Tonita Cheatham is an overcomer. As the executive director of community relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, she has built a career defined by resilience, impact and leadership. But her journey to success has been anything but linear. “There will be many turns, detours, setbacks, and even crashes,” Cheatham said. “The person I was then could not have predicted the person I would be today, where I would go, and what I would experience to get here.” That unwavering perseverance has earned her recognition as a

Keiana Barrett (Photo Provided). The Business Leadership Council (BLC), the Chicago area’s premier organization of black corporate leaders and entrepreneurs, proudly announces the appointment of Keiana Barrett as its new Chief Executive Officer. For 15  years, the BLC has been active in Chicago’s government, civic and political arenas, representing its members who are among the region’s most prominent and successful minority-owned businesses. Its leadership has been a resource for government leaders at the city, state and county levels, providing guidance on civic boards and commissions and advocacy on issues

Richard Gallion overcame challenges to build a thriving career in acting, writing, and directing. His latest production, “A Fall from Royalty,” explores history, community, and the power of choice (Photo Credit: Richard Gallion Entertainment). On a Tuesday morning, Richard Gallion started his day praying. “I sit silently for at least 15 minutes and pray,” he said. Afterward, Gallion took his youngest son to school, a significant trek up north. “Then, I pick up my other son and take him to school—two completely different directions.” Living on the South Side in

Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued new guidance to Illinois law enforcement, stressing their duty to follow state laws that restrict involvement in federal immigration enforcement. The goal is to build trust between immigrant communities and local police, strengthen public safety, and clearly define the limits of state and local authority. The guidance outlines the provisions of the Illinois TRUST Act, the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act, and the Way Forward Act. These laws collectively aim to build cooperation between immigrant communities and law enforcement by

Recently appointed DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth shares her vision for an inclusive, accessible Chicago arts scene, shaped by the legacy of cultural icons and driven by community engagement (Photo Credit: City of Chicago). Clinée Hedspeth is deeply passionate about art, the City of Chicago, its people, and Margaret Burroughs, the legendary artist, writer, educator and co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History. Hedspeth, who was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) this Spring, takes each of these to heart, as they

Dick Allen (Photo Credit: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum/X). Former Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Though Allen had only spent three of his 15 Major League Baseball seasons on the South Side, he left an indelible mark on the franchise.  Thanks to the Classic Baseball Era Committee, Allen and fellow slugger Dave Parker will be bestowed baseball’s most hallowed honor. This 16-member body considered eight players whose primary contributions to the game occurred before 1980.  It’s a posthumous

The quest for redemption is a journey as old as time. The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that no fall from grace is irredeemable. But for many of the 1.2 million incarcerated Americans, redemption remains a distant hope, an unreachable shore. Upon their return home, they can face burdens like shame, blame and guilt, along with the diminished prospects of enjoying a normal life where finding sustainable employment and affordable housing remains elusive. Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising star in the Democratic Party and a proud

Ralph Clark, CEO of SoundThinking, spoke exclusively to The Chicago Defender about the technology’s value and the implications of the council’s decision (Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons and soundthinking.com). Earlier this week, the City Council overwhelmingly voted to grant Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling the power to renew the city’s ShotSpotter contract. This move defied Mayor Brandon Johnson’s wish to terminate the controversial gun detection technology. Not long after that vote, Johnson vowed to veto the measure that passed 33-14, calling it illegal because, in the words of Corporation Counsel Mary