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The Chicago Defender 2023 #SummerTimeChi Calendar

No other term captures the vibe, energy or essence of Chicago in the Summer like #SummerTimeChi, coined by native son Kanye West. Speaking of which, our #SummerTimeChi calendar is the source for all things fun happening in and around the city this season. Below is a list of Summer events we are eagerly anticipating: June Chicago […]
The post The Chicago Defender 2023 #SummerTimeChi Calendar first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2023

Chicago Defender Staff

Below is a list of Summer events we are eagerly anticipating:

June

Chicago Gospel Music Festival (June 3)

This free event — yes, I said FREE — features Gospel supernova Tye Tribbett and the inimitable Karen Clark Sheard, among others. The event takes place this Saturday at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Good music for the soul for free? What more can you ask for, honestly? Go here for more information.

Rhomania Sigma Explosion Fest & TORCH Awards hosted by Delta Sigma Chapter (June 3)

Anytime Bilal and RES are on the bill, you’ll get that good music, that real neo-soul we still cherish. They headline the Rhomania Sigma Explosion Fest & TORCH Awards. This Saturday event is brought to you by the Delta Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Head here for ticket info.

Hadiya’s Promise Presents: The 10th Annual Party4Peace (June 3)

We will always remember Hadiya Pendleton. That’s why we’re glad that Party4Peace continues to honor her memory. This event at Hadiya Pendelton Park will offer food, music, fun and bouncy houses for the little ones. As the name indicates, this is a party in the name of peace — a cause truly worthy of your support. Head here for more info on this free event.

Incognito with Special Guest Loose Ends Featuring Jane Eugene (June 3)

Let’s call this event the British soul invasion. Incognito and Loose Ends, two of the most revered music groups from across the pond, perform at the Hard Rock Casino in Northern Indiana this Saturday evening. Great music by these veteran performers makes for what should be an unforgettable experience. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

Sunday Service: In The Garden (June 4)

If DJ Duane Powell presides over the music, it promises to be a soulful and futuristic religious experience. Really. He will host “Sunday Service: In The Garden” outdoors at the charming Kenwood Gardens at 6929 S. Kenwood. Be prepared to dance, sing, shout, and fellowship with the community. Bring your percussive instruments, tambourines, dancing spirit and lawn chairs. Check this Facebook page for more info on this free event.

Rest.Rise.Move.Nourish.Heal. World Premiere (June 8-10)

Red Clay Dance Company closes its 14th season with some heat! This unique experience is described as “a site-responsive dance ritual created by Founder and Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders-Ward and Company in collaboration with composer/music director avery r. young, filmmaker Jovan Landry, and Kelley KFLEYE Moseley and Evelyn Danner.” For ticket info, head on over here.

Chicago Blues Festival (June 8-11)

The largest free Blues fest in the world is back! Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Los Lobos and Mud Morganfield are the headliners. Even if you aren’t into the Blues like that, this fest promises a great time. Hit this link for more info.

Godfrey at the Chicago Improv Comedy Club (June 8-11)

It’s a homecoming for this comedian, who grew up in Chicago and went to Lane Tech. He’s been setting stages on fire around the world for years with his keen, cutting and insightful brand of comedy. A must follow on Instagram, by the way. Head here for tickets.

Chaka Khan Live at the MCA (June 10)

Speaking of homecomings, there will be none quite as huge and meaningful as this one. Chaka Khan — that’s Ms. Khan, to you —returns to the crib to perform at the Museum of Contemporary Art. If you have the bread, go. Where else can you see a bonafide music legend in the flesh? Tix are available at this link.

16th Annual Chicago Defender Men of Excellence (June 16)

Powerful, distinguished Black men from Chicago will be honored at the Tinley Park Convention Center, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. This annual event proves that brothers are making serious moves out here. Put on your good clothes for this one. Tickets are available here.

Meshell Ndegeocello at Thalia Hall (June 16)

Few artists have the discography, artistic integrity and virtuosity that Ndegeocello possesses. And even fewer have been able to evolve and still remain dope. Her shows are something else too. Find out more by heading to this link.

Hyde Park Summer Fest (June 17-18)

Formerly known as the Hyde Park Brew Fest, this multicultural, multi-generational festival of food, music, culture and vibes returns to the Midway Plaisance. This event blew up, as evidenced by this year’s performers — Clipse, 2 Chainz, Lil Kim, Robert Glasper and Tobe Nwigwe. Tickets are available at the Summer Fest site.

Chicago Pride Fest (June 17-18)

This landmark festival in Northalsted is all about music, fun, freedom and above all, pride. It’s just a $15 suggested donation to experience it all. Click here to learn more.

Juneteenth Celebration at the Village of Richton Park (June 17)

This celebration rings in the Juneteenth Holiday Weekend with live music, food trucks, vendors, kids activities and a beer garden. This Facebook page has all the info you need.

