,000 to develop and grow meaningful programming in their communities. People can also nominate organizations through June 7 to participate in the application process. Grant recipients will be announced in the fall.
