Local News

Former Simeon HS Electrician Teacher Rallies Community

Former Simeon Career Academy electricity teacher, Latisa Kindred, held a press conference last week outside the entrance of Simeon, 8147 S. Vincenness Ave., to alert the community about the closing of the school’s electricity shop class.

African-American Homeownership Increasingly Less Stable, More Risky

While historical barriers that excluded Black America from the homeowner market for decades have crumbled, there are signs that emerging types of racial inequality are making homeownership an increasingly risky investment for African-American home seekers. A new study from sociologists at Rice University and Cornell University found that African-Americans are 45 percent more likely than whites to switch from owning their homes to renting them.

Welcome Inn Manor: Bronzeville’s Hidden Gem

Welcome Inn Manor, 4562 S. Michigan Ave., is one of the highest customer rated bed and breakfast establishments in Chicago and one of the city's best kept secrets.

Swimming Lessons for Children and Adults

African Americans are oftentimes stereotyped as bad swimmers, or even worse, non-swimmers. The sometimes joked about depiction is related to African Americans' fear of swimming or to the fact that some African American women prefer not to get their hair wet. But it is not a joke that a 2010 study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis, found that nearly 70 percent of African American children and nearly 60 percent of Hispanic children have low or no swim ability, compared to 40 percent of white Americans, putting them at risk for drowning.

Chi-League All Star Game Unites the Community

The Chi-League All Star Game, held at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, 211 S. Laflin St., a fun array of summer activities and basketball that was free and open to the community, showcased this past weekend. Chi League was created in 2013 by Nike to bring dynamic summer "hoops" options to the Chicagoland area.

Chicago Public Schools Holds Public Budget Hearings

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) held one of three public hearings last week, at Kennedy King College (KKC), 6301 S. Halsted St., to publicly provide an overview of its FY15 budget. CPS held the meetings in separate locations across the Chicagoland area where community members were briefed on specific budget items, spending constraints and were given an opportunity to voice concerns.

Northern Trust Veteran Named President and CEO of Seaway Bank

Seaway Bank & Trust Co., Chicago’s largest black-owned bank, named Northern Trust veteran, Darrell Jackson, as its new president and chief executive officer, replacing Walter Grady who led Seaway for more than 30 years and will retire July 31.

South Shore Cultural Center Hosts African American Business Expo

Over the weekend, the City of Chicago Small Business Center's on the Road series held an African-American Small Business Expo at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., that featured keynote speaker, Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company and former White House Social Secretary. This year marks the second year of the series, the first African-American Small Business Expo, and the third of five scheduled expos for this year.

Mayor Holds Joint Meeting to Discuss Chicago’s Crime

As the Chicago Citizen Newspaper spoke to LaRoya Baker, 26 -- who fits the demographic profile of victims and perpetrators of Chicago's gun violence -- just outside of the Chicago Police Department at 35th and Michigan, local government officials, school administrators, law enforcement agencies, faith groups and community organizations gathered for a private meeting Monday morning to discuss joint efforts to combat the city’s gun violence. Ironically, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said during the meeting that the young people he’s spoken with often say they are left out of the discussions on Chicago's crime problem.

Florida Dad Beats Man He Found Raping His 11-Year-Old Son

A Daytona Beach father beat an 18-year-old man unconscious after finding him sexually abusing his 11-year-old son early Friday morning, police said.

Ramonski: ‘Everyone will go through something’

Nearly two weeks after his dismissal as evening personality at WVAZ FM 102.7, Ramonski Luv is thanking fans, friends and former co-workers for their support.

DuSable Museum’s 40th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival

The DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl., held its 40th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival this past weekend. The Festival, was created by the museum's founder, the late Dr. Margaret Burroughs in 1974, and celebrates her legacy.

Non-Profit Organization Takes Holistic Approach in Englewood

As Chicago’s gun violence continues, an organization called, I Grow Chicago—whose mission is to provide a safe, haven for children caught in the midst of poverty, gun violence and other societal ills—is working to combat this troubling epidemic particularly in Chicago's Englewood community.

City Colleges Partners with Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

An agreement that begins in the fall between the City Colleges of Chicago and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, (CRCC), allows carpenters who graduated from a union apprenticeship program, to transfer up to 40 credit hours towards their City Colleges Associate Degree.

Ald. Fioretti Calls for Transparency, Hearing on Chicago Police Crime Reporting Stats

Chicago's 2nd Ward Ald., Bob Fioretti, is calling for full transparency from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to avoid possible "downplaying" of the city’s crimes statistics. When shootings occur in Chicago, news outlets report different and usually higher numbers than the CPD, as was the case this past the Fourth of July weekend.