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"Most Whites and Blacks in America Are Living in Two Totally Different Countries!"
Phillip Jackson, The Black Star Project
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Whites and blacks in Chicago are living in two totally different cities
By Emily Badger
May 9, 2016
The New York Times and the Kaiser Family Foundation published an opinion poll Friday of residents of Chicago, a city that's currently wrestling with overlapping crises in its schools, police department, public finances, criminal justice system and city hall. "Residents of Chicago," writes the Times' Monica Davey, "appear to have lost faith in many of its essential institutions."
Nearly half of parents with children at home said they would like to leave the city. Three-quarters of all respondents said they believed the city had seriously gotten on the wrong track.
The data, though, is particularly revealing for what it says about the very different experiences in Chicago of blacks and whites, who, because of largely decades-old patterns of segregation, largely inhabit separate sides of the city. Whites and blacks offered bluntly different responses to many questions.
Sixty-three percent of blacks said they thought the biggest problem facing the city was crime, violence or gangs; just 35 percent of whites said the same (they're more likely to cite economic and budget issues).
The city's gravest problems - violence, struggling schools and concentrated poverty - are disproportionately experienced by blacks. In fact, it's possible to live in some North Side neighborhoods and remain entirely untouched by them. The difference between these two realities is the city's biggest challenge yet.
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Join Black Star's Emerging Young Leaders Board!
Join the inaugural class of the Emerging Young Leaders Board, our new associate board of young professionals.
The Black Star Project's Emerging Young Leaders Board is comprised of young professionals (ages 22-39) in the Chicagoland area who will use their talents and skills to grow an organization that has been committed to educating, encouraging, and empowering students, families, and communities for twenty years. The Emerging Young Leaders Board will work to expand the visibility and resources of The Black Star Project through social events, volunteering, and fundraising, as well as provide opportunities for young professionals to develop new skills, take on leadership roles, and broaden their professional and social circles by attending seminars and workshops. For more information, visit our website.
Speed Networking and Wine Event
Learn more about the Emerging Young Leaders Board, meet other like-minded young professionals, and enjoy a fun evening getting to know The Black Star Project!
Friday, May 20, 2016
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hosted by The Black Star Project
3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B
Chicago, IL 60653
Snacks and refreshments will be provided. This is a FREE event. Free parking is available behind the building.
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Congratulations to Detroit, Michigan!!!
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Meet The Six Black
Schoolgirls Who Are
National Chess Champs
The 'underdogs' were among more than 440 players participating in the annual competition
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| CHESS CHAMPS: Detroit's University Prep Science & Math team won the CF All-Girls National Championships on Sunday, April 24, 2016. |
April 27, 2016
Detroit, Michigan - A GROUP of young, black schoolgirls have claimed victory at a national chess championship.
The chess team, from Detroit's University Prep Science & Math won in the under 14 category at the 13th annual Kasparov Chess Foundation (KCF) All-Girls National Championships Sunday (Apr 24).
"I was pretty amazed," Jada Hamilton, 13, told Detroit News. "It's hard to describe how I felt that day because I was really happy."
It was Jada's victory Sunday that led to her team winning the overall championships, which were presented by the KCF, US Chess Federation and Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation.
The youths, who are all active in the Detroit City Chess Club, were among more than 440 players participating, organisers said.
Head coach Kevin Fite told the Detroit News that although they have previously competed in this contest, this year represented "a significant win."
"We've won a lot of other national tournaments, but we've never won this one. ... We were considerably the underdog in that section," Fite said.
"They put in a lot of hard work," Jada's mum, Kamisha Hamilton, said of Jada and Jada's twin sister, Jaidyn, who also competed. "They were really determined."
"We always tell them, every place they go, they represent Detroit. It's a wonderful showing," assistant coach Kwabena Shabu added.
Click Here to See A Trailer on an African Chess Champion, The Queen of Katwe
Click Here to See and Hear the Real Life African Hero and Real Queen of Katwe
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Omaha, Nebraska Leads the Nation
with Its "No Murders In May" Program
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Mothers gather at luncheon to support loved ones lost to violence
Mayor Jean Stothert speaks at event
By Gina Lisa Tamayo
May 08, 2016
OMAHA, Neb. - Mother's Day can be bittersweet for those who have lost their children or loved ones to violence.
A group of community leaders and mothers who attended the fourth annual "No Murders in May" Mother's Day Luncheon on Saturday were looking to change that stigma.
The room was full of mothers who have lost a loved one to violence.
Emotions run high for those left behind, but the gathering was a place where mothers, grandmothers and daughters could grieve but also understand hope.
"It really makes you feel the presence of love (and) support," said Buffy Bush, who lost her sister to violence and is the founder of Families of the Stolen.
Bush's sister, Jamelia Hesseltine, was shot and killed in 2011, leaving behind two sons.
"Violence became a part of my everyday household because I had two nephews to look after," Bush said. "You know, two nephews to try to keep joy in their life. With lots of questions of 'why.'"
Bush said it's important to find support in one another.
"We wanted to be able to bring them into an environment with other women who went through the same loss that they had," said Willie Hamilton, executive director of Black Men United.
Mayor Jean Stothert, a mother herself, was also at the event to speak.
By coming together, the women said they are bringing awareness to the impact violence has in the Omaha community and to ensure that their memories never fade away.
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Beautiful Girl Without Hands
Wins $1,000 in Handwriting Contest
A Chesapeake, Virginia girl - who was born without hands - has won the Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellence in Manuscript Penmanship, beating out thousands of kids nationwide.
Anaya Ellick is a first grader at Greenbrier Christian Academy. The young girl has overcome many odds in spite of not having any hands. Remarkably, Anaya does not use prosthetic limbs.
She writes by holding a pencil between her two arms. She also stands up to get a better writing angle.
" 'Out of this world', people always say 'oh my gosh she is beyond her years how she speaks, everything that she does,' " mother, Bianca Middleton said.
Anaya won the top prize by competing against thousands of elementary students. According to the penmanship competition sponsor, Zaner-Bloser, an estimated 300,000 students participate in the contest each year.
"Anaya is a remarkable young lady. She does not let anything get in the way of doing what she has set out to do," says GCA principal Tracy Cox. "She is a hard worker and has some of the best handwriting in her class."
Middleton describes her daughter as "vibrant and independent" and says she is inspired by her fortitude and resilience.
This is what her winning entry looked like:
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Quote of the Day
From The Black Star Learning Center
"If you don't accept failure as a possibility, you don't set high goals, you don't branch out, you don't try - you don't take the risk."
--Rosalynn Carter
Quote provided by Black Star Member Stanley Jendresak
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3rd Annual Mass Black Male Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, June 25, 2016
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church
4100 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60653
This ceremony is designed to honor the graduates for their accomplishments and show them what is possible by introducing them to distinguished, successful individuals. After the ceremony, new graduates will have the opportunity to network and engage with Black male leaders in the community. Join us to network with these men, and hear the keynote address from George Wright, Midwest Director of Community Development at Citi.
College, High School and Elementary (8th grade) graduates are invited to participate. Graduates will receive light refreshments before the ceremony.
Scholarship Opportunity!
High school graduates who register for the ceremony and complete the very short application are eligible to win one of two $250 scholarships/workforce development stipends.
This event is free and open to the public. All family, friends, and community members are encouraged to attend to support these new graduates.
To register, follow the above link, or call 773-285-9600.
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We Are Looking for Young People Who Want to Work and Will Take Advantage of an Opportunity
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