Local News
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS MAKE FAST GAINS IN VACCINATING POPULATIONS HIT HARDEST BY COVID
Community Health Centers are doubling their pace in vaccinating minority and ethnic populations against COVID according to recent data released by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
ComEd Offers Options to Help Customers Manage Electric Bills
As many northern Illinois residents experience mounting expenses as a result of the pandemic, ComEd offers payment assistance programs that may help with past-due balances now and energy-saving tools that can lower bills in the future.
MOTHER AND SON ARE PUBLISHED AUTHORS
Takeshi James is the principal at Avalon Park Fine and Performing Arts School. Her son, Kyle Xavier James, is a senior at St. Rita of Cascia High School. Both are published authors.
It’s Time for a Check-In with Our Sons
It all began with the death of George Floyd and, now that former police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of his murder, Sherilyn Bennett believes now is the time for a check-in with her two adult sons KJ and Devonte.
Agpawa says next steps include taking his fight to the Illinois Supreme Court
Roger Agpawa won the April 6 mayoral election in the city of Markham. But recently, the Illinois Appellate Court ruled he’s ineligible to hold municipal office based on a mail fraud conviction.
Chicago Alderman Enters Secretary of State Race
Chicago South Side Alderman David Moore is announcing his run for Illinois Secretary of State to replace long time incumbent Jesse White, who is retiring at the end of his term in January 2023. Moore is the fifth candidate to enter the race for one of the most coveted offices in Illinois.
THIRTEEN ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE PORTION OF $100,000 DONATION
Gloria Batey conceived of the idea for Hood to Hire in late 2020 as COVID-19 continued to change the way we all lived. She wanted to find a way for people to work in a COVID society and fulfill their career aspirations at the same time. Her goal includes preparing people for the new hiring market, with a focus on ways to make participants in the program employable for that hiring market.
Partnership with Chicago Public Schools Promotes Health Resources for Medicaid-Eligible Students
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW), and HealthChoice Illinois recently announced a new joint initiative to raise awareness about the free public health resources that exist for CPS students and families that are enrolled in the Medicaid program.
Scholar-Activist and Award-winning Playwright-Actress Address Spelman College Graduates
A political activist who is known internationally for her ongoing work to combat all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad and the first African woman writer to have a play on Broadway, will address graduates during Spelman College’s commencement celebrations for the classes of 2020 and 2021 in separate, in-person ceremonies on May 16, 2021.
Resiliency Amidst COVID: How This Black Business Reemerged As A Global Tech Solution For Minority Small Business Needs
The coronavirus pandemic caused unprecedented loss for Patrice Darby. Her first business, GoNanny, a childcare service, closed in 2020 due to COVID-19, leaving her battling grief after losing something she worked tirelessly to build.
Virtual OZY Fest in partnership with HBCU’s Clubhouse
OZY Media recently announced that OZY Fest, its one-of-a-kind festival of great entertainment, interactive experiences and big conversations, will return on May 15-16 as a virtual event, aft er the 2020 festival was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Headliners include musicians Chance the Rapper, Sevyn Streeter, Big Freedia, Marc Rebillet and Kat Cunning; comedians Tig Notaro, Maz Jobrani and Aida Rodriguez; chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Tom Colicchio and Ming Tsai; thought leaders Dr. Anthony Fauci, Mark Cuban, Condoleezza Rice, Malcolm Gladwell, Jim Cramer, Revd. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Rep. Maxine Waters, Sunny Hostin, Alicia Garza, Marcus Scribner, Sophia Chang, DeRay Mckesson, Carmen Yulín Cruz, Adam Grant, Katty Kay, Matt James, Valerie Jarrett, Dr. Michael Lomax, Mariana van Zeller, Dr. Danielle Moss, Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr., Angela Benton and Carlos Watson; and sports fi gures Michael Vick, Stephen A Smith and CC Sabathia. Th e festival will be livestreamed to the Carlos Watson Show YouTube Channel, presented by OZY Media.
City Colleges of Chicago Announces New Scholarship Program to Support CPS Graduates in Becoming CPS Teachers
City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Chancellor Juan Salgado today announced the SEED Scholarship to increase the pipeline of talented and diverse educators in Chicago. Starting this fall, the SEED Scholarship (Supporting Emerging Educators Development) will support CPS graduates participating in Teach Chicago Tomorrow, a new partnership initiative that creates a clear path from high school to college and back to CPS as a full-time teacher. The scholarship is designed to cover most, if not all, City Colleges tuition, books, and class materials for participating students.
Bimbo Bakeries USA Pledges $1 Million Commitment to Minority Equity Organizations in Addition to Internal Focus on Diversity, Equity and Belonging
Horsham, PA (April 1, 2021) – Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) has announced a new initiative to combat racial inequity and injustice and create lasting change. As part of that effort, BBU, a proud member of the Grupo Bimbo family of companies, has committed $1 million to national and local organizations dedicated to furthering the education, financial well-being and health of Black and minority Americans. In addition, the company formed a Racial Equity Action Council and appointed Nikki Lang as its first Head of Diversity, Equity & Belonging.
House music pioneer talks about the genre
Jesse Saunders is one of the original members of the Chosen Few DJs. In March, Saunders celebrated the 35th anniversary of his song, “It’s OK,” with remixes.
