Tag: Chicago

Embracing a New Chapter: My Journey with Illinois School District 163 as a Communications Specialist

Culture News, Economics, Lifestyle, Scholarly Works
Photojournalist: TSA Media @ Tim Streetz Winter Solstice Release Party

Dear School District 163 Community,

I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter of my professional journey as the Communications Specialist for School District 163 handling all your public relations & communications needs. From the moment I stepped foot into our vibrant community, I knew that I was stepping into a world of boundless possibilities, where every interaction, every conversation, and every connection has the power to make a difference.

Joining School District 163 fills me with an overwhelming sense of excitement and purpose. As someone deeply passionate about effective communication and community engagement as a social scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur, I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to serve our district and support its mission of academic excellence and student success.

Communication is at the heart of everything we do, and I am committed to ensuring that our voices are heard, our stories are shared, and our community is united. Whether it’s through crafting engaging content, managing our digital platforms, or collaborating with stakeholders, I am dedicated to fostering open, transparent, and meaningful communication across all levels of our organization.

But beyond the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, what truly excites me is the opportunity to be of service to each and every member of our district. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a student, or a community member, know that my door is always open, and my ears are always ready to listen. Your ideas, your feedback, and your concerns matter, and I am here to support you in any way I can.

As we embark on this journey together, I am filled with hope, optimism, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve such a dynamic and diverse community. Together, let us embrace the challenges, celebrate the successes, and continue to build a brighter future for School District 163.

I look forward to getting to know each of you, learning from your experiences, and working together to make our district the best it can be. Together, we are stronger, together, we can achieve greatness.

Below is some general information on my system and ways that we can collaborate.

Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, and I am honored to be a part of this incredible community.

Gratitude,

BK
Communications Specialist

Experience the Ultimate Sunday Fête: “Secret Sundaze Social Brunch” in Chicago

Culture News

Chicago, IL — Feb. 20, 2024— Get ready to indulge in a culinary and cultural extravaganza like no other with the launch of the “Secret Sundaze Social Brunch” in Chicago. This exclusive event series, the first installment presented by I Vibe Hard LLC in partnership with Feed The Hood NFP, invites guests to savor gourmet cuisine, enjoy live entertainment, and support a worthy cause on a Sunday afternoon.

Event Details

  • Secret Sundaze Social Brunch
  • A secret location in the Chicagoland area (secretly revealed to confirmed guests)
  • February 25,2024, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

RSVP HERE

An Unforgettable Experience:

The “Secret Sundaze Social Brunch” promises to be a celebration of food, music, and community spirit. Guests will be treated to a curated menu featuring brunch favorites and delectable appetizers, prepared by local chefs and artisans. Sip on complimentary drinks while enjoying live performances by talented musicians and artists or entertainment professionals, creating a vibrant atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding and socializing with friends and fellow brunch enthusiasts.

Supporting a Worthy Cause:

In partnership with Feed The Hood NFP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting socioeconomic insecurity in the Chicagoland area, a portion of the proceeds from each event will directly support their mission. By attending the “Secret Sundaze Social Brunch,” guests not only indulge in a luxurious brunch experience but also contribute to making a positive impact in the community.

Tickets and Pricing:

  • Standard Ticket: $25 per person (includes entry and one complimentary drink)
  • Deluxe Ticket: $45 per person (includes entry, one complimentary drink, and a selection of appetizers)

Executive Partners for this Installment:

I Vibe Hard LLC, a leading events and entertainment company known for their innovative and immersive urban experiences, joins as executive partners for the “Secret Sundaze Social Brunch.” With their expertise and passion for creating unforgettable moments, I Vibe Hard LLC adds an extra layer of excitement and creativity to the event, ensuring guests have an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Join Us at the Table:

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exclusive culinary journey and support a meaningful cause. Tickets are limited, so secure your spot today by visiting our page.

About Feed The Hood NFP:

Feed The Hood NFP is a grassroots organization committed to addressing socioeconomic insecurity and promoting community empowerment in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. Through innovative programs and partnerships, Feed The Hood NFP strives to create sustainable solutions and foster a more social equitable system for all.

Shein Facing New Lawsuit for Copyright and Racketeering Charges

Businessology, Culture News, Economics, Market Watch

NEW YORK, July 13– A complaint has been filed, on July 11, by Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez, and Jay Baron against Shein Distribution Corporation and its collective business associates (Roadget Business Pte. Ltd, Zoetop Business Company, Limited, and et.al) for racketeering and corrupt business practices as an organization. David Erickson is an Interested Party in the suit. They have been accused of infringing on the designs and artwork of creators to produce, distribute, sell, and copy the works of the plaintiffs. They allege that it is part of the organization’s DNA and process to algorithmically use designs in their corrupt business practices on a large and systematic scale, according to The Fashion Law.

