“On our first date, I treated her to the finest ice cream Baskin-Robbins had to offer, our dinner table doubling as the curb. I kissed her, and it tasted like chocolate.” -Pres. Barack Obama Last week, I had a chance to check out Southside With You, which was released in theaters last weekend. After watching it, I fell in love with my president, first lady and sweet home of … [Read more...]
The Entire Senior Class of This Inner-City Chicago High School Gets Admitted to College
Because we see so many negative stories and portrayals of black culture in the media, we here at BMWK love the opportunity to showcase our people in a positive light. We've been troubled over the past few years to hear about the inner-city violence among black youths in Chicago. So, when this video came into our inbox, we jumped at the opportunity to post this for our BMWK … [Read more...]
Jackie Robinson West Team Stripped of Their Championship Title
The sad news that the Jackie Robinson West All Stars were stripped of their 2014 Championship title due to the alleged acts of adults, has caused an uproar, and rightfully so. Last year, this was the feel good story of the season. They were the first African American team to actually win a U.S. Little League World Series, but apparently they cheated. After researching the … [Read more...]
[Video] “Howard Mom” Sells Candy to Get Her Daughter Through School
To say it gets pretty cold in Chicago is an absolute understatement. In recent weeks, the chill has hovered in the teens and worse … the type of temperature that sends even the hardiest of residents fleeing to warm buses, cars and the creature comforts of home. But the bone-chilling weather isn’t a factor for Chausii Roberson, a 42-year-old single mom of four. At least a … [Read more...]
Old Hollywood Wedding in Chicago
There's is something about the glamour and elegance of "yesteryear" that has always captured me. Before I got engaged, I always knew the theme of my wedding would be "Old Hollywood in Chicago". Let's go back down memory lane to the best day of my life: September 6, 2014. Our ceremony was held at the Parkway Ballroom, here in Chicago. I am blessed to have a super creative mom, … [Read more...]
Chicago Teen Hopes to Find a Cure for Colon Cancer
Currently a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Kevin Stonewall is a bright and determined young man who may just be the person who develops a cure for colon cancer. When Kevin was in high school, he interned at Rush University and his experiments earned him a number of awards, including being a finalist at Intel's International Science and Engineer Fair in … [Read more...]
Two Chicago Teens Charged in the Shooting of a 14-Year-Old Girl
Earlier this week, 14-year-old Endia Martin was shot in the back and killed by another 14-year-old girl who was reportedly once her friend. Martin was shot at around 4:30pm while she was on her way home from school. The two girls were not on good terms as a result of a dispute that started on Facebook over a boy. Witnesses say that the suspect approached Martin and tried … [Read more...]
Chicago Activist Shot After Attending an Anti-Violence Fundraiser
Leonore Draper, a 32-year-old Chicago activist, was fatally shot after attending anti-violence fundraiser that she helped organize. Draper was a freelance makeup artist and a budget analyst for the Chicago Public schools, but it seems like she was most known for her activism and dedication when it comes to ending gun violence in Chicago. No one is in custody for the crime … [Read more...]
Trip to the Altar: I Want a Marriage More Beautiful than My Wedding
I have a confession: before I got engaged I pretty much had my entire wedding planned on Pinterest. Another confession: before I even MET my fiancé, I had an idea of what my wedding would look like. I Dreamed of My Prince I know I'm not the only one. Girls dream about being a beautiful bride all the time. Once we become women, we realize we're one step closer to having our … [Read more...]
The Problem with Chicago’s School Closings
At the end of this year my city, Chicago is closing a total of 49 Elementary Schools which is the largest in the city’s history. The largest source of revenue for the district, 40% comes from local sources (mostly local property taxes). The state provides 31% of funding via the general state aid (GSA), based on a complicated formula set by the state legislature and finally the … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 9 Year Old Gets Fed Up and Tired of Rahm Emmanuel & Chicago School Board
Video of 9 year old Asean Johnson has taken off over the web, after he took the podium and energized a crowd, organized to protest the closing of more Chicago city public schools. In the video young Asean passionately explains why his school, Marcus Garvey Elementary should not be closed. Asean is definitely not alone in his passion or concern about violence in the streets … [Read more...]
61 Schools Will Close in Chicago
"When you take away access to simple necessities such as education and jobs, you end up with a city that lives and breathes violence." The above quote is from Yesha Callahn, of Clutch Magazine. Her piece focuses on the state of Public Education in Chicago. The town of Chicago has come to be known for violence as its streets have been plagued by homicide. And now, at a time … [Read more...]
NBA Star Seeks to Cover Funeral Costs for Murdered 6-Month-Old Baby
Those of us who were aware of the tragic death of 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins earlier this week continue to be saddened by the situation. NBA player Derrick Rose was also moved by this heartbreaking story, so much so that he is offering to help. As his hometown continues to be plagued with violence Rose has looked for ways to improve the situation in Chicago. Most recently, he … [Read more...]
6-Month-Old Baby Dies After Being Involved in Shooting
When many of us look at babies we see promise. They represent our future and for many of us parents they represent opportunity --- a chance to do better and be better. We look at them and are reminded that our world, as scary as it can be, is still a beautiful place. We ooh and aah and we pray over them, our righteous seeds. We imagine what their life will be like and as we … [Read more...]
FLOTUS Michelle Obama Expected to Attend Funeral for Hadiya Pendleton
The murder of 15 year old Hadiya Pendleton broke the hearts of an already fragile Chicago. Just a week after she and her high school marching band participated in the Presidential Inauguration she was shot while at a park with her friends. As homicides continue in the city, leaders have expressed a desire to have the President come home. It seems as though the Obamas have heard … [Read more...]