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Sustainable, Affordable Housing Development is Unveiled in Auburn-Gresham

A sustainable, affordable housing development and retail space has come to Auburn-Gresham. 548 Capital, a subsidiary of 548 Enterprise, partnered with the City of Chicago, ComEd, LISC Chicago, JPMorgan Chase and local minority-owned businesses to announce the successful realization of the affordable housing and retail spaces at 1376 W. 79th Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was […]
The post Sustainable, Affordable Housing Development is Unveiled in Auburn-Gresham first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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A sustainable, affordable housing development and retail space has come to Auburn-Gresham.

548 Capital, a subsidiary of 548 Enterprise, partnered with the City of Chicago, ComEd, LISC Chicago, JPMorgan Chase and local minority-owned businesses to announce the successful realization of the affordable housing and retail spaces at 1376 W. 79th Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this week to announce the development.

“We at 548 Enterprise are very proud to have partnered with the City on this synergistic project on 79th Street,” said AJ Patton, CEO and founder of 548 Enterprise. “The TIF program was vital to the project’s success, and we are grateful for the city program and Alderman Moore’s continued advocacy.”

The development encompasses 7,000 square feet of retail space and accommodates 11 commercial storefronts. The space also includes 28 affordable-housing residential units with cutting-edge, energy-efficient features such as a new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC system, high-performance windows and energy-efficient lighting. In the next development phase, rooftop solar photovoltaic panels will be installed, potentially contributing to a projected 33% to 50% reduction in energy consumption.

Financial backing for the project includes a $500,000 grant from the Department of Housing’s (DOH) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Purchase Rehab program. Furthermore, LISC Chicago has provided a $1.5 million loan as part of its Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF), supporting the development’s commitment to fostering businesses. JPMorgan Chase has also played a crucial role by extending support through EOCF, facilitating access to loan capital for borrowers and projects outside traditional lending criteria.

“The completion of 1370 W. 79th Street renovation is a testament to the dedication of the DOH and developers like Patton, who strive to provide affordable housing in our communities,” said DOH’s Acting Commissioner Jim R. Horan. “In addition to providing the needed affordable housing, this project also serves as a representation for the continued revitalization and growth of the South Side of Chicago.”

This initiative represents a pivotal step in an ongoing campaign to advance building decarbonization and reduce communities’ reliance on fossil fuels by adopting more efficient energy technologies. In tandem with ComEd’s highly regarded energy efficiency program, which has generated over $8 billion in energy bill savings for families and businesses since 2008, ComEd’s Affordable Housing New Construction program, designed to incentivize energy-efficient building design, played a substantial role in the project.

Offering nearly $88,000 in incentives and ongoing technical assistance, this program facilitated the integration of high-efficiency building elements like heat pumps, HVAC systems, windows, and other features. These elements have demonstrated a significant reduction in energy usage, decreased carbon emissions, and improved air quality for the community, all made possible through ComEd’s valuable support.

“ComEd is proud to partner with 548 Capital on the development of new, high-efficiency housing and retail space along the historic 79th Street corridor,” said Gil C. Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “This project will create long-term sustainability and economic benefits for this community and Chicago more broadly, advancing our goal of empowering customers to adopt higher efficiency equipment that will lower their energy usage, reduce carbon emissions and enhance air quality across all of our communities.”

The overall project expenses for 1370 W. 79th Street amount to $2.7 million, with the Department of Housing’s (DOH) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant playing a crucial role in facilitating the rehabilitation of the development. As per the stipulations outlined in the TIF Purchase Rehab program, Patton has committed to preserve nine out of the 28 residential units as affordable housing for individuals at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for 10 years.

Other vital stakeholders contributing to the residential renovation project include the Chicago Department of Planning and Development and Ald. David Moore of the 17th Ward.

“Mixed-use development projects are vital to providing access to more affordable housing and businesses and steering Illinois toward a future of clean energy. AJ Patton and his team at 548 Capital have spearheaded these important developments across our city,” said David Moore, 17th Ward Alderman. “I also want to thank all of the groups that contributed to help bring this development to fruition and for their continued dedication to making the 17th ward a clean and efficient development space.”

The post Sustainable, Affordable Housing Development is Unveiled in Auburn-Gresham appeared first on Chicago Defender.

The post Sustainable, Affordable Housing Development is Unveiled in Auburn-Gresham first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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