When Shein copies a small or independent designer, the most likely outcome (without brand protection specialists and specialized software on the lookout) is that the infringement will go unnoticed

Plaintiffs

Shein is a Chinese retail agency and titan in modern fashion for everyday folks in the fashion industry to everyday people in the hood. It’s impossible to say how Shein manufactures its items without an investigation. They have been issued other complaints in the past to cease and desist behavior by other suits related to copyright and trademark cases relying heavily on the coat being clear to reorder and sell in small quantities in the event that they are hit with infringing.

Barron’s “Make It Fun” artwork (left) & a Shein print (right) Source: The Fashion Law

“Under those circumstances, Shein reaps all the benefits of stealing and featuring the design that its technology had identified as valuable enough to take: it makes sales and keeps it customers’ eyes glued to the Shein site and app for that much longer. And if customer demand justifies it, the item is reordered, and more are sold (now that the coast has been determined to be clear).”

Plaintiffs
Shein Named in Copyright, Racketeering Lawsuit Over Alleged Infringement Scheme
Source: The Fashion Law

They also made a claim that the distribution organization is made up of a multiplicity of entities with an outwardly decentralized structure which helps them in avoiding liability for intellectual infringement by placing the blame on an independent company unrelated to them when in reality they are connected to Shein.

@Rome_Streetz “Kiss The Ring” Tour 2023 w/ @DefSoulja @VicSpencer #StoveGodCooks @easyohare_& @ChynaStreetz

Culture News, Economics, Entertainment, Hip Hop, Culture, and Political Tricks, Lifestyle

Chicago-March 23 at The Promontory with Covert Operations and their sponsors, Griselda Records ⚖️ (Belaire and Moors Beer), a dope concert of real hip hop with quality was live. I enjoyed every artist not even knowing who one of them was. I was delighted to purchase one of those dope ass t-shirts from Rome Streetz, and have my poster signed by him.

It was great discovering a new female artist Chyna Streetz, who actually has some substance and a relatable personality with her music. That Stove God Cooks, my my my was the storytelling, lyricism, and d-boy style authentically giving. Every artist seemingly complimented each other but they each brought something different. I look forward to learning more about each artist as I follow their journeys, seeing what I can dig up from recent and old projects.

My shirt 👚 , Poster, CD 💿 (found it walking 🚶🏽‍♀️ out the joint), Kiss 💋 the Ring 💍 Jar 🫙 of 💨 🍃

Them gift 🎁 bags 💼 was clutch. Great marketing and advertising, keeps me going in the direction of keeping a beat on for the streets to know the next time any one of the honorable mentions are live or pushing P.

P is for Product or a Product-Service you need.

My Homies Brother and I at Kiss 💋 The Ring 💍 Tour

Salon 7’s Black Bourbon Society Legacy Awards with Jack Daniel’s and Friends

Culture News

Chicago– Sunday, February 26 at NYCH Gallery located 2025 S. Laflin Street for an intimate evening for several honorees who are creating their own legacy as creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs all while being black. The event was presented by Black Bourbon Society and Salonx7 while sponsored by Jack Daniel’s.

From left to right: Jonathan Swain, Josh Davis, Yasmin Curtis, Lenise S. Lee, Danielle Mullen, Perteet & Fred Spencer

Honorees

This was my first time attending an event like this and I was very grateful to be in the room. I credit my attendance to my peer, Quiana Green, owner and founder of Brown Liquor Babe. She’s always on top of special events surrounding food, culture, and liquor. I highly recommend following her for more details on special events.

I learned so much from the honorees about business as it relates to funding, never giving up, starting up, and structuring; made some good connections too. It was shared that Phillip Scott Sinclair, owner and operator of NYCH Gallery, was vandalized the day before the ceremony and hours before the event he had to work his magic 🪄 to host us. That’s a true honor and barrier beat by excellence. 

Gallery photos are courtesy of Gamal Hakim of My Leafy Drinks, my honorary Photojournalist on the assignment.

See my reel on IG to see a clip of some of the conversations until they upload the recap from Chicago. Look 👀 forward to follow up interviews of the honorees and presenters.

Recap of the Atlanta Ceremony and Honorees

@WDBMarketing #LegacyWeekend #Conferences #Awards #Gala

Culture News

Chicago-We gathered to celebrate The 6th Annual L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards Gala this past weekend, where black professionals, businesses, and entrepreneurs connected through their impactful works in leadership, education, growth, advocacy, community, and youth at the Marriot Marquis and Soldier Field’s United Club.

