A new grant is bolstering a program for African American students

Posted on May 5, 2022
The initiative has already enrolled more than 5,000 students. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas and IIS

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board is announcing a new grant that will bolster a program for African American students.

The more than $745,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation enhances the current workforce equity initiative.

“Healthcare field, it could be the transportation field. It could also look at some welding opportunities, or just about any basic certificate that is provided at each one of our 18 participating colleges,” said Board Deputy Executive Director Jennifer Foster.

The initiative has already enrolled more than 5,000 students.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…