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Founded in 1905 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, The Chicago Defender newspaper shaped and gave voice to the Great Migration of Black Southerners to the urban North. It also created a sense of place and an important lens into Chicago life, culture, and politics as the city changed over time. More than a local paper, the Defender was also an engine of ideas and opinions that galvanized black people nationwide.
Born in Georgia, Abbott studied printing at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), toured nationally with the Hampton Choir & Quartet and earned a law degree from Kent College of Law in Chicago Illinois in 1898.
He practiced law shortly before returning to Georgia, then Chicago. “The World’s Greatest Weekly” – a four-paged circular with about 300 readers produced in his landlord’s kitchen was renamed to The Chicago Defender and featured Black social and economic progress, job opportunities, social justice and news of the discrimination plaguing Blacks living in southern states. Readership quickly grew as part of his distribution network was made up of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the unionized railroad workers who often sold or distributed the paper on trains. Abbott encouraged people to leave the South for the North where blacks could vote, obtain better educational opportunities for their children, and higher wages. The Defender became the most widely circulated Black newspaper in the country. As "America's Black Newspaper," its success resulted in Abbott becoming one of the first self-made Black millionaires. Circulation reached 50,000 by 1916; 125,000 by 1918; and more than 200,000 by the early 1920s.
Abbott died in 1940 and left control of the newspaper to his nephew, John Henry Sengstacke who expanded his publishing to include the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit; the Tri-State Defender in Memphis, Tennessee; and the Pittsburgh Courier. Sengstacke worked with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to have African American reporters admitted to presidential press conferences. He pressed for opportunities in the United States Postal Service for African Americans and, one his major political goals, to desegregate the armed forces. President Harry Truman supported this goal, naming Sengstacke to the commission he formed in 1948 to integrate the military. Sengstacke died in 1997 at age 84 but was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton posthumously in 2000.
Sources: BlackPast.org; Britannica.com.org; NewYorker.com; Wikipedia.org
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New! Individuals and families may receive up to $1,200 back if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
Find out if you qualify for the Working Families Tax Credit! Applications open February 1, 2023
A collaborative effort with a host of amazing organizations that support Black-Owned Business Excellence to include the US Small Business Administration, City of Tacoma, Africatown Land and Trust, Urban Impact Seattle, Black Dot, Urban Leagues, Seattle Credit Union, Seattle Public Library, Greater Seattle Business Association, WA Small Business Development Center, Minority Business Diversity Association, Business Impact NW, WA State Microenterprise Association and others.
This all-day symposium to celebrate, educate and inspire Washington business owners who have been historically underserved is both in-person and virtual!
Break out sessions for the entire day: Panel Discussions Workshops and Training Business Coaching Marketing and Networking Financial Management Startup Assistance Strategic Business Planning Nonprofit Management
Five (5) $1000 grants will be awarded. Apply here!
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 9:00 AM
Location: University Of Washington Tacoma - William W. Philip Hall (WPH) 1918 Pacific Avenue Tacoma, WA 98409
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Cierra Sisters and partners presents a discussion on closing the cancer care gap. Learn how uniting our voices towards action can help our community.
This is a hybrid event!
Saturday, February 4, 2023
12 Noon to 3 PM
In Person: Langston Hughes Performing Art Institute: 104 - 17th Ave S. Seattle, WA or via Zoom: https://redcap.link/WCD2023
Use the QR code to register for free
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Earn While You Learn!
Apprenticeship & Job Training at Washington's Colleges
Education and training beyond high school can lead to a good job, higher wages, and more, but some need to start working sooner rather than later.
Move beyond minimum wage with an apprenticeship or other job training. Even a one-year program at a community college or technical college can increase your future earnings. In an apprenticeship, you earn while you learn and in many cases, can use financial aid to cover out-of-pocket costs like tuition, fees, and materials.
No matter the path you choose, more education means more job stability and higher earnings—for life. The Washington Student Achievement Council website has information you can use today!
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