Putting Chicago To Work

09/02/2026

HBCU ALUMNI & REPRESENTATIVES — WE NEED YOU! 📣🎓

Do you want to see your HBCU represented at "The Homecoming Experience?"

Do you know an admissions representative, recruiter, alumni representative, or someone who can help connect us with your institution?

Help us bring your HBCU to our students!
We’re inviting HBCUs to join us for the IPCDF HBCU College Fair: The Homecoming Experience and give students in our community the opportunity to discover institutions, ask questions, explore their options, and envision where their next chapter could begin.

Come help us:
CONNECT • RECRUIT • INSPIRE

Whether you can represent your institution or connect us with someone who can, we want to hear from you.

📅 Saturday, September 26, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Greenwood Oasis | Chicago
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register as an HBCU representative.

HBCU alumni — tag your school below! 👇🏾 Let’s see how many HBCUs we can bring to Chicago for our students. 🎓💚

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdr4NlFqjlsr26joLDPcmGn0dYGC52CXF4qw9nAcUFFQSsiYw/viewform

09/02/2026

A landlord told this tenant the rent was going from $2,500 to $4,000.

That sounds like a negotiation until the tenant has somewhere else to go.

He said okay.

Then he told the landlord he had already found another place.

Suddenly the conversation changed.

That is what leverage looks like in ordinary life.

The landlord has leverage while the tenant believes leaving is too difficult.

The tenant gains leverage the moment another acceptable option exists.

The same principle applies to jobs, vendors, debt negotiations and almost every other relationship involving money.

You negotiate differently when saying no is real.

That is why alternatives matter more than confidence.

You can memorize every negotiation tactic in the world.

If you desperately need the only option in front of you, the other side can feel it.

The strongest position is not being aggressive.

It is being able to walk away without destroying your life.

A rent increase tests what the market will tolerate.

The tenant’s alternative is part of the market too.

09/02/2026

Preach!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_0n0vIiuoUOlaC-BT6ket8d6B-RBqV1IiN8szzVr2mxUMlRVQ1BSNEUyUUJZV1FEOFAxS1JKV1JFRSQlQCN0PWcu&origin=QRCode&route=shorturl

09/02/2026

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Healing Illinois Returns for 2026-2027!

We're proud to partner with the Illinois Department of Human Services to distribute $4.3 million in funding to Illinois nonprofits to foster racial healing and community connection statewide.

From now through September 28, organizations can apply for funding to support projects that bring people together across differences to build trusted relationships, foster understanding, and strengthen community bonds.

At the heart of Healing Illinois is the belief that every resident can contribute to healing by appreciating the inherent value of all people, respecting one another’s experiences, and honoring the histories of Illinois’ diverse communities.

🗓️ Apply by: Monday, September 28
📍 Who: Illinois 501(c)(3) organizations
💡 Info Sessions: Join us Sept 8, Sept 15

Full details here:

Before applying we invite interested organization to review our Applicant Resource Guide to help you understand the program and determine whether this is the right fit for you.