Displaying items by tag: Chicago

The $2 trillion stimulus package agreed to by the White House and Senate will inject significant capital into small and large businesses across the country, just not President Trump’s.

While many hip hop artists brag about buying luxury items, Chance the Rapper dropped a new single boasting about his recent purchase of a news website in order to run “racists b—–s out of business.”

The 25-year-old Chicago native announced in a song titled “I Might Need Security” that he now owns the Chicagoist.com, a local news, food, and culture outlet, rapping:

“I got a hit-list so long I don’t know how to finish, I bought the Chicagoist just to run you racist b—-s out of business.”

In the politically charged song, Chance raps over a vocal loop of Jamie Foxx repeatedly singing “f–k you” and calls for the resignation of Chicago’s embattled mayor, Rahm Emanuel. The entertainer also accuses Emanuel of granting paid suspensions to police officers who’ve fatally shot unarmed black people.

According to the Chicagoist’s sister site the Gothamist, Chance’s newly formed company, Social Media LLC, purchased the site from New York Public Radio’s WNYC station, which acquired both the Chicagoist and the Gothmaist as well as the other -ist network of sites in February. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“I’m extremely excited to be continuing the work of the Chicagoist, an integral local platform for Chicago news, events and entertainment,” said Chance in a statement. “WNYC’s commitment to finding homes for the -ist brands, including Chicagoist, was an essential part of continuing the legacy and integrity of the site. I look forward to relaunching it and bringing the people of Chicago an independent media outlet focused on amplifying diverse voices and content.”

Laura Walker, the president and CEO of New York Public Radio, also released a statement, saying:

“We are delighted that the Chicagoist assets are finding a new home in the hands of a proud Chicagoan. WNYC has a strong commitment to local journalism and building community, and we are pleased that these assets will be used to support local coverage in the great city of Chicago.”

In addition to combatting racism, Chance’s nonprofit SocialWorks has helped the homeless, empowered Chicago public school students learning how to code, and funded college-bound high school students. Now, with Social Media LLC, Chance promises to promote local investigative journalism, diversity, and representation for people of color in the media.

Source http://www.blackenterprise.com/chance-the-rapper-media-racism/

Dorothy Leavell, the fiery and fearless chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and publisher of the Chicago and Gary Crusader newspapers, announced that she has led a group in purchasing the “Chicago Reader.”

Certified minority business enterprise firm specializes in custom architectural signage, brand identity and signage surrounding mergers and acquisitions, for local and national chains

Alizabeth Jetter describes herself as an inventor who has always known she was destined to start her own business. And that’s exactly what she has done. Jetter, a South Side native, is the owner of the only Black owned distillery in that country that is run by a female. The distillery and her product is […]...

Five cities have received grants totaling a half-million dollars via a national program to help black- and women-owned firms land more contracts with local governments. (Image: iStock/monkeybusinessimages)  As part of an expanded City Accelerator program, Charlotte, Chicago, Memphis, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles will each get $100,000 to boost...

The late black media pioneer John H. Johnson will get a speaker series in his name at Howard University this month....

Chicago faith leaders gathered to share their initiative to encourage their congregations to open accounts at one of the city’s Black-owned banks. The group, which…...

Last week marked the end of an era for the historic Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co.After a 71-year run, the family-owned business has sold its iconic Ebony magazine and the now digital-only Jet magazine to Clear View Group, a private equity firm in Denton, Texas. Johnson Publishing retained ownership of Fashion Fair cosmetics and its photo...

Quintin E. Primo III knows all too well the life lesson of his favorite quote from the late British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill: “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”As the chairman and CEO of Chicago-based Capri Investment Group, Primo, 61, is the quintessential success story. His passion...