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Faith leaders to get COVID-19 vaccine this week

By AustinTalks | January 26, 2021

Austin minister Ira Acree, senior pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, will be joining other faith leaders Wednesday to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s his message to West Side residents, especially those who aren’t sure they want to be vaccinated when it’s their turn.

Blacks will lose in 2020 election

Youth call on Chicago Board of Education to remove police from schools

Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s response to looting

Let’s stop gun running from Indiana

Opinion

West Sider not optimistic about new state party chair’s commitment to Black voters

By Valerie F. Leonard | July 31, 2022

Does state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, the new head of the Illinois Democratic Party, have a vision that includes expanding the base of Black voters? One West Sider is not convinced.

assault weapons

West Sider ministers offer condolences, prayers for Highland Park victims

By Rev. Ira Acree | July 10, 2022

Members of the Leaders Network traveled Friday to Highland Park to offer their support and prayers – and to renew their commitment for an assault weapons ban.

black

The people’s social worker writes his blues

By John W. Fountain III | June 3, 2022

Columnist John W. Fountain III reflects on living and working out west.

Homepage Featured

West Side ministers travel to Buffalo to speak against violence, white supremacy

By Rev. Ira Acree | May 26, 2022

Leader Network Co-Chairs Rev. Ira J. Acree and Rev. Marshall Hatch will attend the funerals of two of the 10 people killed earlier this month in a Buffalo grocery store.

black

When skyscrapers are not of men

By John W. Fountain III | May 22, 2022

Our AustinTalks columnist writes about the mental toll of navigating the world as a Black man. He’s working as a traveling social worker in Oregon.

civil rights

Chicago civil rights leaders support lawsuit against NFL

By AustinTalks | February 13, 2022

The Leaders Network of Chicago is calling on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to create an inclusive task force to address discrimination, days after former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and three of its 32 teams, alleging racist hiring practices.

COVID-19

Hood healing did not save you, but it will save the hood

By Vee L. Harrison | February 7, 2022

Journalist Vee L. Harrison writes a letter to her brother, Darryl Harrison Jr., who was murdered in Austin one on Feb. 7, 2021.

Chicago Police Department

Missing Austin teen remembered more than a decade after her disappearance

By Rev. Ira Acree | October 25, 2021

It’s been nearly 14 years since 15-year-old Yasmin Acree went missing from her Austin home, yet the family still has no answers about her whereabouts. Rev. Ira Acree, one of Yasmin’s relatives, is pushing for answers once again. The family and West Side faith leaders are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Yasmin.

Chicago West Bible Church

Supporting students in the midst of grief

By Jordyn Harrison | October 24, 2021

When churches reached out to Michele Clark High School Principal Charles Anderson about how they could support students and teachers after the murder of 16-year-old student Kierra Moore, his response was simple: Be the church and be present. The community is invited to support the students from 7:15 to 8:20 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25. Stay a few minutes or the entire time.

Homepage Featured

Black voters hurt by new redistricting maps, group says

By Valerie Leonard | September 28, 2021

Members of Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricting to Governor have a message for go. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats: “You have made a mockery out of the Voting Rights Act.”

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AustinTalks on Twitter

  • Prominent West Side faith leaders who back mayoral candidate @Brandon4Chicago are urging Chicagoans to vote in the… https://t.co/QtB8MhkGMd12 days ago
  • Larry Burns had been planning a wedding reception last May in Mississippi and was looking forward to his mother com… https://t.co/fwMhofEfcQ12 days ago
  • West Side credit union sets opening for August after state regulators approve the partnership between the Leaders N… https://t.co/PPTTauFaVM12 days ago
  • Students can trade good deeds for new shoes, school supplies and Blackhawks merchandise at Joe Freshgoods’ new stor… https://t.co/mqDVndr0x912 days ago
  • Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy testified about Officer Clifton Lewis's killing. The officer was killed… https://t.co/AP4Wl0Ptw519 days ago
  • .@RepDannyDavis is endorsing @BrandonCCD1 for mayor. https://t.co/7GjuCSz7ce21 days ago
  • Some interesting election results for the 29th Ward: 33,328 voters (not including mail-in ballots still being proce… https://t.co/aJ7w7hTkmK25 days ago
  • .@WSUnitedChi is giving 40 businesses in Austin and 9 other neighborhoods a chance to begin or expand small busines… https://t.co/mDaW4TIqOZ25 days ago
  • 28th Ward aldermanic candidate is back on the 2/28 ballot, election officials have ruled. Shawn Walker faces three-… https://t.co/aSTTv2jWHG32 days ago
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The Austin community, home to nearly 100,000 people, is rich in diversity, culture and life. AustinTalks seeks to reflect this richness and provide residents of Chicago's most-populated neighborhood with news and information not available anywhere. Help us make this a meeting place that showcases all Austin has to offer. Share your tips and questions; we'll share your stories.

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