Juneteenth Village Fest (June 18)

Food, fun, family, tradition and dope music all day long. That’s what this Douglass Park event promises. Internationally-renowned Black music artists will perform like Angie Stone, Talib Kweli, Marsha Ambrosius, BJ The Chicago Kid, Kindred the Family Soul and more. This is a party with a purpose for real. Get your tickets here.

Juneteenth Community BBQ (June 19)

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center hosts this Juneteenth celebration that features BBQ, family fun and tradition. To get in the know, click the event page here.

Chicago House Music Festival (June 23-24)

It’s house music all day and all night long in the city that birthed it. Here are the DJs that are expected to spin — DJ Roy Davis Jr., DJ Psycho-B, NoshaLuv, DJ Emmaculate, and DJ V. Click here for more info.

Pride in the Park Chicago 2023 (June 23-24)

This two-day festival returns to Grant Park with more music and revelry. Saweetie and DJ Lady D are the headliners for Saturday. Head to this site for ticket info.

Rhythm and Beats Chicago RnB+AfroBeats Block Party (June 24)

Dance your soul out at this glorious block party that features music from around the globe. This event takes place at City Hall (restaurant) by Fulton Market. Info on this event can be found here.

The Chicago Pride Parade (June 25)

The 52nd annual pride parade returns on the final Sunday of the month, and it might be the biggest one yet. Last year, the Pride Parade came back strong, attracting over one million revelers. Expect this year to be no different. For more information, visit this site.

Syleena Johnson at City Winery (June 29-30)

The Grammy-nominated, powerhouse vocalist returns home to perform at City Winery Chicago. One thing you’re gonna get from Johnson is a true shot of soul, straight from the gut. That voice of hers just does something to us, too. For more information, visit the City Winery Chicago site.

Anita Baker at the United Center (June 30)

A landmark Summer concert featuring one of the most distinctive voices in R&B. Anita Baker is truly in a class all by herself, and you can witness living greatness at the UC. Tickets are available here.

July

Terisa Griffin at City Winery (July 1)

There’s a reason they refer to Griffin as “The Empress of Soul.” She is a renaissance woman who has a track record for putting on memorable performances. Head to City Winery Chicago for more info.

NASCAR Chicago Street Race (July 1-2)

NASCAR takes over Chicago to host a racing event on a 2.140 mile street circuit. This race has the whole city buzzing, and it hasn’t even started yet. Interested parties should visit the race site for ticket info.

Chosen Few Picnic & Festival 2023 (July 8)

This destination event at Jackson Park has always had a family reunion feel. The vibes are blissful. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll run into someone you haven’t seen in a long time. The lineup for this year’s celebration is fire as usual — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King, Terry Hunter, Andre Hatchett, Mike Dunn and more. Tickets are going fast.

Millennium Park Summer Film Series — Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (July 25)

The sequel to Black Panther gets the outdoor treatment at Millennium Park on a 40-foot screen. This is the perfect event for the little ones. Visit this site for more info.

Deon Cole at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana (June 29)

This is basically a homecoming for one of the most accomplished comedians around. Cole is truly Chicago’s own and few of the new guys have reached his level of stardom. Plus, dude is hilarious. Head here for more info on this event.

18th Annual Silver Room Sound System Block Party 2023 (July 29-30)

This multigenerational block party has always been a Chicago summer staple. Expect more of the same for this year’s edition, which takes place at Oakwood Beach — beautiful people, fantastic live music, great food and really swell energy. Get your tix here.

Bantu Fest 2023 (July 29-31)

Another summertime destination for Black Chicagoans. This event brings together people from 30 countries to the Midway Plaisance for a celebration of love, unity, music and fun. You have to get in on this one. Head over to the official Bantu Fest site to do so.

All Summer Long

Jazzin’ at the Shedd

Live jazz is the ultimate elixir for the mid-week blues. That’s what this Shedd Aquarium event brings you every Wednesday throughout the summer. Jazzin’ lasts from June 7 – August 30, from 5 – 10pm. Go here to get your ticket fix.

Millennium Park Summer Music Series

Critically-acclaimed musicians from every corner of earth are featured during the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, which occurs Mondays and Thursdays from June 22 – August 21 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. This year’s lineup features notable acts like Stephen Marley, Big Freedia, Shemekia Copeland and PJ Morton. Get the 4-1-1 at this link.

Ravinia Festival

This summer outdoor music series in Highland Park is an institution. Every year, Ravinia offers something for everyone. Notable acts playing this summer include Santana, The Isley Brothers, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill, Buddy Guy, George Benson, John Legend and Ne-Yo. Visit the Ravinia site for more info.

The post The Chicago Defender 2023 #SummerTimeChi Calendar appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post The Chicago Defender 2023 #SummerTimeChi Calendar first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Chicago Defender Staff

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Trump Set to Sign Largest Cut to Medicaid After a Marathon Protest Speech by Leader Jeffries

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S.

Published

1 week ago

July 3, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

By a vote of 218 to 214, the GOP-controlled U.S. House passed President Trump’s massive budget and spending bill that will add $3.5 trillion to the national debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S. With $175 billion allocated in spending for immigration enforcement, the money for more police officers eclipsed the 2026 budget for the U.S. Marines, which is $57 billion. Almost all of the policy focus from the Trump Administration has focused on deporting immigrants of color from Mexico and Haiti.

