Heart disease, cancer, and stroke are the leading causes of death for African Americans. During Black History Month while we reflect on our history, let us use this month to commit to a healthier future with better health outcomes. Black History Month can be the time to focus on the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle to enrich our future and prolong our lives.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, an award-winning investigative reporter for the New York Times, sat down to discuss The 1619 Project, which places black people at the center of American history while examining the complicated and lasting legacy of slavery. Chicago Ideas, a nonprofit that provides diverse audiences with access to thought leaders and innovative ideas, hosted the talk.
At Starbucks, seeing the well-known logo "The-Siren" is part of the experience. Starbucks made great efforts connecting to local talent and minority artists when building this new location. One local artist was given the task to paint The-Siren." Located on the fourth floor and hanging above the bar, African American artist David Anthony Geary discussed his art and the experience of having his work seen daily by thousands in the "World’s Largest Starbucks."
As part of the city's budget for 2020, Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office released two Request for Proposals (RFPs) totaling 7.5 million dollars to combat violence induced trauma in high-risk neighborhoods, as well as an expansion for community-based street outreach programs. The funds are meant to help continue the city's reduction in crime rates and represents a seven-fold increase in funding over last year.
Last Thursday at Mandel Hall on the University of Chicago's campus, author and activist for criminal justice reform, Cyntoia Brown-Long discussed her book, Free Cyntoia- My Search For Redemption in the American Prison System, with Dr. Tara Betts, author of Break the Habit and Arc and Hue. Brown-Long reflected on the impact of trafficking in Black communities in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. She also discussed what contributes to human trafficking, the injustices to women and children in the prison system, and her road to redemption.
On January 20th, preservationists., elected officials, and residents of Bronzeville unveiled the preservation of Chicago's first black alderman and civil rights leader, Oscar Stanton De Priest's former home located at 4536-4538 S. King Drive.
A group of friends in Los Angeles decided to assemble and distribute lunches to the homeless and post about it on social media. Eight years later, #Hastaglunchbag is a flourishing grassroots movement happening in cities around the country. In August of 2013, the Chicago chapter of #Hashtaglunchbag was born.
High fashion shoppers spend about $950 for a pair of Versace jeans or $480-$3600 for a Prada handbag. However, if you are a member of Sassy Thrifters, you know better. Sassy Thrifters is a group of fashionable, cents-saving shoppers affectionately known as “Sassies". They are practical purchasers, polished and perfectly put together and they only pay a tiny fraction of the cost for those top-selling brands. Tameka Thompson founded sassy Thrifters in April 2015. Her passion for thrifting grew into a movement of over 31,000 like-minded members.
