Local News
Chicago’s South Side Was Big Part of the Civil Rights Era
The civil rights era may have begun in the south, but made its way through Chicago’s South Side by way of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered one of his first Chicago speeches at the University of Chicago (U of C). On April 13, 1956, a 27-year-old King spoke at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., after being invited by Chicago historian Timuel Black, who earned a master’s degree in social science two years earlier at the University of Chicago.
THE SEARCH IS ON FOR AMERICA’S NEXT TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST
3M and Discovery Education recently announced the opening of the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist). The annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge recruits students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, the $25,000 grand prize and earn the title of America’s Top Young Scientist. Competition entries are accepted at www.YoungScientistLab.com until the April 21, 2020 deadline.
Infrastructure Forum highlights growing need for water investment
The importance of infrastructure investment in protecting the region's water quality will take center stage on Feb. 16 as presidential candidates will take part in "Moving America Forward: A Presidential Candidate Forum on Infrastructure, Jobs and Building a Better America" in Las Vegas
February is Earthquake Preparedness Month in Illinois
While some hazards such as storms, tornadoes and floods can be forecasted in order to provide advance noticed to residents in an area of danger, other hazards such as earthquakes cannot be predicted. Recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are perfect examples that earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time, including while you are at work, at home or on vacation. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 500,000 detectable earthquakes occur in the world each year. The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year, or about 55 earthquakes each day.
AKArama Foundation and AKA to Present Women’s Heart Health Expo February 21 Community Invited to Free Event Featuring Fitness, Food and FUN
This is a serious matter,” is a popular refrain that members of Alpha Kappa Alpha chant when dealing with significant issues. When it comes to health, the sorority has identified heart disease as “a serious matter.” To raise awareness about women's heart health, Alpha Kappa Alpha has partnered with the American Heart Association through its “Pink Goes Red” platform. Held during February, which is designated as Heart Health Month, Pink Goes Red is a sorority-wide impact day led by International President Dr. Glenda Glover. All 1,018 chapters, including those globally, set aside a day to support the American Heart Association’s mission. It also aligns with the sorority’s commitment to women’s health.
American Writers Museum Honors Black History Month with Special Programs
To celebrate Black History Month, American Writers Museum is presenting guided tours spotlighting the work of the many great Black writers throughout U.S. history, weekly Little Squirrels Storytime dedicated to Black writers, and welcomes Writer Nicholas Buccola who will present his new book, The Fire Is Upon Us.
Housing Choices for Blacks Has Fallen and Risen
There used to be a time when blacks had to be careful where they lived in Chicago and the suburbs because segregation had divided people up based on their race and economic status. To some degree, housing is still based largely on race and income even though The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) outlawed such measures. Under this federal law, it is illegal to refuse to sell or rent a dwelling to any person because of religion, sex, familial status, race, color, disability, or national origin.
Ilyce Glink and ThinkGlink Announce New Credit Education Series, Sponsored by Equifax
Americans are carrying $13.95 trillion in total household debt, according to 2019 data from the Center for Microeconomic Data — this includes credit card debt, mortgages, home equity lines of credit and auto loans.
Nike Foundation Getting in Shape with Obama Presidential Center
The Nike Foundation is collaborating with the Obama Foundation to ensure that once the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) is built it includes useful community space, such as an athletic facility.
Poet featured at 37th Annual Kent Lecture
“As a Black American, we have done a lot for this country,” said poet Nikki Giovanni during her speech at the 37th Annual Dr. George E. Kent Lecture. Giovanni was featured at the lecture on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the University of Chicago at the Harris School of Public Policy.
Celebration Honors Cultural & Civic Leaders in Chicago
Landmarks Illinois will mark the 15th anniversary of the Legendary Landmarks Celebration on March 5, 2020, in Chicago. The annual event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Landmarks Illinois, the only statewide historic preservation nonprofit helping people all across Illinois save the treasured places in their communities.
City to conduct shoreline study to assess affects of high lake levels
As Lake Michigan rises and beachfront erosion continues, the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Buildings, Chicago Park District, Streets and Sanitation and Office of Emergency Management and Communications will conduct a Shoreline Vulnerability Assessment.
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION FIRM TO RESTORE CLOCK TOWER BUILDING IN PULLMAN
Griggs Mitchell and Alma Construction is a minority and veteran-owned construction group in Chicago. They were recently awarded a $5.8 million contract to preserve and restore the Administration Clock Tower Building at the Pullman National Monument at 11057 S. Cottage Grove.
How Summit Learning is Enhancing Teacher-Student Mentoring
Teachers are at the heart of Summit Learning classrooms, and mentoring is an essential part of the Summit Learning experience. To date this school year, teachers, school staff, and students have held more than 3.8 million minutes of in-person mentoring within the Summit Learning program—the equivalent of watching more than 31,600 two-hour movies.
