Local News

Author of "Our Black Year" Featured Speaker at NEIU’s Black Economic Forum

Margarita “Maggie” Anderson, author of “Our Black Year,” along with her husband, John Anderson and her children, made history and dominated headlines as the national media covered their real-life case study in self-help economics for the Black community. The family exclusively utilized Black businesses and talent, and consumed only African American-made products for an entire year.

CBA Hosts Summer Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club

The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted its quarterly Mix ‘N Mingle at the Southern Shore Yacht Club, 6401 S. Richard Dr., last Thursday evening. The gathering was sponsored by CBA members, President’s Lounge night club, Lifesavers Portable Toilets and Special Service Area #51.

NNPA Holds 2014 Annual Convention in Portland

The National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) 2014 Annual Convention, POWER OF THE PAST—FORCE OF THE FUTURE, gets underway June 25 and continues through June 28 at the Nines Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

Potholes Still a Major Problem for Chicago’s West and South Side

Potholes are still a big problem in many neighborhoods throughout Chicago such as the ones that stretch the length of Fulton Street between California and Sacramento on Chicago’s west side, creating hazardous situations for both drivers and pedestrians. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) says citizens need to report the craters in order to have them repaired.

Ombudsman Chicago Hosts First Ever Graduation Ceremony

Recently, Ombudsman Chicago, 2401 W. Congress Pkwy, celebrated its first ever graduation ceremony at Holy Trinity High School, 1433 West Division St. Ombudsman Chicago is a dropout recovery school that offers an alternative option for students seeking a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) accredited diploma.

Law Signed Banning Police Officer Ticket Quotas

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill (SB3411) on Sunday which prohibits municipalities from requiring police officers to meet ticket quotas. The new law also prevents quotas from being used to evaluate an officer’s performance.

Africa International House Hosts Unique Weekend Only Exhibit

Something for the art and culture lovers to consider is Stephen “BlackButterfly” Carter’s, one weekend only – exhibition of “DESIDERATA Spring/Summer 2014 entitled: “The Roads Not Taken –The Roads Now Taken” Friday, June 20, at the Africa International House Center for Contemporary African Art and Culture, (AIH), 6200 S. Drexel Ave.

University Submits Collaborative Proposal for Barack Obama Presidential Library on South Side

After months of consultation with a broad set of community and university partners, the University of Chicago submited a proposal on June 16 to the Barack Obama Foundation in support of locating the Barack Obama Presidential Library on Chicago’s South Side.

Emory Hires First African-American Woman to Lead Business School

Erika Hayes James, a former senior associate dean for executive education at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia, will assume her new role at Emory on July 15. James earned her Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan and built a career by connecting her knowledge of organizational psychology with executive leadership. She also has served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies, according to the Emory announcement.

Gift of Hope African American Task Force to Honor Parents of Jermaine Cullum Jr.

Tarcia Patton watched her 16-year-old son, Jermaine Cullum Jr., languish on life support for a week before she made a decision in a way only a mother can: She consented to donate his organs because “That was something he wanted to do.” Jermaine and his mom previously talked about his choice to sign an organ donor card, something the Christ the King Jesuit College Prep High School sophomore didn’t get around to doing before he collapsed in May, while playing in a basketball tournament at Riverside Brookfield High School.

CPS Expands Summer Bridge and Meal Program

As the school-year comes to an end, parents are no doubt in search of activities that will keep their children occupied over the summer. One to consider is Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) free summer bridge and meal program an expansion of its Safe Haven program where 110 sites across the city will offer school-aged children educational activities and meals while they're out of school.

UIC Clinical Psychologist to Create Mental Health Program for Clergy

Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne, a licensed clinical social worker at the University of Illinois at Chicago, also an ordained minister, is conducting research to find out how church pastors currently address their congregation’s mental health issues and will use the information to create a training program to help guide clergy in addressing those issues.

CBA Hosts Digital Security Specialist at Monthly Meeting

The Chatham Business Association (CBA) hosted guest speaker, Lisa Thompson-Bennett, Community Relations Liaison, Housing Government & Community Relations for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, at its monthly meeting yesterday held at the QBG Building, 806 E. 78th St. Thompson-Bennett discussed the importance of businesses securing against digital identity theft.

South Holland Welcomes Unique Family Business to the Community

The Village of South Holland held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome Xtreme Kustoms Wheels & Electronics, 518 East 162nd St, South Holland, IL, to the community last week. Xtreme Kustoms Wheels & Electronics is an African American family-owned and operated business that provides custom vehicle wheels and tire, alarm integration, remote starting systems, stereo installation, among other automotive customizing services.

Burnside Elementary Commemorates 1962 Sit-In with Mural

In recognition of 17 mothers and 27 students that staged a sit-in at Burnside Scholastic Academy (BSA), 650 E. 91st Pl., on January 2, 1962, a 300 sq. ft. tile mural was unveiled at the school last week. The Burnside sit-in was one of the first acts that led to end segregation within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system and helped ignite Chicago's Civil Rights movement.