For this Chicago Defender Men of Excellence award recipient, the honor is more than a career achievement. It's an acknowledgment of the individuals, locations and principles who shaped him. “Being named a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree is a profound honor. It’s a recognition not only of personal achievement but of the collective work of mentors, colleagues, and communities that have shaped and supported me along the way.," said Malik S. Nevels, chief operating officer of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). "It's a validation of individual

Businessman Eric France launches his campaign to succeed Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District. With a diverse field and redrawn map, the 2026 race is already heating up (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback). This past Saturday, inside a cozy restaurant along the Little Calumet River, businessman Eric France launched his campaign for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District—one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 cycle. France, who leads The France Group, a consulting firm founded by his late father, Erwin France, joins a growing field vying to

Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan (Photo Provided).  A capacity crowd of State elected officials, Cook County elected officials, locally elected officials, civic leaders, and residents are expected to witness the historic swearing-in of Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan as he prepares for his second term of office. On April 1, Supervisor Jordan was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term of office by nearly 80% of the vote. In fact, Jordan’s entire slate of current Township Trustees, the Township Clerk, and Constitutional Officers were also re-elected to their respective offices. "As

Meet Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International, leading a movement to elevate Black artists, build a sustainable art ecosystem, and make Chicago the North Star of Black fine art (Photo Provided). Her mentees call her “Auntie.” But it’s safe to say that Patricia Andrews-Keenan has helped mother a movement in Chicago—centering Black artists and building sustainable communities for them to thrive. As the founder of Pigment International, a Chicago-based platform uplifting Black contemporary art and culture, Andrews-Keenan has spent the last seven years using her corporate, media and storytelling background to

From L–R: Deon Hodrick, community advocate and entrepreneur; Richard Wallace, founder of Equity and Transformation (EAT); Clinton Boyd, Jr., executive director of Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities; and Daniel Ash, president of the Field Foundation, speak during the “Breaking the Chains” panel on reclaiming wealth, power, and dignity for Black men in Chicago (Photo Courtesy of The Field Foundation). As a Black woman, I’ve seen firsthand how financial struggles can profoundly affect a Black man’s self-esteem, mental health and ability to lead his family. It’s heartbreaking to watch—and

Standing on the South Side of Chicago, where she was born, raised, and still resides, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton made it official: she’s running to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin — and she’s doing so with two major endorsements already in hand. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker formally endorsed Stratton's Senate candidacy at a rally on Friday. Speaking of Stratton as "one of Illinois’ fiercest fighters for working families," Pritzker cited Stratton's integrity, pragmatism, and dedication. “At this perilous moment in Washington, Juliana’s fighting spirit and dedication to

Attorney Ben Crump outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull). By James Bridgeforth, Ph.D. and Alexander Efird, Special to The Chicago Defender Introduction: The Battle for Justice Has a Voice — And It’s Ben Crump In a nation teetering on the edge of moral confusion and political regression, there are few voices who thunder with the clarity, conviction, and courage of Attorney Ben Crump. Called “Black America’s Attorney General,” Crump has carved out a legacy not just in courtrooms, but in the collective conscience of

Chicago State University makes history by appointing Bobby Rome II as its first head football coach (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington). In a bold and historic move, Chicago State University has officially entered the world of Division I football. The university named Bobby Rome II as the first head coach in program history, signaling its commitment to bringing NCAA Division I football to the city. Rome, fresh off a nomination for HBCU Coach of the Year in 2024, brings a track record of high performance and program-building experience that CSU

Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. opens up about his father’s legacy, his own revolutionary work, and how the Black Panther Cubs continue the movement today (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback). “I’ve often said I’m a revolutionary living in reactionary times; much of my work involved being on what we call a political pivot—always adapting to the unexpected while staying focused on the mission. It’s a daily grind. But this is what movement work looks like. We stay ready.” Inside the Hampton House On a brisk afternoon, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., Leader of