Black women from North Lawndale are reclaiming their narrative of what it means to be a mother during the holidays.

News Article, The Real ChiLee EdwardsNovember 27, 2019Thanksgiving, North Lawndale, family, education & youthComment

Young Chicago climate activists prepare for global climate strike in painting event

CHICAGO - One of the most notable figures in climate and environmental activism through most of 2019 has been Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate activist from Sweden whose weekly school climate strikes in front of Swedish Parliament quickly put an international focus on young people in climate activism.

All fun and games at the Humboldt Rumble

News Article, The Real ChiLee EdwardsNovember 21, 2019education & youthComment

Chicago South and West Side Residents Call Rideshare, not Ambulances

The Real Chi, News ArticleLee EdwardsNovember 18, 2019ambulance, North Lawndale, economic justiceComment

Potential Eleven New Cannabis Dispensaries Coming to Chicago’s West and Southwest Zones.

The Department of Permits and Development drew names from a golden bingo drum to grant licenses to businesses that would allow them to sell recreational marijuana after Jan. 1, 2020 on Friday morning.

The Encompassing Center’s location provides a mental health alternative in the East and West Garfield Park and North Lawndale communities

The opening of the Encompassing Center last month has given Garfield Park and North Lawndale residents have access to a new mental health service option. Located at 3019 W. Harrison St., the Encompassing Center was brought to life after a four year process led by West Side residents who recognized disparities in mental health services, obtained funding and eventually won public support to fund the clinic in their community..

Family Focus in Homan Square Community Center Provides Resources for Families in Need

Family Focus Lawndale, a branch of the Illinois-based nonprofit family support organization Family Focus, seeks to promote childhood-development and strengthen families in the community by providing resources and education to parents and children in North Lawndale and surrounding areas.

McCormick YMCA celebrates Halloween at the Y!

The McCormick YMCA’s annual “Halloween at the Y” event brought Logan Square’s families together for holiday fun.

News Article, The Real ChiLee EdwardsOctober 31, 2019YMCA, Chicago, education & youth, Free Spirit Media, The Real Chi, neighborhood & politicsComment

Progressive Illinois congressional candidates Robert Eammons and Marie Newman discuss racism and gun violence in the first and third districts

Dozens gathered in the Beverly Arts Center on Oct. 26 for a panel discussion called “Dismantling Hate,” moderated by progressive Democrats running in Illinois’ upcoming congressional elections, Robert Eammons and Marie Newman.

Chicagoans showcase backyard chickens amid issues with proposed livestock ordinance

Back in September, Chicagoans across the city opened their yards to visitors for the 2019 Windy City Coop and Eco-yard Tour. Residents from 17 of Chicago’s 50 wards showcased their chicken coops, livestock, backyard gardens and highlighted the importance of urban agriculture in the two-day event.

Museum of Contemporary Art hosts the first ‘Figures of Speech’ exposition honoring Virgil Abloh’s career; the audience responds

The ‘Figures of Speech’ exposition by Virgil Abloh came to an end September 29 and left visitors feeling more open-minded and connected to the artist.

Black Chicagoans talk Halloween nostalgia and safe places to trick-or-treat

News Article, The Real ChiDonell McNairyOctober 25, 2019The Real Chi, Chicago, North Lawndale, Maia McDonaldComment

Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren visits Chicago’s West Side to support teachers strike

On Tuesday, 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) visited Chicago’s West Side to stand in solidarity with teachers on the fourth school day of their strike.

Mission oriented bookstores in Chicago thrive while cookie cutter chains struggle to remain open

Conversely, independent local bookstores are thriving and contributing to Chicago’s economy.

Non for profit 'Blacks In Green' creates pollinator garden in the West Woodlawn area

A group of volunteers and staff from environmental and economic development non-profit Blacks In Green recently introduced a pollinator garden to the West Woodlawn area.

Joint environmental proposal could see creation of commercial kitchen, food cart storage in Little Village

a new initiative by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) and Delta Institute could see a Chicago Fire Station transformed into a commercial kitchen that would benefit both street vendors and the community.

Slow Food Chicago Brings People Together Through the Common Language of Food

Volunteers gathered on Oct. 12 at the preServe garden to help Slow Food Chicago achieve their mission of good, clean, and fair food.

News ArticleLee EdwardsOctober 18, 2019environmental health & wellness, garden, communityComment

Chicago Teachers Union Authorizes Potential Strike

Last year Robin Boose, a teacher at Ashe Elementary located in Avalon Park, school had to deal with teaching a class with 40 students. Talking about this situation brought her to tears. She felt it was ridiculous to teach an overcrowded classroom all by herself.

News ArticleLee EdwardsOctober 17, 2019Chicago Teachers Union, teacher union strike, teachersComment

Chicago Teachers Union & grassroots organizers demand fair wages and additional resources

Hundreds gathered at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple in support of the impending Chicago Teachers Union’s strike on Monday preceding a march downtown.

DSA holds fundraiser for potential teachers strike

The Democratic Socialists of America held a fundraiser at The Hideout for the Chicago Teachers Union’s impending strike on Friday