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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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News

  • Stop by Austin farmers market this week

  • World-renowned conductor rehearses with local symphony in Austin

    The audience sat in silence as maestro Riccardo Muti controlled over 60 orchestra members with his hands. When he wanted the sound louder he would raise his hands; to get softer he lowered them; and in one motion he could stop the entire orchestra all at once.

  • Arts center celebrates Black youth with new mural 

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez Chicago artist Barrett Keithley stood with open arms before young elementary and middle school students from Catalyst Circle Rock last week. Behind him, glimpses of colorful patterns and musical notes caught the students’ eyes, awaiting to see Keithley’s work.

  • Still time to run or walk in Saturday’s 5K

    The eighth annual Austin P.O.W.E.R. 5K will kick off Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the heart of Austin - at the corner of Chicago and Mayfield avenues. It's not too late to sign up; the cost is $45 per walker/runner.

  • Food delivery service for Austin residents with disabilities extended

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez A city program that delivers food to people with disabilities in Austin has been extended six more months. The city pilot program, launched in February to improve food access for 100 people facing food insecurity, was given funding by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

  • Diaster recovery centers open in Austin

    FEMA disaster recovery centers opened Aug. 29 in two Austin locations and two other sites in Cook County.

  • West Siders affected by summer flooding can apply for grants, loans from FEMA

    Federal funding is now available to West Side residents and others living in Cook County who have been impacted by flooding that happened earlier this summer, President Joe Biden announced this week. Austin residents are still recovering from record-setting rain and storms that caused devastating flooding in the Chicago area from June 29 to July 2.

  • Rep. Ford pushes overdose prevention sites for Chicago

    By Francia Garcia Hernandez A dozen medical experts, outreach workers and advocates joined state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford last week in his push to open a pilot overdose prevention site in Chicago, possibly on the West Side. Standing at the corner of West Van Buren Street and South Pulaski Road, one of many West Side areas with high overdose rates, Ford called for the public and lawmakers to support a bill that would allow the creation of overdose prevention sites in Chicago.

  • Free film and food!

  • New mural of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis unveiled at Safer Foundation

    A new 3,500-square-foot, 30-foot-high colorful representation of Congressman Danny Davis adorns the walls of the Safer Foundation building, 808 S. Kedzie Ave. in East Garfield Park.

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