We in here but they ain’t want us here,

James Wheeler

Things you do for others remain your legacy.

Keena Barber

Keena Barber, CEO, and James Wheeler, COO, are always representing and celebrating black excellence, and this weekend was nothing short of amazing. It’s clear globally the impact of black entrepreneurs from diverse nationalities and ethnicities when you look at the current media flow. We have impacted linguistics, economics, the culture of dance, music, art, education, and community development. It seems like the current situation is socioeconomics and the impact it will have on our future as a nation of people.

Legacy Weekend was powerful, and a standard of what we need in urban culture and affairs. Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and enterprises deserve to have a high-end space to connect and build; WDB is leading us in the new school on what these spaces will be. This event was majorly sponsored by WDB Marketing, WDB Cares, Discover, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, Marianos, Wintrust Community Banks, Amazon Black Business Acceleration, The Insurance Exchange, World Business Chicago; minor sponsors also were Girls Like Me, Chicago Urban League, HCD International, A Progeny Global, Burks Heating and Cooling, CIBC Bank, Sterling Bay, Mercer Uplifters, and In His Hands Resource Center.

Virtual Conference Recap

Press Credits: WDB Marketing (Press Lead and Subject), BK (Executive Journalist and Editor), Isaiah J. Evans (Photojournalist)

Striving for and Maintaining Unity in the Family, Nation, and Race of Humanity, Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Community, Culture News, Heritage-History, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Personal Perspectives

Habari Gani Family

It’s day 2 of Kwanzaa and we’re moving in a better direction for Umoja (Unity) and Kujichagulia (Self-Determinatiton). I know I am. Since the new moon in Capricorn I’ve just been on some new news. I respect the perspectives and opinions of others but they do not have to define who I am nor do their realization or acceptance of the meaning of a word or how they think a story should be told. I’ve learned to save space to share their ideas too. It doesn’t make anything right or wrong but the main goal is, to tell the truth. All people can live by the principles of Kwanzaa which is what I love ❤️ and we can build on this foundation to create a better condition because life isn’t a joke right now, and we need to consider building community as serious business. We can’t talk about reparations without repatriation and building for ourselves. I’m not failing to tell the story the way it should be. I honor my ancestors and want to create relationships that represent the truth of power and true power. We will unite politically, culturally, and economically.

Credit: Cecile Johnson
Credit: Cecile Johnson, CEO & Founder of The African Development Plan

We are celebrating the present, our future, and the past in merriment. We’re on the road to decolonization and self-determination as a family, nation, and people. It’s a great time to be living and practicing Sankofa. The path to self-determination has to be a true, consistent, and persistent one. It can’t just be doing festive times or when one is being killed in the streets or harassed by the police or even lied to by politicians and the governments. It must be and will be a way of life and come about during reflection of who we, who’s we are, and where we are to know what our path to development looks like. We’re more than entertainers, athletes, influencers, workers, and blacks or whatever you subscribe to. We are living beings having a human experience and we’re here to develop humanity’s consciousness.

We’re Growing Through Genocide

Credit: Cecile Johnson

Fetch What is at Risk of Being Left Behind

Sankofa is learning from the past, not forgetting our history and heritage. We have to communicate with each other what we know, our perspectives, and our insights. To inform the present and the future we must know the past truths, lies, and reality. My history and heritage has a large chunk of slavery, war, and people being misnomered. I will not turn the cheek to that nor act like it’s not part of what I have inherited as a descendant of my ancestors and elders. It will not be lost nor forgotten but used to determine solutions to problems and evolve our way of life. We are aborigines and we need to determine our status and stand on our rights. We must fetch what is at risk of being lost and asking questions not only to get answers but to remedy them. There’s always new learning as we move and discover what was left behind.

My Stance

I’m riding with mine, my people, and urbanely correcting what is wrong or misunderstood. I am not asking for permission to support anyone who may be taking their stance when it relates to who we are as a people that seem to be nationless when we are not. I am claiming my identity and inserting it. It’s not up for debate or to be questioned. I am lessening distractions and moving in truth while I’m here on earth.

I’m working on a level of diplomacy where I can accept the perspectives, opinions, and insights of others without allowing them to change who I am, how I’ve chosen to self-identify and determine how I express myself, I will not come off my throne to please others nor demean them for how they choose to see things. That is the true power of self-determination when acting based on ethics, ethnicity, and value.

Same time this shit is bigger than me. It’s bigger than you, it’s bigger than us but it’s us against everybody if I choose. And I choose.

