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history

Opinion

Some thoughts as Black History Month begins

By Rep. La Shawn Ford | February 1, 2024

State Rep. La Shawn Ford encourages us to reflect on African Americans’ enduring struggles, triumphs and contributions.

Community

Celebrate Juneteenth this weekend on the West Side

By AustinTalks | June 16, 2023

Several events will be held throughout the weekend, starting Saturday at 10 a.m. and continuing through Monday.

Austin Branch Library

Open House Chicago features five Austin buildings this weekend

By Michelle Meyer | October 13, 2022

Stop by the Kehrein Center for the Arts, Austin Community Family Center, Fraternite Notre Dame, Austin branch library and Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School. The free event will be held Oct. 15-16.

Community

Juneteenth celebrations this weekend

By AustinTalks | June 17, 2022

There will be at least three Juneteenth celebrations in Austin this weekend – two at Columbus Park and the other on Chicago Avenue. All are welcome!

Homepage Featured

African American leaders share stories of inspiration

By Francia Garcia Hernandez | February 20, 2022

The virtual event – organized by BUILD Chicago – will be held the week of Feb. 21 and feature several speakers, including Michele Clark High School Principal Charles Anderson, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, artist Antonia Ruppert and BUILD Chairwoman Siobhan Sanders.

civil rights

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By AustinTalks | January 16, 2022

Celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader by participating in a virtual discussion Monday at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will be led by Congressman Danny K. Davis.

Community

West Side writers to read work commemorating MLK

By AustinTalks | January 15, 2022

Front Porch Arts Center will host a virtual free public reading of local poetry, essays and stories from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

history

The significance of Juneteenth

By Rep. La Shawn Ford | June 18, 2021

Rep. La Shawn Ford reflects on the significance of June 19th now being recognized as a state holiday in Illinois.

black culture week

Celebrate Juneteenth throughout the week

By Shelby E. Hawkins | June 14, 2021

The West Side will be celebrating Juneteenth throughout this week. Activities, events and panel discussions will honor the history and culture of Black Americans.

black history month

Local group wants your help in preserving Chicago’s Black history

By Shelby E. Hawkins | February 16, 2021

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium is conducting a survey to understand what Black Chicagoans are interested in archiving from their history. “Generations from now our great, great, great grandchildren will be able to tell our stories accurately because we did the work of preserving them right now,” said community engagement archivist Tanya Calvin.

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News

  • Expungement, record sealing event helps West Siders get jobs after leaving prison

    Austin resident Anthony Jefferson has been working over the past six years to expunge his criminal record. With help from the Monroe Foundation, he's moving toward the clean slate he wants to achieve to secure employment.

  • Get free groceries, other help from these Austin groups

    On a recent Thursday, volunteers from What About Us Charitable Enterprises spent the morning filling dozens of grocery bags with fresh food and staples that soon filled the arms of West Side residents in need. Dorin “Pastor Mac” McIntyre, executive director and co-founder of What About Us Charitable Enterprises and pastor of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, is one of many helping Austin residents struggling with food insecurity.

  • 29th Ward residents invited to holiday events on Tuesday

  • 29th Ward residents invited to propose how to spend $450,000

    Austin residents are invited to participate in this year's participatory budgeting cycle. The annual process lets ward residents ages 14 and up decide how to spend a portion of the aldermanic menu money.

  • Forty Acres Fresh Market marks important moment this week in bringing store to Austin

    Austin moves one step closer this week to getting a new grocery store with the groundbreaking of Forty Acres Fresh Market in the heart of the Soul City Corridor. Another effort to expand food offerings on the West Side continues with the Austin Community Food Co-op, which held a virtual info session last week on its efforts to bring a grocery store to the area.

  • Healing in nature workshop set for Saturday

    The Westside Cultural Alliance continues its "See, Feel and Heal" nature series Saturday at Garfield Park Nature Area, 100 N. Central Park with a workshop on making memory boxes. The workshop sessions focus on art and nature as vehicles of healing through art therapy, which provides wholistic healing for the body, mind and spirit.

  • Illinois residents can apply for help with paying gas, electric bills

    Applications are now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for qualified residential customers who are over the age of 60, have a disability or have children under the age of 6 to receive financial assistance to pay their energy bills. LIHEAP is a federally funded bill payment assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income families pay their utility during the winter heating season.

  • West Siders turn out for chili cook off in Austin’s Soul City

    Over a dozen local chefs competed in the second annual "It’s Getting Chili in Soul City" event on Saturday. A team of five who make up the Austin African American Business Networking Association board – Malcolm Crawford, Shirley Fields, Sharmine Rickett, Ronald Smith and Marshawn Felton – created the chili contest last year.

  • Chicago Marathon runner raises money for West Side girls

    Over the last 20 years, Ashley Graham has run 56 marathons - including the Chicago Marathon five times. Several of those marathons she raised money for charity - and this year was no different.

  • Stop by Austin farmers market this week

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