Local News
STATE AUDIT FINDS BILLIONS IN UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD
SPRINGFIELD – A state audit released Thursday found nearly $2 billion in federal money intended to help unemployed Illinoisans during the pandemic was lost to fraudulent claims in Illinois.
NEW DAY. NEW DU. THE DUSABLE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES NEW NAME AND REFRESHED BRANDING
After more than 60 years, the nation’s first independent museum of Black history has unveiled a new name and new visual identity: The DuSable Museum of African American History is entering a new era as The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The new name reaffirms the historic organization’s commitment to educating all people about Black history, culture and experience, and to recognize the global connections and cultures of Black people across the diaspora.
Black Healthcare Professionals Empower Next Generation
Inspired by the iconic poem of Maya Angelou, “And Still I Rise,” PCOM South Georgia’s Sistahs in Medicine and PCOM’s Office of Diversity and Community Relations hosted a panel of Black women experts in health care to share their stories of strength, hope and perseverance.
Claflin University Receives $500,000 from Bank of America to Support The Center for Social Justice
Claflin University announcesthat Bank of America will invest $500,000 to support the University’s Center for Social Justice and the Pathways From Prison Program. The Pathways From Prison Program is a historic collaboration between Claflin and the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) that provides incarcerated individuals in South Carolina access to the University’s exceptional academic programs.
EPIC Academy Raised Over $110,000 at Annual Dare to Imagine Benefit Vaccine
During the month of June, Chicago’s South Side Epic Academy College Prep, a public, open-enrollment charter high school, hosted its 2022 Dare to Imagine fundraising benefit themed “Investing in Tomorrow’s Legends” at the Palmer House Hilton. Nearly 200 guests attended the event for an evening filled with fun and inspiration. With the support of generous sponsors, attendees, volunteers and in-kind and monetary donations, EPIC raised more than $110,000. Corporate sponsors included; KRD, Ltd., Apogem Capital, JGMA and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Funds raised will help further EPIC’s mission for students to pursue excellence and high expectations for postsecondary success, working towards college and career readiness through a variety of pathways.
Biden’s Menthol Ban Follows the ‘Racist Law’ Playbook
This week, the Food and Drug Administration will be hosting listening sessions ahead of its proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. While the attending bureaucrats will certainly rehash the data we’ve known for decades about the dangers of smoking, they’ll also be hearing a new spin from progressives: Banning menthol is essential to achieve “racial equity.”
CHICAGO SCHOLARS SELECTS DIVERSE GROUP OF MORE THAN 550 RISING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR CLASS OF 2027
Leading youth development nonprofit Chicago Scholars has welcomed more than 550 rising Chicago high school seniors to the organization’s Class of 2027. The class, which is made up of academically ambitious first-generation and/or low income students, will take part in Chicago Scholars’ seven-year program as they navigate the transition to college and beyond.
WILLETTE BENFORD TO SERVE AS CITY OF CHICAGO’S DIRECTOR OF RE-ENTRY
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced that Willette Benford will serve as Director of Re-Entry for the City of Chicago, a newly created role that sits at the center of a $13 million initiative launched during the 2022 budget process that will transform Chicago into a national leader in supporting returning residents.
Cannabis company wants to give back to communities
The Green Thumb Industries is passionate about giving back to the community. Through Good Green, the company wanted to create ways to reinvest cannabis funds back into communities that had been impacted by the war on drugs. What was created was the Good Green Grant Program.
CHICAGO PLAN COMMMISSION APPROVES EXTERIOR ENHANCEMENT
The Chicago Plan Commission advanced Shedd Aquarium’s proposed changes to areas outside of its building on Museum Campus as part of the aquarium’s Centennial Commitment. The aquarium’s notable ambitions include the transformation of its surrounding greenspace as well as the augmentation of its entry pavilion and arrival experience. These changes are meant to improve the overall guest experience, create greater connectivity to nature and expand accessibility for anyone visiting Museum Campus.
Chef Dominique Leach created the blueprint for her own success
Dominique Leach is the co-owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse. She is A determined, hardworking chef with a restaurant in one of the best food cities in the World. Recently, Lexington Betty Smokehouse took over One Eleven Food Hall, transforming it to a full-service restaurant.
Artist’s tintype photos capture Black life
“Head up, chest up,” Adam Davis directed the subject seated in front of him and his camera. The flash popped and Davis took the metal plate out the camera.
Communications professional uses Standard of Love for transformation and improvement
There is no greater joy for Maya Ford than to see Black men laughing. It lightens her whole Universe. She wants to help them get to a place of joy.
Black Women will Suffer the Harshest Consequences After the Overturn of Roe
The Supreme Court just dealt a devastating blow to reproductive rights. With its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, five Republican-appointed Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court swept away half a century of progress and eviscerated women’s rights and equality. After last month’s leaked opinion, we knew this moment could come, but that doesn’t make the recent news any easier to digest.
