Chicago Defender

Pastor John F. Hannah, founder and lead pastor of New Life Covenant Church Southeast, releases a new book focusing on prayer. Just Pray: How A Life of Prayer Grows Unshakeable Faith discusses the power of prayer and how to develop a lifestyle of prayer. Pastor Hannah shared some compelling thoughts on Just Pray and the driving force behind it in a candid interview with the Chicago Defender.

For over 40 years, Fr. Michael Pfleger has led the southside predominately Black catholic church in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. As Pastor, Fr. Michael Pfleger has advocated for the poor, disenfranchised, and the least of these. He has been on the front lines fighting injustice, racism, and economic disparity in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood he has called home for the past four decades.

Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, aka Megan Thee Stallion, is doing it big in the education realm — and one student is going to benefit in an even bigger way, Black Enterprise reported. The Grammy Award-winning musician and business-minded entertainer have her sites set on helping one student by providing them...

Illinois will move to a full reopening, also known as Phase 5, the final phase of the Restore Illinois plan, on Friday, June 11, 2021. On Friday, the state will eliminate all capacity limits on businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, and all other venues. Mask requirements for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals continue to align with CDC guidelines.

Cook County’s celebration of Juneteenth 2021, kicks off officially next week as a part of “Juneteenth Illinois,” an initiative commemorating June 19, announced Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd District), who is heading up the effort. Juneteenth Illinois is a collaboration between Cook County, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago and it marks the first celebration of Juneteenth by the County since it became an official holiday in December of last year. Visit www.juneteenthIllinois.com.

Bishop Larry D. Trotter-Senior Pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago- will be joined by 1000 Gospel Music Artists, Musicians, Chicago residents and fans of Gospel Music as Chicago Gospel Music Industry Icon James Lott will be laid to rest. Lott died on Saturday at Trinity Hospital after a battling an illness over the past few months.

The annual Chicago UNCF “A Mind Is…” Gala is moving online this year and is set for Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 6:00pm (CST). This annual event is one of Chicago’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the year. Due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gala has been reimagined as a digital experience packaging together an extraordinary virtual affair.

Grammy, Stellar, and Dove nominated Gospel Artist Todd Dulaney releases his latest project, “Anthems and Glory”, Friday, June 11th. Born in Maywood, IL, Born December 20, 1983, in Maywood, IL, Dulaney grew up as a singer and an elite athlete. After graduating from high school in 2001, Dulaney was drafted from Community College in Mt. Carmel, IL, by the New York Mets to pursue a professional baseball career. While refining his athletic skills, Dulaney realized that there was a higher calling in his life. He accepted an invitation to travel and perform background vocals for gospel artist and Grammy winner Smokie Norful.

Five months after being falsely accused of sexual misconduct. Fr. Pfleger returned to the pulpit Sunday afternoon at St. Sabina Church on the city’s southside. In January, the Archdiocese asked Fr. Pfleger to step down after two brothers accused him of assaulting them decades ago. While an investigation by DCFS declared the allegations unfounded in February, the Archdiocese did not reinstate the Southside pastor until the end of May. In the May 2021 letter addressed to the Faith Community of St. Sabina, Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Cupich, said, “The Review Board has concluded that there is insufficient reason to suspect Father Pfleger is guilty of these allegations. Having given careful consideration to their decision, which I accept, I now inform you that I am reinstating Father Pfleger to his position of Senior Pastor of the Faith Community of St. Sabina, effective the weekend of June 5-6, 2021”.

The City of Chicago is on track to join the State of Illinois in moving to Phase 5 on Friday, June 11th. COVID-19 metrics are at record lows and more than 50% of Chicagoans are at least partially vaccinated. Moving into Phase 5 brings a return to life pre-pandemic. This includes a lifting of all COVID regulations at businesses. Federal mask mandates will still require masks on public transit, in healthcare settings and at schools.

The City of Chicago opened its 3rd round of Emergency Rental Assistance for COVID-19 impacted landlords and renters last week. Residents can receive up to 15 months of rental payments for the past 12 months and up to three months in the future. The Illinois Moratorium on COVID related evictions ends in August. The City is asking residents not to wait to apply for help.

In a recent speech at Emory University, Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed what the Black community has been saying for years about considering the health of Blacks in this country. Dr. Fauci said, “the undeniable effects of racism” have led to unacceptable health disparities that especially hurt African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic. A new study estimates that the number of people who have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. is more than 900,000, 57% higher than official figures. Nationwide, Black people have died at 1.4 times the rate of white people. We’ve lost at least 73,462 Black lives to COVID-19 to date. Black people account for 15% of COVID-19 deaths where race is known.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is targeting teens and young adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with two special vaccine events at barbershops. Called “Vax & Relax,” free haircuts and/or vouchers will be offered to those who get vaccinated at these events. There will also be live music for entertainment. Youth aged 12 to 18 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.

Tyra Whitney has been named weekend morning news producer, ABC 7 EYEWITNESS NEWS, it was announced by Jennifer Graves, Vice President of News, ABC 7 Chicago. Whitney’s first day at ABC 7 Chicago is Monday, June 7. According to Graves, “Tyra is a knowledgeable and dynamic news professional who has...

Jeremiah Paprocki, a senior at the University of Illinois- Chicago, is the new voice at Wrigley Field. Paprocki is the first African American PA Announcer for the Chicago Cubs and the youngest in MLB history. Paprocki made his first debut on May 17 when the Cubs played against the Nationals. Born and raised in Chicago, Jeremiah Paprocki’s passion for PA announcing began attending Chicago Bulls games as a child. Paprocki’s mother, Barbara, who worked as a parking attendant at Chicago Cubs games in the 1990s, took Paprocki to every game.

Last Friday, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and several others introduced legislation decriminalizing marijuana. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) act addresses the need for comprehensive marijuana reform. The MORE act aims to address the harms caused by America’s war on drugs and communities of color. Black people continue to be most affected by the current drug laws. A recent report by the ACLU states that a black person is three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person. Erinn Martin, policy counsel with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said,

After a four-month, nationwide search, The Chicago Philharmonic Society’s Board-appointed Search Committee has selected Terell M. Johnson as the new Executive Director of the Society, effective July 1, 2021. Johnson steps into the leadership role on the heels of Donna Milanovich, who played a pivotal role in leading Chicago’s premier contractual orchestra to musician-majority governance, which stands as a beacon for innovative orchestral structure.

Conagra Brands announced a new partnerships with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations supporting higher education, to support Black and Brown students. The partnerships will help ensure students receive equitable access to quality higher education opportunities and reinforce Conagra’s commitment to supporting the communities where its employees live and work.

President Joe Biden spoke about the ongoing racial discrimination in the U.S. during a visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. Biden was in Tulsa to tour the Greenwood neighborhood where the massacre took place. Before giving his address, President Joe...

If Joe Biden fully meant what he said after meeting with George Floyd’s family in the Oval Office on the anniversary of his death, he won’t nominate Rahm Emanuel to be the U.S. ambassador to Japan. But recent news reports tell us that’s exactly what the president intends to do.