Credit: Cecile Johnson

Remember and be encouraged that we are one people

Cecile Johnson

Artist @1YoungTakeoff 1/3 of The Migos has passed at 28, @OffsetYRN & @QuavoYRN Life isn’t Promised, Love ❤️ Conquers All

Culture News, Entertainment, Heritage-History
MIGOS Trio and Original Family Members

Family is important and holding on to things that can be reconciled hurts the most when you can’t get things right. In this case we don’t know if Takeoff and Offset or Quavo and Offset were speaking. They aren’t just family by blood 🩸 but through success which makes their ties even more stronger.

Loyalty before royalty is everything, and I don’t know what truly happened between the family members even though there are speculations about the situation but I don’t get into rumors. I only get into LOVE ❤️ and things I know to be true.

Takeoff and Quavo as children

I hope this brings the other two Migos back together and that conflict resolution takes place because love 💗 conquers all. Quavo will never be the same again and neither will Offset. Quavo had to witness this ordeal and Offset will never get to speak his peace because everyone’s ego was in the way.

Clout is a hell of a drug.

There is a lot of unsentimental and insensitive reporting happening right now as it relates to the story and I refuse to partake for clicks. It is important to the culture but most importantly what the culture needs right now is LOVE, ETHICS, and UNITY.

Takeoff and Offset Showing love ❤️

It has been reported that Artist, Kirshnik Khari Ball, better known as Takeoff was shot and killed at 810 Billiards 🎱 and Bowling 🎳 located at 1201 San Jacinto, around 2:40 a.m. (Click 2 Houston)

Messages from a Source who was there (Twitter)
Messages continued
Messages continued

“Officers said when they arrived at the scene, they located a large crowd and a man with a gunshot wound to the head or neck. The man, who officers did not immediately identify, was pronounced dead at the scene, HPD said. (Click 2 Houston”

I send much love ❤️ light 💡 and peace ☮️ to the family at this time.

The Migos before the clout and evolving into international business. Get with your family and make it right.

@PNBRock Shot and Killed at Roscoes in South LA During Robbery

Culture News

Real name Rakim Allen, PnB was transported to the hospital at 1:59 PM and pronounced dead after being involved in a robbery at 1:15 PM at the famous eatery Roscoes Chicken 🍗 and Waffles 🧇 located on Main Street and Manchester Avenue where he was dining with his girlfriend who’d posted a location tagged photo on Instagram allegedly an hour before the assault according to a law enforcement captain in Los Angeles, by the name of Kelly Muniz (Los Angeles Times; Draughorne & Winton).

It was a video posted of the artist laying in a pool of blood by a witness, and a witness also said that the suspect approached PnB while he was dining. This happen earlier today, Monday afternoon.

PnB and his girlfriend; and location tagged photo

It was reported that the suspect waved a gun inside the restaurant and demanded items from PnB, sources said he was targeted for his jewelry, he then shot him and ran out the side door to a getaway car 🚙 and then fled the scene. It is unclear how the assailant got the location but it is assumed that it could have been from his girlfriend’s post, a patron or a employer.

If you’re at a certain status or you wear expensive items be sure you have standard rules of engagement, carry protection, and make sure you travel safe. You never know what could happen. It’s unfortunate that this happen to PnB, he would have been 31 December 9 of this year.

I send my condolences 💐 to his family and loved 🥰 ones.

@600Breezy Mourns His Amour Raven Jackson, loses her to suicide and depression

Culture News

Chicago-One of our native people are mourning this week after losing their girlfriend, a award 🥇 winning film 🎞 maker, fitness guru, beauty, serial entrepreneur Raven Jackson.

“Jackson was a participant of Film at Lincoln Center’s Artist Academy during the 57th New York Film Festival (Obituary via Top of Info).” Raven was only 24 years of age and preparing for her birthday fitness camp in Miami

Check on your people who you feel or know are strong 💪🏾, pay attention to people who tell you they are battling depression because they hide well. Don’t be so detached as a human that you allow someone you love 💕 to leave this earth 🌍 feeling unloved or not appreciated. Be that one person to help change the direction to choosing death as a resolve.

Right now we all need love ❤️ and compassion. We need healing ❤️‍🩹 and to be connected to one’s who will poor into us as much as we pour into them. We need solutions and answers to questions that can only sometimes be answered through our shadow work. Our environment mentally, spiritually and physically can play a part in triggering us.

Let’s send some love ❤️ prayer 🤲🏾 and healing ❤️‍🩹 to Raven Jackson’s family and loved 🥰 ones who will be missing her presence. May she have traveled 🧳 well to the next realm and was met by her angels to help her transition heavenly.