She Owns It She Biz Conference for Black Women Winning in Business Returns for the 2nd Year at UIC Forum During Women’s History Month

CHICAGO, Ill. -- She Owns It She Biz Conference returns to empower Black Women for a second year in Chicago. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the UIC Forum, 1213 S. Halsted. It is created and produced by Black women, specifically for Black women, with the support of Black men, making it a comfortable outlet to discuss issues important to them and their community. Anyone who supports or has a genuine interest in working towards inclusion and equity as we celebrate the Black woman is welcome to participate.

In commemoration of National Entrepreneurs Day (November 15), a Black Woman Magic Round Table was held to discuss Black Women in Society and the goals for this year’s conference. The full-day event will be an exchange of ideas, sharing opportunities, and socializing as we grow an authentic business sisterhood. The day will feature panel discussions, workshops, networking, entertainment, the chance to speak with experts one-on-one, and an expo component highlighting business resources and brands selling their products and services. The She Owns It She Biz Conference is growing to be an impactful event reaching beyond the walls of discussion.

Christi Love, Founder of With an Eye PR and Conference Co-Producer with Kiela Wilson of The Lea Pearl Group Inc., saw the need for clients and friends who work with purpose to build businesses and careers to inspire the next generation of Black women in leadership. The first year of the conference focused on business owners and those who had a goal to start a business. However, the vision has expanded to include women looking to grow their careers in corporate spaces and community leaders working to make a difference in the world.

The keynote speaker for this year is Dr. Gena Jones, founder of Business Boss LLC, a successful attorney, CPA, certified tax resolution specialist, and author of “Legacy Made Simple.” Tickets are available for a special promotional price until January 23, 2023. Senior and student pricing is available for those who qualify. Attendees can participate in person or virtually.

Tickets are available on EventBrite.com. https://sheownsitshebiz2023.eventbrite.com

For more information, email social@sheownsitshebiz.com.

CHICAGO’S FIRST EVER, POET LAUREATE PRIZE, WILL ELIMINATE A VAST NUMBER OF LOCAL SENIOR ARTISTS

BY BEATRICE WATSON

CHATHAM-SOUTHEAST

Chatham, Avalon Park, Park Manor,GreaterGrand Crossing, Burnside,Chesterfield, West Chersterfield, South Shore,and Calumet Heitghts.

SOUTH END Washington Heights,Roseland,Rosemoor, Englewood,West Englewood, Auburn-Gresham, Morgan Park, Maple Park, Mt. Vernon, Fernwood, Bellevue, Beverly, Pullman, West Pullman, West Pullman,Riverdale, Jeffrey Manor and Hegewisch.

SOUTH SUBURBAN

Serves communities in Harvey, Markham, Phoenix, Robbins, Dixmoor, Calumet Park, Blue Island,SouthHolland,and Dolton. Shopping- their favorite pastime!

HYDE PARK Lake Meadows, Oakland, Prairie Shores,Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Woodland,South Shore and Hyde Park.

CHICAGO WEEKEND Chicago Westside Communities, Austin and Garfield Park pose, Fifty and Older Challenge, did not submit her application, out of protest, she does not suggest that this is anything more than a thoughtless oversight. Though the speedy posting of the project in early January for candidates and the rapid deadline for all applications to be submitted by February 28th, left many eyebrows raised. Now serving as an advocate for herself and others, she proposed to the city and other sponsoring parties, that they should consider the applicant’s full body of work, prior to the unexpected disruption of the pandemic, that affected the Senior population far greater than any other. She was told that they would consider her concerns and perfect the competition requirements, in two years, the next time around. Ms. Watson Prays that there will not be a next time around for this deadly Pandemic, which still has lingering effects today, if that is what they mean.

The year 2020 through 2023, is the timeline requirements for creative work that will be judged for the covenant prize of Chicago’s first Poet Laureate. At first take this seemed like an exciting opportunity for Beatrice Watson, a Community Activist, local Poet, Playwright and Author, along with other local seasoned and aspiring, creative writers that have strived to have their work acknowledged by the masses. However after the cheering subsided, she realized that her most dedicated and relevant work had been created and performed prior to that period. She, like her other constituents, had fallen into a black hole of limited productivity, due to the onset of the devastating Pandemic and the crippling effects that it caused during its Shut-down. Granted it gave them more time to create, but very few places, if any at all to perform or even get work traditionally published, since everything was brought to a halt, but oddly this was part of the competition’s main prerequisite. Ms. Watson recalled trying to get some issues corrected by Amazon’s book division, during that time, only to be met with no actively working department.

It seems as if everything will go on as planned, sometime in April. One thing for sure, Beatrice Watson, known as Poetic Storyteller, feels its debut will never be forgotten by talented, eliminated Seniors. Should we prepare to celebrate?

Meets With Idph Director To Discuss Public Health Support In Illinois

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently met with Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to discuss the continued importance of public health funding in Illinois, as the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is set to end in May. Duckworth and Vohra discussed how Illinois can continue to support testing, vaccine and treatment programs going forward, as well as how all Illinoisans can continue to get the high quality, affordable care they need.

“Over the past three years we saw just how critical the leadership of the Illinois Department of Public Health is to the health and well-being of our state,” Duckworth said. “It was great to meet with Dr. Vohra today, and I look forward to continuing to work together to support IDPH and its public health initiatives throughout Illinois.”

During the meeting, Duckworth also met with IDPH Chief of Staff Laura Vaught and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Chief of Staff Ben Winick. In her discussion with Winick, Duckworth emphasized the need to ensure that Illinoisans who rely on Medicaid can continue to get coverage, as well as Illinois’s new law to support nursing home rate reform and the critical need to help provide equitable care for nursing home residents in Illinois.

CASTEN OPENS APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR THE 6TH DISTRICT

March 3rd, 2023 - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL06) has officially opened the applications for FY2024 community project funding.

Members of Congress can advocate for direct funding to their communities through the Fiscal Year 2024 spending bill. To learn what kind of projects are eligible for funding, click here.

Congressman Casten will be able to submit up to fifteen Community Project Funding requests to benefit state or local government grantees or eligible nonprofits. He previously secured over $15 million in funding for FY2023 projects, which included funding to provide housing to victims of domestic abuse, address local hunger and create jobs, combat the climate crisis, and improve local infrastructure.

Greenwood

Even though Beatrice, founder of The Ageless Divas, Women of Pur-

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this Op-Ed are views strictly of the author/writer and not those of this publication or its affiliates.

“Since my first day in Congress, I’ve been working to ensure the federal budget responds to the needs facing constituents of Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District,” said Congressman Casten.“I look forward to advocating for our shared priorities in the appropriations process.

Those interested in applying for community project funding should apply here by March 20th, 2023.