I've watched the heartbreaking stories on CNN and via Social Media and held my kids closer at night thinking, "That couldn't be my child." That was until last week, a 15 year old Honors student named Hadiya Pendleton was brutally shot in the back while trying to seek shelter from the rain. Hadiya could have been one of my kids. She was seemingly doing everything right (she was … [Read more...]
As Homicides Continue Chicago Leaders Ask President Obama to Reach Out to His Hometown
In the wake of the great heartbreak and tragedy that has plagued our nation with regards to gun violence, we the people cry out. While gun violence has transpired throughout our country, it is the violence in Chicago which seems to be taking up much of the media coverage. The homicide rate is skyrocketing as stories such as Shirley Chambers the mother who lost a fourth child to … [Read more...]
Chicago Youth Killed One Week After Participating in the Presidential Inauguration Events
A little over a week ago many of us sat on our living room couches with our eyes fixated on the television as the Inauguration took place. Others, while in Washington D.C., stood outside bundled up watching it happen in person. Of the thousands of people who were there that Monday morning Hadiya Pendleton was one of them. She had gone to perform at the “inaugural events with … [Read more...]
Saying Goodbye Again: Gun Violence Kills Chicago Woman’s Fourth Child
Imagine living your worst nightmare over and over. As parents no image is more horrific than that of your child, once full of life, now lifeless before you. If the world worked the way it was “supposed to” a parent would never out live their child. Children would grow up to become adults and then they would grow old. Sadly things don’t always turn out the way they are supposed … [Read more...]
Chicago Reaches 500th Homicide in 2012; They Need Our Prayers
It chills my spirit just to type that headline. Unfortunately, it is a grim reality that all of us Chicagoans have had to come to terms with. It’s almost as though we are numb to the violence. Whenever I turn on the news, I immediately speculate on how many people were shot the night before. I never ponder whether or not there was a shooting, but simply how many innocent lives … [Read more...]
Gift Cards Given Out As An Incentive For Parents to Get Involved – Right or Wrong?
Back in September, Chicago teachers went on strike to push the school system to meet their demands. Now, Chicago schools are giving parents gift cards in an effort to get them involved in their kids' education and academics. In exchange for picking up their child's report card and attending parent-teacher conferences, parents will receive a $25 Walgreens "Balance Rewards" … [Read more...]
13-Year-Old Chicago Rapper Causes Controversy
Growing up, I listened to teen rappers like Bow Wow and Lil Romeo. They rapped about playing basketball and school crushes, things that most would consider normal for young men. But this upcoming generation of teen rappers has set a new standard of norms and one rapper in particular is causing a lot of controversy. Early this summer, 13-year-old Chicago rapper Lil Mouse … [Read more...]
Chicago Teachers Strike Continues, Students And Parents Struggle To Adjust
Entering into the fourth day of the strike, Chicago students are experiencing somewhat of an extended summer as an agreement between the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union has yet to come. While some students stayed home or roamed through neighborhoods, others joined their parents at work or with relatives for supervision. Though some union members are … [Read more...]
Chicago Teachers Strike, No School For Over 400,000 Students
Inner-city Chicago youth are having an unexpected vacation as their teachers go on strike. The country's third-largest public school system lost their teachers to the picket lines this morning for the first time in 25 years. After failed negotiations over the weekend, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis announced, "We have failed to reach an agreement that will prevent … [Read more...]
Chicago: Married Group “Ish” Performs February 10th
I love marriage and I love music so you know I really love it when the two come together. If you're in Chicago or close by you'll get the chance to see the two connect this week, February 10th when the group Ish takes the stage at The Darkroom. February 10, 2012, ISH will be performing in the "The Love Before" Pre-Valentine Concert at The Darkroom in Chicago, IL. Tickets can … [Read more...]
Beautiful On A Budget With The Frock Shop
Every bride wants to look and feel beautiful on her wedding day, and the perfect gown is often pretty high up on the wedding wish list. Unfortunately, the price tag attached to that perfect gown can be just as high. The average bride spends at least $1100 to buy a wedding gown and that figure can easily creep up much higher when alteration and preservation is considered. And … [Read more...]
Live Blogging: Let’s Stay Together Marriage Conference- Chicago, IL Oct23
BMWK writer Tiya Cunningham-Sumter is live blogging from the Moody Bible Institute's Marriage Conference in Chicago on October 23rd 2010. Check back for updates throughout the day! Newest content is on the top. About The Conference: Let's Stay Together For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Psalm 71:5 Let's … [Read more...]
The World’s Stage – Derrion Albert
by Harriet Hairston It has taken me a few days to find any words that would be coherent enough to write through the ocean of tears shed over the brutal death of Derrion Albert. All the world is a stage, and to watch the lives of at least five young men come to an abrupt end like they did is a tough pill to swallow. One breathed his last on the cold, hard … [Read more...]
Travel Tuesday: Mommy & Me Weekend @ the American Girl Place in Chicago!
A perfect gift idea for your daughter would be her very own American Girl doll. For little girls age 6 and up, the "˜American Girl' dolls have been a popular gift and friend for many years. There are several dolls to choose from with tons of accessories (magazine, toys, furniture etc.) for her new BFF. They even have a clothing line for your daughter and her American Girl … [Read more...]