The vote occurred as members were pressed to complete their work before the arbitrary deadline of the July 4 holiday set by President Trump. It also occurred after Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the House floor for over 8 hours in protest. Leader Jeffries broke the record in the U.S. House for the longest floor speech in history on the House floor. The Senate passed the bill days before and was tied at 50-50, with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski saying that, “my hope is that the House is gonna look at this and recognize that we’re not there yet.” There were no changes made to the Senate bill by the House. A series of overnight phone calls to Republicans voting against, not changes, was what won over enough Republicans to pass the legislation, even though it adds trillions to the debt. The Trump spending bill also cuts money to Pell grants.

“The Big Ugly Bill steals food out of the hands of starving children, steals medicine from the cabinets of cancer patients, and equips ICE with more funding and more weapons of war than the United States Marine Corps. Is there any question of who those agents will be going to war for, or who they will be going to war against? Beyond these sadistic provisions, Republicans just voted nearly unanimously to close urban and rural hospitals, cripple the child tax credit, and to top it all off, add $3.3 trillion to the ticking time bomb that is the federal deficit – all from a party that embarrassingly pretends to stand for fiscal responsibility and lowering costs,” wrote Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) in a statement on July 3.

“The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make college less affordable. Three million people will lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And up to 16 million students could lose access to free school meals. The Republican bill does all of this to fund tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations,” wrote Education and Workforce Committee ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) in a statement. The bill’s passage has prompted Democrats to start thinking about 2026 and the next election cycle. With the margins of victory in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate being so narrow, many are convinced that the balance of power and the question of millions being able to enjoy health care come down to only several thousand votes in congressional elections. But currently, Republicans controlled by the MAGA movement control all three branches of government. That reality was never made more stark and more clear than the last seven days of activity in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

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WATCH: NNPA Publishers Pivot To Survive

7.2.25 via NBC 4 Washington

Published

1 week ago

July 3, 2025

Oakland Post

7.2.25 via NBC 4 Washington

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9oZc5Sz0jQQ&feature=oembed

Oakland Post

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Congressional Black Caucus Challenges Target on Diversity

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted

Published

1 week ago

July 3, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Target is grappling with worsening financial and reputational fallout as the national selective buying and public education program launched by the Black Press of America and other national and local leaders continues to erode the retailer’s sales and foot traffic. But a recent meeting that the retailer intended to keep quiet between CEO Brian Cornell and members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force was publicly reported after the Black Press discovered the session, and the CBC later put Target on blast.

“The Congressional Black Caucus met with the leadership of the Target Corporation on Capitol Hill to directly address deep concerns about the impact of the company’s unconscionable decision to end a number of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke stated. “Like many of the coalition leaders and partner organizations that have chosen to boycott their stores across the country, we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted,” Congresswoman emphasized. “Black consumers contribute overwhelmingly to our economy and the Target Corporation’s bottom line. Our communities deserve to shop at businesses that publicly share our values without sacrificing our dignity. It is no longer acceptable to deliver promises to our communities in private without also demonstrating those values publicly.”

Lauren Burke, Capitol Hill correspondent for Black Press of America, was present when Target CEO Cornell and a contingent of Target officials arrived at the U.S. Capitol last month. “It’s always helpful to have meetings like this and get some candid feedback and continue to evolve our thinking,” Cornell told Burke as he exited the meeting. And walked down a long hallway in the Cannon House Office Building. “We look forward to follow-up conversations,” he stated. When asked if the issue of the ongoing boycott was discussed, Cornell’s response was, “That was not a big area of focus — we’re focused on running a great business each and every day. Take care of our teams. Take care of the guests who shop with us and do the right things in our communities.”

A national public education campaign on Target, spearheaded by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the NNPA’s board of directors, and with other national African American leaders, has combined consumer education efforts with a call for selective buying. The NNPA is a trade association that represents the more than 220 African American-owned newspapers and media companies known as the Black Press of America, the voice of 50 million African Americans across the nation. The coalition has requested that Target restore and expand its stated commitment to do business with local community-owned businesses inclusive of the Black Press of America, and to significantly increase investment in Black-owned businesses and media, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU, Black-owned Banks, national Black Church denominations, and grassroots and local organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all Americans, and especially those from underserved communities. According to Target’s latest earnings report, net sales for the first quarter of 2025 fell 2.8 percent to $23.85 billion compared to the same period last year. Comparable store sales dropped 3.8 percent, and in-store foot traffic slid 5.7 percent.

Shares of Target have also struggled under the pressure. The company’s stock traded around $103.85 early Wednesday afternoon, down significantly from roughly $145 before the controversy escalated. Analysts note that Target has lost more than $12 billion in market value since the beginning of the year. “We will continue to inform and to mobilize Black consumers in every state in the United States,” Chavis said. “Target today has a profound opportunity to respond with respect and restorative commitment.”